Black & White
News, coverage and analysis tracking Black & White across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Peter Molyneux speaks candidly about AI: 'We, as the industry, are pretending we're not using AI, but the reality is, it's almost impossible to code now without using AI'
Legendary developer Peter Molyneux believes the game industry is actively pretending not to use AI, despite it being nearly impossible to code without it. He notes that public perception of AI has been negatively impacted by early, flawed generative models, leading to platforms like Steam requiring developers to disclose AI usage. Molyneux argues that AI is a significant advancement for creativity, especially for smaller studios, and will become deeply integrated into middleware like Unity and Unreal Engine within a year.
80s cult game show for kids is coming back with a free video game
The 1980s UK children's game show Knightmare is being revived as a free-to-play point 'n' click adventure game for PC, set for release in 2027. Original host Hugo Myatt will reprise his role as Treguard. The game aims to capture the spirit of the notoriously difficult show but will feature more forgiving mechanics and new hand-drawn art.
Black & White 3 doesn't sound like it's ever going to happen, but good ole overpromising Peter Molyneux may have let slip about a remaster of the original
Peter Molyneux has hinted at a potential remaster for his classic god game, Black & White, though he stated it would be inappropriate to discuss further. Molyneux also commented on the difficulty of developing a sequel due to technical challenges and rights ownership, suggesting Black & White 3 is unlikely. His current project, Masters of Albion, has faced some controversy.
Peter Molyneux explains why Black & White 3 remains MIA, and then drops a tantalising teaser: 'It's such a difficult, difficult, challenging title to develop'
Peter Molyneux discussed the challenges behind developing a potential Black & White 3, citing technical hurdles and the declining market for god games. He also hinted at the possibility of a Black & White remaster being in development, though he is not involved and advises caution.
Peter Molyneux explains the origin story of Black & White's famous creatures: 'It was originally a…
Peter Molyneux, the creator of the god game genre, discussed the origins of the iconic creatures from his game Black & White. He revealed that the creatures were initially conceived as monsters that players would nurture and teach, evolving from a single sheet of paper idea into the beloved companions seen in the final game. Molyneux also touched upon the development of his latest game, Masters of Albion, and the potential inclusion of similar colossal structures.
Games Inbox: Which 2026 video game has the best melee combat?
Readers discuss which upcoming games will feature the best melee combat, with Onimusha: Way Of The Sword and Nioh 3 being highlighted. The discussion also touches on the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker, issues with Amazon's game delivery, the pricing of live service cosmetics, and the potential for dormant game franchises to be revived.
Steam discoverability is "the big issue" in gaming right now, Peter Molyneux says. "There's just too much choice."
Veteran developer Peter Molyneux believes Steam's discoverability is the biggest issue facing the gaming industry today, citing an overwhelming amount of choice that buries good games. He also expresses concern over the rapid pace of development from Chinese studios and the pervasive influence of AI, contributing to a challenging environment for indie developers.
Playing God: The revolutionary AI that made Black & White still unforgettable
This article reflects on the revolutionary machine learning AI in the 2001 game Black & White, developed by Lionhead Studios and directed by Peter Molyneux. It highlights how the AI, coded by Demis Hassabis and Richard Evans (who later founded DeepMind), allowed creatures to learn and imitate player actions, a feat still considered remarkable. The piece contrasts the game's joyful sandbox approach with modern AI anxieties and praises its unique design.
Masters of Albion uppdateras med bättre prestanda och nytt innehåll
Peter Molyneux's game Masters of Albion has received a significant update called 'New Beginnings'. The update addresses player feedback by moving to a new rendering system for improved performance, expanding the prologue, and introducing a physical manifestation of evil called 'Corruption'. New interaction mechanics have also been added.
Masters of Albion, Peter Molyneux's final game, just got a huge update and, [vigorous, lips-pursed nodding of approval], suddenly the old god game magic is back
Masters of Albion, Peter Molyneux's latest god game, has received a significant 'New Beginnings' update that overhauls core systems and improves engine performance. The update aims to recapture the magic of classic god games by enhancing nighttime gameplay, introducing a new card-based Arcadium, and adding narrative elements to product orders. The author expresses optimism that these changes, along with the potential introduction of giant avatars, could make Masters of Albion a standout title in the genre.
Masters of Albion's 1.0 launch was a "sketch," Peter Molyneux says. Its New Beginnings update helps "turn it into a painting"
Peter Molyneux describes the initial 1.0 launch of his game Masters of Albion as a "sketch," but states that the new "New Beginnings" update aims to "turn it into a painting." This massive rework addresses performance issues, revamps core gameplay systems like the Arcadium and order system, and introduces a morality system inspired by Fable. The update is live now on Steam.
Games Inbox: When will Spider-Man 3 be released on PS5?
Readers speculate on the release date of Spider-Man 3 for PlayStation 5, with some suggesting it might be a PlayStation 6 launch title. Other topics discussed include the pricing of a potential The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, the possibility of an Assassin's Creed set in Ancient Rome, and comparisons between the gameplay mechanics of Returnal and Saros.
D7VK 1.10 brings even more 2D upgrades for retro Direct3D games on Linux
D7VK 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 god
Internal 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 plans
Masters 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 broken
Matthew 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 Mama
Players 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 Hand
Masters 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 Papers
This 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.
