Fabian FischerTarkov: Breaking the RulesEscape from Tarkov works better than it should by conventional game design standards and turns potential issues into strengths. How?9 min read·Oct 28, 2021--1--1
Fabian FischerGames as Conceptual ArtThere are whole worlds of creative energy and inspiration out there, no less and often more fascinating than the “big ones”.5 min read·Jun 5, 2021----
Fabian FischerHow Crimson Company maximizes gameplay depthCrimson Company deviates from traditional “card battling” games to maximize the depth of its moment-to-moment gameplay. Here’s how!5 min read·Dec 9, 2020----
Fabian FischerSpelunky 2: Fuel to the fireSpelunky 2 works not just despite, but also because of the central gameplay conflict it revolves around.6 min read·Oct 28, 2020----
Fabian Fischer“Video games are too long”: Symptoms of a more fundamental problemWhat is it specifically about AAA games that makes many players — not just executives, developers or critics — consider them “too long”?4 min read·Jun 29, 2020--1--1
Fabian Fischer“Insta-Tournaments”: Multiplayer Solitaire?Celebrated among players, but largely unnoticed by game developers, Zach Gage invented a very special game mode for Pocket-Run Pool.4 min read·Jan 18, 2020----
Fabian FischerPlanning and Pre-Game DecisionsPlanning is at the heart of gameplay. Some games emphasize this in a separate “planning phase”, which comes with its own set of problems…5 min read·Oct 14, 2019----
Fabian FischerSky and the Price of FriendshipSky is supposed to be Journey’s spiritual successor. However, its business model puts a questionable spin on its friendship-driven design.3 min read·Jul 26, 2019----
Fabian FischerWhen Games Idolize BusyworkModern video games often feature elements of busywork, and yet they are successful. What exactly is the appeal of “workified” games?6 min read·Jul 9, 2019----
Fabian FischerGames as Experiential NarrativeThe term “video games” contains at least two fundamentally different art forms. We need to do a better job at differentiating them!5 min read·Jun 3, 2019----