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Duke Nukem 3D level designer Richard "Levelord" Gray dies aged 68
Richard "Levelord" Gray, a renowned level designer known for his work on Duke Nukem 3D and co-founder of Ritual Entertainment, has passed away at the age of 68. Apogee Entertainment announced his death, celebrating his significant contributions to the gaming industry, including titles like Quake: Scourge of Armagon and Sin.
Doom and Gears of War creators among the developers paying tribute to legendary FPS dev Richard 'Levelord'…
Tributes are being paid to legendary FPS designer Richard 'Levelord' Gray, who passed away at age 68. Gray was known for his work on iconic titles such as Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, Half-Life: Opposing Force, and Sin, and was celebrated for his innovative level design and hidden easter eggs. Industry figures like John Romero, Cliff Bleszinski, and Scott Miller have shared fond memories of his talent and character.
Legendary FPS level designer Richard 'Levelord' Gray passes away at 68
Legendary level designer Richard 'Levelord' Gray, known for his work on Duke Nukem 3D and co-founding Ritual Entertainment, has passed away at the age of 68. Gray also contributed to Quake expansions and the game SiN. His passing was mourned by industry figures like John Romero.
Legendary level designer Richard 'Levelord' Gray has died
Legendary level designer Richard Gray, known as 'Levelord', has passed away at the age of 68. Gray was celebrated for his significant contributions to iconic first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D, and also co-founded Ritual Entertainment, working on titles such as Quake: Scourge of Armagon and Sin. Tributes from industry figures highlight his talent, kindness, and lasting legacy in game development.
The advent of first-person shooters introduced a wild frontier of unregulated video game level packs, and it ended in a…
In the 1990s, first-person shooters saw the rise of 'level packs,' boxed products containing collections of custom levels that existed between official expansions and mods. Companies like Sunstorm Interactive created well-regarded packs for games like Duke Nukem 3D, fostering new design talent. However, the era also saw the proliferation of unauthorized and low-quality packs, leading to landmark copyright cases like Micro Star v. FormGen, which established that game mods are derivative works, ultimately leading to the decline of unregulated level packs.
Tempest Rising: The Veti’s Wrath Expansion Is Out Now | Invision Game Community
The Veti's Wrath, a new expansion for the real-time strategy game Tempest Rising, is now available on Steam. The expansion introduces the Veti faction, a new 11-mission single-player campaign, and adds the Veti to multiplayer modes for all players. A Gold Edition bundling the base game and all expansions is also available.
Indie Selects for September 2026: Genre Mashups & Fresh Takes
Microsoft's Indie Select Hub for September 2026 highlights six diverse indie titles across various genres, including superhero management, isekai truck driving, retro FPS horror, 3D platforming, real-time strategy, and historical multiplayer shooters. The curated collection aims to offer fresh takes on familiar genres with unique mechanics and perspectives.
Prästens odyssé bland häxor och troll - SULFUR har något särskilt
This analysis explores the influences and inspirations behind the game SULFUR, drawing parallels to classic 90s first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D and Wolfenstein 3D, as well as the roguelike Hades. The article highlights SULFUR's unique sound design, engaging gameplay loop, and well-written narrative elements.
Devs who spent 5 years making a BioShock-like horror shooter can't believe its Steam reviews: "I truly…
Developer Thomas Brush expressed surprise at the overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews for his five-year project, Twisted Tower, a BioShock-inspired horror shooter. The game is nearing the 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating threshold with 95% positive reviews out of 421. Brush described the game as a blend of BioShock's atmosphere, Willy Wonka, and mascot horror.
I got so freaked out by the fact that Gordon Freeman is canonically 27 that I decided to find out how old all the other classic FPS protagonists are, and it didn't make me feel better
This article explores the canonical ages of various classic first-person shooter protagonists from the 1990s, starting with the surprising revelation that Gordon Freeman is only 27. It delves into the lore of characters like B.J. Blazkowicz, Kyle Katarn, and Duke Nukem, discussing how their ages were determined or left ambiguous by developers.
CULTIC – Resident Evil Meets Boomer Shooter Carnage
CULTIC, a retro-inspired first-person shooter blending Resident Evil 4 elements with classic '90s shooter gameplay, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 for £16.74. The console edition includes both campaign chapters, bonus content, and survival modes. Developed by Jasozz Games and published by Atari, the game features intense combat, destructible environments, and a horror-infused atmosphere.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for July 20 to 24
Xbox has announced a slate of new games arriving on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between July 20 and July 24. The lineup includes titles like Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, The Planet Crafter, and CULTIC, with several optimized for current-gen consoles.
Tempest Rising: The Veti's Wrath Announced
Slipgate Ironworks and 3D Realms, published by Saber Interactive, have announced The Veti's Wrath, a new single-player expansion for the real-time strategy game Tempest Rising. The expansion is scheduled for release later this year.
BioShock-Like Horror FPS Twisted Tower Is Coming to PC Next Month
The horror FPS Twisted Tower, developed by Atmos Games and published by 3D Realms, will launch on PC via Steam on August 18th, 2026. Created by Thomas Brush, known for Pinstripe and Neversong, the game is set in an abandoned 1950s amusement park where fairy-tale mascots have become deadly. Players will explore five distinct locations and utilize toy-inspired weapons to fight enemies and uncover dark secrets.
PLAY THE FIRST TWO MISSIONS FROM TEMPEST RISING'S UPCOMING NEW SINGLE-PLAYER CAMPAIGN NOW ON STEAM
A new demo for the real-time strategy game Tempest Rising is now available on Steam as part of TactiCon, featuring the first two missions of its upcoming third faction, the Veti. The full expansion, "The Veti's Wrath," will launch later this year, adding an 11-mission single-player campaign and full multiplayer integration for the Veti faction.
Twisted Tower gets August 2026 release on PC — MP3s & NPCs
The action-adventure FPS Twisted Tower is set to release on August 18, 2026, for PC via Steam. Developed by Atmos Games, led by Thomas Brush, the game features a unique blend of Disneyland and BioShock aesthetics with fast-paced combat against corrupted mascots.
SURVIVE THE THEME PARK FROM HELL IN TWISTED TOWER, COMING TO STEAM AUGUST 18
Twisted Tower, an action-adventure FPS developed by Atmos Games and helmed by Thomas Brush, is set to launch on PC via Steam on August 18, 2026. Published by Saber Interactive's 3D Realms label, the game challenges players to climb a tower filled with corrupted mascots and deadly traps in a theme park inspired by BioShock and Disneyland.
Doom dev id Software loses half its staff and all its coders in Xbox bloodbath
id Software, the studio behind the Doom franchise, has reportedly lost approximately half of its staff, including most of its coders, in recent Xbox layoffs. This significant reduction in workforce has led to concerns about the studio's ability to continue developing its proprietary technology and future titles. Co-founder John Romero expressed concern for the preservation of id Software's legacy amidst these drastic cuts.
Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobs
Reports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
Rare added to the list of Xbox studios under threat
Rumors suggest that Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several Xbox studios, including Rare, Bethesda, and Arkane, with some studios potentially facing closure or sale. This follows recent layoffs at Bungie and Microsoft pulling out of a partnership with IO Interactive. The reported motivation behind these potential cuts is a focus on profitability by new Microsoft management.