Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Star Wars Zero Company studio start to bring back devs furloughed prior to launch, with "more than half" of previous headcount reportedly returning to payroll
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor is rehiring some of the staff it furloughed before the game's launch, with over half of its previous headcount reportedly returning to payroll. Studio boss Greg Foertsch stated the difficult decision was necessary to bring back as many people as possible, expressing pride in the team's accomplishments and thanking fans for their support.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: World of Warcraft: Forever
The latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features exclusive hands-on access to World of Warcraft: Forever, Blizzard's new evolution of classic WoW, and interviews with its developers, suggesting a new golden age for MMOs. The issue also includes previews of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and other upcoming games, reviews of titles like The Blood of Dawnwalker, and features on PC hardware, game diaries, and industry discussions.
Gameplay footage from cancelled Xbox Perfect Dark game leaks online, and it looks pretty good
Leaked gameplay footage from the cancelled Xbox reboot of Perfect Dark has surfaced online, showcasing early development builds of the game. The footage, attributed to a VFX artist, displays weapon testing, environments, and character abilities. Development of the game, led by The Initiative with assistance from Crystal Dynamics, was reportedly troubled and eventually cancelled by Microsoft.
Gears of War boss says the next game won't take seven years to make as he dances around the question of layoffs
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump addressed concerns about potential layoffs following the release of Gears of War: E-Day, stating the focus is on shipping great games. While E-Day has been well-received, the studio's future and investment from Xbox remain uncertain, especially given its console exclusivity. Crump promised the next Gears of War title will not take as long to develop as E-Day did.
Nintendo Switch 2 – One Year In, How Does It Hold Up?
One year after its launch, the Nintendo Switch 2 has proven to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, offering more powerful hardware that supports advanced features like DLSS and ray tracing. While performance in demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 can still have compromises, the overall gaming experience is vastly improved with faster load times and better visuals. The console's library has expanded with enhanced editions of existing games and new titles, though the absence of a new 3D Mario game is noted. Despite some drawbacks like battery life and internal storage limitations, the Switch 2 represents a worthwhile evolution of Nintendo's hybrid formula.
Capcom Has No Plans to Implement Generative AI Assets in RE Engine
Capcom has clarified its stance on AI in game development, stating it will not implement generative AI for assets in its RE Engine. Instead, the company plans to use AI tools for improving development efficiency through pattern analysis, predictions, and data processing. This clarification comes after initial criticism regarding the engine's future development.
State of Decay 3 Team is “Pretty Close to Finishing” Development, Says Studio Boss
Undead Labs studio boss Philip Holt stated that State of Decay 3 is nearing completion, with development picking up significantly in 2022-2023. He addressed changes made due to recent layoffs, assuring that scope is not dramatically impacted. Holt also discussed the studio's decision to accelerate full production due to concerns about Microsoft's acquisition strategy.
Gears of War: E-Day is a “Natural Choice” to be an Xbox Exclusive, Says Studio Head
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated that Gears of War: E-Day is a "natural choice" for an Xbox exclusive, emphasizing its deep ties to the brand and its role in showcasing Xbox hardware capabilities. He also indicated that future titles from the studio will not take as long to develop, building on the foundation of E-Day.
Star Wars Zero Company Studio Brings Back Furloughed Staff
Bit Reactor has begun rehiring employees who were previously furloughed, according to CEO Greg Foertsch. The studio attributes its current stability and ability to bring staff back to the success of Star Wars Outlaws, which has been described as more than just a 'Star Wars skin' on an XCOM-like formula.
Arc Raiders lead says Steam player count discourse doesn't feel great, but Embark "accepted the fact that we…
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal acknowledges that discussions around Arc Raiders' declining Steam player count are difficult, but the studio accepted this outcome as part of their strategy to re-engage players with content like the Frozen Trail update. The team is shifting to a six-month content update cadence to improve developer health and focus on quality over quantity.
Ape Escape Revival Reportedly Being Developed By Studio Founded By Sonic Mania Developers
A new Ape Escape game is reportedly in development by Evening Star, a studio founded by former Sonic Mania developers. However, the game is not expected to be released anytime soon.
Bit Reactor Brings Back Furloughed Staff, Promises To Support Star Wars: Zero Company
Bit Reactor has rehired most of the staff they previously furloughed. The studio's recent game, Star Wars: Zero Company, performed well enough to facilitate this recovery and continued support for the title.
Gravity Well lays off more than 40 developers after losing its funding
Independent studio Gravity Well, founded by former Respawn Entertainment developers, has laid off over 40 employees after losing its funding. The studio's leadership is actively seeking new investment to continue operations, but acknowledges the future is uncertain due to the current industry climate. The remaining small team will continue to work on the studio's projects.
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor begins bringing furloughed staff back
Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun rehiring staff that were previously furloughed. CEO Greg Foertsch stated that the studio is bringing "more of our team back to work," though the exact number of returning employees is unconfirmed. Sources indicate that over half of the pre-furlough team is now back on the payroll.
Star Wars: Zero Company studio is bringing "as many people back as possible" after furloughing "most" of its developers
Star Wars: Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun bringing back employees who were furloughed ahead of the game's launch. Studio CEO Greg Foertsch stated that navigating unexpected business developments necessitated the difficult decision to furlough most of the staff, but the company is now working to rehire as many as possible. The game has been a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies.
What’s Next For Halo Under Activision? Probably Not The Endless
Halo is transitioning to Activision's management, with a new team taking over development while 343 Industries is significantly downsized. The article reveals details about the alien faction known as the Endless, which may not feature in future Halo titles under Activision. This shift occurs as Microsoft emphasizes major franchises amidst widespread layoffs and studio divestitures.
Cities: Skylines Announced For Switch 2 While Sequel’s Console Ports Are Still MIA
Paradox Interactive announced Cities: Skylines - Expanded Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release on October 28. This announcement highlights the continued uncertainty surrounding the console ports of Cities: Skylines 2, which have faced multiple delays due to performance and stability issues, with development now handled by Iceflake Studios.
State of Decay 3 Layoffs Wil Cause Major Changes
Undead Labs, now an independent studio after leaving Xbox, has undergone layoffs impacting the development of State of Decay 3. Studio head Phillip Holt stated that while the game's overall scope remains, adjustments are necessary due to the workforce reduction. The title is currently in alpha, expected in 2027, and will launch on Game Pass.
Nier: Automata mastermind Yoko Taro says he's still making games for "dementia prevention" and he finished his masterpiece years before Nier was even a thing
Game developer Yoko Taro, known for Nier: Automata and Drakengard, stated he feels he has accomplished everything he set out to do in game development and is considering stepping away from full-time work. He also mentioned continuing to make games as a way to prevent dementia.
For a moment it looked like Grand Theft Auto 6 might be playable on PC on launch day—then Xbox's chief…
Despite initial reports suggesting Grand Theft Auto 6 might be playable on PC via Xbox Cloud Gaming on launch day, Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball clarified that the game will not be streaming exclusively or to PC. The game is confirmed for an Xbox release on November 19, with no PC version or release date announced.
