Chris Wilson
Reporting and statements that mention Chris Wilson.
Latest coverage
Path of Exile co-creator "would have scoffed at something like Baldur's Gate 3" 10 years ago, but now he knows why live service isn't necessarily "the future"
Chris Wilson, co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, has re-evaluated his stance on live-service games, admitting he would have dismissed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 a decade ago. While Path of Exile exemplifies a player-friendly live-service model, Wilson now acknowledges the drawbacks of the monetization strategy and the pressures it creates, contrasting it with the appeal of complete, finished games.
Path of Exile co-creator tells developers "don't survey your players" because "'your audience is good at recognizing problems and bad at solving them'"
Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson advises game developers against surveying players for design direction, stating that audiences are better at identifying problems than solving them. He emphasizes that while player feedback is crucial for identifying issues, developers must maintain their own vision for the game's direction. Wilson also touches on the potential pitfalls of player surveys, such as creating false expectations and optimizing for vocal players rather than the entire community.
Path of Exile 2's 1.0 release won't need to accommodate other game releases, director says—except GTA 6: 'That's a Goliath I don't want to take on quite frankly'
Path of Exile 2 director Jonathan Rogers stated that the game's 1.0 release date will be scheduled to avoid launching too close to Grand Theft Auto 6, acknowledging it as a significant competitor. While other game releases are typically not a concern for Grinding Gear Games, Rogers expressed that Rockstar Games' highly anticipated title is a 'Goliath' they wish to avoid directly competing with.
What's going on at Build A Rocket Boy? Layoffs, legal action, and more
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has conducted a third round of layoffs, reducing its staff to 80 employees. This follows previous rounds of redundancies and ongoing legal action from employees and the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain over alleged mistreatment and the installation of surveillance software without consent. The studio's leadership has attributed the game's poor performance and studio issues to corporate sabotage, a claim that led to the termination of their partnership with publisher IO Interactive.
MindsEye studio Build A Rocket Boy reportedly lays off around 170 more employees following story campaign update inspired by alleged sabotage
MindsEye, the studio behind Build A Rocket Boy, has reportedly laid off approximately 170 more employees, reducing its staff to around 80. This follows previous layoffs and the exit of publisher IOI Partners. CEO Mark Gerhard has cited external sabotage attempts, a narrative reflected in the recent 'Blacklisted' content update, though former employees dispute the sabotage claims.
MindsEye Studio Hit With New Round of Layoffs, Reportedly Affecting Around 170 Workers
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind MindsEye, has reportedly laid off around 170 employees, reducing its workforce to approximately 80. This follows a previous round of layoffs in March, which CEO Mark Gerhard attributed to espionage and sabotage. Several former employees have spoken out about the redundancies and alleged spying software used by the company.
MindsEye's New Blacklisted DLC Is Out Now, And Things Are Seeminly Not Improving
MindsEye has released its new Blacklisted DLC, coinciding with a price cut for the base game amidst ongoing criticism. The DLC, which features an assassin named Julia Black, reportedly touches on themes of sabotage and internal company strife, mirroring real-life allegations surrounding the game's troubled launch. Despite the new content, player reception remains largely negative, with ongoing concerns about dialogue, voice acting, and overall game quality, further compounded by reports of invasive employee monitoring software used by the developer.
MindsEye’s Former Developers Speak Out Against Crunch Culture at Build A Rocket Boy
Former developers from Build A Rocket Boy have spoken out about the studio's pervasive crunch culture, which led to significant mental and physical health issues among staff. Employees, including lead animator Chris Wilson and lead games analyst Ben Newborn, detailed months-long crunch periods, particularly within the cinematics team, with inadequate pay and excessive overtime. The use of employee monitoring software and a perceived lack of respect from leadership were cited as major grievances.
Union takes legal action against Build a Rocket Boy over alleged data privacy violations
The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has initiated legal action against Build a Rocket Boy, alleging data privacy violations due to the installation of Teramind surveillance software on employees' devices without consent. The union claims this software violates data protection laws and employee dignity by tracking keystrokes, screen activity, and audio. Build a Rocket Boy acknowledged installing the software, calling it 'enhanced cybersecurity,' and stated it would be removed within three months, though the IWGB reports it was removed in March after employee grievances.
Chris Wilson Defends Diablo 2 DLC Paywall as Preservation Move
Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, defended Blizzard's decision to release new content for Diablo II: Resurrected as a paid DLC, citing it as a move for game preservation rather than profit. The $25 'Reign of the Warlock' expansion includes a new class, updated zones, and endgame content, sparking debate among players about paid updates versus free quality-of-life improvements.
