Game Development
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Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius hit by fresh layoffs
CD Projekt Red has reportedly laid off nine employees and reassigned another nine from its Project Sirius team, a multiplayer spin-off of The Witcher. This follows a previous round of layoffs and a rescoping of the project in 2023. The Molasses Flood, the studio acquired by CDPR in 2021 to develop Sirius, was fully absorbed into CDPR in April 2025.
The Witcher multiplayer spin-off Project Sirius reportedly hit with another wave of layoffs
CD Projekt Red's multiplayer spin-off, Project Sirius, developed by The Molasses Flood, has reportedly experienced another wave of layoffs. Nine developers were affected, with an additional nine being moved to other projects as part of a strategic shift. This marks the latest in a series of setbacks for the game, which has been in development for four years.
10 years of No Man's Sky: How Hello Games and Sean Murray keep getting away with it
Hello Games director Sean Murray reflects on the 10-year journey of No Man's Sky, highlighting the studio's dedication to continuous free updates and the rewarding nature of game development. Despite a difficult launch, the team has transformed the game with numerous additions, fostering a strong community and a sense of accomplishment. Murray also touches on the industry's consumable nature and his desire for games to have lasting appeal, drawing parallels to the continued support for older titles like Quake.
Dawn of War 4 gets a release date delay to "further refine the experience ahead of launch"
King Art Games has delayed the release of Dawn of War 4 from September 17th to December 3rd to allow for further refinement. The additional development time will focus on performance optimization, bug fixing, and incorporating community feedback. An updated post-launch roadmap was also released, detailing upcoming content such as map packs, story expansions, and a mission editor throughout 2027.
Mysterious Witcher Game Project Sirius Undergoes More Changes – Report
Project Sirius, an upcoming The Witcher game developed by The Molasses Flood and published by CD Projekt Red, is reportedly undergoing significant changes. The Molasses Flood has seen nine layoffs and nine personnel shifts as part of a broader development strategy adjustment. This follows a previous round of layoffs in 2023 as the developers implemented a new framework for the game.
God of War star Christopher Judge criticizes The Last of Us and similar adaptations for excluding people who made the…
God of War actor Christopher Judge criticizes video game adaptations for failing to hire the original game developers and writers. He cites The Last of Us and the upcoming God of War TV series as examples of this trend, questioning why creators don't leverage the talent that built the source material.
ONE Store Launches AI Games Section, Debuting With 20 Verse8-Built Titles
ONE store has launched a new section dedicated to AI-generated games, debuting with 20 titles built on the Verse8 platform that can be played instantly within the app without downloads. This initiative, spearheaded by Nexus following its acquisition of ONE store, aims to streamline the distribution process for AI-created games by handling store review, age ratings, and payment integration for creators. The platform also introduced a coupon promotion to incentivize players.
Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with AI
Saber Interactive has denied allegations from former lead writer Stella Sacco that the company replaced her with ChatGPT on the upcoming driving game Rideshare Stimulator. Sacco claims AI was used for writing and passenger voices, a move she warned against. Saber Interactive stated that no writers were replaced by AI and that their writing staff has tripled, while acknowledging the use of AI tools to enhance gameplay and NPC behavior.
Multiplayer Witcher spin-off Project Sirius reportedly hit by layoffs again, in "broader shift in development strategy" at CD Projekt Red
CD Projekt Red has reportedly laid off nine employees working on the multiplayer Witcher spin-off Project Sirius, with another nine being reassigned. This move is attributed to a broader shift in development strategy, though a substantial team remains on the project. The company's priorities are currently The Witcher 4, a Witcher 3 expansion, and a Cyberpunk sequel.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire ports coming to Nintendo Switch this year says insider
An insider claims that ports of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald are planned for a late September/October release on the Nintendo Switch. This follows the successful release of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen ports earlier this year. Dataminers have found evidence in the source code of the existing ports suggesting future compatibility.
