Community Engagement
Ongoing coverage on Community Engagement.
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D&D head promises to fix "very loud, very public missteps" with "a new spirit and energy" for…
Head of Dungeons & Dragons, Dan Ayoub, acknowledges significant past missteps and outlines a plan to rebuild trust with the community. He emphasizes listening to fans and a new direction for the brand, aiming to include diverse voices and products.
The Big Picture: What you need to know about the ongoing games industry reset
Amir Satvat, formerly of Tencent and now with 1Up Ventures, delivered a keynote at Gamescom Dev outlining a significant reset in the games industry. He highlighted a projected 14,666 layoffs in 2026, a geographic shift of jobs away from North America, and revenue concentration among top titles, while noting the overall industry employment remains relatively stable. Satvat also discussed challenges like discoverability, AI uncertainty, a decline in entry-level roles, and the increasing importance of networking and community engagement.
Draw a Silly Bee, Win Legendary Bee Food: Inside Chainers’ New Art Contest
Chainers, a browser-based MMO developed by 51 Games, has launched a community art contest encouraging players to submit drawings of "silly bees." AI-generated entries are disqualified, and five winners will receive in-game currency (CFB), an Uncommon Bee, and Legendary Bee Food. The contest, which closes on August 26, 2026, aims to boost player engagement and builds upon recent bee-themed content updates.
The PlayStation Blackout Protest Has Protest Has Begun
PlayStation fans have initiated a blackout protest to express their dissatisfaction with Sony's perceived disconnect from its community. Key points of frustration include decisions such as the discontinuation of physical disc production. The movement encourages wider participation.
Old School RuneScape began when a dev 'found the 2007 server in their desk drawer:' 13 years later, it's setting subscriber records for the long-lived MMO
Old School RuneScape, a 2013 fork of the original RuneScape, has achieved record subscriber numbers, surpassing even the original game's peak in 2007. Creative director Kieren Charles revealed that the 2007 server build was found in a desk drawer, and the game's development is now heavily community-driven through player votes. Jagex senior communications manager Danni Amos also contributed insights into the game's origins.
Lifting together: How Warframe became one of the world's best multiplayer games
Warframe has evolved from a middling 2013 release into a highly successful live service game, maintaining a strong player base and positive reception through continuous development and community engagement. Digital Extremes' philosophy of taking risks, iterating based on player feedback, and fostering a strong community has been key to its resilience and ongoing popularity, even as other multiplayer games struggle.
Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P doesn't get the deal with Chort
Final Fantasy 14 director and producer Naoki Yoshida expressed surprise at the popularity of the sub-boss character Chort, stating he didn't fully understand the appeal despite its meme status. Yoshida is curious about what players find appealing about the character, though he acknowledges the visual humor of a large character rolling. He also encouraged the community to share their feedback on future content.
Pocketpair lead tempts fate after Palworld 1.0, asks players what Pals should get new skins and obliterates those who…
Pocketpair's John Buckley playfully solicited ideas for new Palworld skins, only to be inundated with requests for a 'Sekhmet maid skin.' In response to the overwhelming community demand, Buckley humorously depicted himself using psychokinesis to obliterate fans who suggested the maid outfit, referencing the Watchmen character Doctor Manhattan.
Craft World Debuts El Capitan’s Fleet as Its Biggest Masterpiece Reward Yet
Angry Dynomites Lab is launching a new Special Masterpiece event called El Capitan's Fleet for Craft World on July 13. This event, centered around the game's pirate theme, emphasizes player-driven lore and community collaboration, offering boosted rewards for top contributors. El Capitan's Fleet also integrates with the game's Warp Crystals and DynoCoin airdrop mechanics, allowing players to earn additional rewards through participation and by leveling up their Project Voyager accounts.
The Minecraft Movie votes are in and, despite controversy, everyone's a winner
Mojang Studios announced the winner of the community build competition for A Minecraft Movie Squared, with Francisco C.M.'s 'Lightning Rod Lighthouse' selected to appear in the film. Despite a rule violation disqualifying the 'Tree Village' build, Mojang decided to include all finalists, including the 'Copper Badlands Castle' and 'Tranquil Taiga Tower,' to showcase community creativity. The movie is set to release on July 23, 2027.
Crimson Desert devs aren't trying to "sell more" with the continual massive patches, but "give more back to the community," Pearl Abyss PR lead says
Pearl Abyss PR lead Will Powers stated that Crimson Desert's frequent post-launch updates are intended to reward players and celebrate the game's success, not to drive further sales. The open-world title has sold over five million copies since its March release and continues to receive substantial support, including free updates and planned DLC.
CROSS Wave Funds Creator Initiative with 40,000 CROSS for First Siege War in Chaos W
CROSS Wave has launched a creator campaign for the MMORPG Chaos W, offering 40,000 CROSS rewards for content related to its inaugural Siege War event, running from June 22 to July 22. The campaign utilizes an AI system that prioritizes community impact over view counts, encouraging diverse content about game mechanics, tokenomics, and strategies. Chaos W, developed by Valofe and Nexus, is available on mobile and PC and supports eight languages.
"How dare we use something like that on someone's dream?" – Why generative AI artwork is a no-go for The Scroll of Taiwu
ConchShip Games, developers of the wuxia RPG The Scroll of Taiwu, have stated they will not use generative AI for artwork, believing it compromises the unique vision and creative expression essential to game development. The studio emphasizes the importance of human creativity and the trust built with players over years of development, warning that using AI could be seen as a shortcut and damage that relationship.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists only because of its "loud and consistent" community of fans
Toys for Bob studio head Paul Yan and associate creative director Lou Studdert stated that Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists due to the consistent support from its fanbase. The team has always wanted to return to the Spyro franchise, and the community's vocal demand made the project a clear decision. The game is set for a spring 2027 release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with Tom Kenny reprising his role as Spyro's voice actor.
God Of War is most popular 2026 game reveal but the biggest trailer is a surprise
An analytics firm has ranked the most popular game reveals from recent showcases, with God of War Laufey topping the list due to extensive footage and early presentation. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Resident Evil Veronica followed closely, with Spyro: A Realm Beyond's trailer achieving the most YouTube views.
Crimson Desert "Beyond the Abyss: Community Challenge" Video Contest
Pearl Abyss has launched the "Beyond the Abyss: Community Challenge," a global video contest for Crimson Desert players. Participants can submit clips of their in-game adventures for a chance to win prizes, including a trip to Pearl Abyss' headquarters in Korea. The contest celebrates the game's strong community engagement since its launch on PC and consoles.
Okami 20th Anniversary Website Updated With Fan Messages
Capcom and Clover Studio have updated the Okami 20th-anniversary website with fan messages, each represented by a flower, and allow users to submit their own tributes. The critically acclaimed action-adventure game, originally released on PlayStation 2 in 2006, has been ported to multiple platforms and sold over four million copies. A sequel was also announced in December 2024.
BART to Host Anime Artist Alley at the Castro Valley Station
BART is hosting an anime artist alley event at the Castro Valley Station on June 11th, featuring artists, fan clubs, food trucks, cosplay, and merchandise. This free event is part of BART's Anime Project, a community initiative to boost ridership by creating Bay Area-themed anime mascots and participating in conventions.
Former Tekken boss completes his 30-year career with a pilgrimage to the fighting game's holy land: Waffle House
Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada, who departed Bandai Namco at the end of 2025, recently visited a Waffle House in Atlanta during Momocon. This visit is a nod to a long-running community gag where fans requested the American diner be included as a stage in the fighting game series. Harada has previously attempted to collaborate with Waffle House without success.
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.