Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Latest articles by Xalavier Nelson Jr.
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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.
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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.
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What it's like to get laid off in the games industry
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Inside dev The people behind the numbers.
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How developers build the tutorials you skip
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
hard lesson Studios work hard to create teaching moments.
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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.
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Why devs make merchandise and what it costs them
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Swag hurts The struggles of making good swag.
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The making of Battlefield 5's campaign
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
War stories How the singleplayer anthology was created.
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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’."
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How developers create cinematics
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Telling tales Making a scene.
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Unexpected ways time affects game development
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
inside dev Why games are surprisingly hard to pace.
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Meet the devs building the great detective games of tomorrow
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
crack the case Gumshoe greats.
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How developers make perfect rain in games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Inside dev A lot goes into creating convincing downpour.
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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.
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When bugs become features: why dynamic game systems surprise their creators
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
serendipity Some outcomes are impossible to predict.
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How games are built and rebuilt for conventions
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
showing off Crafting the perfect showcase.
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The hidden tricks bringing game worlds to life
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
sleight of hand Under the surface.
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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.
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The evolving art of dialogue in games
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
let's talk Why a wall of text is hard to build.
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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.
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How balancing works, and why it matters
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
balancing act The tricky business of building systems that feel fair.
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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.
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Reappraising Hotline Miami 2
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Apocalypse The ways in which Wrong Number surpasses its legendary predecessor.
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How much say do developers have in their schedules?
By Xalavier Nelson Jr. published
Avoiding crunch How crunch happens.