Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Diablo 5: Everything you need to know about the next era of Diablo
Blizzard Entertainment has officially announced Diablo 5, slated for a Spring 2029 release, aiming to usher in a new era for the franchise. The game will feature a post-apocalyptic Sanctuary where Diablo has already won, with procedural landscapes and a new class called the Plague Knight. Development is in its early stages, with Blizzard planning to involve the community throughout the process.
PlayStation allegedly had "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity" over Kojima Productions' Physint
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly canceled its involvement with Kojima Productions' upcoming game Physint due to concerns over budget, profitability, and exclusivity. Hideo Kojima stated the project was unexpectedly canceled by PlayStation in mid-June. Kojima Productions has since partnered with Xbox for Physint, as well as their horror title OD, with Kojima expressing commitment to redefining the action-espionage genre.
Moss developer Polyarc has shut down
Seattle-based VR developer Polyarc, known for the Moss franchise, has ceased operations after nearly 12 years. The studio cited financing challenges as the reason for its downsizing in March and subsequent closure. The company's LinkedIn post indicated that almost 30 individuals may have lost their jobs.
Roblox creators will soon be able to publish games on multiple platforms as standalone apps
Roblox is launching its 'Roblox Everywhere' initiative, allowing creators to publish their games as standalone apps across PC, mobile, and console platforms. The company also announced updates to its engine, including AI creation tools and enhanced UI features. New financial features like Roblox Wallet and Roblox Card will provide creators with faster access to earnings, though the company noted a recent decline in shares due to reduced monetization among younger users.
Roblox plan to grow their absurd gaming empire even further by letting devs release games as "standalone apps", potentially via Steam, Epic, and GOG
Roblox is planning to allow developers to release their games as standalone applications across various platforms, including PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store, with Roblox powering the underlying technology. This initiative, dubbed 'Roblox Everywhere,' aims to give developers more flexibility and reach. The platform is also introducing browser-based joining, offline singleplayer options, and a new wallet feature managed by Airwallex for easier revenue conversion.
Arc Raiders Expeditions may never come back; Embark might "scrap the whole system altogether"
Embark Studios is considering a complete overhaul or even scrapping the 'Expeditions' endgame system for Arc Raiders, as it will not return until 2027 with major improvements. Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the team is evaluating significant changes or potentially replacing the system entirely due to player feedback.
A StarCraft open-world shooter that's "Deadwood in space", Diablo 5, and a new classic-ish World of Warcraft branch out this year make up Blizzard of reveals
Blizzard Entertainment revealed several upcoming titles at BlizzCon, including a StarCraft open-world shooter set for 2030, Diablo 5 in 2029, and World of Warcraft: Forever, a new branch of the MMO launching November 4th. The StarCraft game, led by former Far Cry producer Dan Hay, is described as "Deadwood in space," while Diablo 5's announcement aims to gather early fan feedback. Support for Diablo 4 will continue, but no further expansions are planned.
World of Warcraft: Forever devs say a direct sequel like Guild Wars 2 is unlikely: 'Why would you throw that away…
World of Warcraft: Forever principal designer Kris Zierhut explains why a direct sequel like Guild Wars 2 is unlikely, citing the value of World of Warcraft's continuously developed engine and infrastructure. The article discusses the merits of remaking classic WoW versus starting anew, touching on technical debt and the appeal of older MMO design philosophies.
First GTA 6 Actor Officially Confirmed, And It’s A Big Name
Actor Stephen Root has officially confirmed his involvement in Grand Theft Auto 6, revealing he voices the character Brian Heder. Root's distinctive voice was reportedly recognized from early promotional materials, leading to the leak. The game is set to release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Blizzard announces single-player StarCraft and Diablo 5 but there's bad news
Blizzard announced new installments for StarCraft and Diablo at BlizzCon 2026, but with distant release dates. The new StarCraft will be an open-world shooter focusing on single-player, targeting a 2030 launch, while Diablo 5 is set for Spring 2029. The company president stated these early announcements aim to convey confidence in future projects, despite Blizzard's history of delays.
