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Take-Two boss says he's not interested in putting ads into premium games: 'It would seem unfair'
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the company is not interested in implementing advertisements in premium games, deeming it unfair to players who have paid full price. While acknowledging limited advertising in titles like NBA 2K that fits the in-game context, he believes interstitial ads are inappropriate for $70-$80 games. This stance contrasts with predictions of increased in-game advertising across PC and console titles as a new revenue stream.
Perfect Ten: 10 strange facts about long-dead MMORPG The Sims Online
The Sims Online, an ambitious MMORPG launched in 2002, is remembered for its $25 million budget and a peak of only 100,000 subscribers. Despite its struggles, the game saw player-created virtual mafias, a rebranding to EA Land, and controversial adult-themed content. It was also noted for its predominantly female player base and a nod in The Sims 3.
"It's a really compelling place to be left in": Dragon Age fans aren't giving up on the RPG –…
Despite the discontinuation of the Dragon Age series by Electronic Arts following the underperformance of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, fans have created a comprehensive fan-made compendium titled "World of Thedas Volume 3." This project, involving over 70 contributors, showcases the enduring passion for the RPG series and its world, Thedas, serving as a testament to the value of fan dedication beyond financial success.
'Sims don't plan anything' says former Sims 4 developer, though he always wanted to program them to:…
Former The Sims 4 lead AI programmer David Graham discussed the design limitations of sim autonomy, explaining that sims are programmed to constantly reassess their immediate needs rather than plan ahead. While Graham wished for more planning capabilities, he acknowledges the challenges in implementing and communicating such AI to players without breaking immersion or removing the player's role in storytelling.
How EA Sports FC 26 Avoided Being A "Cautionary Tale" And Made Accessibility History
EA Sports FC 26 has been recognized for its significant advancements in game accessibility, earning multiple awards and nominations. The development team, including gameplay producer Paul Parsons and accessibility director Morgan Baker, collaborated closely with the disabled community and drew inspiration from other EA titles to implement features like High Contrast Mode and Text-to-Speech, aiming to set a new industry standard for inclusive game design.
Boss of GTA 6 Owner Take-Two Says the Idea That AI Tools Will Mean Everyone Can Create Video Game Hits 'Doesn’t Stand to Reason' - IGN
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick dismisses the notion that AI tools will enable individuals to create hit video games, calling the idea "laughable." While acknowledging AI's potential as a creation tool, he emphasizes that human creativity and engagement are essential for developing successful and engaging interactive worlds, contrasting this with the rapid launch of numerous games that fail to become hits.
The Sims Maker Program and The Sims 4 Marketplace Live
The Sims 4 has launched a new in-game Marketplace and Maker Program to support custom content creators. This platform allows players to discover and purchase official Maker Packs alongside other downloadable content. The Sims 4 is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
A former developer for The Sims 4, Robyn Chinn, revealed that he completely rewrote the game's AI during its development. Chinn stated he deleted existing AI files and started from scratch to improve the game's artificial intelligence.
Saudi Arabia firm EGDC now owns 5% stake in Capcom
Saudi Arabia-based Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) has acquired a 5.03% stake in Capcom, amounting to 26,788,500 shares, for pure investment purposes. This follows previous investments by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Capcom and other major gaming companies like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive.
Nvidia's DLSS 5 is a Slap in the Face to the Art of Video Game Design - IGN
Nvidia's new AI graphics technology, DLSS 5, is criticized for its potential negative impact on video game art design, with concerns that it replaces human artistic intent with AI-generated enhancements. The author argues that the technology smooths over character details and alters lighting in ways that detract from the original artistic vision, citing examples from Resident Evil Village and Hogwarts Legacy. While optional for now, there is fear that studios may rely on AI to cut corners on art direction in the future.
Arc Raiders, The Finals Dev Embark Studios Parts Ways With Co-founder Following Misconduct Allegations - IGN
Embark Studios, the developer of Arc Raiders and The Finals, has parted ways with co-founder Rob Runesson following allegations of sexual misconduct. An external investigation did not substantiate the claims, but the studio deemed the situation unsustainable. The allegations arose from a streamer who claimed Runesson requested sexual favors and conversations, leading to her discomfort due to financial dependence on his promotions.
'I took those files and deleted them': Former Sims 4 developer says he totally rewrote the sims' AI in the middle of development and 'that was a scary thing to do'
Former Maxis lead AI programmer David Graham revealed he completely rewrote the core AI for The Sims 4 during development. He spent about a week overhauling the system on a separate branch before convincing his boss to implement the changes, which significantly improved NPC behavior and decision-making.
How to Report Toxic Players in Every Major Game
This guide details how to effectively report toxic players across major multiplayer games like Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends, and others. It emphasizes providing specific details, timestamps, and clips to ensure reports are actionable by moderation systems, whether AI or human-reviewed. The article also covers platform-level reporting and when to escalate issues beyond in-game tools.
Crown prince of Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company acquires 5% stake in Capcom
Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has acquired a 5% stake in Capcom, reportedly as a pure investment. This follows a similar acquisition of Capcom shares by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022. The article also includes commentary from Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks on the challenges and future of the video game industry, including cost inflation, talent acquisition, and the potential of AI.
In-Game Ads For Full-Price Games "Would Seem Unfair," GTA 6 Parent Company Boss Says
Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Grand Theft Auto 6 parent company Take-Two Interactive, stated that in-game advertisements in full-priced games would be unfair to consumers. While acknowledging their presence in free-to-play titles and sports simulations like NBA 2K, he believes it's inappropriate for games costing $70 or $80. This discussion follows industry analysis suggesting ads could help maintain current game prices.
Canceled Star Wars FPS Is Playable Again: "Amazing And Sad At The Same Time," Dev Says
The canceled Star Wars FPS, Star Wars: First Assault, is now playable thanks to fans who managed to get its closed technical beta working online. Former developer Patrick Wren expressed mixed emotions seeing the game playable after over a decade, noting it was only months from release before cancellation. The article also touches on other canceled Star Wars games and the current licensing landscape for Star Wars titles.
Saudi Arabia now owns just over 10% of Capcom, as another national investment company scoops up more shares in the Resident Evil and Street Fighter publisher
An investment fund connected to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the Electronic Gaming Development Company, has acquired approximately 5.03% of Capcom's shares. This brings Saudi Arabia's total ownership in the Resident Evil publisher to just over 10%, with the fund also holding full ownership of SNK. The EGDC stated the purchase is purely for investment purposes, aiming to profit from stock valuation increases.
Upgraded PSSR rolling out to Silent Hill f, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Crimson Desert, and more
Sony is rolling out a PlayStation 5 system software update that enhances PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) for improved image stability, clarity, and performance. This upgraded PSSR technology will be integrated into numerous upcoming and existing titles, including Silent Hill f, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Crimson Desert, with developers like Konami, BioWare, Remedy Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Square Enix, Koei Tecmo, and Capcom sharing positive impressions. The advancements in PSSR are a result of Sony's Project Amethyst partnership with AMD.
Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch lead the BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations with 12 and nine nods respectively. A total of 42 titles received nominations across various categories, with Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Arc Raiders also securing multiple nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17, 2026, in London.
WB Games Montreal Seemingly Hit by Lay-Offs
WB Games Montreal has reportedly experienced a new round of layoffs, with several employees confirming their departures on LinkedIn. This follows Warner Bros. Discovery's stated intention to refocus on its major franchises, with a restructuring into four groups: Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC. The company aims to return to its biggest IPs in the coming years, with significant releases expected around 2027-2028.
