Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Latest articles by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
How developers pay digital tribute to loved ones in their games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. last updated
hidden notes Secret moments of recognition that most of us will miss.
The futile search for a single message in Far Cry 5
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. last updated
Joseph Screed Far Cry 5 is tonally confused, but it has a lot to say in isolation.
What it's like to get laid off in the games industry
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Inside dev The people behind the numbers.
How developers build the tutorials you skip
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
hard lesson Studios work hard to create teaching moments.
In praise of games that get New Game Plus right
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
game on Some games are so good you have to play them twice.
Why devs make merchandise and what it costs them
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Swag hurts The struggles of making good swag.
The making of Battlefield 5's campaign
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
War stories How the singleplayer anthology was created.
The limits of making licensed games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Inside dev “When we asked if we could see footage of the show, we were told ‘no’."
How developers create cinematics
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Telling tales Making a scene.
Unexpected ways time affects game development
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
inside dev Why games are surprisingly hard to pace.
Meet the devs building the great detective games of tomorrow
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
crack the case Gumshoe greats.
How developers make perfect rain in games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Inside dev A lot goes into creating convincing downpour.
No Man's Sky is great when you treat it like Animal Crossing in space
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Skyward steward Routine elevates the adventures of No Man's Sky.
When bugs become features: why dynamic game systems surprise their creators
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
serendipity Some outcomes are impossible to predict.
How games are built and rebuilt for conventions
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
showing off Crafting the perfect showcase.
The hidden tricks bringing game worlds to life
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
sleight of hand Under the surface.
Watch Dogs 2 made San Francisco much more than just a playground
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
San Fran-click-sco How an in-game app develops your relationship with Watch Dogs 2’s city.
The evolving art of dialogue in games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
let's talk Why a wall of text is hard to build.
How Deus Ex: Mankind Divided nails the personal side of prejudice
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
A-damn Shame What Eidos Montreal's latest got right.
How balancing works, and why it matters
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
balancing act The tricky business of building systems that feel fair.
GTA 5 is only honest in its most drunken moments
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Wasted Hanging out brings GTA's characters to life, as long as you're drunk first.
Reappraising Hotline Miami 2
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Apocalypse The ways in which Wrong Number surpasses its legendary predecessor.
How much say do developers have in their schedules?
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Avoiding crunch How crunch happens.
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