Game Development
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Without Embracer, Borderlands 4 boss Randy Pitchford "is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living," Saber CEO says in belated response to digs made in the looter shooter
Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch responded to Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford's comments about Embracer Group, stating that without the company's ownership, Pitchford would be performing magic tricks for a living. Karch's remarks were made in response to perceived digs from Gearbox, including in Borderlands 4, referencing their past ownership by Embracer Group and subsequent split.
After 10 years of No Man's Sky updates, Sean Murray says "if people keep playing it, I could work on this…
Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray stated that he could work on No Man's Sky "forever" if players continue to engage with it, highlighting the game's decade of updates. Despite the studio's focus on their upcoming title Light No Fire, Murray expressed that the team remains motivated by player enjoyment and passion for the project. He acknowledged that No Man's Sky likely has an "end date" but expressed surprise that it hasn't been reached yet, given the continued enthusiasm from the development team.
Evening Reading - August 10, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various game reviews including Agent 64: Spies Never Die and D-Topia. It also touches on upcoming titles like 1666: Amsterdam, the potential for a Payday TV show, and No Man's Sky's 10th anniversary. The article also mentions discussions around AI in gaming and the Xbox 360 era.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
Bethesda veteran says Oblivion Remastered can't be called a remake, unlike Final Fantasy 7 and Resident Evil 2…
Bethesda's associate art director Dan Lee explained that The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is not a remake because it retains the original game's core engine and 'bones,' differentiating it from titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Resident Evil 2. Todd Howard drew a line between modernizing the art and fundamentally changing the game, opting to market it as a polished version of the original rather than a new creation.
Crimson Desert Fans Need to Stop Expecting Every Update to Be Massive
This article discusses player expectations for Crimson Desert's updates, noting that while recent patches have focused on bug fixes rather than massive content additions, this is a common trend in the games industry. It highlights the extensive free content already added and suggests players should manage their expectations regarding future overhauls and DLC, acknowledging the developer's efforts and limitations.
Stranger Than Heaven’s Behind-the-Scenes Motion Capture Shown Off in Jazzy New Trailer
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released a new trailer for Stranger Than Heaven, showcasing the game's development process, including motion capture and an in-game jazz performance. The trailer also briefly touches on the game's combat system, which allows for independent control of Makoto's limbs and features a parry mechanic. The game is set to release on January 15th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and will feature a story spanning fifty years with a star-studded cast including Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
id Software dev says mass layoffs like Microsoft's are weakening the games industry, because developers 'don't have the incentive to care anymore'
id Software lead services programmer Chris Hayes argues that mass layoffs, like those seen at Microsoft's Xbox division, are detrimental to the games industry. He believes these actions weaken the industry by removing developers' incentive to care about their craft and the long-term quality of games, ultimately leading to mediocre products and a less healthy creative environment.
Decentraland Friendzone buildathon pre-registration goes live, but terms are missing
Decentraland has opened pre-registration for its "Friendzone Mobile Buildathon" contest, as announced via its official X account. However, crucial details such as dates, prize amounts, and entry rules are currently missing from the announcement. The contest appears to be focused on mobile development, aligning with Decentraland's recent push for its phone client.
Indie Games Are Breaking Out–But It’s Still Tough Out There
Several indie games like Big Walk, Ball X Pit, and Mewgenics have achieved significant sales milestones, with Big Walk surpassing one million units and Ball X Pit reaching two million. Despite these successes, the article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many independent developers who struggle for recognition and financial stability in a crowded market.
'Thank you so much for the best weekend ever': The id Software gang got together at QuakeCon, and it sure looks like everyone had a great time
The id Software co-founders Adrian Carmack, John Carmack, Tom Hall, and John Romero reunited at QuakeCon for the game's 30th anniversary, marking their first gathering since 1994. Despite past internal conflicts and recent industry layoffs, the reunion was described as a highly positive and emotional experience by attendees, including former employees like American McGee and Donna Jackson.
There was originally supposed to be a 'much bigger' reveal of Light No Fire: here's why Sean Murray…
Hello Games founder Sean Murray discussed the reveal strategy for their upcoming game, Light No Fire. Despite initial plans for a larger reveal at Summer Game Fest, the overwhelming positive reception to the initial teaser led the studio to delay further marketing. Murray stated that the team prefers to let the game speak for itself and avoid premature announcements, focusing instead on development.
Multiplayer RTS ZeroSpace devs confirm game is fully funded through the 1.0 launch
Starlance Studios has confirmed that the multiplayer RTS ZeroSpace is fully funded through its 1.0 launch, thanks to strong early access sales. The developers also addressed community concerns, promising UI redesigns, optimization, and bug fixing, with plans for weekly minor updates and monthly content drops. A new Galactic War season, units, and campaign updates are slated for September.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic devs were so committed to the RPG's bad language that they spent a day…
Developers for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic faced restrictions from Lucasfilm regarding the use of the word 'damn'. Despite a writer's efforts to find in-film precedents, most instances were removed due to rights holder decisions, though a few remained, contributing to the game's T for Teen ESRB rating.
HandyGames rebrands as THQ Nordic Mobile
HandyGames has rebranded as THQ Nordic Mobile, shifting its focus to bringing premium PC and console titles to mobile platforms, while its development studio continues as HandyGames. Separately, leaked emails reveal Blizzard Entertainment was Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, marking its third highest fiscal year for revenue.
Terraria's biggest mod, Calamity, is shutting down after 10 years over what the makers call a "troubled past" and "irrecoverably tainted reputation"
The popular Terraria mod, Calamity, is ceasing development after 10 years due to a "troubled past" and an "irrecoverably tainted reputation." The modders cited internal betrayals and a loss of passion as reasons for the shutdown. Legal concerns prevent reuploads or forks of the mod, though spin-off projects are permitted.
With gen AI assets cut from Assassin's Creed creator's new game demo, lead admits "we didn't even realize it was AI anymore because we were used to seeing it"
Patrice Désilets, former lead of Assassin's Creed, has committed to removing all AI-generated assets from his new game, 1666: Amsterdam, following player concerns. The developer apologized for the oversight, stating that the AI art was not sufficiently retouched and will not be present in the final product. The game is set to launch into Early Access on PC via Steam on August 25.
"They don't understand art" - id Software lead slams Xbox, says it's "impossible" to make games like 2016's Doom now
id Software lead developer Chris Hayes stated that it is impossible to create triple-A games like 2016's Doom with half the staff, criticizing Microsoft's recent layoffs. Hayes believes the company's leadership does not understand game development or the business, especially regarding the impact of services like Game Pass on sales metrics. He also refuted claims that id Software's developer count remains similar to when Doom (2016) was released.
How Vampire Survivors became Vampire Crawlers: Six lessons from building a game based on another developer's IP
Andreas Firnigl of Nosebleed Interactive shares six lessons learned from developing Vampire Crawlers, a spin-off of Poncle's Vampire Survivors. The article emphasizes understanding and respecting the original IP, embracing external feedback, and fostering a unified vision within the development team to create a successful game based on another studio's intellectual property.
Light No Fire Is “Crazy and Ambitious,” Says Sean Murray, Who Explains the Lack of Details
Sean Murray described Hello Games' upcoming title, Light No Fire, as "crazy and ambitious." The game's visibility on Steam wishlists significantly impacted the studio's development plans, leading to a shift in their approach.