Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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The MOP Up: Profane puts out a new rolling roadmap
Several MMOs have shared updates and roadmaps, including Profane's new development plan focusing on two-month highlights, and Odin: Valhalla Rising's roadmap for the latter half of 2026. Subnautica 2 launched a new beta branch for testing, Palia's Insect-a-Palooza event returned, and EVE Online banned over 10,000 accounts for dark web links. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto VI leak participants were cautioned against, BitCraft is closing its Uncharted Regions, and AdventureQuest 3D released new moon-themed mounts.
The Duskbloods devs were "definitely very happy" with the Switch 2's reveal after FromSoftware struggled…
FromSoftware director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that the development of their upcoming multiplayer game, The Duskbloods, initially faced significant challenges on the original Nintendo Switch. The announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 was a welcome relief, solving many of these technical hurdles and allowing the team to focus on new systems and player onboarding, areas where Nintendo provided substantial support.
'We didn't have layoffs before, and now all of a sudden we have yearly layoffs': Bethesda artist says 'something has changed' under Microsoft
Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen stated that yearly layoffs have become a norm under Microsoft's ownership, contrasting with the studio's past. He highlighted the erosion of institutional knowledge and the impact on long-term commitment among staff. This comes amidst industry-wide concerns about corporate greed and job security, with Microsoft also implementing significant job cuts in its gaming divisions.
Gamescom, jag är redo.
This opinion piece discusses the true value of Gamescom, arguing that the Opening Night Live show is not representative of the entire event. The author emphasizes the overwhelming scale of the convention, the importance of hands-on experiences with games, and the personal approach needed to navigate the event effectively. The article also touches on the author's personal experience attending and covering Gamescom, including their preparation and plans for reporting on the event.
NateTheHate: A new Ori game is in the works though not sure if at Gamescom
Reliable leaker NateTheHate has indicated that a new game in the Ori series is in development. While not confirmed if it will be shown at Gamescom, the title is expected to release on the Nintendo Switch and potentially its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Sunday Papers
This roundup of videogame criticism covers various topics including the evolution of the shooter genre, the challenges of publishing games with sexual content on Steam, and the impact of capitalist technoculture on digital media. It also touches on genre marketing, the rise of 'search action' games, and player communities in titles like No Man's Sky.
wasd Turns Text Prompts Into Playable Games at NEXUS AI Labs Debut
NEXUS AI Labs has launched a new portal showcasing 11 in-house AI solutions, including wasd, a text-to-game engine that converts prompts into playable games in about 60 seconds. The portal's products are built on the NEXUS AI Framework, an autonomous development platform. Other tools include AI video generation, 3D model creation, and blockchain services, all developed without manual coding.
Illuvium Says Six Months of Cuts Bought It a Year of Runway as MMO Takes Center Stage
Illuvium co-founder Kieran Warwick stated that six months of cost reductions, including wage cuts, have extended the studio's operating runway by over a year. The majority of the team is now focused on the MMORPG, which is planned for a December 2026 release, with other smaller titles also slated for 2026.
Can the Epic Games Store turn things around? 'I don't see how they can recover at this point,' says…
Industry analyst Emmanuel Rosier expresses skepticism about the Epic Games Store's ability to recover market share from Steam, citing its reliance on free game giveaways and broad competitive efforts. While acknowledging Epic's success with Fortnite and its integration of various game IPs, Rosier believes the storefront faces an uphill battle.
7 developers that will save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature highlights seven smaller developers, including 11 bit studios, AdHoc Studios, Daniel Mullins Games, Hazelight Studios, Larian Studios, Sandfall Interactive, and Supergiant Games, who are seen as vital to the future of the video game industry. The article praises their innovative approaches to game design and storytelling, contrasting them with the perceived missteps of larger publishers.
"Buying any of our games helps support the studio": Psychonauts studio Double Fine are the latest former Xbox-owned studio to get the rights to their games back
Double Fine Productions, the studio behind Psychonauts, has regained the publishing rights to its games from Microsoft. CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the transfer, stating that sales of their games now directly support the studio. The studio also announced the return of their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a Kickstarter launching August 31st to fund the initiative.
Fallout dev Tim Cain says we should pay more attention to bad games: '[Publishers] often don't learn from failure because they only look at the games that sold well'
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain argues that both publishers and players should pay more attention to poorly received games to learn from failures. He suggests that analyzing unsuccessful titles, not just bestsellers or notorious flops, can provide valuable insights into game design and market trends. Cain believes this approach is crucial for industry growth and avoiding repeated mistakes.
The next Arc Raiders Expedition will be its last until 2027, as Embark admits "bigger changes" are needed
Embark Studios announced that the current seasonal progression system for their extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, will undergo significant changes and will not return until early 2027. The studio acknowledges player feedback regarding issues like tight departure windows and reward structures, indicating that larger overhauls are necessary. The fifth Arc Raiders Expedition, starting soon, will be the last of its kind until the planned system changes are implemented.
Double Fine confirms it owns all its games' IP and publishing rights after Xbox split
Double Fine has confirmed it retains ownership of the intellectual property and publishing rights for all its games following its split from Xbox. CEO Tim Schafer stated that while some games are still processing, buying their titles directly supports the studio. The company also plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as a Kickstarter campaign.
Wilder World Turns to Making Wiami’s Fight-Risk-Extract Loop Fully Onchain
Wilder World is prioritizing the full on-chain integration of its Wiami game's fight-risk-extract loop, according to co-founder Frank Wilder. The team is shifting focus from core gameplay loop construction to enhancing and decentralizing the player experience. This move aims to bridge the gap between in-game actions and true digital ownership, with future updates planned for marketplace integration and the introduction of new features on their dedicated Z Chain.
'Hoping for a Huge October Surprise, But Not Holding My Breath' — Arc Raiders Players Torn After Embark Delays Future Expeditions Until Early 2027
Embark Studios has announced a significant delay for all future Arc Raiders Expeditions, pushing their release back to early 2027. The decision comes in response to community feedback, with the studio aiming to implement major improvements before the game's full launch.
GTA 6 Studio Leaders and Employees “Angry” at Leaks, “All Hands on Deck” to Find Source – Rumor
Rockstar Games is reportedly angered by recent Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, with "all hands on deck" to identify the source. Despite enhanced security measures implemented after a 2022 leak, the perpetrator, known as CyberLeek, remains unidentified. The game is set to launch on November 19th for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, with an extended trailer reveal planned for August 27th.
Illuvium Devs Agree to Second Wage Reduction, Restoring Runway Past the 12-Month Mark
Illuvium staff have agreed to a second round of wage reductions, extending the studio's financial runway to over 12 months. This follows a February 2025 restructuring that reduced headcount from 110 to 65. The studio continues development on its creature collection action RPG, Obelisk Rising, with no set release date.
Free from Xbox, Double Fine returns to Kickstarter to ask fans what its next "small" game should be
Double Fine Productions, now independent from Xbox, is launching a Kickstarter campaign for "Amnesia Fortnight 2026." This project will involve a two-week game jam where backers can vote on which of the studio's ideas will be developed into prototypes and potentially a new small game. The process will be documented by 2 Player Productions, and CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the studio has regained publishing rights to its intellectual property.
Echoes of Elysium brings weather to your airships with its newest Tempest update
The Tempest update for Echoes of Elysium introduces dynamic weather systems, including rain and wind, that directly impact airship gameplay and piloting. This update also brings UI improvements and biome-specific weather cycles. The patch was originally slated for spring, indicating a shift in the game's development roadmap.
