Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Mass Effect Fans Call for EA Boycott as Petition to Save BioWare's Canceled Game Garners More than 75,000 Signatures
Mass Effect fans are calling for a boycott of Electronic Arts products following the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game and the closure of BioWare. A petition to save the canceled game has garnered over 75,000 signatures, highlighting player dissatisfaction with EA's decisions.
Still mad at Valve for Steam's AI disclosures, Epic Games boss criticizes "forcing developers to write a political statement to be used against them by the hate mob"
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has strongly criticized Valve's policy requiring developers to disclose the use of generative AI in their games on Steam. Sweeney called the policy "abhorrent" and a "Scarlet Letter," arguing it forces developers into making political statements that can be used against them by critics. The article highlights Sweeney's long-standing advocacy for generative AI in game development and contrasts Valve's approach with Epic's own embrace of the technology.
Creative Assembly exec pins the blame for the Shogun 2 remaster mess on someone else: 'This was not a Creative…
Creative Assembly's Vice President Roger Collum stated that the poorly received Total War: Shogun 2 remaster was not developed internally and was not subject to the studio's usual quality assurance. While acknowledging Creative Assembly's ultimate responsibility for the franchise, Collum indicated that an external studio, identified as Mataboo, was primarily responsible for the game's issues, including alleged use of generative AI. Fans remain critical, arguing Creative Assembly should still be held accountable for the product bearing their name.
'I'm forever grateful to BioWare': 16 game developers share the moment a BioWare game inspired them to…
Multiple game developers share how BioWare titles like Dragon Age: Origins, Neverwinter Nights, Jade Empire, and the Mass Effect series inspired them to pursue careers in the gaming industry. These developers highlight specific moments and narrative elements that showcased the emotional depth and storytelling potential of video games.
GameMaker's GMRT runtime will soon be free for all developers
GameMaker, owned by Opera, will make its GMRT runtime free for all developers starting January 1, 2027, removing the need for professional licenses to ship games on PC, mobile, and browser platforms. This move aims to increase accessibility for indie game development. The announcement comes amidst industry-wide shifts in game engine business models, with competitors like Unity and Epic Games also exploring new features and pricing strategies.
Future? No Thanks! dev removes AI-generated voices from game and offers refunds to players who feel "betrayed"
Molleindustria developer Paolo Pedercini has updated Future? No Thanks! to remove AI-generated voices and is offering refunds to players who feel betrayed by their use. Pedercini disclosed the use of generative AI for robot voices, intended as a spoof, but faced backlash on social media. He plans for his next game to be entirely hand-coded.
'Vibe your way to $50K': Epic is challenging devs to build a game in 4 days with AI — and gamers are in…
Epic Games has announced an 'AI MegaJam' competition where developers have four days to create a game using AI tools, with a $50,000 prize pool. The event, which encourages the use of AI for asset generation and coding, has been met with significant backlash from gamers who view AI as detrimental to creativity and the game market.
Marvel's Blade 'nearing the end' of production as Arkane faces closure
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, faces potential closure by November 13, 2026, if a buyer is not found, as part of Microsoft's broader Xbox layoffs. The studio's upcoming game, Marvel's Blade, is reportedly nearing the end of its production phase, leading to concerns about the financial and artistic waste if the studio is shut down.
BioWare fans beg Palworld studio to save Mass Effect by buying the IP from EA: "I got close to 30 DMs/emails from…
Following the news of BioWare's potential shutdown by EA, fans have urged Palworld developer Pocketpair to acquire the Mass Effect intellectual property. Pocketpair's head of communications, John 'Bucky' Buckley, acknowledged the frequent fan requests but explained the complexities and high costs associated with IP acquisition, noting that EA has shown no interest in selling the Mass Effect franchise.
Your Mind Is Playing Tricks On You: Why You Hear What You Want To Hear In Control Resonant
Lucas Pierrot, audio lead for Control Resonant, discusses the intricate audio design of 'The Board,' a key entity in the game. The team aimed for a 'ritualized anger' inspired by the Māori Haka, using voice resonances and a partial language to create a sense of perceived intelligence and emotional impact for the player.
