Game Development
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Rayman Legends Retold delayed just weeks before launch
Ubisoft has delayed the release of Rayman Legends Retold, a 3D remake of the original Rayman Legends, from October 1st to December 4th. The company cited the need for additional polish and a desire to avoid competing with other major releases in October and November, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and Grand Theft Auto VI. A Game Overview trailer is scheduled for September 22nd.
Evening Reading - September 14, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Marvel's Wolverine and Final Fantasy 7, details on Diablo 5's release window, and the shelving of The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod at Sony's request. It also touches on the Steam Deck pre-order availability and mentions the use of AI in content creation.
'No old code exists': Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis experience director confirms the 'reimagining' had to be built totally from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5 — but this meant Crystal Dynamics could add more tech upgrades
Crystal Dynamics' Jeff Adams confirmed that Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is a complete reimagining built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5, as no original code exists. This approach allowed the team to implement custom technology for physics and graphics, ensuring a modern take on the classic title. The game is set to release on February 27, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Games Inbox: Are Jason and Lucia from GTA 6 good characters?
Readers express skepticism about the likability of Grand Theft Auto 6 protagonists Jason and Lucia, contrasting them with Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2. Concerns are raised about the characters' dry presentation in recent footage and a perceived lack of memorability. Other topics include dissatisfaction with Mario Kart World's Grand Prix modes, questions about Marvel's Wolverine's accessibility features, and commentary on long game development cycles and Sony's recent fan reception.
Arc System Works Reports Net Profit of ¥115 Million in Latest Fiscal Year
Arc System Works has reported a net profit of ¥115 million for the fiscal year ending May 2026, a significant turnaround from the previous year's losses. The company attributes this recovery to the release of several games, including Double Dragon Revive and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and plans to develop a new cel-shaded fighting game. The studio is also addressing post-launch issues for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, particularly concerning its PC version.
PHYSINT – So… What Exactly Is Going On?
PlayStation has canceled its partnership with Hideo Kojima's Kojima Productions for the upcoming game Physint, citing a difficult decision after three decades of collaboration. Kojima Productions has since partnered with Xbox for the project, which is described as an 'action espionage game' and also working on the horror title OD. The article speculates on the reasons for PlayStation's decision, including high budgets and a potential shift towards live-service games, while highlighting Xbox's eagerness to support Kojima's ambitious vision.
007 First Light’s Nintendo Switch 2 Release Delayed to March 2027
IO Interactive has delayed the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 007 First Light from Summer 2026 to March 2027 to ensure a high-quality port. The studio cited the need for additional time to polish performance, despite positive feedback from demos. The game was originally released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 27th.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls Director Explains Upcoming Adjustments for Inputs, Assists
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls director Kazuto Sekine has apologized for the game's rough PC launch and outlined upcoming adjustments. Future updates will address input registration issues and rebalance assist and tag mechanics, which have proven more frequent than intended. The team is also looking into reducing combo downtime caused by extensive tag usage.
Diablo 5, StarCraft Were Announced Early Because Blizzard Wants to “Ship Big, and Ship on Time”
Blizzard Entertainment announced Diablo 5 and a new StarCraft game early to demonstrate confidence in their ability to deliver large titles on time. President Johanna Faries stated this new approach aims to assure fans of the company's commitment to shipping major projects successfully. While Diablo 5 is slated for 2030 and the StarCraft shooter for 2029, Blizzard is also focusing on seasonal content for Diablo 4.
The Steam ripoff market is so bad that viral game Needle In A Haystack Simulator is facing 8 copycats before release and has slapped "original" on itself to clarify
The upcoming Steam game Needle In A Haystack Simulator by Studio Bitdot is facing significant issues with copycat titles appearing on the platform before its release. To combat this, the developers have added "Original" to their listing. The game involves finding a needle within a massive haystack and is set to release in the last quarter of the year.
Level-5 CEO admits using generative AI in recent showcase
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after confirming that generative AI was used in the studio's recent digital showcase for Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch titles. Hino stated the AI was used as an experiment to make the presentation more spectacular and apologized for making fans uncomfortable, while emphasizing that the games themselves are still made by human hands. He also mentioned the studio's goal to reduce development time by using AI for efficiency tasks like converting artwork into polygons.
GTA 6's first confirmed actor is King of the Hill's Stephen Root: "It's an amazing thing to look at"
Actor Stephen Root, known for King of the Hill, has confirmed he is part of the voice cast for Grand Theft Auto 6. Root stated the game is scheduled for release on November 19th and expressed excitement about his involvement, calling it "an amazing thing to look at."
The Steam Frame launches during one of the slowest periods for VR on Steam, but Valve hopes to 'rekindle the…
Valve's new Steam Frame hardware aims to revitalize the PCVR market, which has seen a decline in new game releases on Steam since 2017. Despite the rise of standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3, Valve believes PCVR still offers unique experiences and hopes the Steam Frame will bridge the gap between PC and mobile VR.
BlizzCon 2026: Diablo IV will not receive any further expansions as efforts shift over to Diablo V
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that Diablo IV will not receive any further expansions beyond the two already released, with development efforts now shifting towards Diablo V. While the company plans to continue supporting Diablo IV with seasons and story content if player interest remains high, the focus is clearly on the upcoming sequel.
Bungie delays next Marathon update and ends 'strict seasonal schedule' as it goes all-in on Destiny-like…
Bungie is delaying the next update for its game Marathon and moving away from a strict seasonal schedule to allow for more flexible development. This change means content planned for this month is pushed to December, with an October update to reset progression and economy. The developer aims to create a more stable and engaging experience, potentially making Marathon more like Destiny 2, though some players are unhappy with the extended wait for new content.
Blizzard Says Diablo 5 Was Too Big To Be A Diablo 4 Expansion
Blizzard Entertainment has announced Diablo 5, aiming for a 2029 release. The decision to make it a new numbered title rather than a Diablo 4 expansion was driven by the need for significant structural changes to the game's design and to properly reintroduce Diablo as the main villain. This early announcement allows for player feedback to be incorporated during development.
Diablo 5's 2029 release window comes from 'clarity of creative vision and production schedule'
Diablo 5 Executive Producer Matt Zitterman expressed confidence in the game's 2029 release window, citing clarity in creative vision and production schedule. He highlighted that the team is building on the foundation of Diablo 4 and has decades of experience with the franchise. This early announcement aims to foster open communication and feedback with the player base.
Overwatch’s Tracer Once Shot Lasers From Her Eyes, And It Could Happen Again
During BlizzCon 2026, Overwatch game director Aaron Keller revealed that Tracer once shot lasers from her eyes during early engine development. Associate game director Alec Dawson indicated that a future hero with a similar laser-shooting ability is a possibility, suggesting that creative ideas are always being considered for the game's roster.
World Of Warcraft: Forever beta starts this week - here's how to get access
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever will begin on September 17, 2026. Access to the beta can be guaranteed through pre-ordering specific editions of the game, or players can sign up for a chance to receive an access key. World of Warcraft: Forever is an evolution of World of Warcraft Classic, featuring improved visuals and new content.
World of Warcraft 2 isn't happening because Blizzard isn't sure what a sequel to the MMO would "give you…
Blizzard Entertainment principal designer Kris Zierhut stated that a direct sequel to World of Warcraft, referred to as World of Warcraft 2, is unlikely to be developed. He explained that the ongoing development of the original MMO and the upcoming World of Warcraft: Forever provide continuous improvements and new experiences, making a complete restart unnecessary. Zierhut emphasized the strength of the existing engine, infrastructure, and lore, questioning what a sequel could offer that the current game doesn't already provide.
