Unity
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What to do about Game Engines with Rez Graham
This article discusses the implications of game engine choices, particularly focusing on Unity's controversial per-install fee policy change in late 2023. It explores the downsides of relying on third-party engines and the importance of valuing human assets within game development companies, referencing Nintendo's past leadership under Satoru Iwata as an example of prioritizing employees.
"Low-effort slop": The creators of the Godot engine behind Slay the Spire 2 are cracking down on "vibe-coding" and now require genAI disclosures
The Godot Foundation, the developers behind the open-source game engine used in titles like Slay the Spire 2 and Buckshot Roulette, are implementing stricter policies regarding generative AI usage. Citing a rise in "low-effort slop" and a strain on maintainers, the foundation will now require contributors to disclose any AI assistance and prohibits the use of AI for generating substantial code. This move contrasts with Epic Games' approach to Unreal Engine 6, which embraces AI integration.
"There's nothing worse than an AI-generated pitch": Bloober, Jagex, 11 bit and indie devs on the bruising hurdle of funding a videogame prototype
Independent game developers face significant hurdles in securing funding for prototypes, with many publishers requiring playable builds before committing to a project. Companies like Bloober Team, Jagex, and 11 bit studios acknowledge the necessity of prototypes but express concerns about the increasing reliance on generative AI for their creation. While AI tools can boost productivity, publishers are wary of AI-generated pitches, as they offer less proof of a team's genuine capabilities and artistic vision, leading to a more risk-averse industry.
"We are seeing a certain degree of effectiveness from the use of generative AI" - Capcom clarifies its stance on using the controversial tech
Capcom is using generative AI to improve the efficiency of routine operations in game development, allowing developers to focus more on creative tasks. While the company sees effectiveness in its current AI implementation, it expects it will take time to quantitatively demonstrate the results. This approach aligns with a growing trend in the industry, though debates continue regarding AI's role and impact on human creativity.
A game developer compared Godot and Unity by making the same game in both engines, and he's found a clear winner
Game developer Thomas Grové conducted a side-by-side comparison of Unity and Godot by building the same survival horror game in both engines. While both engines performed similarly in functionality, Godot proved significantly more efficient in loading, exporting, and compiling, leading Grové to conclude it's the preferred engine for his project despite Unity's slightly higher final output FPS.
RPG Maker U2U Features HD-2D Style Maps
Gotcha Gotcha Games has revealed RPG Maker U2U, a new PC game development software that features a Perspective 2D approach for creating HD-2D style maps. The software will allow users to combine new and old assets, and will be available for testing at BitSummit Punch in May 2026. The company also previously released Action Game Maker.
LATAM indie devs lay out how to improve your text animation
Independent game developers from Latin America showcased innovative text animation techniques at Gamescom LATAM to improve player engagement with game narratives and tutorials. Games like Climb Out of Hell, Artius: Pure Imagination, Ghostless, and Afantasia demonstrate how dynamic text can enhance storytelling, provide commentary, and guide players more effectively, utilizing engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Gamemaker.
ToxMod vs GGWP: Which AI Moderation Tool Is Actually Better? (2026) | TAG
This analysis compares ToxMod by Modulate and GGWP, two leading AI moderation tools for the gaming industry. ToxMod specializes in real-time voice chat analysis, significantly reducing toxicity in games like Call of Duty. GGWP offers a broader platform, focusing on reputation scoring across text, voice, and gameplay behavior to influence matchmaking. While not direct competitors, both tools represent significant advancements over previous moderation methods, with ToxMod excelling in voice and GGWP offering a more comprehensive community management solution, especially with its integration via Unity Vivox for smaller studios.
"Seven or eight years is not that unusual": Diablo 4 lead says AAA games are taking longer to make, which is bad news for junior applicants
Diablo 4 lead engine engineer Marcin Undak stated that AAA game development cycles are lengthening, often reaching seven to eight years. This trend leads to fewer junior positions being available as companies prefer to hire less experienced staff at the beginning of projects. Undak emphasized that balanced teams with all seniority levels are crucial for success, bringing both fresh ideas and seasoned expertise.
