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'We probably sold millions of boards because of that game, and it was magnificent': 3dfx cofounder gives Quake a 'great deal of credit for our overall success'
3dfx co-founder Ross Smith credits the game Quake with significantly contributing to the company's success, estimating millions of Voodoo graphics boards were sold due to the game's popularity. The article details how Quake's early adoption of 3D hardware acceleration via GLQuake and 3dfx's MiniGL API drove demand for their products, highlighting a unique developer-centric approach that benefited both companies.
Former Mass Effect and Star Wars: KOTOR boss calls BioWare closure "sad," says the studio's "legacy will live on through those who were part of it"
Mass Effect creator Casey Hudson expressed sadness over the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. He reflected on his time at the studio, emphasizing that its legacy will continue through its former employees and their passion for storytelling. The closure is part of broader industry layoffs, with BioWare being one of several studios impacted by recent acquisitions and financial restructuring.
Next gen Xbox console out in 2028 and more expensive than PS6 claims report
A report suggests Microsoft's next Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix, will launch by Christmas 2028 and may cost between $1,200 and $1,800, significantly more than the anticipated PlayStation 6. This comes amid ongoing component shortages and a reported failure of the current Xbox Series X/S. The report also indicates a new next-generation handheld device will be released by Christmas 2027.
This Espresso Machine Can Run Doom
A Fellow Espresso Series 1 machine has been modified with custom firmware to run the classic 1993 game Doom on its small, circular screen. This joins a long list of unusual devices capable of running the game, highlighting the enduring popularity of Doom and hardware hacking.
Doom can 'run' on a DNS database now, and one of the technology's pioneers says 'I can't decide whether this is deliciously horrible, or else horribly delicious'
A technical project has demonstrated the ability to run the classic game Doom using a DNS database as its primary processing unit. This innovative approach, developed by Corey Quinn, utilizes DNS records to store precomputed truth tables, effectively turning the domain name system into a functional, albeit slow, database for game operations. While not practical for actual gameplay due to its extreme latency, the project has been lauded by DNS pioneer Paul Vixie as a 'deliciously horrible' and impressive feat of technical ingenuity.
Asha Sharma reportedly tells rattled Xbox employees: "We have to find new ways, and courage, to have invention on new IP"
Xbox leader Asha Sharma reportedly stated that the company must innovate and create new intellectual property to survive, rather than solely relying on existing franchises. This comes despite recent studio closures and consolidations that have impacted developers known for creating new game ideas.
I might finally have gone too far with a GTA 5 mod that imports most of Doom 2
A Grand Theft Auto 5 mod has successfully imported the entirety of Doom 2 into Rockstar's open-world game, allowing players to experience Los Santos with Doom's arsenal and enemies. The mod, named Doom 2 in GTA 5 Hell On Earth, enables players to switch between GTA 5's third-person perspective and Doom 2's first-person view, complete with demons and weapons like the BFG.
GamesIndustry.biz to host panel at Game Republic's Investment Summit at MCM Comic Con October 2026
GamesIndustry.biz will host an Investment Panel at Game Republic's Investment Summit at MCM Comic Con, featuring discussions on game funding, development, and building sustainable studios. Separately, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have completed their $111 billion merger, now operating under the name Skydance, with potential for "difficult decisions" and "changes and impacts" as the new entity integrates.
Yet another free fan level pack for Quake has arrived, and this one's all about a feature rarely seen in id…
A new fan-made map pack for the classic first-person shooter Quake, titled Quake Rooftops Jam, has been released, featuring 19 custom maps centered around the theme of rooftops. This release adds to a strong year for Quake mapping, with other notable projects including Quake Brutalist Jam 3 and the official Dawn of the Machine campaign. The article also touches on the uncertain future of the Quake series, with Quake Champions recently ending its live-service updates.
Remakes och remasters är inget nytt fenomen
The article discusses the long history of video game remakes and remasters, arguing that the practice is not a new phenomenon driven by developer laziness. It defines remakes as games rebuilt from the ground up with updated assets and mechanics, while remasters involve graphical and audio enhancements to existing games. Examples from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, as well as early PC titles, are provided to illustrate the historical prevalence of these updated versions.
Doom: The Dark Ages - Revelations Getting New 'Slaughter Mode' as Free Update Next Month
id Software announced that Doom: The Dark Ages will receive a free update next month for its Revelations DLC. This update will introduce an endless single-player 'Slaughter Mode'.
Doom64 - Doom for the Commodore 64? Well sort of.. But it's still impressive
Developer Kweepa has released the final version of Doom 64, an ambitious demake for the Commodore 64, marking the second entry in his planned id Software conversion trilogy. This impressive feat utilizes clever optimizations like dithered shading and custom lookup tables to recreate the classic Doom experience on the limited hardware, even featuring a native soundtrack and sprites sourced from the original PC release. The game is available in versions optimized for modern emulators and stock C64 hardware, with a splash screen illustrated by Paul Docherty.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses
Developers at The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, are increasingly fearful of imminent layoffs following recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft and Xbox. The departure of the game's story director has heightened anxiety, particularly concerning potential loss of Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's launch.
"Xbox is not for sale," says CEO despite rumors: "We will do whatever it takes to set the company up for…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has firmly stated that the company is not for sale, despite ongoing rumors fueled by recent layoffs and studio closures. Sharma emphasized a commitment to partnerships and operating models to ensure Xbox's success and profitability within Microsoft, acknowledging a long road ahead.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
US court orders Redditor to pay Nintendo £3.4m over Switch piracy
A US District Judge has ordered Redditor James Williams, known as "Archbox" and a moderator for r/SwitchPirates, to pay Nintendo $4.5 million (£3.4 million) in damages for facilitating Nintendo Switch game piracy. The judgment includes $150,000 for each of the 30 pirated games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Williams failed to respond to the lawsuit, leading to a default judgment and a permanent injunction against further distribution of pirated Nintendo content.
Amid mass Xbox layoffs, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the "streamlining" is "great to see"
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the ongoing "streamlining" at Xbox, which involves mass layoffs and studio closures, as "great to see." Despite the significant restructuring and criticism, Nadella expressed optimism about Xbox's intellectual property and future growth, aiming for higher profits and a sustainable business model.
Xbox’s “Aggressive” Revenue Goals Were “Unrealistic” Even Before Layoffs, Says id Software Dev
An id Software developer revealed that Xbox's aggressive revenue goals are considered unrealistic and contributing to ongoing chaos and layoffs within the company. Despite attempts at communication, management's vision is perceived as lacking, with a strong focus on immediate profit increases. This sentiment is shared across studios, with morale sinking due to perceived incompetence.
Quake Champions eliminates its free-to-play monetization elements in favor of a $10 box price
Quake Champions has transitioned from a free-to-play model to a $10 box price on Steam, removing all battle passes and microtransactions. This change, likely a de facto maintenance mode following layoffs at id Software and Bethesda, also offers existing players continued access and refunds for purchased currencies. The Microsoft Store version has been retired.
Inside Xbox, "the only concrete thing they have communicated is they want higher profits, and they want it…
An id Software employee reports that ongoing layoffs at Xbox are exacerbating management chaos and making it difficult to meet Microsoft's high profit expectations. Despite corporate communication about a business 'reset,' the employee states the only clear goal is immediate profit increases, leading to low morale and unrealistic goals for game development.
