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Warhammer Survivors Is Launching Mere Days Before GTA 6, And I Respect The Audacity
Warhammer Survivors is set to launch on November 10 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices, with a demo available now on Steam. The game adopts the 'Survivors-like' formula, featuring intense combat against Tyranid enemies, weapon evolution, and a large roster of characters and weapons. Its release date is notably close to Grand Theft Auto 6, a bold move that the article respects.
Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring are "North Stars" for Tencent as the company tries to build the next Larian or FromSoftware: "That is the long-term commitment"
Tencent aims to replicate the success of studios like Larian and FromSoftware by focusing on genre leadership and long-term developer support, citing Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring as benchmarks. VP Yong-yi Zhu emphasized the company's commitment to nurturing talent and iterating on genres over multiple titles, contrasting this with their own portfolio of evergreen live service games.
Ubisoft ‘Motherbrain’ genAI initiative used to create new game ideas says rumour
A report claims Ubisoft is implementing a new generative AI initiative called 'Motherbrain' to support gameplay innovation across its studios. While Ubisoft has not officially commented, the initiative is described as a global entity dedicated to developing proprietary AI technology. This news comes amid criticism of Ubisoft's past adoption of trends like NFTs and live service games, and follows the company's cancellation of six games earlier this year.
Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment Rebrand Has Made The Name Much More Literal And Slightly Confusing
Ubisoft has rebranded its "Creative House 2" to Massive Entertainment, which is also the name of the studio it houses. This move aims to consolidate development expertise for Tom Clancy titles and other projects. However, the rebranding occurs amidst significant cost-cutting measures, including game cancellations and layoffs, creating a confusing and challenging environment for employees.
"Xbox is not for sale" despite all of the layoffs and neat repackaging of studios within Microsoft's corporate structure, CEO Asha Sharma says
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has denied any plans to sell the gaming division, despite recent layoffs and studio restructuring. While reports suggested Microsoft executives considered spinning out Xbox, Sharma stated the company is committed to its success and will pursue necessary partnerships and operating models. The article notes the human cost of the layoffs and mentions ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
The Division developers Massive are now "the global brand" in charge of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, alongside a new Ubisoft dieselpunk MOBA
Ubisoft has announced a significant restructuring, designating Massive Entertainment as the global label responsible for the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell and Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon franchises, as well as the new MOBA March of Giants. This move is part of a broader reorganization following a large investment from Tencent, which has led to layoffs and the creation of dedicated 'creative houses' for major brands. While the Splinter Cell remake and a new Ghost Recon are confirmed, the impact on affected development teams remains unclear.
The Division studio Massive expands to take control of Splinter Cell and Ghost Recon, and a new IP, in Ubisoft's most recent reorganisation
Ubisoft has reorganised its studios, expanding Massive Entertainment's remit to oversee the Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell brands, as well as multiple global studios and a new original IP called March of Giants. This move establishes Massive as a multi-franchise leading subsidiary, similar to the recently formed Vantage Studios. The restructuring follows several rounds of layoffs across Ubisoft, including at Massive Entertainment itself.
Ubisoft Montreal employees launch collective action to preserve hybrid work schedule
Ubisoft Montreal employees, organized under the Ubisoft Workers of Montreal union, have launched a petition to preserve their hybrid work schedule after the company mandated a full return to office. The petition has garnered over 300 signatures, with union organizers encouraging in-person sign-ups. This action follows Ubisoft's January announcement of a five-day-a-week office policy, layoffs, and studio closures, which was met with protests, including a strike by Ubisoft's Paris-based employees.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Has Some Advice For Xbox: “Pick A Lane”
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden advises Xbox to "pick a lane," suggesting the company either commit to competing with PlayStation on hardware or fully embrace its role as the world's largest game publisher. Layden points to Sega's shift to software after the Dreamcast as a precedent, noting Xbox's declining console sales and potential future as a software-only entity.
Zynga reportedly almost acquired Supercell for $400m in 2012, but deal fell through following failure of OMGPop
Zynga's founder Mark Pincus revealed that the company nearly acquired Supercell for $400 million in 2012, but the deal fell through due to Zynga's board concerns following the failure of its OMGPop acquisition. Pincus expressed regret over not pushing harder for the Supercell deal, which he believes would have been highly profitable.
