Panic
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Panic won't release Playdate titles that use some forms of generative AI
Panic will no longer allow developers to publish titles on its Playdate storefront, Catalog, that use generative AI tools for art, audio, music, text, or dialog. This policy change comes after a game that used AI for coding and writing was included in Playdate Season 2. While AI assistance in coding will still be permitted and flagged, the use of generative AI for creative assets is now prohibited.
Ubisoft union workers agree settlement, legal advice for game devs, and is Xbox Game Pass too expensive? - Patch Notes #48
Union workers at the shuttered Ubisoft Halifax studio have reached a confidential settlement. Xbox's new gaming chief, Asha Sharma, reportedly believes Xbox Game Pass has become too expensive. Additionally, the article touches on the winding down of Ludum Dare, a potential Fortnite extraction shooter with Disney characters, Roblox's new age-based accounts, Among Us surpassing one billion downloads, legal advice for game developers regarding generative AI and IP, and the upcoming Playdate Season 3.
PANIC CELEBRATES PLAYDATE’S ANNIVERSARY BY ANNOUNCING PLAYDATE SEASON THREE, COMING LATE 2026
Panic has announced Playdate Season Three, a collection of new games for their handheld console, scheduled for release in late 2026. The company also highlighted its 'Playdate for Education' program, which provides discounted hardware to educators, and the release of 'Office Chair Curling,' a cross-play title available on both Playdate and Steam.
Playdate Season 3 is coming later this year
Panic has announced that Playdate will receive a third season of curated games later this year, in time for the holidays. The company has not yet revealed the number of games or the cost for Season Three, but the previous seasons have offered a variety of titles. Additionally, the highly anticipated game Office Chair Curling is now available for purchase on Playdate and Steam, featuring online cross-play.
"You're not doing parkour off a roof, but the principles were the same": How the makers of Firewatch pulled from Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock to tell a new kind of story in a walking simulator
Campo Santo developers discuss the inspirations behind their narrative exploration game Firewatch, drawing from titles like Mirror's Edge, Far Cry 2, and Bioshock. The team focused on creating a grounded, human-scale story with reactive gameplay elements and a strong sense of place, influenced by their camping trip to Yosemite National Park.
Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch lead the BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations with 12 and nine nods respectively. A total of 42 titles received nominations across various categories, with Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Arc Raiders also securing multiple nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17, 2026, in London.
Pixel Ghost announce the official remake of legendary noir adventure Déjà Vu™ is coming to Playdate in 2026
Pixel Ghost has announced Déjà Vu PD, a remake of the classic noir adventure game Déjà Vu, for the Playdate console, scheduled for release in 2026. The remake will feature updated controls, refined interface design, and new music while preserving the original game's puzzles and story. Zojoi, who previously worked on ports of the MacVenture series, is also involved in the project.
Visions of Mana and More Reviews, Reynatis Preview, Age of Mythology Retold Steam Deck Impressions, News, and More – TouchArcade
This week's Steam Deck Weekly features impressions and reviews for several games including Visions of Mana, Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash, Gori: Cuddly Carnage, Bloons Card Storm, and Age of Mythology: Retold. The article also covers previews for Reynatis and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, alongside news on upcoming releases, DLC, and Steam Deck Verified/Playable updates.
Playdate games to check out before the Catalog's 3-year anniversary sale ends
Panic is holding a sale on the Playdate Catalog to celebrate its three-year anniversary, running from March 5 to March 19. The article recommends several games available on the platform, including Season Two, Outside Parties, Crankstone, Echo: The Oracle's Scroll, Carte Blanche, Castle Kellmore, and Piña Rollada, highlighting their unique features and gameplay.
BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads in nine categories
The nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards have been revealed, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with 12 nominations, including Best Game. Other notable nominees for Best Game include Dispatch and Ghost of Yōtei. The awards ceremony will take place on April 17, 2026, in London.
Expedition 33 Wins Yet Another GOTY--See All The Winners From The 2026 Game Dev Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the big winner at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards, taking home Game of the Year, Best Visual Art, Best Narrative, Best Audio, and Best Debut. Blue Prince also received multiple awards, including Best Design and Innovation. Don Daglow was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rebecca Ann Heineman received the Ambassador Award posthumously.
2026 Game Developers Choice Awards winners announced
The winners for the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced. Several titles were recognized across various categories, including Best Audio, Best Debut, Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Narrative, Best Technology, Best Visual Art, Social Impact, and Audience Award. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince were among the most nominated games.
Bafta Games 2026 nominees announced and it’s another Clair Obscur sweep
The nominations for the Bafta Games Awards 2026 have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the pack with 12 nominations, matching its record at The Game Awards. Dispatch and Arc Raiders also received multiple nominations, including for Best Game. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17.
Big Walk hands-on report: cooperative chaos exploring a puzzle-filled open world | PS Blog
Big Walk is a cooperative online game from House House, the creators of Untitled Goose Game, where players explore a puzzle-filled open world with friends. The game emphasizes communication and teamwork using various tools, with opportunities for casual social interaction. It is scheduled for release in 2025 and is being published by Panic.
Want to Play Big Walk? You’ll Need to Take One First
Indie publisher Panic has announced that demos for their upcoming game, Big Walk, will only be available by playing in person at their office, eschewing digital distribution methods like Steam. This unconventional marketing strategy has sparked debate within the gaming community, with some praising its novelty and others criticizing its impracticality and potential to alienate players. The success of this approach hinges on the game's quality and the execution of the in-person experience, potentially signaling a shift towards more experiential marketing in the industry.
You can play Big Walk before launch, but only if you take a big walk to the publisher's office to play it in person
A demo for House House's open-world co-op puzzle game, Big Walk, will be available from March 16 to April 19, but can only be played in person at the publisher Panic's office in Portland. This in-person event is likely the only chance to play the game before launch, as the developers are prioritizing finishing the game over creating an online demo or participating in Steam Next Fest.
An hour of puzzle-solving in the quirky world of Big Walk is the most fun I've had in co-op in ages
Big Walk is a cooperative online walker-talker game from House House where players solve puzzles together in a gentle open world. The game emphasizes teamwork, communication, and exploration, with puzzles scaling based on the number of players, supporting up to 12. It also features customization options and areas for players to simply relax and socialize.
Slay the Spire 2, Scott Pilgrim EX and other new indie games worth checking out
This roundup highlights several new and upcoming indie games, including Slay the Spire 2, Scott Pilgrim EX, and Planet of Lana II. It also covers releases like The Legend of Khiimori and Lost and Found Co., alongside updates for Ratcheteer DX and Birds Watching. Upcoming titles like My Little Puppy and The House of Hikmah are also featured, along with Ballgame and Echobreaker.
The Playdate Catalog's 3-year anniversary sale is here
Panic is celebrating the Playdate Catalog's three-year anniversary with a two-week sale running from March 5 to March 19. The sale offers discounts on many of the 423 games available, including highlighted titles like Playdate Season Two, Outside Parties, Crankstone, Echo: The Oracle's Scroll, and Carte Blanche.
Nintendo Download: 5th March (North America)
The latest Nintendo Download update for North America brings a variety of new games to the eShop, including Pokémon Pokopia, Blue Prince, Minishoot' Adventures, and Rotwood. The update features a diverse range of genres such as RPGs, action games, puzzles, and simulations, offering players numerous new titles to explore on the Nintendo Switch.
