Game Development
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Final Fantasy 7 Revelation boss Naoki Hamaguchi is also "pushing" Kingdom Hearts 4 forward, and it sounds like he wants the JRPG to have a physical edition too
Naoki Hamaguchi, director for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is also actively pushing Kingdom Hearts 4 forward and hopes for a physical edition. He stated that both titles are massive and crucial for Square Enix's projected comeback in 2027. Hamaguchi also expressed a desire for Kingdom Hearts 4 to receive a physical release, aligning with his appreciation for physical media and fan interaction.
Saber Interactive has "no real development in North America any more"
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that the company no longer has significant game development operations in North America, with development now spread across 15 global studios. He emphasized the need for smart location choices in game development and criticized wasteful spending on large-scale projects, citing SnowRunner and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 as examples of cost-effective successes.
Pay to play: The cost of exhibiting at PAX Aus
Exhibiting at PAX Australia presents a significant financial challenge for independent game developers, with booth costs, accommodation, and equipment rentals potentially reaching thousands of dollars. While the event offers valuable opportunities for exposure, networking, and playtesting, the return on investment is not always guaranteed, leading some studios to reconsider attendance.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Sold 2.5 Million Copies Across PC and PS5 – Analyst
An analyst report estimates Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sold 2.5 million copies across PC and PlayStation 5, generating $170 million. While the PS5 version sold 1.8 million copies, sales reportedly underperformed after an initial strong launch, with discounts impacting revenue. The original Death Stranding has sold 5 million copies since its 2019 release.
Jesse And Dylan’s Personal Growth Let Remedy “Go Wild” With Their Characters in Control Resonant
Remedy Entertainment is highlighting the voice cast of Control Resonant, particularly Courtney Hope and Sean Durrie, who play Jesse and Dylan. The developers express excitement about the actors' contributions and how their strong working relationships allowed for ambitious storytelling. The game is set to launch soon on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Is Also Working on Kingdom Hearts 4 to Push it “Forward”
Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, is also actively involved in the development of Kingdom Hearts 4, aiming to push both titles forward for Square Enix's 2027 targets. Both games are being developed by Creative Studio 1 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Hamaguchi also discussed Square Enix's openness to more adaptations of its IPs, citing Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7 as potential candidates.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s Songs of the Past Expansion Couldn’t Happen Without The Remaster
The development of the 'Songs of the Past' expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is intrinsically linked to the game's upcoming Remastered version, according to Fool's Theory director Jakub Rokosz. Enhancements from the remaster, particularly visual upgrades, were essential for creating the new region of Letten. The expansion will delve deeper into the character of Dandelion, exploring his past and family struggles, which were not fully explored in the base game due to its focus on Ciri and Geralt's relationship.
Physint Dropped by PlayStation Due to Missed Deadlines, Budgetary Concerns – Rumor
PlayStation has reportedly dropped publishing duties for Kojima Productions' upcoming game, Physint, due to significant budget concerns and missed deadlines. The espionage action title is said to be well over budget, with PlayStation hesitant to invest hundreds of millions. Despite this, Kojima Productions has secured a new publishing deal with Xbox, and development is ongoing.
Massively Overthinking: Should MMORPG development be approached like a ‘grail quest’?
This article discusses whether approaching MMORPG development as a 'grail quest' is a worthwhile strategy, featuring insights from various writers and readers. While some express optimism about Riot Games' ambitious approach to its in-development MMO, others raise concerns about the challenges and potential for disappointment inherent in such large-scale projects.
SGJ Podcast #520 – What the Hell is a Demo?
The SGJ Podcast episode #520 features hosts Spaz, Julie, Thorston, Jacob, and another discussing the concept of game demos. They define what a demo is, explore its history including its rise, fall, and resurgence, and share some of their personal favorite demos.
