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"We are very eager to learn from the real veterans" – How Tencent's TiMi Studio Group collaborated with Capcom on Monster Hunter Outlanders
Bryan Li, development director at Tencent's TiMi Studio Group, discusses the creation of Monster Hunter Outlanders for mobile devices. The game aims to replicate the full Monster Hunter experience with adapted controls and new storylines, while Capcom provided guidance on core mechanics and lore. TiMi Studio Group leveraged its expertise in live service games for the post-launch roadmap.
More Chinese success as Phantom Blade Zero enjoys a big launch and becomes one of Steam's most played games
Phantom Blade Zero has achieved significant success following its release, reaching over 431,000 concurrent players on Steam and topping the global best-sellers chart. Early reviews are mostly positive, with estimates suggesting over 1 million copies sold across PC and PlayStation 5. Meanwhile, Epic Games is doubling down on its use of controversial AI tools for game development, including Fortnite and Unreal Engine 6, despite developer and community concerns.
Phantom Blade Zero will already be "well past" 1 million copies sold, analyst says, but the action RPG "won't hit the highs" of Black Myth: Wukong's "insane sales"
Market research firm Alinea Analytics estimates that Phantom Blade Zero has already surpassed one million pre-release sales across PC and PlayStation 5, with a significant portion coming from China. While these sales are strong, they are not expected to reach the "insane sales" figures of Black Myth: Wukong, which sold over 30 million copies.
Phantom Blade Zero Reportedly Nears 1 Million Sales After Topping Steam’s Global Chart
Phantom Blade Zero, developed by S-Game, is reportedly nearing one million pre-sale units across Steam and other platforms, with estimates reaching 850,000 on Steam alone. The game has topped Steam's global sales charts and received positive reviews, contributing significantly to its strong pre-launch performance.
A leaked trailer for Transformers: Reactivate shows off the only lick of gameplay we'll likely ever see of the cancelled co-op action game
A leaked internal trailer for the cancelled co-op action game Transformers: Reactivate has surfaced, offering a brief glimpse of gameplay. Developed by Splash Damage and previously planned as a free-to-play live service title, the game was reportedly shifted to a premium $70 release before its cancellation amid Tencent's funding withdrawals. The trailer suggests a focus on shooting and driving mechanics with surprisingly little actual transforming.
Gameplay from cancelled Transformers Reactivate leaks and it looks amazing
Gameplay footage has leaked for the cancelled Transformers game, Transformers Reactivate, developed by Splash Damage. The footage showcases a third-person shooter with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, suggesting a promising direction before its cancellation in January 2025. The game reportedly pivoted from a live service model to a single-player campaign with optional co-op.
Fan favourite map Shipment arrives today in Modern Warfare 4, just four days after launch - a new record for Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is receiving the iconic Shipment map just four days after its launch, a new record for the franchise. This fast-paced multiplayer map, first introduced in 2007, is known for its breakneck combat and is often used for rapid player and weapon progression. Separately, the article notes that Pokémon Unite will be shut down on March 23, 2027, though a 'Library' feature will allow players to view earned items and progress after the service ends.
Pokémon Unite closing down for good, but you'll still be able to use it afterwards, sort of
The Pokémon Company and Tencent have announced that the MOBA game Pokémon Unite will cease operations on March 23, 2027. A special event will introduce a 'Library' feature allowing players to view earned items like Holowear and cosmetics after the service ends, though data transfer limitations apply.
MMO Week in Review: Funcom’s folly
Funcom has confirmed significant layoffs and the stepping down of its CEO as part of a restructuring effort. The company will now focus on its existing titles, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. This news comes amidst a broader week of MMO updates, including RuneScape halting its Reignited plans and Enshrouded launching its 1.0 release.
Gameplay footage emerges of reportedly cancelled Assassin's Creed game Destiny
Gameplay footage has surfaced online for a reportedly cancelled Assassin's Creed game codenamed Destiny, which was allegedly in development at Tencent's TiMi Studio Group for current platforms. The leaked clips showcase stealth kills, the iconic Leap of Faith, and a unique spinning umbrella weapon, with the game reportedly set in 206 BCE. This news comes amidst broader negative developments for Ubisoft, including proposed studio closures and significant layoffs at Ubisoft Singapore.
