Electronic Arts
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Testronic Strengthens Its US Center of Excellence with Key Senior Appointments
Testronic has announced several senior appointments to its US Center of Excellence, including Kevin Frazier as Regional QA Director and Nicole Closson as Business Development Manager. These hires aim to strengthen client partnerships and support the company's growth in the Americas video games market.
GAME AND DEMO ANNOUNCEMENT: YOUR CREW AWAITS YOUR COMMAND! “STATION COMMAND,” COMING TO PC
Respite Games, an indie studio led by ex-EA developer Daniel Baumann, announced their debut sci-fi strategy RPG, Station Command, is coming soon to PC with a demo available on April 2nd. Players will build and command starship fleets, engage in tactical turn-based combat, and manage their crew and ship customization in a corporate dystopian future.
Yet More Crystal Dynamics Layoffs Announced as 20 Employees Lose Their Jobs
Crystal Dynamics has announced another round of layoffs, with 20 employees being let go from development and central operations roles. The studio stated it will provide severance and job placement assistance. Despite these departures, Crystal Dynamics remains committed to its upcoming Tomb Raider titles, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst.
Popular PS3 RPG Finally Shutting Down Multiplayer After 12 Years
Electronic Arts will shut down the multiplayer servers for Dragon Age: Inquisition on PlayStation 3 in April 2026, after 12 years of service. While the PlayStation 4 version remains unaffected, the PS3 shutdown might also impact the ability to import game saves from older Dragon Age titles. The article also briefly mentions the critical and commercial failure of the recent Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
All Access
Electronic Arts' EA Sports FC 26 has made significant strides in accessibility, avoiding common pitfalls that have plagued other titles. The game is being highlighted for its groundbreaking approach to inclusive design, setting a new standard for the industry.
First look at Exodus gameplay confirms what most have been thinking: It’s Mass Effect reborn
The upcoming science fiction RPG Exodus, developed by Archetype Entertainment with many former BioWare employees, shows strong Mass Effect influences in its debut gameplay footage. The game features third-person combat, squadmate recruitment, and a time dilation mechanic that impacts the narrative. While still in development with a planned 2027 release, Exodus aims to be a spiritual successor to the beloved Mass Effect series.
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.
