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EA business and news from across the web.
"0.63 is the perfect default delay": Bungie, Respawn and Firaxis game developers talk NPC barks, grenade timing and other questions of craftGame developers from studios like Firaxis, Bungie, and Respawn shared practical advice on various aspects of game development, including NPC dialogue, UI animation timing, and combat design principles. The discussion, initiated on Bluesky, highlighted the importance of small details in creating satisfying player experiences.
The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026This guide highlights the best games available on Xbox Game Pass in 2026, covering a wide range of genres from roguelites to open-world adventures. It details different subscription tiers and provides brief descriptions of each recommended title, including recent additions and critically acclaimed games from previous years.
Star Wars Zero Company director has 'an axe to grind' with turn-based tactics, says fans don't have to settle for no story, crummy graphics, and clunky controls: 'Depth doesn't cost you elegance'Greg Foertsch, creative director for Star Wars: Zero Company, believes turn-based tactics games should not compromise on story, graphics, or controls. He argues that depth in strategy games does not necessitate sacrificing visual fidelity or narrative immersion, challenging the notion that fans must settle for less.
Xalavier Nelson Jr, director of Space Baby Warlord Trading Simulator, will never uninstall Warframe and would love to see an Outriders 2: 'I think that game would have been really special'Xalavier Nelson Jr, director of Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator and founder of Strange Scaffold, discusses the games installed on his PC. He highlights Warframe as a live-service game he'll never uninstall due to its evolving nature and respect for player time, and expresses a desire for an Outriders 2, praising the original for its flawed charm. Nelson Jr also shares his appreciation for older titles like Cultic and Blood: Fresh Supply, emphasizing the importance of understanding game history.
Former Valve writer hits out at Epic Games layoffs: "It's not like they're a publicly traded company. It's not like there's some need to hit the stock market thing. This is Tim"Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek criticized Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney regarding the company's recent 1,000 job cuts. Faliszek questioned the motivation behind the layoffs, given Epic Games is not publicly traded, and contrasted it with Valve's employee-centric approach that fostered agency and rewarded hard work.
Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate's FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find outThis article examines the 2012 first-person shooter reboot of Syndicate, exploring how EA's attempt to adapt the beloved strategy IP into a blockbuster shooter alienated PC fans. Despite its flaws and a challenging difficulty that frustrated players, the game is analyzed for its strong world-building, voice acting by Michael Wincott, and contributions from developers who later founded MachineGames, creators of the Wolfenstein reboot.
The industry is in a 'really horrible place,' say Brenda and John RomeroBrenda and John Romero describe the current state of the video game industry as 'horrible,' drawing parallels to the 1983 crash due to widespread layoffs and studio closures at companies like EA, PlayStation, and Epic Games. Brenda Romero also expressed concern over the push for generative AI, stating that Romero Games is not utilizing the technology.
"We were there in the 80s for the crash, and this is definitely crashier." John and Brenda Romero reflect on the industry crisisJohn and Brenda Romero reflect on the current state of the video game industry, likening it to the 1983 crash and describing it as "definitely crashier." Romero Games faced significant downsizing due to a funding pull, leading to a dramatic reduction in staff. Despite these challenges and industry-wide layoffs, the Romeros remain committed to developing their new game and express passion for creating games.
Big Game Pass Rumor Could Make The Service Even More ConfusingA new rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a "Triton" tier for Xbox Game Pass that would exclusively feature first-party games from Xbox Game Studios. This potential change comes as Microsoft aims to make Game Pass more enticing to a broader audience, with reports of lower-priced tiers and potential collaborations with services like Netflix. The company has also recently adjusted Game Pass pricing and is undergoing a brand identity reset under new CEO Asha Sharma.
Star Wars Zero Company forces you into permadeath so you can see "what's on the other side of the experience"Star Wars Zero Company, a strategy game from Bit Reactor, features permadeath for its squadmates, a decision that sparked internal debate. Narrative lead Aaron Contreras explained that while some characters have narrative protections, most custom operators are vulnerable, and the developers believe permadeath aligns with the Star Wars theme of loss and encourages players to push through consequences.
