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Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune Designer Says a Remake Doesn’t Make Sense
Benson Russell, the original designer of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, believes a remake of the game doesn't make sense due to its still-relevant gameplay and visuals. He argues that resources would be better spent on a new title inspired by Uncharted 4, rather than a remake that might feel like a cash grab and alter the original's spirit.
Report: Crossfire dev That's No Moon lays off 14 staff
That's No Moon, the developer of the upcoming game Crossfire, has reportedly laid off 14 employees. The news comes from multiple LinkedIn posts by affected staff members. The studio was founded in 2021 with a significant investment from publisher Smilegate.
Evening Reading - August 10, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews including Agent 64: Spies Never Die and D-Topia. It also touches on upcoming titles like 1666: Amsterdam, the potential for a Payday TV show, and No Man's Sky's 10th anniversary. The article also mentions discussions around AI in gaming and the Xbox 360 era.
Two months after revealing Crossfire, That's No Moon have seemingly laid off 14 members of staff
Two months after revealing their upcoming cinematic military shooter Crossfire, That's No Moon has reportedly laid off 14 staff members. The studio, formed by former Naughty Dog and Infinity Ward developers, has not yet released a game. This news comes despite the recent announcement of Crossfire and the lack of a release date, raising questions about the studio's stability.
The Last Of Us Co-Director Asks Why You Even Care About GTA 6, And The Internet Has Thoughts
Bruce Straley, co-director of The Last of Us, sparked online discussion by asking followers why they are excited for Grand Theft Auto 6, expressing his own uncertainty about the game's appeal. Responses ranged from anticipation for dynamic weather systems and nonlinear missions to debates about deep gameplay systems versus mass appeal.
Tom Holland Reveals His Favorite Video Game And Why He Cannot Play Fortnite
Actor Tom Holland revealed his favorite video game is The Last of Us: Part II, stating he loves the game so much he hasn't watched the HBO adaptation. He also discussed his struggles with Fortnite, finding it too difficult to play effectively due to skilled opponents and complex building mechanics.
The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod finishing what Naughty Dog started now supports 4v4 matches after "big…
A multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part II, aiming to replicate the experience of the original game's Factions mode, has reached a significant milestone, now supporting 4v4 matches. This fan-made project, developed by modder Speclizer, is planned for release in September and includes features like leaderboards and a matchmaking system, offering PC players a taste of the series' multiplayer action.
The Last of Us multiplayer mod has hit a 'big milestone' as it prepares for launch in September
A modder known as Speclizer has announced a significant milestone for their fan-made multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part II on PC, with the project now supporting 4v4 matches and preparing for a September 2026 launch. This development comes after Sony's cancellation of the official The Last of Us Factions multiplayer game. The mod features a functional leaderboard, new maps, and aims to replicate Naughty Dog's animation quality.
The Last of Us Joel actor "would be on board with anything" Naughty Dog came up with for a new game, including…
Troy Baker, the voice actor for Joel in The Last of Us series, has stated he is open to any new game ideas from Naughty Dog, including a prequel focusing on Joel and Tommy. While Joel's death in The Last of Us Part 2 limits sequel possibilities, Baker trusts Naughty Dog's creative decisions for the franchise's future.
"There is a magic to what Rockstar does," former GTA 5 dev says ahead of GTA 6, "I just wish they could…
Former Rockstar Games developer John Ricchio discusses the studio's approach to game development, particularly concerning crunch culture and employee burnout, ahead of Grand Theft Auto 6's release. While acknowledging the "magic" in Rockstar's successful titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption, Ricchio expresses a desire for these achievements to come at a lower human cost, noting that the company's ability to hire new talent can perpetuate demanding work conditions.
Sony leadership says AI tools are "an important foundational technology supporting our strategy"
Sony Interactive Entertainment leadership has declared artificial intelligence a crucial foundational technology for their strategy, emphasizing its role in enhancing game development quality and speed rather than solely for cost efficiency. AI tools are being integrated to streamline repetitive tasks, enable faster iteration, and create richer in-game experiences and content. While acknowledging near-term efficiency gains, Sony is also exploring fundamental AI-first initiatives to maintain a leading position as the technology evolves.
(For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Store: June 2026’s top downloads
The PlayStation Store has revealed the top downloaded games for June 2026 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation VR2. In Asia, sports titles like NBA 2K26 and EA SPORTS FC 26, along with DAVE THE DIVER, led the charts. Meanwhile, Escape the Backrooms dominated downloads in the US and Canada.
PlayStation is Using Generative AI for Placeholder Voices and Art
Sony is utilizing generative AI tools within its PlayStation studios to assist developers with repetitive tasks, aiming to speed up iteration and improve output quality. These AI tools are being used for creating placeholder assets like synthetic voices and art, as well as accelerating QA, 3D modeling, and facial animations. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to augment human creativity and capabilities rather than replace artists and creators.
Something for the Weekend – 04/07/26
This week's gaming news includes Sony phasing out physical disc production by 2028 and closing PlayStation Store access for PS3 and Vita again. Xbox is reportedly testing a disc-to-digital feature. Several games received release date changes or confirmations, including Onimusha: Warlords and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Reviews were published for Rhythm Paradise Groove and WILL: Follow The Light, alongside previews for Fatekeeper, Witchspire, Dziady, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Splatoon Raiders.
The Last of Us Part 3 Could Offer “A Whole Other Story,” Says Troy Baker
Voice actor Troy Baker believes there is potential for a "whole other story" in The Last of Us franchise, expressing his willingness to participate in a potential The Last of Us Part 3. He cited the rich lore between Joel and Tommy as a strong foundation for new narratives, and trusts Naughty Dog to decide the direction of future installments.
Consoles continue their trend of just becoming worst PCs
The article argues that modern consoles like PlayStation and Xbox are becoming inferior versions of PCs, losing their unique advantages. Factors like the shift to digital-only, rising prices, and the diminishing value of exclusives are making PCs a more compelling and flexible gaming platform.
Jak & Daxter: Randomized
This article details how to set up and play Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy using a PC-native multi-world randomizer. It explains the process of obtaining the game's ISO, using the OpenGOAL translator to run it natively on PC, and integrating with Archipelago software for randomized item and move pools. The guide highlights the fun and replayability offered by these fan-made modifications, even suggesting future challenges with combined game randomizers.
More Expensive Consoles Don’t Result in Better Games, Says Former Naughty Dog Artist
Former Naughty Dog artist Del Walker argues that more expensive next-generation consoles will not lead to better games, citing ballooning development costs and complexity. He suggests that limitations foster creativity and that rising budgets contribute to layoffs. Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino acknowledged that absorbing component cost increases is unrealistic, hinting at potential price hikes.
Uncharted PS5 remake scrapped by Naughty Dog, it’s claimed
Naughty Dog reportedly shelved plans for a PlayStation 5 remake of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to focus on The Last of Us: Part I. A section of the original Uncharted was remade with Uncharted 4's graphics, but the scope of a full remake led to the project's cancellation. The future of the Uncharted series is uncertain, with rumors suggesting Bend Studio may take over.
Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO hasn't given up on live-service games just yet
Despite numerous cancellations and underperforming titles, Sony Interactive Entertainment president Hideaki Nishino has reaffirmed the company's commitment to live-service games. Nishino stated that the genre is still relatively new and that Sony wants to continue taking on challenges within it, aiming to revitalize the market with both first-party and third-party content. Sony plans to release its own live-service title, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, this year.
