Weekly Links #153

You know, for a game development blog I don't post about game design nearly often enough. This week is an exception. Let's start with Gamasutra's case study of good first levels — an important part of any game, if by no means the hardest. (Ultimately, the first level is also the easiest to make.) More specifically, we have an article about prefabricated sections in procedurally generated levels and another on powerful uses of color in game graphics. Plenty of things to learn from both!

Going on, Polygon is running a long-form feature about the making of Final Fantasy VII (warning: really long read!) And you know, it would be a much more interesting story if it didn't sound exactly like most other such stories. Politics, money, technology, ambition, cockiness... stop me when you grow tired of the drinking game. Is the industry ever going to learn any better?

Last but not least, fans of interactive fiction will be happy to hear that textadventures.co.uk is saved! A new team stepped up to take over, and the transition is ongoing as of this writing. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Speaking of which, stay creative, and stay tuned. See you!