Xbox leadership's words are drowned out by their actions
Despite assurances from Xbox leadership, the company's actions, including mass layoffs and studio closures, paint a grim picture for its talent and future projects. While executives like Asha Sharma mention upcoming games like The Elder Scrolls 6, these words are seen as empty promises contrasting with the reality of job cuts at studios like id Software and Bethesda.
Developers expect generative AI to impact roles and team sizes in the next three years
A survey of 100 Gamescom Dev speakers indicates that 83 percent expect generative AI to impact team sizes and productivity within the next three years. While 36 percent believe AI will change roles rather than reduce teams, 33 percent anticipate smaller team sizes. Companies like Capcom and Owlcat Games are exploring genAI for production speed, though backlash has occurred for studios like Pearl Abyss, Ubisoft, and 11 Bit Studios regarding disclosure.
Crimson Desert getting a Switch 2 release, and Pearl Abyss sees "significant potential" for multiplayer, with "live service operation models" mentioned
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2, targeting the first half of 2027, and is exploring significant potential for multiplayer and live service operation models. The company is conducting extensive research into integrating these features, aiming to extend the IP's lifecycle. Additionally, a DLC for Crimson Desert is planned for release within the current year.
Take-Two CEO Won’t Be In GTA 6 After His Surprise Appearance In WWE 2K26
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed he will not appear in Grand Theft Auto 6, despite his surprise playable character debut in WWE 2K26. Zelnick stated he personally requested the WWE 2K26 appearance, finding it a fun, rare moment. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
CodeDev Group launches dev studio Full Spectrum Interactive
CodeDev Group, also known as The Unreal Guys, has launched a new game development studio named Full Spectrum Interactive. The studio is led by UK industry veterans Matt Southern, Christian McKinney, and Rob Williams, and will focus on developing small to AA titles while also offering co-development services. Full Spectrum Interactive aims to leverage talent from CodeDev Group and its optimization division, The Performance Guys.
Saber admit they use AI while denying they swapped lead writer for ChatGPT
Saber Interactive has denied allegations that it replaced a lead writer with ChatGPT on its upcoming game Rideshare 'Stimulator'. Narrative designer Stella Sacco claimed she was replaced by AI, but Saber stated that the game's story was written entirely by humans and that AI is used experimentally for infinite passenger generation in a free-ride mode. The company also confirmed its writing staff has tripled and that none of its employees are at risk of being replaced by AI.
Take-Two Boss Strauss Zelnick Says He Asked to Be a Playable Character in WWE 2K26 Because 'I Thought It Would Be Funny for Insiders' — but Don't Expect Him to Pop Up in GTA 6
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick revealed that he requested to be a playable character in WWE 2K26, finding the idea humorous for industry insiders. While the DLC performed well, Zelnick stated that he does not expect a similar cameo in Grand Theft Auto 6.
How Planet of Lana became a hit through dogged determination after being rejected "hundreds" of times
Wishfully Studios' debut platformer, Planet of Lana, achieved success after hundreds of rejections by persevering through a naive development process. The team, with backgrounds in film, faced initial publisher skepticism due to an inadequate demo and unrealistic plans, but secured a deal with Xbox after a year of developing a vertical slice. This led to a partnership with Thunderful and a successful 2023 launch, with plans for a sequel and a Hollywood movie adaptation.
BAFTA Games Awards updates voting requirements and entry fees as it opens entries for 2027 ceremony
The BAFTA Games Awards has opened entries for its 2027 ceremony, introducing revised rules for artificial intelligence and updates to its entry fees. Key changes include the removal of an early entry discount, a new discount for independent developers, and a revised base entry fee structure. The Evolving Game category will now be decided by a member-wide vote.
CentroLeaks: Pokemon Winds & Waves will be directed by Hiroyuki Tani and Katsuhiko Ichiraku
According to CentroLeaks, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, Pokemon Winds and Waves, will be directed by Hiroyuki Tani and Katsuhiko Ichiraku. This marks a change from previous generations, which were directed by Shigeru Ohmori. Hiroyuki Tani previously directed the DLC for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.