Battlefield 6 Reportedly Cancels Mass Effect Collab In Wake Of BioWare Closure
Battlefield 6 has reportedly canceled its planned Mass Effect collaboration following EA's decision to close BioWare and cancel the next Mass Effect game. Mass Effect-themed cosmetics previously found in Battlefield 6's files have been removed from the in-game store. The closure of the 30-year-old studio, known for its contributions to queer representation in games, has upset fans, especially given EA's recent leveraged buyout.
BioWare's end is a tragically familiar tale | Opinion
This opinion piece laments the decline and effective closure of BioWare, attributing its downfall to over a decade of mismanagement by Electronic Arts and the broader industry trend of chasing live service models. The author highlights the contrast between BioWare's past successes and its recent failures, arguing that private equity buyouts exacerbate these issues by prioritizing cost-cutting over creative stability.
Mass Effect 5 would have been Mass Effect Universe, and one trailer has changed how I see the entire series
A leaked trailer for the canceled Mass Effect 5, tentatively titled Mass Effect Universe, suggests a shift towards a more modern, high-octane space opera RPG. The trailer, featuring an aged Liara T'Soni, indicates a setting potentially hundreds of years after Mass Effect 3, exploring new narrative possibilities and a departure from the original trilogy's established tone.
Arkane survival negotiations reportedly seeing "several forms of takeover" considered ahead of November deadline, as Marvel's Blade production nears end
Arkane Lyon, the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, is reportedly considering several takeover options as Microsoft's divorce from the studio approaches a November deadline. With 217 jobs at risk, unions are expressing dissatisfaction with Microsoft's handling of the negotiations, though production on Marvel's Blade is nearing completion.
Arkane Lyon Reportedly Could Be Closed in Mid-November if a Buyer Isn't Found, With Marvel's Blade Still in Development
Arkane Lyon, currently developing Marvel's Blade, is reportedly facing potential closure in mid-November if a buyer is not found. The studio's 217 employees are in a precarious situation as the future of the studio hangs in the balance.
Canadian Politician Wants the Government to Bail Out Mass Effect Developer BioWare
Avi Lewis, leader of a Canadian opposition party, has called for the Canadian government to provide financial assistance to the Mass Effect developer BioWare. This suggestion comes amid discussions about the future of the studio and its development.
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says AI could have 'positive' impact on gaming
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto believes generative AI can positively impact game development by allowing creators to focus on core concepts rather than labor-intensive tasks. He compares its introduction to the advent of computers, suggesting it will highlight individual creativity and intent. While acknowledging potential pitfalls, Miyamoto remains optimistic about AI's role as an assistant that ultimately requires human guidance for meaningful creation.
Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto says he's working on several projects right now – but I wouldn't expect…
Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has stated he is currently working on several projects. While the exact nature of these projects is not specified, Miyamoto's recent involvement in multimedia ventures like theme parks and movies suggests they may extend beyond traditional game development. He also commented on AI in game development, seeing it as an opportunity for reflection.
Mass Effect 5 lead says outpouring of support following BioWare closure "means so much to us," but is looking on the bright side: "At least I don't have to call in sick when GTA 6 comes out"
Following the closure of BioWare and cancellation of Mass Effect 5, project director Mike Gamble thanked fans for their support and vouched for his team's talent. He also made a humorous remark about not having to call in sick when Grand Theft Auto 6 releases. The article also briefly mentions a leaked trailer for Mass Effect 5 and a defense of the Dragon Age: The Veilguard development team.
Project Zomboid dev warns its popular new first-person mods aren't officially supported, so use at your own risk
The Indie Stone, developer of Project Zomboid, has issued a statement clarifying that while they encourage community mods, first-person perspective mods built with Java are not officially supported due to security and stability risks. These mods, unlike Lua-based ones, require a higher level of trust as they can make fundamental changes to the game's code and are prone to breaking with updates.
