AI in Game Development
Ongoing coverage on AI in Game Development.
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Marvel Tokon on PC blocked from countries without PSN – even the pope can’t play
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls will be unavailable in 132 countries on PC due to its reliance on PlayStation Network, which is not supported in those regions. This situation mirrors the earlier controversy surrounding Helldivers 2. The article also touches on Sony's recent decisions regarding physical disc production, the closure of PS3 and PS Vita stores, and the use of AI in game development.
This week in PC games: Stardew Valley plus vampires, a lavish gamebook RPG, and Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, finally
This week's PC game releases include the remake Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, the gamebook RPG Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle, and various indie titles like Cosmodrill and Mothkeep. News includes potential job cuts at Microsoft and studio closures, while previews of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced and interviews are also mentioned.
Something for the Weekend – 20/06/26
This week's gaming news highlights a turbulent period for Xbox, with reports of layoffs at Zenimax and uncertainty surrounding game studios. Grand Theft Auto VI preorders are set to go live on June 25th, while Unreal Engine 6 is integrating generative AI tools. Several games received reviews, including The Adventures of Elliot and Constance, and previews for Control Resonant and Hot Wheels: Infinite Rush were also featured.
"We're not trying to replace it. This is very much a love letter": Why Crystal Dynamics is remaking the original Tomb Raider (again)
Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog are developing Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the original 1996 game, set for a February 2027 release. This project, described as a 'love letter' to the original, aims to recreate the classic experience with modern technology and gameplay enhancements, while also acknowledging the use of AI for early prototyping. The remake is part of a broader trend of game remakes, with Crystal Dynamics also working on a new narrative-driven title, Tomb Raider Catalyst, for a 2027 release.
Nexus Purchases ONE Store in Korea, Aims to Create Worldwide Web3 Game Platform on CROSS
Nexus has acquired ONE Store, a major South Korean app marketplace, with plans to transform it into a domestic game hub and launch it globally as the first Web3-native game store. The platform will integrate AI for game discovery and curation, accommodating both human-created and AI-generated games. Strategic investments from SK Square, Naver, and Krafton support Nexus's vision to become the world's number one game platform.
Evening Reading - June 16, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various internet happenings, including a review of UFC 6 and mentions of indie games like Tanuki: Pon's Summer and Mina the Hollower. It also touches on AI developments such as the Pokemon TCG AI Battle Challenge and SpaceX's acquisition of Cursor AI.
Nexon’s Embers of the Uncrowned MMOARPG has a free demo now live for Steam Next Fest
Nexon's dark fantasy MMOARPG, Embers of the Uncrowned, now has a free demo available on Steam as part of Steam Next Fest. The demo features 12 bosses, three core regions, and various gameplay systems, and will be available until June 22nd. The game has drawn some criticism for its use of AI in development.
The Alters: Last Variable DLC pack introduces 20 hours of new content, including an "entirely new progression loop"
The Alters: Last Variable, a new DLC for 11 Bit Studios' survival game The Alters, is set to release on July 13th for PC and consoles. This expansion will add approximately 20 hours of new content, featuring a new progression loop focused on exploration, scientific research, and terraforming, allowing players to build underground bases and transform barren regions. The DLC also introduces a specialized team of Jan Scientists to help unravel the mysteries of the Oasis.
Claude Creates League of Legends AI Clone with 18 Champions Available Now
Om Patel, a new developer, has created a browser-based multiplayer game called LMAO, which mimics League of Legends using AI-generated content and features 18 unique champions. The game was developed in under 24 hours using Claude Opus and demonstrates efficient AI resource utilization, costing approximately $6,600 in API usage if not for existing subscriptions. LMAO is now available to play in web browsers.
'YOU vs Zombies' Playable Demo and Developer Explainer Video Released for Steam Next Fest June 2026
Indie studio 10six Games has released a playable demo for their roguelite game 'YOU vs Zombies' for Steam Next Fest. The studio also launched a developer video featuring CEO Susan Cummings, explaining the game's AI-driven Ritual system and its blend of handcrafted design with AI personalization.
