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The GameMaker engine series behind Undertale, Hotline Miami and Spelunky is going free for commercial use on PC
Starting January 1, 2027, YoYo Games will make its GameMaker engine free for commercial PC game development, a significant shift from its previous licensing model. While console releases will still require an Enterprise license, this change aims to broaden accessibility for indie developers who have used the tool for titles like Undertale and Hotline Miami.
"We made a very difficult decision": Australian indie showcase Freeplay reject antisemitism claims after delisting a Jewish sponsor who was allegedly accused of being a "zionist"
The Australian independent games showcase Freeplay has refunded and delisted the sponsorship of developer Wren Brier, citing accusations from an unnamed speaker that she is a "zionist." Brier, who is Jewish and emigrated from Israel as a teenager, denies being a zionist and states the accusation stemmed from her game Unpacking being featured in a Jewish publication. Freeplay claims the decision was difficult and made under time pressure to prevent the event from being cancelled, while rejecting accusations of prejudice, though the event has faced backlash and lost support from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
Moonlighter developer delays public playtest of next game over concerns of AI cloning
Digital Sun Games, developer of Moonlighter, has postponed the public playtest for its upcoming game ReVamp due to concerns about AI cloning. The studio fears that AI-generated copies could be released before the original game is finished. This decision follows similar cancellations by other studios and highlights the growing threat of AI-driven game cloning to indie developers.
Snag an unforgettably stylish airborne shooter for nothing as part of this week's Epic Games Store free games
The Epic Games Store is offering two free games this week: the stylish airborne shooter Luftrausers from Vlambeer and the action-platforming roguelite Astral Ascent from Hibernian Workshop. Both titles are available to claim from September 10th to September 17th and are yours to keep permanently.
The games industry's 'fear of risk is currently the largest risk it faces' according to Nuclear…
The video game industry's increasing fear of risk, leading to a focus on sequels and remakes, is identified as its biggest current threat. This aversion stifles creativity and leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, according to Rami Ismail and a workgroup at the DevGAMM Madeira Games Summit. The group suggests that embracing courage in funding, publishing, and investment, and making early decisions to cut failing projects, are crucial for success.
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry,…
Industry professionals are calling for more creative courage in game development, citing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as examples of innovation. They argue that an excessive focus on de-risking and market research leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, and that the industry's fear of risk is its greatest threat. This discussion highlights the contrast between mid-sized AA budgets and the escalating costs of AAA development.
The games industry is stifled by a culture of fear
A workshop at the DevGAMM Madeira Games Summit concluded that the games industry is stifled by a culture of fear, prioritizing algorithmic trends over creative conviction. Rami Ismail led the discussion, emphasizing that risk-averse decision-making and the avoidance of failure are greater threats than uncertainty. The group advocated for reestablishing creativity by focusing on internal coherence, disciplined validation, and trusting taste over market research to drive breakout hits.
Why so many game developers don't want to use generative AI
Many game developers express strong reservations about using generative AI, citing ethical concerns, environmental impact, copyright issues, and job security risks. Despite some executives championing AI as a tool for efficiency, a significant portion of the industry views it as unproven, potentially harmful to creativity, and undesirable by players.
Papers, Please dev, Lucas Pope, isn't talking about new game due to AI concerns
Developer Lucas Pope, known for Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, is withholding details about his new game due to concerns about artificial intelligence. He expressed worries that AI could be used to copy or exploit his work, impacting the creative process he values. Pope is not interested in using AI to speed up development, emphasizing the importance of understanding all aspects of game creation.
Respawn, PlayStation Studios and EA Full Circle among first speakers for Develop:Brighton 2026
Develop:Brighton has announced its first speakers for the 2026 conference, including representatives from Respawn Entertainment, PlayStation Studios, and EA's Full Circle studio. The event, scheduled for July 14-16, will feature talks on game development, marketing, audio design, and business strategy from various industry professionals.
