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Rapport: Tencents storsatsning Last Sentinel är i dåligt skick
Tencent's ambitious open-world cyberpunk game, Last Sentinel, developed by Lightspeed Studios, is reportedly in poor condition. Internal testing revealed the game was not fun, leading to missed deadlines and budget overruns. While Tencent states the project is not canceled but has shifted direction, 80 employees have been laid off.
Last Sentinel Spent 6 Years and “Hundreds of Millions” to Compete With GTA and Failed – Rumor
Lightspeed LA's ambitious open-world cyberpunk game, Last Sentinel, has reportedly been in development for six years with a budget in the hundreds of millions, aiming to compete with Grand Theft Auto. Despite features like an elaborate story and destructible environments, the project has suffered from staff turnover, unclear creative vision, negative internal playtest feedback, and significant layoffs. Tencent has expressed dissatisfaction, leading to a drastic change in the game's direction, with its eventual release uncertain.
Sunday Mobilization
The mobile game adaptation of Story of Seasons has been cancelled. This decision follows Marvelous ending its six-year partnership with Tencent, impacting the development and release of the game.
Story of Seasons mobile game cancelled as Marvelous cuts six-year Tencent partnership
Marvelous has officially ended its six-year partnership with Tencent, leading to the cancellation of a Story of Seasons mobile game that was in development since 2019. The decision was made due to business environment and profitability concerns, though the original licensing agreement remains intact. This move follows reports of Tencent re-evaluating its stakes in several Japanese game developers amidst a global industry slump.
Saturday Postmortems/Retrospectives
This article features retrospectives on the Civilization franchise's 35th anniversary, including insights from Sid Meier and Firaxis Games regarding the future of XCOM. It also delves into Tencent's unsuccessful attempt to compete with Grand Theft Auto.
Xbox is (probably) not for sale | Opinion
Despite recent financial struggles and layoffs, Microsoft is unlikely to sell or spin off its Xbox division. The article argues that the financial impact of Xbox on Microsoft's overall business is minimal, making it not a significant drag. Furthermore, finding a suitable buyer with the necessary capital and without regulatory issues is highly improbable, suggesting Xbox will remain part of Microsoft in the foreseeable future.
YGG Play winds down: Waifu Sweeper players urged to cash out points for $YGG before July 31
YGG Play, the publishing arm of Yield Guild Games, is shutting down on July 6, resulting in 35 job cuts and the closure of its first-party games, including Waifu Sweeper. Players are urged to convert in-game points to $YGG tokens before July 31. Yield Guild Games plans to pivot its treasury towards selling gaming datasets to AI labs.
Assassin's Creed Hexe is at least one year away, insider claims
Insider NateTheHate claims that Assassin's Creed: Codename Hexe is unlikely to launch before the second half of 2027, suggesting a reveal is not imminent. The game, which is said to feature witchcraft in the Middle Ages, has seen departures of key development staff, including director Benoit Richer and creative director Clint Hocking. Ubisoft has also established a new subsidiary, Vantage Studios, to oversee its major franchises.
Last Sentinel Sees Shift in “Creative and Development Direction” as Lightspeed LA Faces Layoffs
Lightspeed LA has announced a shift in the creative and development direction for its game Last Sentinel following internal reviews, leading to layoffs affecting approximately 80 employees. The studio, owned by Tencent, stated that North America remains a cornerstone of its global gaming strategy and its long-term commitment is unchanged.
Tencent-owned Lightspeed LA is laying off staff
Lightspeed LA, a subsidiary of Tencent's Lightspeed Studios and developer of Last Sentinel, has laid off approximately 80 employees. The studio cited a shift in creative and development direction for the project following internal reviews. Lightspeed Studios remains committed to its North American operations and global gaming strategy.
John Romero announced as keynote speaker for Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show
id Software co-founder John Romero has been announced as the keynote speaker for the business conference at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. The event, running from October 29th to November 1st, will feature speakers from companies like Tencent and Godot, and has expanded its floor space by 20% following a successful 2025 debut.
Memory chipmaker CXMT sees shares surge 466%, becomes one of China's most valuable listed companies right below…
Chinese memory manufacturer CXMT experienced a massive surge of 466% on its initial public offering on Shanghai's STAR market, becoming one of China's most valuable listed companies. Despite concerns about speculation and potential market bubbles, CXMT's expansion plans and its appeal to major players like Apple highlight its growing significance in the global memory market.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden wants to save games by bringing back double-A - and he has a plan
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the current blockbuster game development model is unsustainable due to exponentially rising costs. He is developing a plan to revitalize the underserved double-A market, arguing that this tier of games is more economically feasible and can attract new players to the industry.
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden wants to save games by bringing back double-A - and he has a plan
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes the escalating costs of blockbuster game development are unsustainable and advocates for the return of the double-A market. He plans to establish a publishing concern focused on funding and supporting these mid-tier games, arguing they can attract new players and offer more creative freedom than current triple-A trends.
Games for Change report aims to ground parental gaming concerns in "evidence rather than fear"
Games for Change has published a white paper, supported by Tencent and authored by Dr. Rachel Kowert, aiming to address parental concerns about video games by grounding them in evidence rather than fear. The report, 'What Families Need to Know About Video Games and Well-Being,' encourages positive parental engagement and collaboration with industry and educators. The organization is also implementing these principles through its Raising Good Gamers program and workshops.
Morning Safety Dance
A government-funded study warns that the Dutch semiconductor sector faces a high risk of Chinese interference. This warning comes alongside a CISA vulnerability summary for the week of July 13, 2026, highlighting ongoing cybersecurity concerns.
"I'm not a creative. I like spreadsheets" – The low-profile team that powers Marathon, Subnautica 2, NBA 2K, and more
Wolfjaw Studios, founded by Mitch Patterson, specializes in providing essential backend infrastructure and co-development services to major game studios, rather than developing original titles. The Troy, New York-based company has worked on franchises like Destiny 2, Marathon, NBA 2K, and Subnautica, focusing on the 'boring but essential' aspects of game development that creatives often avoid. Patterson emphasizes their stability, long-term client relationships, and their goal to make game development more accessible with manageable budgets.
Final Fantasy 14's attempt to take the MMO mobile is over before the world even gets the chance to see it
Square Enix and Tencent have decided to terminate the licensing agreement for Final Fantasy 14 Mobile, leading to the shutdown of the game in China and the cancellation of its unreleased global version. The mobile iteration, developed by LightSpeed Studios, offered a streamlined experience based on the base A Realm Reborn content with some features from later expansions. Service for the mobile game is ending on September 30, 2024.
MMO Week in Review: Lament for Elder Scrolls Online
Microsoft's decision to lay off a significant portion of The Elder Scrolls Online team has led to further management turnover and a restructuring of the studio. This week's MMO news also covers the early access launch of SpiritVale, the cancellation of Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, and discussions on lessons for Guild Wars 3.
Square Enix just killed Final Fantasy 14's mobile port before it could even launch globally, offering "sincere apologies for being unable to meet your expectations"
Square Enix and Tencent have officially canceled the global release of Final Fantasy 14 Mobile, citing business and market changes. The Chinese version, which launched in June 2025, will also go offline on September 30. This decision follows the earlier shutdown of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remaster and the upcoming closure of Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis.
