Black & White
News, coverage and analysis tracking Black & White across the outlets.
D7VK 1.10 brings even more 2D upgrades for retro Direct3D games on LinuxD7VK version 1.10 has been released, offering further enhancements for running retro Direct3D games on Linux and SteamOS through Wine and Proton. This update focuses on improving 2D game performance by optimizing surface data copies and includes fixes for flickering issues, missing backgrounds, and various other rendering problems across a range of classic titles.
Elon Musk, Sam Altman and the world's billionaires are terrified of the Google AI genius behind a 25-year-old computer game, because they think he might actually end up controlling godInternal documents from the Musk vs Altman legal dispute reveal that Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis is a significant figure of concern for industry leaders like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Hassabis, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry for his AI work, is seen as a dominant force in AI, with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella acknowledging Google's lead in machine learning due to DeepMind's progress. The documents also touch upon OpenAI's early goals, including developing a Dota 2 bot, and the intense competition and personal rivalries within the AI field.
Masters of Albion Early Access Preview - Big hand, big plansMasters of Albion, developed by Peter Molyneux's studio 22cans, enters Early Access as a blend of RPG, real-time strategy, and tower defense with a "God Game" twist. Players wield a giant hand to build towns, manage resources, and defend against nightly undead attacks, with the unique ability to possess heroes for direct third-person RPG gameplay. The game aims for a year in Early Access, incorporating player feedback for refinement.
Tools to tell if your game is brokenMatthew Tighe of Gameworks discusses how his company's platform uses AI and machine learning to help developers identify and fix bugs and performance issues throughout the game development process. Similarly, Ken Noland of AI Guys explains how their tool PerfCop analyzes performance data for Unreal Engine games to accelerate debugging and decision-making. Both emphasize that these AI tools are designed to assist developers, not replace them, by handling tedious tasks and improving overall game quality and development efficiency.
Players Say Peter Molyneux's New God Game Is Too Much Like Cooking MamaPlayers are reporting that Peter Molyneux's new god game, Masters of Albion, currently in early access, features gameplay loops heavily focused on mini-games resembling Cooking Mama, rather than traditional god game mechanics. Despite Molyneux's claims that this is his final game and a culmination of his work, players note extensive sandwich and soup making as a primary activity, with the game also planned as the first part of a trilogy.
Masters of Albion does what Peter Molyneux promised, "it brings joy"Masters of Albion, developed by Peter Molyneux's 22cans, blends god game, strategy, and fantasy RPG elements, tasking players with managing a town and defending it from nightly undead assaults. While the combat and building mechanics have some rough edges, particularly in early access, the game's charm, quirky puzzles, and enjoyable town management systems evoke the joy found in Molyneux's previous titles like Fable and Black and White. The game is available on Steam for $24.99, with a launch week discount.
Masters of Albion Early Access Preview - God HandMasters of Albion, the latest attempt at a "god game" from Peter Molyneux and studio 22Cans, offers an ambitious blend of city-building and divine intervention. Despite some jank and technical issues inherent to its Early Access state, the game shows promise with its engaging mechanics and narrative focus, though its long-term realization remains to be seen.
The Sunday PapersThis article discusses various gaming-related topics and broader cultural commentary. It touches on the graffiti in Left 4 Dead, the design of single-player extraction shooters like Witchfire, and the ambitious AI in Black & White. The piece also explores the evolution of AI from video games to companies like Google DeepMind, and touches on music industry issues related to Spotify and AI investments.
Masters of Albion Gets Official Launch Trailer Ahead of Early Access Release | Invision Game Community22cans has released the official launch trailer for Masters of Albion, a god game blending city-building, simulation, and real-time combat. Created by industry veteran Peter Molyneux, the game draws inspiration from titles like Black & White and Fable. Masters of Albion is set to launch in Early Access on PC via Steam on April 22, 2026.- Peter Molyneux Returns to His Roots with Masters of Albion, Launching in Early Access on April 22, 2026Peter Molyneux's studio 22cans has released the launch trailer for Masters of Albion, set to enter Early Access on April 22, 2026, for PC via Steam at $24.99. The game blends city-building, simulation, and real-time combat, drawing inspiration from Molyneux's previous titles like Black & White and Fable. Players will build and manage towns by day and defend them from threats by night.
I'm sad to report that when I worked on Black & White 2's expansion I was never offered a weed-laced chilli con carneA former intern at Lionhead Studios reflects on the studio's culture during the development of Black & White 2's expansion, noting the prevalence of marijuana use among developers. The author humorously laments never being offered any, questioning if they were considered too 'normal' or if the practice had ceased by 2006. Despite the anecdotal drug use, the author maintains a fond memory of Peter Molyneux buying them a McDonald's, highlighting the lasting impact of games like Black & White.
GTA and Red Dead in the crosshairs: hacker drama unfold... | TAGRockstar Games is reportedly facing a data breach with hackers claiming to hold sensitive Grand Theft Auto 6 information for ransom. Separately, the tribal survival game Soulmask has left early access with a free Egypt-themed DLC, and Magic: The Gathering is reintroducing a canceled Monster Hunter card. In other news, Karl Urban expressed interest in playing John Marston in a Red Dead Redemption film, Pete Hines departed Bethesda citing dissatisfaction post-Xbox acquisition, and the AI in the 25-year-old game Black & White is being recognized as a precursor to modern AI.- Sunday Postmortems/RetrospectivesLionhead Studios' 1997 game Black & White is being celebrated for its innovative and unconventional game design, which is seen as a precursor to modern AI implementation in video games. The article reflects on the unique development process and lasting impact of the title.
Black & White at 25: how Lionhead's hairbrained, stoner-powered game design became the harbinger of modern AILionhead Studios' 25-year-old game Black & White is examined for its groundbreaking AI, particularly its creature companion, which learned and evolved based on player interaction. This early application of AI in games, developed by figures like Richard Evans and Peter Molyneux, is contrasted with modern AI advancements and their societal implications, highlighting games as a crucial testbed for AI research.
Sintopia, the management sim that smashes together Dungeon Keeper and Black & White, will stand before Steam's…Sintopia, a management sim blending elements of Dungeon Keeper and Black & White, is set to release on April 16. Published by Team 17, the game aims to revive the god game genre. Early impressions highlight its potential for intricate base-building and engaging overworld scenarios.
Peter Molyneux's Fable and Black & White mash-up Masters of Albion is getting a closed beta, but you'll have to be quick if you want to get involvedPeter Molyneux's latest game, Masters of Albion, a mash-up of Fable and Black & White, is entering a closed beta test before its Steam early access launch on April 22. Developer 22Cans is accepting registrations for a limited 48-hour window, closing today, March 25, at 6 PM GMT. The beta aims to gather player feedback to refine the city-building and business management simulation.
Tycoon god game Sintopia is Black & White above, Dungeon Keeper below, and it's releasing in AprilThe strategy management game Sintopia, developed by Piraknights and published by Team 17, is set to release on April 16th. Described as a blend of Black & White and Dungeon Keeper, the game puts players in charge of managing Hell, balancing the needs of the underworld with the lives of humans in a celestial realm.
Masters of Albion is a 'Best of Peter Molyneux' greatest hits collection in one game, but I fear it might not measure up to the games that inspired itMasters of Albion, a new game from Peter Molyneux and 22cans, aims to be a greatest hits collection of his previous works like Fable, Black & White, and Dungeon Keeper. The game features city-building, hero-based exploration, and tower defense elements, with a focus on player choice and pace. While the game avoids NFTs and play-to-earn mechanics, the preview expresses concern that its individual systems may not reach the depth of their inspirations.