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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.
