Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto weighs in on AI, says “there will always be a role” for humans
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto shared his perspective on generative AI, stating that while AI can handle labor-intensive tasks in creation, human intent and individual capabilities will always remain crucial. He believes AI's advancement provides an opportunity to focus on what is truly important in game development.
An alleged former BioWare dev leaks the 'Mass Effect Universe' trailer following studio closure, and fans believe this could be a 'Deadpool-style' move 'intended to generate public pressure and potentially give the cancelled project a second chance'
An alleged former BioWare developer leaked a trailer for the cancelled "Mass Effect Universe" game, showcasing in-engine footage and pre-production assets. The leak has intensified fan backlash against Electronic Arts following BioWare's closure and has sparked a '#SaveMassEffect' petition, with some speculating it's a "Deadpool-style" move to generate public pressure for a revival.
Half-Life 3 speculation reignited by Valve dev mentioning three sweet little rumored codenamey letters amid technical chat about video game noises
Speculation surrounding Half-Life 3 has resurfaced after Valve composer Mike Morasky mentioned the rumored codename 'HLX' during a technical panel on game sound design. The mention, which occurred during a discussion about HDR audio implementation, has fueled fan theories about the long-awaited sequel's existence.
Half-Life 3 may actually be real as codename is accidentally mentioned by Valve
A recent slip-up by Valve composer Mike Morasky during a GameSoundCon panel has reignited rumors of a new Half-Life game, potentially codenamed HLX. While not explicitly confirmed as Half-Life 3, the mention by an employee, alongside previous references in Counter-Strike 2 updates, suggests a new Half-Life project is in development.
Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto says AI "provides an opportunity to reflect on what's really important" in game dev, "which I think is a positive thing"
Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto views generative AI as a positive technological shift that can help game developers focus on what truly matters. He believes AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing creators to concentrate on their individual intentions and refine their work, rather than getting lost in the labor itself. Miyamoto asserts that even with advanced AI, human creativity and intention will always remain essential in game development.
"What if Larian had shut down after Divine Divinity?": Star Trek Online exec scorns publishers who close teams like BioWare in favour of "AAA veteran" start-ups and AI "magic beans"
Star Trek Online executive producer Thomas Marrone criticizes the industry practice of shutting down established development teams in favor of new studios led by "AAA veterans" or relying on emerging technologies like AI. He argues this approach is irresponsible and self-sabotaging, highlighting that successful studios like Larian and Blizzard often achieve breakthroughs after multiple titles and years of team collaboration. Marrone suggests that publishers prioritizing short-term financial gains should exit game development entirely.
Zelda and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto becomes first-ever dev to receive Japan's greatest cultural award, but he's crediting all of Nintendo: "These achievements were not the work of one person"
Shigeru Miyamoto, the acclaimed creator behind Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has become the first video game developer to receive Japan's prestigious Order of Culture award. Miyamoto expressed his honor and credited his long career at Nintendo to the collaborative efforts of many individuals.
Mass Effect Universe trailer leaks and it makes BioWare's closure more painful
A trailer for BioWare's cancelled Mass Effect game, reportedly titled Mass Effect Universe, has leaked online, intensifying anger over EA's decision to close the studio. The footage features a new protagonist and returning character Liara T’Soni, set after the original trilogy. Industry journalist Jason Schreier confirmed the trailer's authenticity, highlighting the loss of potential new entries in the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises.
Epic AI MegaJam Sparks Backlash Over AI Direction
Epic Games' announcement of its AI MegaJam, which encourages developers to use AI extensively in game creation, has sparked significant backlash from the development community. Critics argue that Epic is misrepresenting the capabilities of AI and disrespecting the established practices of game jams and rapid prototyping. The event, despite initially requiring AI use, now lists it as optional but still promotes AI-assisted development heavily.