Arhi Makkonen on designing a moulding and hissing New York for Control Resonant
Remedy Entertainment's Senior Level Designer, Arhi Makkonen, discusses the intricate process of designing the warped New York setting for Control Resonant. The interview highlights the challenges of integrating supernatural elements with a recognizable urban environment and the importance of level design in guiding players through complex spaces, especially with advancements like ray tracing.
Xbox to publish Kojima Productions' Physint after PlayStation ditches project
PlayStation Studios has ended its publishing partnership with Kojima Productions for the espionage game Physint, citing a "difficult decision." Shortly after, Xbox announced it would pick up publishing duties for Physint, expanding its existing relationship with Kojima Productions which also includes the game OD - Knock. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed honor in supporting Hideo Kojima's vision, while Kojima stated he sought a new partner after PlayStation's unexpected notice.
MercurySteam appears to confirm it’s behind Metroid Ravenous
MercurySteam has seemingly confirmed its involvement in the development of Metroid Ravenous, a title recently unveiled during a Nintendo Direct presentation. The game's existence was previously hinted at through its appearance on the Brazilian Rating's Board, and its presentation suggests a high-quality experience from the developers of Metroid Dread.
'Ship a good game, learn from it, and build from there:' Lessons from going indie after a decade at id Software
Former id Software developers Tony Garza and Richard O'Neal discuss the lessons learned from leaving a major studio to found their own indie company, Turnkey Games. They emphasize realistic scope, bootstrapping, and focusing on core gameplay to overcome the challenges of independent development, especially in light of industry layoffs.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation leads on crafting the trilogy for over a decade
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director Naoki Hamaguchi and Battle Director Teruki Endo discuss the decade-long development journey of the trilogy, from Final Fantasy 7 Remake to the upcoming conclusion. They highlight the evolution of game design, from Remake's story focus to Rebirth's open world, and Revelation's planetary exploration scale, noting player curiosity about future projects as a sign of success.
Why Did PlayStation Ditch Kojima? Analysts Suggest Sony May Have Been 'Spooked' by Death Stranding 2 Sales
Analysts suggest Sony Interactive Entertainment may have 'spooked' by the sales performance of Death Stranding 2, leading to their decision to abandon a new game from Hideo Kojima. The article explores the potential reasons behind this decision, focusing on sales figures and industry trends.
Palworld publishing chief worries early access has 'lost its meaning' as the rise of 'hyper-casual' gaming culture means people often don't understand what they're getting into
Pocketpair's John Buckley believes the concept of early access gaming has lost its meaning due to the rise of hyper-casual gaming culture. He argues that players now often treat early access titles like finished products, diminishing the collaborative feedback loop developers rely on. Buckley suggests developers must be transparent with players about update schedules and content to manage expectations.
"We’re going to become the new legend": Naoki Hamaguchi on making Final Fantasy 7 Revelation as if it's the last ever Final Fantasy 7 game
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi is approaching development as if it will be the last Final Fantasy 7 game, aiming to make it a new legend. He discussed the game's themes of diversity, noting how ahead of its time the original Final Fantasy 7 was in addressing these topics. The game is set to release on April 8th, 2027.
"We shouldn't have made it," says former Starfield lead, because something more than "Skyrim in space" was too much even for Bethesda
Former Starfield lead systems designer Kurt Kuhlmann stated that the game may have been too ambitious for Bethesda Game Studios, admitting "we shouldn't have made it." He cited the need for a large engine overhaul and insufficient team size to create the intended content, suggesting the scope was too wide even for Todd Howard's vision of a game that wasn't just "Skyrim in space."
Metroid Dread studio MercurySteam appears to confirm it's making Metroid Ravenous, addressing a lingering question from yesterday's Nintendo Direct
Spanish studio MercurySteam, known for Metroid Dread, has seemingly confirmed its involvement in the newly revealed Metroid Ravenous by sharing its trailer. This follows speculation due to MercurySteam's name not appearing in initial announcements. The studio also recently faced restructuring and layoffs after its original game, Blades of Fire, underperformed financially.