Dune Awakening's creative director on copying Hollywood, in-game advertising, and why style beats photorealism
Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos discusses Dune Awakening's development, including its relationship with Legendary and the shift towards more stylized graphics over photorealism. He also touches on evolving business models in live service games and the future of gaming hardware.
Housemarque and Bithell Games join Game Republic New Horizons speaker lineup, Nintendo to host open session for developers and publishers
Game Republic New Horizons has announced additional speakers for its upcoming event, including Housemarque VFX lead Robbert Groenendijk and Bithell Games director Mike Bithell. Nintendo will also host an open session for developers and publishers to discuss working with the company. The event will feature keynotes and panels on various aspects of game development, investment, and industry trends.
Wardogs studio chief Brammer insists he isn't "pro crunch, I am pro hard work"
Joe Brammer, CEO of Wardogs developer Bulkhead, has clarified his stance on crunch, stating he is "pro hard work" rather than "pro crunch." He defended the studio's practices, including occasional overtime, and argued against the notion that crunch is solely a result of bad management, particularly when working with new technology like Unreal Engine 5.
New publisher PUBLSH launches with Disco Elysium-inspired title Pera Coda
A new game publisher, PUBLSH, has launched with the goal of providing publisher-level leadership without excessive control. Co-founded by Ben Granados and Samuel Clarke, PUBLSH's first title is the episodic murder mystery Pera Coda, developed by Turkish studio Elyzio. The company plans to publish four to five games per year with development budgets under $20 million.
"There is no easy answer anymore, there's no kind of playbook" – Secret Mode is hedging its bets with two very different pillars
Independent UK publisher Secret Mode is experiencing significant growth by focusing on two distinct pillars: 'pure indie' titles and higher-budget games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The company, which recently separated from Sumo Digital and Tencent, is also exploring a 'caretaker development' model for existing titles and emphasizes the importance of discoverability in the current market.
"It's sad and devastating" – Black Myth: Wukong's physical publisher is mourning the loss of PlayStation discs
PM Studios CEO Michael Yum expressed sadness and devastation over Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production in January 2028, which significantly impacts physical publishers. Despite the shift to digital, PM Studios sees potential in the AA market and collectible physical releases, citing the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Bluey's Quest For The Gold Pen.
The Blood of Dawnwalker cost less than expected to make - it's more of a double-A game than a triple-A blockbuster
Polish developer Rebel Wolves revealed that The Blood of Dawnwalker had a budget of $40 million, positioning it as a double-A title rather than a triple-A blockbuster. Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz highlighted the game's ambitious RPG structure and risk-taking design, drawing comparisons to The Witcher 3.
Far Cry TV Series Adds Batman, Knuckles McGinty, And More Big Names
FX's Far Cry TV series has announced a stacked cast for its first season, including Lizzy Caplan, Steve Buscemi, Brendan Gleeson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hamish Linklater, Jamie Demetriou, and Sam Spruell. The anthology series will feature new settings and characters each season, similar to the games. Meanwhile, Ubisoft's Far Cry game franchise has been quiet since Far Cry 6 in 2021, with Far Cry 7 reportedly in development under Vantage Studios.
Wardogs CEO says he won't hire devs who aren't down with mandatory crunch: 'If you care about what you're making, this is the place to work'
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, has stated that the studio will not hire developers who are against mandatory crunch, framing it as a requirement for those who truly care about their work. This policy has drawn criticism from industry colleagues who argue that crunch is a result of poor planning and negatively impacts profits and employee well-being. Brammer also acknowledged that Wardogs experienced significant crunch during its launch, with staff working overnight to fix server issues.
Team17 owner Everplay increases shareholding in Wardogs dev Bulkhead, touts strong FY26 results
Everplay, the owner of Team17, has increased its shareholding in Wardogs developer Bulkhead following the game's success since its early access launch. Despite a reported decrease in revenue and profit for Everplay in the first half of FY26, the company anticipates strong full-year results, driven by the outperformance of Wardogs and Hell Let Loose: Vietnam. Everplay also noted significant growth in its subsidiary StoryToys.