Podcast: Landfall's Rebecca Lautner on Peak's 23 million sales and looking past friendslop
Rebecca Lautner, CBO at Landfall Games, discusses the success of their game Peak, which has sold over 23 million units, and the company's philosophy of moving on to new projects. She also touches on the launch of their publishing arm, Evil Landfall, and their 'fail fast' development approach.
En trailer för nedlagda Mass Effect 5 har läckt
A trailer for the canceled Mass Effect 5, potentially titled Mass Effect Universe, has leaked online and been confirmed as authentic by Jason Schreier. The trailer, rendered in the game engine, shows no gameplay but depicts a former military character. Electronic Arts has reportedly scrapped the game and closed BioWare, though the article notes that another developer might take over the franchise.
BioWare Veteran Defends Team Behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard Following Studio Closure
BioWare veteran James Ohlen defended the development team behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, stating that most individuals had little influence on the game's criticized aspects. He also shared personal views on modern entertainment and political messaging. The article touches on the game's development history, including pivots between single-player and live-service models under EA's direction, and notes that while reviews were positive, player reception was mixed.
Half-Life 3 Speculation Rises Again as Valve Developer Accidentally Mentions its Codename – Rumor
Speculation surrounding Half-Life 3 has resurfaced after Valve developer Mike Morasky inadvertently mentioned the codename 'HLX' during a GameSoundCon panel. While the mention could be a slip-up for 'HLVR' (Half-Life: Alyx), the datamining community is investigating potential links to other Valve titles. Previous reports from late 2025 suggested the game was in final development stages.
Mass Effect 5 Took Cues From Larian, CD Projekt RED For Player Agency, Says Former Developer
Former BioWare developers have shared insights into the canceled Mass Effect 5, revealing it aimed for unprecedented player autonomy by drawing inspiration from Larian Studios and CD Projekt RED. Despite the project's cancellation and BioWare's reported shutdown, former employees expressed sadness over the lost potential and praised the talent within the studio.
BioWare veteran goes to bat for Dragon Age The Veilguard's dev team, says most of them "had little or no say…
Former BioWare director James Ohlen has defended the development team behind Dragon Age: The Veilguard, stating that most had little input on the game's controversial elements. He also addressed criticism of modern entertainment and political messaging, emphasizing the complexity of individuals and the importance of respecting differing views.
Cyberpunk 2 Associate Director Says Half of Game's Quest Team Are Former Modders
Pawel Sasko, associate game director for Cyberpunk 2077, revealed that a significant portion of the game's quest development team consists of individuals who were previously modders. CD Projekt Red has actively recruited these modders to contribute to the highly anticipated sequel.
Epic announces game jam where you have to use AI
Epic Games is hosting its AI MegaJam in November, challenging participants to create games using AI tools with thousands of dollars in prizes. The event, themed around AI-driven development, contrasts with other contests that ban AI, reflecting Epic's stance on embracing the technology. CEO Tim Sweeney expressed strong optimism about AI's role in accelerating game development and creative work.
Canadian politician calls on government to help BioWare employees buy the studio and run it themselves
Canadian politician Avi Lewis has called on the government to support BioWare employees in buying out the studio from Electronic Arts, criticizing private equity's impact on the company. Lewis advocates for developers to run the studio themselves to prevent further decline, referencing the "Mass Effect effect" as a cautionary tale.
Epic wants to pay you $50,000 to vibe code an AI slop game
Epic Games is hosting the 2026 AI MegaJam, challenging participants to create games using AI tools with Unreal Engine or UEFN. The event offers cash prizes and grants, including up to $50,000 for standout projects, aiming to encourage AI integration in game development. However, the initiative faces significant backlash from developers and the gaming community due to ongoing concerns about AI's impact on the industry.
Opinion: Why words matter when we prioritize 'core teams' in game development
This opinion piece discusses the problematic use of the term "core team" in game development, particularly in the context of distributed development models like that used for Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The author argues that focusing solely on a small "core team" can obscure the contributions of hundreds of developers, potentially devaluing their work and careers. The article calls for more precise language to accurately describe the complex realities of modern game creation.
