Join the Escapist + for ad-free viewing.

logo
Menu
logo
  • Latest
  • Video Series
    • Adventure Is Nigh!
    • Documentaries
    • Review in 3 Minutes
    • The Anatomy
    • Extra Punctuation
    • Zero Punctuation
    • Your Feature Presentation
  • Columns
    • Area of Effect
    • Escape the Law
    • In the Frame
    • New Narrative
    • The Stuff of Legends
  • Podcasts
    • Slightly Something Else
    • Breakout
  • Originals
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
  • Forums
  • Merch
  • Escapist +
  • Dark Mode
  • Twitch Icon

The Hard Problem

The Hard Problem

The Hard Problem

The Hard Problem: The New Concurrency

In an MMOG, “concurrency” refers to how many players are online at the same time. For games with multiple servers/shards/realms, this number is ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorFebruary 4, 2010
The Hard Problem

Faucets, Sinks, and Markets

I never thought I’d play a fantasy-adventure game in which I’m both an epic hero and a landlord, but thanks to Peter Molyneux ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorJanuary 7, 2010
The Hard Problem

Collection Progression

I’m a sucker for collecting crap in videogames. The universe could be perishing in fire and blood but if I haven’t found all ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorDecember 3, 2009
The Hard Problem

Videogame Sex

I would like to begin this month’s column by assuring you I do not get paid by the page view. This month’s topic ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorNovember 10, 2009
The Hard Problem

Too Many Buttons

The Xbox 360 controller, as an example, has thirteen different user inputs. That’s not including the Start, Back, or Xbox buttons, and that’s ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorOctober 8, 2009
The Hard Problem

Evolving the Superhero MMO

Cryptic Studios is taking a stab at evolving the superhero MMO with Champions Online this month, which means it’s a good time for ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorSeptember 3, 2009
The Hard Problem

Unfinished Games

It’s one of the dirty little secrets of the gaming hobby: a substantial percentage of players who buy our games don’t actually finish ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorAugust 13, 2009
The Hard Problem

The Hard Problem: Dynamic Content

It all went downhill when we started saving our progress in games. Whose brilliant idea was that, anyway? Once we introduced the virtual ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorJuly 2, 2009
The Hard Problem

Conversation

Most videogames follow Elvis’s dictum to the extreme: “A little less conversation, a little more action.” With the notable exception of Bioware’s games ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorJune 5, 2009
The Hard Problem

Good vs. Evil

Welcome to The Hard Problem, a new column where I’ll tackle a hard problem in game design and then solve it before your ...
By John Scott Tynes Legacy AuthorMay 14, 2009
Escapist +

Discussion

  1. Daniel Benítez Pérez: Yeah, I kinda hoped that DS9 would be the one who pay its dues with…

    Commented on: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 Review: 'Ghosts of Illyria'

  2. Darren_Mooney: To be fair, I may not be especially fond of either the second season of…

    Commented on: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 Review: 'Ghosts of Illyria'

  3. Darren_Mooney: To be fair, the version of Spock that appeared in The Cage, of which this…

    Commented on: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 Review: 'Ghosts of Illyria'

  4. John: That's a good observation. A disadvantage I find with longer games, is that it becomes…

    Commented on: Why I Like Persona in Spite of Its Being a JRPG – Extra Punctuation

  5. JollyRayda: "It’s unclear whether the problem is with the scripts or with the performers, but Mount…

    Commented on: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 Review: 'Ghosts of Illyria'

logo
© The Escapist 2021. All Rights Reserved.
  • Escapist +
  • Account
  • + Support
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Pitch
  • Merch Store
  • V1 Archive

logo

✕
  • Latest
  • Video Series
    • Adventure Is Nigh!
    • Documentaries
    • Review in 3 Minutes
    • The Anatomy
    • Extra Punctuation
    • Zero Punctuation
    • Your Feature Presentation
  • Columns
    • Area of Effect
    • Escape the Law
    • In the Frame
    • New Narrative
    • The Stuff of Legends
  • Podcasts
    • Slightly Something Else
    • Breakout
  • Originals
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • Opinions
  • Forums
  • Merch
  • Escapist +
  • Upcomer
  • Siliconera
  • Destructoid
  • PCInvasion
  • Nintendo Enthusiast
  • Sims Resource
  • Operation Sports
Work With Us!    |    Made with    |    Gamers Live Here.