We finally get to see the canceled Assassin's Creed game set in China, and darn it, it looks pretty good
Details and footage have emerged for the canceled Assassin's Creed Destiny, a triple-A game that was a collaboration between Ubisoft and Tencent's TiMi Group. Set in China during the Qin Empire, the game was canceled last year due to restructuring. While Assassin's Creed Jade is still in development for mobile, Destiny showed potential for a full-scale return to Chinese history.
Assassin's Creed Destiny Leak Reveales Unused Game Location
Leaked footage and screenshots reveal a cancelled Assassin's Creed game, codenamed Destiny, which was reportedly in development at Tencent's TiMi Studio Group. The game was set during the fall of the Qin Dynasty and featured familiar Assassin's Creed mechanics, but was abandoned early in production. Neither Ubisoft nor Tencent has officially confirmed the project or the reasons for its cancellation, though it may be linked to Tencent's strategic shift towards internally owned projects.
Another Assassin’s Creed Game Set in Qin Dynasty China Has Been Secretly Canceled – Rumor
A rumored project codenamed Assassin's Creed Destiny, developed by Tencent's TiMi Studio Group for current-generation platforms, has reportedly been canceled. The game, which was set in the Qin Dynasty and featured gameplay mechanics similar to Assassin's Creed Jade, was allegedly scrapped during its early development stages following a restructuring at TiMi Studio Group. Ubisoft and Tencent continue to work on Assassin's Creed Jade for mobile platforms.
Funcom to lay off staff as it pivots to focusing solely on Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening
Funcom is undergoing a significant restructuring, pivoting to focus exclusively on the live operations of Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening. This decision will result in staff layoffs, with CEO Rui Casais departing at the end of the year to be replaced by Scott Junior. The company aims to support and grow these two titles and their communities for the foreseeable future.
Aream & Co: Games industry M&A generates $57.8 bn in Q3, including EA's $55bn leveraged buyout
Investment bank Aream & Co reported that the games industry saw 54 M&A transactions totaling $57.8 billion in Q3, including Electronic Arts' $55 billion buyout. Public market revenue increased significantly, while console segment revenue experienced its steepest drop in two years across all platforms.
"Holy s***! Who are you?" - Phantom Blade Zero's director tells the story of PlayStation's first reaction to the game
S-Game director Soulframe recounts how an early, rough mockup of Phantom Blade Zero deeply impressed PlayStation executives, including Christian Svensson and Shuhei Yoshida, leading to its inclusion in a major showcase. The game, which launches on PlayStation 5 and PC on October 29, garnered significant attention, with its trailer becoming the second most viewed from the event.
Ubisoft announces shutdown of Rainbow Six Mobile seven months after global launch
Ubisoft is shutting down its free-to-play tactical shooter Rainbow Six Mobile on January 15, 2027, less than a year after its global launch. The developer stated that the team will move on to other strategic projects, though the game's next season will still launch as planned. The mobile title had been in development for six and a half years with involvement from 11 Ubisoft studios and Tencent.
Ubisoft Shutting Down Rainbow Six Mobile After Less Than A Year
Ubisoft has announced the shutdown of Rainbow Six Mobile, which will cease operations on January 16, 2027, less than a year after its full launch in February 2026. The company cited a need to move developers to "other long-term strategic projects" and acknowledged a challenging year that included layoffs and studio closures.
20 million sales later, Capcom is bringing Monster Hunter Rise to iOS and Android, but for now it's locked behind a Netflix subscription
Capcom is releasing Monster Hunter Rise on Android and iOS via Netflix, requiring a Netflix membership to play natively on mobile devices. This move comes as Monster Hunter Rise surpasses 20 million units sold worldwide and coincides with the upcoming launch of Tencent's gacha-based Monster Hunter Outlanders.
Games industry investors are "sitting on the sidelines waiting for obvious slam dunks", says Undead Labs boss, with labour costs a key worry
Undead Labs studio boss Philip Holt believes investors are hesitant to fund game development projects unless they are 'obvious slam dunks,' citing high labor costs, particularly in expensive regions like Seattle, as a major concern. He also discussed the studio's successful management buyout from Microsoft and its implications for the future of State of Decay 3.
