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The live-service elements of Horizon Hunters Gathering are reportedly being stripped out following 'poor feedback' as new details emerge about several canceled PlayStation titles
Guerrilla Games is reportedly overhauling its upcoming live-service title Horizon Hunters Gathering, removing its multiplayer-focused features and shifting to a traditional cooperative multiplayer game with a story mode and smaller scope due to negative playtest feedback. This change comes as part of Sony's broader, and reportedly troubled, initiative to push its single-player focused studios into the live-service market, with several other PlayStation live-service projects, including a God of War game from Bluepoint and an online Spider-Man title from Insomniac, having been canceled.
The Last of Us Online Was Not a 'Side Project,' Majority of Intergalactic's Team Came Over After Multiplayer Game Was Scrapped
Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Online was a significant undertaking and a primary reason for the studio's lack of new game releases since 2020. The multiplayer game's cancellation impacted the development of other projects.
Former Naughty Dog Designer Comments on Cutting Down Long Development Cycles and “Waste”
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell believes that the studio, and other AAA developers, can shorten lengthy development cycles by establishing a clear 'North Star' early on. This central goal can help align siloed teams and reduce waste, potentially cutting years off projects like the upcoming sci-fi title Intergalactic.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune "is rough around the edges," ex-Naughty Dog designer says, and "went through a whole lot of hell during development"
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell described the development of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune as tumultuous, citing issues with ditching old technology for the PlayStation 3 and a lack of clear direction. Despite its rough edges and a difficult development cycle, Russell expressed pride in the game's achievements and its role in launching the successful Uncharted franchise.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Developer Reveals the Game Had Dynamic Difficulty to Stop Players From Finishing It Too Quickly
A former Naughty Dog developer revealed that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune featured dynamic difficulty scaling. This design choice was implemented to prevent players from completing the game too quickly.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet "might need to be edited" to avoid "another Last of Us 2 situation," former Naughty Dog dev warns
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell warns that the studio's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, might need editing to avoid the prolonged development issues seen with The Last of Us Part II. Russell suggests Naughty Dog's current six-year development cycle for the new IP is unsustainable and could lead to a similar outcome if not managed effectively.
Uncharted difficulty was tuned to "slow the player down if they were too good," says Naughty Dog designer: "We can't charge 60 bucks for a 5-hour game"
Former Naughty Dog developer Benson Russell revealed that the original Uncharted's difficulty was intentionally tuned to slow players down if they were performing too well, to extend the game's perceived length. This dynamic difficulty system was based on average encounter times, with the game becoming harder if players finished combat too quickly. While present in all three original games, the system in Uncharted 2 and 3 was adjusted to better match player skill rather than artificially prolong the experience.
An Uncharted remake would feel "like a cash grab," says OG designer who thinks Naughty Dog should make a new…
Original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune designer Benson Russell believes a remake of the game would feel like a "cash grab" and that Naughty Dog should instead focus on creating a new entry in the series. He argues that existing remasters are sufficient for players to experience the original title and that a remake would necessitate story changes that alter the game's spirit.
Matthew McConaughey Discusses Passing On Playing Joel In The Last Of Us Show
Matthew McConaughey revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he passed on playing Joel in HBO's The Last of Us series, stating it wasn't for him at the time and would have required a multi-year commitment. He was focusing on writing and leadership roles then, while showrunner Craig Mazin confirmed discussions but noted it was not a definite offer. The series, starring Pedro Pascal as Joel, has been a critical and commercial success.
Former Uncharted Dev On Possible New Remake Or Remaster: “What’s The Point?”
Benson Russell, a designer on the original Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, questions the necessity of a remake or remaster for the 2007 game, stating it's still relevant and available on modern platforms. He suggests a new entry in the franchise would be more valuable than a "cash grab" remake, a sentiment echoed by past Sony considerations. While some developers like Shigeru Miyamoto defend remakes for introducing games to new audiences and funding new projects, Russell believes Naughty Dog should focus on creating new experiences.
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.
