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Psychonauts developer Double Fine are the latest Microsoft-owned studio to unionise
Double Fine Productions, the Microsoft-owned studio behind Psychonauts, has announced its decision to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. The union will include all 42 employees at the studio. This move follows similar unionization efforts by other developers owned by Microsoft, amidst recent layoffs within the company.
How a trio of Canadian modders stumbled into making an official Die Hard game: 'I've had projects disappear that had 10 times the promise that this did'
This article details the journey of Canadian modders Russ Bullock, Bryan Ekman, and Jay Holtslander as they transformed an unofficial Half-Life mod into the official Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza game. The founders of Piranha Games faced challenges with engine choices, creative differences, and the transition from modding to commercial development, ultimately leading to Holtslander's departure before the game's release.
Single-Player Alternatives to Helldivers 2 (2026) | TAG
This guide recommends seven single-player games that capture the intense combat, mission structure, or cathartic violence found in Helldivers 2, without requiring multiplayer coordination. Titles like Remnant II and Deep Rock Galactic offer similar gameplay loops, while Doom Eternal and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 provide pure shooter catharsis. Returnal and Risk of Rain 2 offer run-based progression, and Metro Exodus provides a more atmospheric, deliberate experience.
Grayson Wendell Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of Honor
Professional programmer Grayson Wendell, a veteran of the game industry since 2007, will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026. Wendell has worked at companies like id Software, EA, and Activision on titles such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. He will also host a panel on N64 reverse engineering and randomizers at the event.
It's time to set the record straight: Doomguy's armor does not have a tummy window, his shirt just got ripped
This article clarifies that Doomguy's iconic armor from the original Doom does not feature a deliberate 'tummy window,' but rather a ripped shirt exposing his abs, a detail stemming from Don Punchatz's cover art. While subsequent games and fan art have often depicted this as an intentional design choice, John Romero confirmed that the torn shirt was an artistic decision by Punchatz, not an in-game feature.
Doom The Dark Ages ray tracing might have killed your frame rate, but at least it saved id 110GB of disk space
id Software has revealed that implementing real-time ray tracing in Doom: The Dark Ages, instead of pre-baked global illumination, significantly reduced potential disk space requirements and development time. While this decision necessitates ray tracing-capable hardware and can impact frame rates, it allows for more complex environments and faster iteration during development.
Quake 4 Unreleased DLC Footage ReAwakened on YouTube
Footage from an unreleased Quake 4 expansion, titled 'The Awakening,' has surfaced on YouTube two decades after the game's original release. Developer id Software had canceled DLC plans for Quake 4 due to its lower popularity compared to predecessors. The unearthed prototype build footage offers a glimpse into the canceled expansion's early development, showcasing unfinished assets and gameplay elements.
"Whatever, Michael Crichton": One of EA's best games only exists in part because the Jurassic Park creator told ex-Doom dev American McGee to make it
Former id Software developer American McGee discusses how author Michael Crichton's influence indirectly led him to create the dark, gothic action game Alice for Electronic Arts. McGee explains his initial hesitation with the Alice in Wonderland IP and how it evolved into a psychological exploration, contrasting with Crichton's Jurassic Park.
Magic: The Gathering Arena developers intend to form a union with the CWA
Developers at Wizards of the Coast, makers of Magic: The Gathering Arena, are organizing to form a union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The union has filed for an election with the National Labor Relations Board, citing concerns over layoffs, wages, remote work policies, and workplace transparency. This effort follows similar unionization drives within the broader video game industry.
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DOOM soundtrack composer Bobby Prince has returned home after a period in intensive care. The news was shared on the Doomworld forums, with thanks extended to Frans.
Bulletstorm dev People Can Fly acquires Cooldown Games
People Can Fly has acquired Dallas-based Cooldown Games for an undisclosed sum, establishing a new publishing vertical. The acquisition will see People Can Fly provide capital and operational support for Cooldown's current and upcoming third-party titles, strengthening its publishing activities and revenue streams.
For Return to Castle Wolfenstein's 25th anniversary, modders are bringing its console-exclusive levels to PC at…
Modders are bringing the console-exclusive Egypt-themed levels from Return to Castle Wolfenstein to PC for its 25th anniversary with the 'Cursed Sands' expansion. This mod adds new enemies, customization options for HUDs and enemy skins from Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions, and sound pack swaps. Cursed Sands will be available on Steam and GOG starting May 6.
The Alice: Madness Returns dev team 'made history,' American McGee says: It was 'the first team ever to…
American McGee, creator of the Alice franchise, shared details about the development and financing of Alice: Madness Returns. He highlighted the challenges faced with Electronic Arts' marketing team and the game's status as the first AAA game fully developed by a Chinese team and the first to be bond-financed in China. McGee also mentioned that the game was delivered on budget and schedule despite EA's refusal of additional polishing time.
EA asked former Doom dev American McGee to make his next game "'more sexy,'" so he pasted "dildos onto the head of a giant snail" and "they stopped making those requests"
Former id Software developer American McGee revealed that Electronic Arts marketing requested "more sexy" content for Alice: Madness Returns. In response, McGee pasted images of dildos onto giant snails and sent them to the marketing team, which ceased the requests. McGee also discussed EA's push for shorter skirts and more explicit content, which he resisted to protect the game's narrative.
Quake 2 dev felt "breathless" when he saw how Valve was using id Software's engine, and it led to one of my favorite games of the '00s: "26 years later and I can still say 'Wow'"
Former id Software developer American McGee reflects on his time working on Quake 2 and how he felt inspired by Valve's use of the engine for cinematic storytelling. This experience led him to create his acclaimed games, American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns, which he is now working on a spiritual successor to.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
American McGee, creator of Alice, revealed inspiration from a Valve demo seen during Quake 2 development. The article also notes the 16th anniversary of Square Enix's Nier, highlighting its impact on video game storytelling.
How a Valve Demo Birthed Alice During the Quake 2 Era
American McGee revealed that a Valve tech demo seen during the Quake 2 development era inspired him to create the Alice series. While working at id Software in the mid-to-late 90s, McGee was influenced by early Valve technology, which ultimately led to the creation of the dark fairy tale world of Alice. This story highlights the interconnected nature of game development and how inspiration can spark unique creative directions.
Alice creator American McGee says he was inspired by a Valve demo he saw while working on Quake 2
American McGee revealed that a Valve tech demo he saw while working on id Software's Quake 2 inspired his game Alice. He described the demo as a cinematic scene with characters and multiple cameras, which he believes signaled the end of his tenure at id Software. Following his departure from id, McGee went on to develop Alice and its sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.
Is Fortnite Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Data suggests Fortnite's reputation for toxicity is more nuanced than commonly perceived, with lower rates of identity-based harassment compared to other competitive shooters. While age-driven trash talk and skill-gap frustration are prevalent, especially in modes like Ranked, Epic Games has implemented moderation tools and default communication settings to mitigate harm, particularly for younger players.
Doom 3 Still Terrifies New Players 22 Years Later, But Fear Fades Fast
Doom 3, released in 2004 by id Software, still manages to evoke terror in new players due to its atmospheric lighting and shadow technology, even 22 years later. However, the initial fear fades as the game's mechanics become predictable and its identity crisis between horror and action becomes apparent, leading to a mixed reception that some modern players find to be a 6/10 experience.
