Game Development
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Canceled PS2 Grand Theft Auto Game Nearly Took Series to Japan, Gets Details
Former Rockstar Games Technical Director Obbe Vermeij revealed details about the canceled PlayStation 2 title Grand Theft Auto: Tokyo. The game would have been a GTA III-style experience set in Japan, emphasizing street racing and samurai swords, but was ultimately scrapped due to unfinalized contracts. Rockstar is currently developing Grand Theft Auto VI, set for release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Diablo himself is the reason Diablo 5 is coming instead of more Diablo 4 expansions, says project lead: "We needed…
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that Diablo 5 will be developed instead of further expansions for Diablo 4. Project lead Matt Zitterman stated that the decision was made to allow for fundamental structural changes necessary for the vision of Diablo 5, which will focus on the titular demon lord. Diablo 4 will continue to receive seasonal updates but no more major expansions.
Hyper Light Breaker developer Heart Machine lays off ‘nearly everyone at the studio’
Developer Heart Machine has laid off nearly all of its staff after a publisher canceled an unannounced title, which was the studio's primary source of income. Studio founder Alx Preston confirmed the devastating news, stating that affected employees are receiving support and job placement assistance. The studio, known for Hyper Light Drifter and Solar Ash, has fallen victim to a lack of publisher funding.
'The PC platform is becoming more and more important,' Take-Two chief says, as we continue to wonder when…
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that the PC platform is becoming increasingly important for the company, despite Grand Theft Auto 6 launching as a console exclusive. The article highlights the perceived contradiction in statements about PC's market share versus its current exclusion from GTA 6's initial release, suggesting 'double-dipping' as a potential reason. Grand Theft Auto 5 Online will continue to be supported.
Sonic Frontiers prototype gameplay shown at TGS 2026
SEGA showcased early prototype gameplay of Sonic Frontiers at Tokyo Game Show 2026. The footage revealed a colorless aesthetic, drawing comparisons to Shadow of the Colossus, and sparked discussion among fans on social media.
The Blues Brothers : Jukebox Adventure - The PC sequel could be getting a full Amiga AGA version via dlfrsilver
A fan-made Amiga AGA version of The Blues Brothers: Jukebox Adventure is in development by dlfrsilver, aiming to bring the PC version to the Amiga 1200. The port is 80% complete, utilizing a custom assembly engine and Amiga hardware features for smooth performance. This project is seen as a significant achievement in game preservation, with plans to potentially port other titles using the same engine.
How toolmakers like ARM work with devs, ft. Peter Hodges
The Game Developer Podcast features Peter Hodges from ARM discussing how chipmakers collaborate with game developers to optimize technology. The conversation focuses on ARM's Neural Technology features and how tools like Unreal Engine Megalights improve the game development process.
Why Would You Turn a Perfectly Good Gameplay Video Into a GIF?
This article discusses the continued relevance of the GIF format in gaming despite its technical limitations compared to modern video codecs like MP4 and WebM. It highlights how GIFs are still useful for specific applications such as isolating short, repeatable gameplay moments for guides, bug reports, and community discussions, as well as for rapid visual scanning in game development testing.
Marvel's Wolverine Player Glitches Out of Bounds to Discover Floating NPCs, Cars That Phase Through Walls, and the Edges of the Map
A player exploring Marvel's Wolverine has discovered a glitch that allows them to go out of bounds, revealing floating NPCs, cars that phase through walls, and the edges of the game's map. This discovery highlights potential issues in the game's world collision and asset loading.
GTA 6 multiplayer to launch in 2027 according to Twitch boss
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy suggested that Grand Theft Auto 6's multiplayer component will launch in 2027, citing conversations with Rockstar Games. While Rockstar has confirmed the game will be single-player at launch, Take-Two Interactive has stated its commitment to supporting Grand Theft Auto Online beyond the release of the new title.
Fable lead says "every single member of the team is first and foremost" a fan of the original RPG trilogy
Fable game director Ralph Fulton stated that every member of the development team at Playground Games is a fan of the original Fable RPG trilogy. He emphasized that many joined the studio specifically to revive the beloved franchise, indicating a deep reverence for the series' legacy. Fulton also mentioned that the game is considered vital to the Xbox platform, which has helped protect it during its long development cycle.
Palworld devs have "a graveyard" containing "hundreds" of scrapped Pals, but there was one design everyone at Pocketpair knew would be a hit
Pocketpair's John Buckley discussed the extensive process of designing creatures for Palworld, revealing that hundreds of Pal concepts are discarded. He highlighted Sekhmet as the fastest Pal to go from concept to completion due to overwhelmingly positive internal reception.
Rockstar hasn't said anything about a GTA 6 Online multiplayer mode just yet, but Twitch's CEO reckons it'll land next year
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy predicts that Grand Theft Auto 6's multiplayer component will launch next year, potentially in the latter half of 2025. While Rockstar Games has not officially commented on the multiplayer, Clancy's statement suggests a staggered release similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The article also touches on Take-Two Interactive's willingness to support legacy titles and ongoing labor disputes at Rockstar North.
New GTA 5 Source Code Leak Is Uncovering A Ton Of Cut Content
A massive leak of Rockstar Games files has resurfaced, revealing extensive cut content for Grand Theft Auto 5, including a large Liberty City expansion and the Agent Trevor DLC. The leaked data, totaling 192GB, also contains early assets and dialogue, as well as some low-quality screenshots reportedly from Grand Theft Auto 6.
Why do Japanese studios suffer fewer layoffs? Because they have smaller teams and don't pay their execs $30m, says one expert
An expert suggests that Japanese game studios experience fewer layoffs due to smaller team sizes, a focus on protecting core staff, and significantly lower executive salaries compared to Western companies. While not a utopia, the Japanese industry's resilience is attributed to avoiding mega-blockbuster trends and excessive executive compensation, contrasting sharply with the widespread job losses seen in North America and Europe.
"Publishers are afraid of certain parts of the world": Saber Interactive's message to North American studios is to get their head out of their own geography
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits advises North American studios to diversify their business models beyond large, expensive AAA projects. He suggests embracing work-for-hire, smaller-scale games, and international co-development to ensure financial stability amidst industry layoffs and rising costs. Willits criticizes the traditional approach of maintaining large teams before a vertical slice, advocating for smaller, agile teams and exploring diverse markets.
Black Salt Games establishes indie studio Team Trifold under new Saltworks Entertainment label
Dredge developer Black Salt Games has launched a new studio, Team Trifold, and a white-label publisher, Saltworks Entertainment. Saltworks will provide services to Team Trifold, Disc 2 Games, and itself, aiming for studio independence and sustainability. Team Trifold's debut game, Nothing Lost, is a roguelike inspired by Shaman King, featuring death as a core progression mechanic.
Game Conference MX | Game Developer
Game Conference MX (GCMX) is scheduled to take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, from November 13-14, 2026. The event aims to connect the Mexican and Latin American video game industry with the international scene, covering news, interviews, and talks.
SLICE | Game Developer
Informa PLC operates SLICE, a network of over 220 online properties covering more than 10,000 topics and reaching over 50 million professionals. The platform aims to provide critical insights and informed decision-making across business priorities.
Bohemia Interactive acquires a minority stake in Everwind developer Enjoy Studio
Bohemia Interactive has acquired a minority stake in Enjoy Studio, the developer of the multiplayer survival RPG Everwind. This investment signifies Bohemia Interactive's confidence in Enjoy Studio's talent and aims to foster a long-term partnership for future game development.