Star Wars Zero Company will kill story characters, Fire Emblem-style: Narrative lead says "I lost an argument about…Star Wars Zero Company will feature permadeath for its story characters, a decision narrative lead Aaron Contreras embraced after initially losing an argument against it. This mechanic, inspired by games like Fire Emblem, aims to emphasize the theme of loss inherent in the Star Wars universe and discourage save scumming.- Square Enix bäst på Metacritic under 2025Square Enix has been named the top game publisher by Metacritic for 2025, marking the first time the company has achieved this ranking. The analysis considers average game scores, the proportion of critically acclaimed titles, and the number of games receiving scores of 90 or higher. Several Swedish publishers, including Thunderful and Raw Fury, also placed in the top 10.
Crimson Desert: Sealed Abyss Artifacts LocationsPlayers are discussing the locations of sealed abyss artifacts in Crimson Desert, with some users expressing a willingness to wait for sales. The conversation touches on the game's reception compared to titles from EA and Ubisoft, with many defending Pearl Abyss's efforts in creating an original and engaging open-world experience despite some rough edges.- Paradox Release Date Countdown – How to Join EAThe Roblox Bleach RPG Paradox is set to release on April 10th, with developers Aidenn and Super working on final bug fixes for Early Access. The game will be free-to-play and available on PC, Mobile, Xbox, and PlayStation. Players can gain Early Access by inviting friends to the official Discord server or creating promotional content about the game.
Crimson Desert: Air Travel, Fast Travel, and Exploration TricksCrimson Desert offers engaging open-world exploration with varied quests and secrets, featuring fantastic combat that contrasts with typical Ubisoft titles. While the story is considered a letdown by some, the overall gameplay experience is highly praised for its originality and personality, with many players finding it incredibly fun and visually appealing, especially on PlayStation 4 Pro.- FIFA is back in April with FIFA Heroes, and you can play as Maradona, Harry Kane and… Thor?FIFA Heroes, an arcade-style 5v5 football game, is set to launch on April 28th for iOS, Android, and PC, with console versions to follow. The free-to-play title features real footballers like Diego Maradona and Harry Kane alongside mythological figures such as Thor and Sun Wukong, offering exaggerated abilities and fast-paced gameplay.
IGN Crimson Desert ReviewThis review discusses Crimson Desert, with commenters debating whether the game receives a pass from critics compared to EA or Ubisoft due to its originality. Some argue that Pearl Abyss's willingness to innovate with personality in an often unoriginal industry warrants forgiveness for rough edges, while others question the hype surrounding the title.- Dimensional Double Shift Sporelando Expansion Launching April 23Owlchemy Labs is launching the Sporelando expansion for its VR title Dimensional Double Shift on April 23 for Meta Quest and Android XR. The expansion introduces a new suburban swamp setting where players control sentient fungi and engage in tasks like repairing bio-mechanical golf carts and serving local cuisine. CEO Andrew Eiche stated the dimension was inspired by the concept of 'Florida Man' being a sentient mushroom, blending the mundane with the absurd for chaotic co-op gameplay.
Union workers send a message to game industry execs: 'Let go of the power now, or be forced to let go of it later.'Unionized video game workers attending the GDC Festival of Gaming sent a strong message to industry executives regarding power dynamics and recent mass layoffs. Speakers urged leaders to address worker concerns and consider the human impact of business decisions, warning that resistance to change will ultimately be futile.
BF6 gets a new for fun mode called Shell Shocked, that wasn’t on the roadmap eitherEA has surprise-released a new 32-player mode for Battlefield 6 called Shell Shocked, which was not previously on the game's roadmap. The mode features 4 defenders preparing for a minute before facing 28 attackers armed with defibrillators for melee kills, with defenders using sidearms. This new mode aims to add more content for players and leverage user-generated content possibilities within the live service framework.