What happened when one game writer tried making a game in 30 days with Godot
A game writer details their 30-day journey creating a game using the Godot engine, aiming to assess its approachability for solo developers. Despite encountering common development hurdles and bugs, the author found Godot to be a more accessible tool compared to larger engines, ultimately fostering a sense of accomplishment for a solo creator.
Unity reveals winners for its 2026 Humanity Grant
Unity has announced the winners of its 2026 Unity for Humanity Grant, awarding funding from a $600,000 prize pool to ten developers and three honourable mentions across eight countries. The winning projects address global challenges such as health, rehabilitation, and environmental literacy using real-time 3D technology.
Advocating for Godot: A report from A Maze Berlin | Opinion
The A Maze Berlin festival highlighted the growing adoption of the open-source Godot engine among indie developers, positioning it as a strong competitor to Unity. Developers praised Godot's documentation and free accessibility, especially after Unity's controversial Runtime Fee policy. While Godot's 3D capabilities are still developing, its rapid progress and community embrace suggest it may soon rival or surpass Unity in many areas.
The Indie Premier Showcase announced — MP3s & NPCs
The Indie Premier Showcase, a hybrid digital and physical event, has been announced for July. The showcase aims to highlight upcoming indie games from around the world and will feature awards in categories such as Grand Indie Champ and Gameplay Mastery. The event is organized in partnership with Unity and submissions will open later this month.
Indie games have built a thriving economy in territory traditional publishers abandoned or ignored | Opinion
The indie game market has quietly become a significant economic force, occupying niches abandoned by traditional publishers and fostering new genres. Data from the Godot engine shows substantial growth in game releases and developer adoption, partly fueled by Unity's controversial runtime fee policy. This expansion has created a thriving ecosystem with its own infrastructure and economy, demonstrating that the barrier to reaching a mass audience for indie developers is lower than ever.
Grayson Wendell Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of Honor
Professional programmer Grayson Wendell, a veteran of the game industry since 2007, will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026. Wendell has worked at companies like id Software, EA, and Activision on titles such as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile. He will also host a panel on N64 reverse engineering and randomizers at the event.
Business and Finance
Unity has reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2026. Separately, the founders of Gearbox Quebec have announced the creation of a new independent studio focused on developing original, premium games.
AI Yi-Yi!
The article discusses the dual nature of Unity AI's open beta, highlighting both its potential benefits and the concerns it raises. It also touches upon broader issues of data security, referencing a separate report about exposed corporate and personal data on the open web.
Unity Q1 revenue rises 17%, posts $347m loss following IronSource closure
Unity reported a 17% year-on-year revenue increase to $508 million for Q1 2026, with Grow Solutions showing a 23% rise. However, the company posted a significant net loss of $347 million, largely due to $279 million in impairment charges from the closure of IronSource and the divestiture of Supersonic. Unity also launched a new suite of AI tools for game development.
Unity launches suite of AI tools to help creators accelerate game development
Unity has launched a suite of AI tools in open beta, designed to accelerate game development for creators using Unity 6 or above. The Agentic Assistant helps developers understand their work and use Unity's tools effectively, with features for planning, expert guidance, and asset generation. Unity Pro, Enterprise, and Industry subscribers receive these features automatically, while Personal Edition users can access them via a free trial or a monthly subscription.
Steam stats for Slay the Spire 2's engine Godot show "strong signs of exponential growth"
Slay the Spire 2, developed with the Godot engine by Mega Crit, has become its most popular game, showcasing significant growth for the engine. Despite some data fragmentation, Godot is experiencing a consistent rise in installs and users, positioning it as a strong free and open-source alternative to engines like Unity and Unreal Engine. The success of Slay the Spire 2, which pivoted from Unity due to fee changes, is expected to further boost Godot's adoption.
