Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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After a $2 billion mess that saw thousands of layoffs with many studios and games shut down, new Embracer CEO hopes…
New Embracer Group CEO Phil Rogers aims to restore the company's reputation following a period of significant layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations after a major acquisition deal fell through. Rogers emphasized that future mergers and acquisitions will be funded through organic cash flow, and the company is reflecting on past decisions and industry changes. He hopes to rebuild trust with gamers by delivering enjoyable titles and focusing on key intellectual properties.
Fallout: New Vegas director says it's "fine" Crimson Desert's story is so bad that developer Pearl Abyss has to patch it, "even if it isn't ideal"
Pearl Abyss is planning to refine the narrative of Crimson Desert based on player feedback, a move that Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer deems acceptable. The developer will focus on improving story coherence and engagement for Kliff's journey. This decision to rework narrative elements post-launch is seen as a positive step, even if unconventional.
RPGs like Dragon Quest 11 and Nier: Automata are heavily outsourced, Square Enix producer says, with surprisingly few…
Square Enix producer Yosuke Saito revealed that popular RPG series like Dragon Quest and Nier heavily rely on outsourced developers, with neither being made entirely in-house. For example, Dragon Quest 11 saw between a third and a half of its development handled internally, while Nier: Automata was developed by PlatinumGames. This trend is expected to continue with future titles like Dragon Quest 12.
Off The Grid Sets Full Release for October 2026 with Updated Roadmap
Off The Grid has announced a detailed five-phase development roadmap targeting a full 1.0 release by October 2026. The plan includes performance upgrades, new content systems, and the integration of AI and Easy Anti-Cheat. The game has seen significant growth in player retention and community engagement since its launch, earning consecutive Game of the Year awards.
Will GTA 6 be at Summer Game Fest 2026? I wouldn't be surprised
This article discusses the possibility of Grand Theft Auto 6 appearing at Summer Game Fest 2026, a year after its second trailer and ahead of its November 19 release date. It explores Rockstar Games' unpredictable marketing strategies and the potential impact of crunch culture on promotional plans.
Game and Mod Development
Zynga founder Mark Pincus suggests game developers should be comfortable copying successful games, referencing the adage that 'good artists copy, great artists steal.' This perspective emphasizes iterative design and learning from existing titles in the industry.
Morning Multiplex
This article highlights several upcoming game releases and development updates. It features official trailers for 'Abyss of Doom' and 'The Book of Prosperity', alongside a developer diary detailing early access patches and progress for an unspecified title.
EdenSpark Crowns First Game Jam Winners and Opens the Next Challenge
Gaijin Entertainment has announced the winners of the first EdenSpark Game Jam, a monthly competition for creators using the EdenSpark open development platform. The jam's theme was "Transformation," with "Slime Shape" by teezaboo taking first place in the Dev's Choice category. Gaijin Entertainment has also launched the second game jam with the theme "Mass Control."
Don’t Mourn Destiny 2, Be Grateful That It Existed
Following the announcement of Destiny 2's final major update on June 9, the article reflects on the game's impact and the community's desire for a sequel. Content creator Luckyy10p initiated a petition signed by over 330,000 people, urging Sony and Bungie to consider Destiny 3. Voice actors from the game have also shared messages of support for the franchise's future.
Forza Horizon 6 rival Clutch is by many of the same devs and the writer of Skins
Maverick Games, founded by former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, has unveiled its debut title, Clutch, an open-world racing game. The game features a story penned by Skins writer Jamie Brittian and utilizes a custom version of Unreal Engine 5 for authentic car customization and driving physics. Clutch is slated for a spring 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, aiming to compete with the Forza Horizon series.
The more I hear about Far Cry 7, the more I worry about it
The author expresses significant concern regarding the future of the Far Cry series, specifically Far Cry 7, due to rumors of generative AI implementation and restrictive real-world time limits. Ubisoft's ongoing restructuring and silence on details further fuel these worries, contrasting with the series' past innovative entries.
PlayStation’s First-Party Game Sales Have Been On Decline Since 2020, Data Shows
Data indicates that Sony's first-party game sales have been in a steady decline since the 2020 financial year, falling from 58.4 million units to 28.9 million in 2024, with a slight increase to 32.1 million in 2025. This trend coincides with challenges in the company's live-service game strategy and long development cycles for major titles, despite recent successes like Helldivers 2.
Mina The Hollower’s 11th-Hour Delay Was To Eliminate “The Worst Room In The Game”
Yacht Club Games delayed the release of Mina the Hollower to address player feedback and refine specific in-game areas, including eliminating what was considered "the worst room in the game." The studio also focused on balancing the game's open-world structure to accommodate various player progression paths.
New Report Shows PlayStation First-Party Game Sales Declining, But What’s The Full Story>
A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales reveals a significant decline from FY20 to FY25, dropping from 58.4 million to 32.1 million units. While the number of releases has fluctuated, the analysis suggests the core issue is an increasing reliance on a few blockbuster franchises like God of War and Spider-Man, with fewer new titles emerging to fill the gap.
Tekken 8 game director Kohei Ikeda has left Bandai Namco
Tekken 8 game director Kohei Ikeda has left Bandai Namco after two decades with the company, citing a desire to pursue new challenges. Ikeda, who also co-directed Tekken 7, expressed gratitude to the development team for their contributions to the franchise's success. This departure follows that of long-serving Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada, who left Bandai Namco in December 2025 to join SNK.
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade decline
PlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.
Supernova Studios LLC Drops New Trailer as Steam Wishlists Rocket Past 170,000
Supernova Studios LLC has released a new trailer for their upcoming game, Funnel Runners, coinciding with the title surpassing 170,000 wishlists on Steam. The trailer showcases upgraded visuals, refined mechanics, and new content. The game is currently in beta testing, with the development team actively incorporating community feedback.
XSOLLA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO ATLANTIC CANADA’S GROWING GAME INDUSTRY WITH EXPANDED EVENT PRESENCE
Global video game commerce company Xsolla is strengthening its commitment to Atlantic Canada's growing game industry by participating in two major events: Game Invest East and XP Game Connect Atlantic. Xsolla representatives will engage in panels and workshops focused on game development, investment, and ecosystem growth, reinforcing the company's support for regional developers and fostering industry collaboration.
Fast-Paced Action RPG ‘The Book of Prosperity’ Debuts Free Demo June 2 Alongside BIG Summer Showcase Feature
Independent developer SingKeys announced that a free demo for the 2D Action RPG 'The Book of Prosperity' will be released on Steam on June 2, 2026. The game has also been selected for the Best Indie Games Summer Showcase 2026. The demo will feature explorable areas, kinetic combat mechanics, a boss battle, and minigames, offering players their first hands-on experience before the full release in Early 2027.
Don't expect rapid 007 First Light sequels, former Destiny 2 boss says, as they'd likely "review worse," "sell worse," and still be very expensive to make
Former Destiny 2 vice president Mark Noseworthy believes that rapid sequels for games like 007: First Light are not feasible due to business realities. He argues that without significant innovation, such sequels would likely receive worse reviews, sell less, and still be very expensive to produce, making them less profitable.
