Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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As Destiny 2 prepares for one final update, a former Bungie legal chief says the studio is "now becoming what I…
Bungie's former General Counsel, Don McGowan, expressed concerns that the studio is becoming a "publishing imprint" under Sony's ownership, following reports of layoffs and the end of active development for Destiny 2. McGowan, who helped facilitate Bungie's acquisition by Sony, stated his fears are coming true regarding the developer's future.
Fugitif 31 - A rather unique sci-fi Amstrad game see's the light of day as a reboot!
The retro Amstrad game Fugitif 31 is being rebooted with significant enhancements, including a fully functional heads-up display and overhauled gameplay mechanics. The original developer, Frédéric Mantegazza, has also successfully reverse-engineered and released the game's historic preservation materials after losing the source code decades ago. The reboot will feature English and Spanish translations, making the previously French-exclusive title accessible globally.
Fallout Remasters “A Bit Further Off” Than Assumed, The Elder Scrolls 6 is “Quite Far Away” – Rumor
Rumors suggest that remasters for Fallout games, potentially including Fallout 3, are further away than anticipated, with The Elder Scrolls 6 also being quite distant. Industry figures indicate that while remasters might appear next year, The Elder Scrolls 6 could be as far off as 2028 or 2029. Bethesda's Todd Howard has previously confirmed multiple Fallout projects are in development.
Rare footage emerges of Super Mario 64, Kirby Bowl 64 prototypes
Rare prototype footage has emerged for Nintendo's Super Mario 64 and the cancelled Kirby Bowl 64, both showcased at Spaceworld '95. The Super Mario 64 footage reveals differences in hitboxes, enemy spawns, and environmental elements compared to the final release. Kirby Bowl 64's footage indicates gameplay inspired by Kirby's Dream Course and a mode similar to Kirby Air Ride, a game that was also initially planned for the Nintendo 64 before its eventual release on GameCube.
Our readers are clear: They want Destiny 3, which is awkward, because Bungie reportedly isn't making Destiny 3
A PC Gamer poll indicates a strong reader desire for Destiny 3, with 74% of respondents favoring it over new IPs or other franchise continuations. However, reports suggest Bungie is not actively developing Destiny 3 due to budget constraints, with a potential release not expected until the 2030s if it were to enter pre-production now.
Warhorse Says New Kingdom Come Game Is Still An “Open World RPG” Made In “The Warhorse Way”
Warhorse Studios has announced a new Kingdom Come game, confirming it will be an open-world RPG developed in "The Warhorse Way." While details are scarce, the studio indicated it is set for release within the next fiscal year, potentially hinting at a spin-off rather than a direct sequel to Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
Sonic Team recruiting writer for the next Sonic the Hedgehog game
Sonic Team, under SEGA Corporation, is actively recruiting a writer for the next mainline Sonic the Hedgehog game. The role, based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, focuses on game scenario writing and involves managing recording sessions and production progress. The monthly salary ranges from ¥315,000 to ¥700,000.
Destiny 2 and Marathon fans are waging a review war following end-of-development announcement
Fans of Destiny 2 and Marathon are engaging in a "review war" on platforms like Steam following Bungie's announcement of significant changes to the development of both titles. This backlash highlights player dissatisfaction with the studio's recent decisions.
Bungie Didn’t Start Working On Destiny 3 Because Of “how much money it would take”
Bungie has not begun development on Destiny 3 due to the significant financial investment required, according to reports by Jason Schreier. Despite Destiny 3's potential profitability, the company is focusing on its upcoming game Marathon to cover costs, with no other projects currently greenlit. This situation also raises concerns about potential layoffs at the studio.
Rumor Mill
A report suggests that a significant portion of Bungie's staff were unaware that Destiny 2's active development was ending until the announcement was made. This news comes from TheGamePost and raises questions about internal communication at the studio.
Business and Finance
Bungie has not immediately begun development on Destiny 3 following the release of The Final Shape two years ago, primarily due to the significant financial investment required. This decision reflects the economic considerations involved in developing large-scale game sequels.
Shigeru Miyamoto said he’s really looking forward to the next Mario game
Legendary developer Shigeru Miyamoto expressed excitement for the next Mario game, anticipating how the team will leverage the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2. He feels that Super Mario Odyssey has fully utilized the capabilities of the current Nintendo Switch system.
Paralives roadmap promises pets, seasons, and potentially murderous pools during the life sim's early access
Paralives, a life simulation game, is set to launch into early access on May 25th with a roadmap that includes pets, weather, seasons, and pools. Developer Alex Massé has outlined plans for updates between June and September focusing on performance and bug fixes, with major content additions like pets and seasons expected towards the end of 2026. The game is being positioned as a competitor to The Sims series.
Destiny fans petition for Destiny 3, with heartfelt messages
A petition for Destiny 3 has rapidly gained over 48,000 signatures, with many players sharing heartfelt messages about the franchise's impact on their lives. Fans express a strong desire for new adventures and innovative gameplay, believing Destiny 3 could revitalize the series. Despite player demand and criticism of recent management decisions by Bungie, Destiny 3 is reportedly not in development.
The Daily Grind: What was the biggest missed opportunity for your MMO’s development?
Former Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer James Ohlen revealed he proposed a top-down redesign to make the MMORPG more like Knights of the Old Republic, but EA's board rejected the idea. This article discusses significant missed opportunities in the development of the MMORPG genre, inviting reader contributions on potential redesigns, course corrections, or hiring decisions that could have altered outcomes.
Something for the Bank Holiday Weekend – 23/05/26
This week's news includes the end of Destiny 2 development and major layoffs at Bungie, alongside the 10th Warhammer Skulls event. PlayStation State of Play will feature Wolverine, and new titles like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV and F1 25 DLC were announced. Embracer is splitting, and Sony's single-player games will no longer release on PC.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 director says Ubisoft is the size of "70 Warhorse sized studios" even "after layoffs," and it could make "10 KCD2 sized games, each developed for 7 years, released every year"
Warhorse Studios director Daniel Vávra commented on Ubisoft's large workforce, stating that the company's 16,600 employees are equivalent to about 70 Warhorse-sized studios. He suggested this scale could allow for the annual release of multiple Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2-sized games. The article also touches on Ubisoft's recent layoffs and game cancellations.
Shock, tears, and relief: How Destiny 2's most popular creators reacted to the end of the legendary shooter
Bungie has announced that Destiny 2 will cease receiving content updates after June 9th, 2026, a decision that has deeply affected its most prominent content creators. Streamers like Datto and Fallout expressed shock and sadness, reflecting on the game's decade-long impact on their careers and communities. While the end of Destiny 2's content cycle is confirmed, the future of a potential Destiny 3 remains uncertain, with Bungie currently focused on its new extraction shooter, Marathon.
Evening Interviews
Cryptic Studios head Jack Emmert stated that the success of New World indicates a strong demand for MMORPGs, suggesting the genre is ready for innovation. The article also touches on Josh Sawyer's journey into the gaming industry.
Former Bungie dev says 'you'd be surprised how many times' expansions were pitched for a fan-favorite Destiny archvillain who's now left hanging
A former Bungie narrative designer revealed that multiple expansion concepts for the Destiny archvillain Xivu Arath were pitched for Destiny 2. Despite significant narrative investment in the character, these expansions were never greenlit, leaving her story unresolved as Destiny 2's live service development concludes. The article also touches on Bungie's struggles following Sony's acquisition and the impact on the game's future.