MapleStory Universe and Verse8 Debut $80,000 AI UGC Vibe Camp on June 8
Nexpace, the creator of MapleStory Universe, has partnered with Verse8 to launch Vibe Camp, an initiative utilizing AI-powered tools for user-generated content creation. Running from June 8 to June 29, the camp offers a $60,000 prize pool to encourage creators to develop new experiences within the MapleStory ecosystem. This program aims to expand the MapleStory Universe into a builder economy by empowering creators and leveraging AI to lower development barriers.
Games Inbox: Will Modern Warfare 4 save Call Of Duty?
Readers discuss the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with concerns that Activision is not taking enough time to address player dissatisfaction. Other topics include the potential for Persona 6 leaks to be AI-generated, the quality of movie-licensed games, and the rising cost of next-generation consoles.
Steam Store Page for Kamiya Detective Agency is Now Open!
Sakura ARC has announced that the Steam store page for their upcoming mystery visual novel, 'Kamiya Detective Agency: High School Girl Vanished in The Summer,' is now live. The game, set in Fukuoka, is scheduled for a 2026 release and utilizes AI technology in its development and multilingual support. The developer highlights the game's photorealistic style, combining real-world photography with AI image generation.
Portside Game Assembly Sets Sail Again on June 26: Conference Program for Indie Game Studios Announced
The Portside Game Assembly, an expert conference for indie game studios, will hold its second edition on June 25-26 in Hamburg. The event will feature talks from developers like Rebecca Lautner and Mark Cooke on topics such as game development, sequels, and community engagement. The B2B conference aims to foster exchange among studio heads and founders through short talks and roundtables, with participation from over 60 studios worldwide.
Games Inbox: What will be in the June State of Play for PS5?
Readers speculate on the content of Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5 State of Play, with likely appearances from Wolverine, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, and God of War related content. The discussion also touches on the potential for a new Uncharted game and the impact of Warhorse Studios' Lord of the Rings title. Other topics include the state of arcade games, the future of franchises like Deus Ex and TimeSplitters, and comparisons between Forza Horizon 6 and older arcade racers.
Free Steam game Beyond the Dark turns out to be malware, but this isn't the first time we've seen it
The Steam game Beyond the Dark, previously released as Rodent Race, has been removed from the platform after being discovered to contain data-gobbling malware. Cybersecurity expert Eric Parker detailed how the game disguised its malicious intent, raising concerns about the ease with which bad actors can inject malware into games after they pass initial store review. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in video game security and the potential for AI to be used in creating such malicious software.
Alex Oxspring and The Stupendium found new studio Stupendium Softworks
Game designer Alex Oxspring and musician The Stupendium have launched a new studio named Stupendium Softworks. Their first project is an unnamed first-person survival horror game, with a commitment to sustainable development practices and avoiding AI tools. Both Oxspring and The Stupendium have prior collaborative experience on titles like OnlyCans: Thirst Date and Polyarmory: High Calibre Love.
Assassin's Creed spin-off leak argument leads to tease of new Worms game
A leaked screenshot from the upcoming Assassin's Creed Invictus has led to a public dispute between a leaker and Ubisoft, with the company accusing the leaker of spreading misinformation and heavily altering the image, possibly with AI. Amidst this controversy, a separate leak has surfaced, suggesting a new installment in the Worms franchise is in development.
Resident Evil Requiem producer says the negative reaction players had to Nvidia's DLSS 5 yassification of Grace Ashcroft was 'positive' because 'it meant we got the design right'
Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa stated that the negative player reaction to Nvidia's DLSS 5 'yassification' of Grace Ashcroft was positive, as it indicated the character's design was well-received and established her as a fan favorite. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended the use of generative AI in DLSS 5, emphasizing its role in content control rather than altering game art.
With Silent Hill 2's source code still MIA, a dedicated fan has decided to restore the game's CGI renders: 'Takayoshi' Sato's work was incredible for its time'
A fan is restoring the original CGI renders for Silent Hill 2, as the game's source code is lost and an official remaster seems unlikely. While the fan uses an AI upscaler, they manually edit the images in Photoshop to maintain quality and avoid an "AI look." This project aims to preserve a part of the classic game in the absence of official efforts.
