Mental staircases and paradoxical suitcases: Crafting the world-hopping puzzles of Cocoon

Plus, Embracer makes layoffs at Neverwinter developer Cryptic Studios, Nascar Rivals developer Motorsport Games laying off 40 percent of staff, and more - [Game Developer Daily](?sp_aid=119104&elq_cid=22018255&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_11.03.23&sp_cid=50380&utm_content=Gama_NL_Game%20Developer%20Daily_11.03.23&sp_eh=558b5bca28770e5056e8cfadd2bf9a5dda06ed0e24183b37db416422421c3bbf&elqTrackId=1b6617bb9f394ea586b90c5946998bf9&elq=87590b477081462ca89278f5bd0fdb53&elqaid=119104&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=50380) November 03, 2023 — JUMP TO — [From Our Sponsors](#sponsors) | [Featured Blogs](#blogs) | [Top Job Postings](#job) | [Resource Center](#resources) [TOP STORIES] [Nascar Rivals developer Motorsport Games laying off 40 percent of staff]( The company said the layoffs will mainly affect staff in the United Kingdom and Australia. [Embracer makes layoffs at Neverwinter developer Cryptic Studios]( Several current and former staffers have confirmed there has been a "reduction in force." [Mental staircases and paradoxical suitcases: Crafting the world-hopping puzzles of Cocoon]( "I think I've got to a point where I evaluate puzzles on more parameters than just 'is this challenging?'" [Nintendo is helping retirees in Japan tear it up in Mario Kart]( The company has started a new initiative that will allow senior citizens to keep gaming into their golden years. [How Annalynn was inspired by the enduring appeal of Namco arcade games]( Creator Cruise Elroy tells us how the staples of a classic platform shaped the game's design. [More Stories »]( [FROM OUR SPONSORS] [PICO Kicks Off First Dev Jam for Global Developers to Usher in a New Era in for XR]( PICO, a leading VR brand with independent innovation and R&D creation capabilities, will kick off the 2023 PICO Dev Jam on 25th of Sep, its first-ever global challenge for emerging virtual reality developers [FIND OUT MORE]( [FEATURED BLOGS] [Clean Slate vs. Reactive Design]( Creativity comes in two flavors – Clean Slate and Reactive. In this blog post, Warren Spector discusses both and admits he’s an adherent of the latter... [Evolving a studio from single to multi product, learnings from Super Evil Megacorp]( Evolving into a multi-product studio is an enormously challenging effort, but it offers an opportunity to provide more player value, more opportunities for tale... [From sketches to final results — How we designed the dioramas for Street Soccer]( Our latest challenge was to craft a diorama inspired by street soccer that evoked the charm of Rio de Janeiro. [A closer look at Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged Track Builder]( The goal of the Track Builder, environments, and modules is to provide users with a tool that is easy to understand yet deep enough to express their creativity. [Why Hollywood game adaptations need a YA-inspired business model]( If Hollywood game adaptations are going to last, they need to learn from the world of Young Adult-inspired films. [More Blogs »]( [JOB LISTINGS FOR TODAY] Miami University: United States [Assistant Teaching Professor/Assistant Lecturer]( Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Indianapolis: United States [Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Extended Reality (XR) for Human-Centered Computing]( Hometopia Inc.: [Principal Game Engineer]( Double Fine Productions: [Senior Systems Programmer]( Double Fine Productions: [Gameplay Programmer]( Syracuse University: United States [Assistant Teaching Professor - Game Art - 077310]( [RESOURCES] [IOGEAR KVMs: The essential tool for multitasking]( IOGEAR offers a wide range of KVM switches that can allow to control multiple computers with a single keyboard, mouse, and monitor. [Be smart about automation: the future is AI driven game testing with Keywords Studios]( Mighty Build and Test CTO Ben Britten explores the use of AI-driven tools like BuildBot, TestBot, and ProofBot. [Calling all game developers: create the new heroes we need to see today!]( As part of Dove's ongoing commitment to supporting gamers challenge beauty ideals in the space, we're giving five of you the chance to win an All-Access Pass to industry-leading conference GDC 2024! Simply complete the course and put your new-found knowledge into action to build on the creation of inclusive video game avatars. [Web3 Gaming Uncovered: Gala Games on the Future of Play]( Watch this insightful sponsored Q&A with Jason Brink from Gala Games, delving into web3 gaming, NFTs, assisting web2 devs transition to web3, and their strategic pivot towards publishing. Uncover the future of gaming! [Celebrate 50 Years of SIGGRAPH Conferences]( Expand your horizons, make bold predictions, plot your path, and gather together in Los Angeles this August. Register today for SIGGRAPH 2023. [An indie developer's guide to industry events, trade shows, and exhibitions]( Discover the ideal industry events you can attend to captivate investors and publishers and help propel your game to success. [Stray: Giving character to a futuristic city]( Learn more about the unique environment art of the award-winning indie game Stray and how artists leveraged Adobe's Substance 3D tools to bring its city to life. [Credit Cards 101: Everything game developers need to know]( Learn everything you need to know about credit card processing in this free white paper. 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