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Leaked video shows hundreds, possibly thousands of brand-new RTX 5090s being dismantled for AI server usage in Chinese…
A leaked video from a Chinese factory reportedly shows thousands of brand-new Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics cards being dismantled and converted for AI server usage. This activity is cited as a primary reason for the severe shortage of these high-end GPUs in the consumer market, with prices being drastically inflated.
Canadian political party leader blames BioWare's closure on private equity, says government should help former employees buy it back
Avi Lewis, leader of Canada's NDP, has criticized the closure of BioWare, attributing it to private equity practices that prioritize short-term profit over business longevity. Lewis suggested that federal support should be provided to allow BioWare employees to buy back and run the studio themselves. This incident is part of a broader trend of politicians engaging with video game industry issues.
187K+ fans call for EA to "Save Mass Effect"
A petition urging Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the Mass Effect franchise has garnered over 187,000 signatures. The petition calls for proper funding and staffing for BioWare, or alternatively, for EA to license the IP to another studio. This comes amid widespread job cuts at BioWare and other EA studios, and reports of a cancelled next Mass Effect game.
Mass Effect Universe "looked incredible" says creator who claims he advised BioWare
A content creator named Dantics, who claims to have been part of a BioWare community council, has shared alleged details about the cancelled Mass Effect Universe game. He described a game set over 600 years after the Reaper War, featuring a galactic Cold War between factions and a customizable N7 agent with advanced hacking abilities. Dantics expressed disappointment that the game, which he described as "incredible," may never be released following BioWare's closure and EA's job cuts.
Sims Competitor InZoi Deletes “Uncomfortable” Post After Fan Pushback
Krafton has removed a controversial post from the official InZoi X account after users found it disturbing and suggestive of pedophilia. The post, intended to showcase playground improvements and promote the upcoming Celebrity DLC, was criticized for its tone. This incident follows earlier concerns about the game's early access period and AI usage, and comes as EA faces scrutiny for layoffs and pausing Sims projects.
Flashy internal trailer for now-cancelled Mass Effect Universe appears online, following EA's closure of BioWare
An internal trailer for the cancelled Mass Effect Universe game, which was in development at BioWare before its closure, has surfaced online. The trailer showcases a new protagonist, crew, combat, and a brief appearance by Liara, offering a glimpse into what could have been. The cancellation and subsequent layoffs at EA, impacting BioWare and other studios like Respawn, have led to widespread disappointment and anger within the industry and among fans.
Games industry mourns sudden BioWare closure - "Anyone who participated in this travesty should be ashamed"
The gaming industry is mourning the sudden closure of BioWare, a legendary RPG developer, with many former employees and industry peers sharing their sadness and reflecting on the studio's legacy. The closure, which follows significant layoffs across Electronic Arts studios including Respawn and Maxis, has drawn criticism towards EA and those involved in the decision, with many expressing anger that talented developers are left jobless.
Following shock BioWare closure, scope of EA job cuts becomes clear as layoffs hit Respawn, Maxis, Full Circle, EA Motive, and more
Electronic Arts has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 400 employees across multiple studios, including the closure of BioWare. Studios such as Maxis, Respawn Entertainment, EA Motive, Full Circle, and Ripple Effect are also impacted by these job cuts. The company cited a need for organizational efficiencies following its recent acquisition.
We're finally talking about AI, ft. David 'Rez' Graham and Luke Dicken
Former Maxis engineer David Graham and former Take-Two AI head Luke Dicken discuss their experiences with artificial intelligence in game development. They share insights on the current AI boom, what remains valuable about AI in the industry, and how to discern genuine utility from hype.
"I would fight it tooth and nail": The Sims artist would challenge any mandate to reduce diversity after EA Saudi buyout
The Sims senior character artist Jess Hyland stated she would strongly oppose any mandate to reduce diversity in the game following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. While Hyland has not heard of any such mandate, she expressed concerns shared by players and former developers about potential cultural shifts impacting the game's inclusive design.
Paralives Team Might Have Shed Some Light On Why The Sims Ditched Its Open World
Paralives' communication manager Gab Boyer-Antoni discussed the challenges of creating an open world, suggesting it's a primary reason why The Sims 4 moved away from the open-world design seen in The Sims 3. Boyer-Antoni highlighted the complexity of managing intertwined systems in a living world. The article also touches on Paralives' early access progress and upcoming content updates.
The Sims’ Biggest Competitor Is Ignoring All Of The AAA Rules Of Game Dev, And That’s Why It’s Already A Huge Success
Paralives, a crowdfunded life simulation game developed by a small team, is emerging as a significant competitor to The Sims. Despite its indie status, Paralives has achieved over one million copies sold in early access and boasts a thriving modding community. The developers are committed to offering free future content and DLC, focusing on player feedback and sustainable growth rather than traditional AAA monetization strategies.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
You will never guess who turns up in this video about why you can't build British towns in SimCity 4
A video by YouTuber Chris Spargo explores why building British towns in SimCity 4 is problematic due to differences in governance and zoning compared to the US version. The video features an unexpected appearance by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who discusses devolution and local decision-making.
Sunday Postmortems/Retrospectives
Developers from Maxis have stated that the previews for their game Spore were more ambitious than the final product, creating an unachievable fantasy for players. This retrospective discussion highlights the challenges of managing expectations in game development and marketing.
Spore devs say the evolution game's previews were more ambitious than what they were actually making, and they 'built a fantasy in people's minds that was unachievable'
Former developers of Spore admit that the game's ambitious previews, particularly Will Wright's GDC 2005 presentation, created an unrealistic expectation for the final product. They acknowledge that the marketing built a fantasy of a deep simulation that the game, which was always intended as a collection of minigames, could not achieve.
Evening Postmortems/Retrospectives
Will Wright and Maxis reflect on the nine years of development for the game Spore. Wright describes the creative freedom he was given to pursue ambitious and unconventional ideas during the game's creation.
"I was given that opportunity to go crazy and do something kind of insane" - Will Wright and Maxis look back on nine years making Spore
Key figures from Maxis, including founder Will Wright, reflect on the nine-year development of Spore, acknowledging it as a failed game design with disconnected elements. They attribute these issues to rapid team growth, a lack of structured decision-making under Wright's 'luminary' management style, and challenges in coordinating a large team, despite significant creative freedom granted by Electronic Arts.
From Mr. Potato Head to a cosmic '70s documentary, Spore's creators share how it came to be
An oral history reveals the development of Maxis's Spore, with creator Will Wright and other team members discussing inspirations like the 'Powers of 10' documentary and various game genres. The creature creation system, influenced by Mr. Potato Head, was a complex challenge to implement in real-time.
The Sims 4 Developer Maxis Discusses the Game's Latest Big Update
Maxis developers discuss the latest significant update for The Sims 4 in an interview with IGN. The conversation focuses on the new features and changes implemented in the recent patch.