Blizzard explains why it's revealing StarCraft and Diablo 5 release dates so far away: "We want to convey confidence in some of our biggest bets"
Blizzard Entertainment has announced release dates for Diablo 5 (spring 2029) and a new StarCraft open-world shooter (2030), a departure from their usual 'done when it's done' approach. President Johanna Faries stated this is to "convey confidence in some of our biggest bets." The company also revealed World of Warcraft: Forever, a Diablo Netflix series, and other updates, amidst ongoing Microsoft layoffs.
Moss developer Polyarc Games announces closure
Polyarc Games, the developer behind the VR titles Moss and Glassbreakers, has announced it is shutting down after 12 years of operation. The closure follows a significant layoff earlier this year due to a cancelled project and an inability to secure further funding. The studio was founded by former Bungie developers and had recently released Moss: The Forgotten Relic.
Rapport: Sony släppte Physint pga. missade deadlines och budgetproblem
Sony has reportedly ended its collaboration with Kojima Productions on the upcoming spy game Physint due to missed deadlines and budget issues, with Xbox now set to publish the title. The decision was influenced by Death Stranding's sales not meeting expectations and Physint's projected cost and development timeline. Sony's stricter milestone enforcement following the Concord flop also contributed to the decision, alongside their shift away from releasing single-player games on PC.
Despite the turbulent future of gaming, Roblox keeps the trust of its developers
Despite the introduction of AI-powered game development tools like Roblox Build and Roblox Reality, many Roblox developers express unwavering trust in the platform. They believe Roblox's history of additive changes and respect for creator visions indicates these new features will complement, rather than replace, existing development methods.
Diablo 4 Won’t Get Any More Expansions Before Diablo 5’s 2029 Release
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed that Diablo 4 will not receive further expansions before the anticipated 2029 release of Diablo 5. Game director Brent Gibson stated the team is focusing on seasonal content for Diablo 4 and development for Diablo 5, aiming to conclude the 'Story of Hatred' with the upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion. The company plans to support Diablo 4 with seasonal updates for a long time, even after Diablo 5 launches.
Marathon Delays Next Content Update to December 8th, Bungie Shifting Away from Seasonal Model
Bungie has delayed the next major content update for Marathon to December 8th, moving away from its seasonal model to allow more development flexibility. The 'Symbiosis' update will introduce new modes, features, and the game's first permanent PvE experience. Despite these changes and efforts to make the extraction shooter more forgiving, Marathon has struggled to gain traction since its March launch on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.
Blizzard Explains Why The StarCraft Shooter Coming In 2030 Was Announced Now
Blizzard Entertainment general manager Dan Hay explained the decision to announce the StarCraft open-world shooter, slated for 2030, at BlizzCon. He stated that the team felt they had enough of the story, characters, and world to share, and wanted to get feedback from fans early in the development process. Hay also noted that setting a firm release date helps focus development efforts.
World of Warcraft: Forever Devs Explain Why the Game Makes WoW 2 Unlikely
World of Warcraft developers Kris Zierhut and Mike Nuthals discussed the game's ongoing development and features, explaining why a direct sequel like 'WoW 2' is unlikely to be necessary. They highlighted the game's continuous evolution as a reason for its longevity.
Discussing 20 years of Company of Heroes with the team carrying its torch into the future
This article reflects on 20 years of the Company of Heroes real-time strategy franchise, discussing its origins, evolution, and the challenges faced by developer Relic Entertainment. It highlights key titles like the original Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes 2, and the troubled launch of Company of Heroes 3, while also touching on the studio's recent independence and future prospects.
Ship of Heroes will officially sunset after just one year of live operation on September 22
Ship of Heroes will officially cease operations on September 22nd, just one year after its launch. Despite efforts to improve the game by lowering the price and removing the subscription, the shrinking development team and a disastrous launch led to its eventual sunset. The developers expressed gratitude to the community for their feedback throughout the game's nine-year development and one year of live operation.
