Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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GTA 6 news coming in August, leaker says, as more evidence points to the game's official website getting a backend update
Industry insider NateTheHate suggests that August will bring significant news regarding Grand Theft Auto 6, stating that Rockstar is adhering to its marketing plan. Recent updates to the game's official website backend have also fueled speculation about an upcoming announcement, though these may be performance-related. Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for release on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Pragmata devs almost gave Diana a bob cut to save on the time and money it would take to animate her hair
Developers for Capcom's Pragmata considered giving the character Diana a bob cut to reduce the significant time and cost associated with animating her long hair. Despite the animation challenges, the team ultimately decided to keep her original hairstyle, believing it suited her personality. The game has been a commercial success, selling over 2.5 million copies and increasing the likelihood of a sequel.
A new Path of Exile 2 patch finally fixes the frustrating freezes that have plagued players since day one
Grinding Gear Games has released a patch for Path of Exile 2 that, in conjunction with a new Nvidia driver, aims to resolve persistent crashes and freezes related to shader loading. Game Director Jonathan Rogers explained that the issue, which primarily affected Nvidia users on newer drivers, took over a year and a half to diagnose and fix due to difficulties in reproduction and initial lack of support from Nvidia.
Xbox lost $1,700,00000 this year but execs think all will be fine by June 2027
Microsoft's Xbox division reported a 7% decrease in revenue for fiscal year 2026, amounting to $1.7 billion, with console hardware sales down 29%. Despite these figures, executives Asha Sharma and Satya Nadella expressed confidence that the business will return to growth by fiscal year 2027, citing upcoming exclusive titles and investments in player value.
Square Enix can't confirm a Final Fantasy 7 Revelation physical disc, but at least game director Hamaguchi is pushing for one
Square Enix has not yet confirmed if Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, set for a spring 2027 release, will have a physical disc edition, though game director Naoki Hamaguchi is advocating for one. Discussions are ongoing regarding the product lineup, with Hamaguchi hoping to offer a physical version similar to the multi-disc releases of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Capcom Reveal Why Video Game Remakes Aren't Going Away
Capcom's Masachika Kawata explained that video game remakes help the company maintain a consistent release schedule for franchises like Resident Evil and provide financial resources for new IPs. This strategy allows developers to hone their skills while leveraging existing assets, reducing the time and resources needed for story and world-building compared to entirely new titles.
Games Inbox: Are user reviews for video games reliable?
Readers discuss the reliability of user reviews for video games, with many expressing skepticism due to fanboyism and review bombing, favoring curated professional reviews or Steam's larger user base. The letters also touch on game release schedules, the evolution of game development timelines, the importance of modern-day storytelling in the Assassin's Creed series, and the business practices of companies like EA.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director is “Working” to Have “Some Kind of Physical Edition”
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi is working to ensure a physical edition of the game is released, despite the industry's shift towards digital distribution and Sony's planned end to PlayStation disc production in 2028. Hamaguchi expressed a desire to preserve the culture of collecting physical media for autographs and special editions, even if future releases might include a code instead of a disc. The game is slated for simultaneous release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Last Sentinel Sees Shift in “Creative and Development Direction” as Lightspeed LA Faces Layoffs
Lightspeed LA has announced a shift in the creative and development direction for its game Last Sentinel following internal reviews, leading to layoffs affecting approximately 80 employees. The studio, owned by Tencent, stated that North America remains a cornerstone of its global gaming strategy and its long-term commitment is unchanged.
Indie MMORPG Embers Adrift has a content-light but optimized update for players
The latest update for the indie MMORPG Embers Adrift focuses on performance optimization rather than new content. This update includes changes like removing obsolete shaders and reducing mesh complexity for grass, primarily benefiting players on lower-end hardware. While light on new gameplay, the developers are proud of the work done to improve the game's performance.
Bungie will keep Marathon’s Vault Breaker PvE mode online
Bungie has announced that the experimental PvE mode 'Vault Breaker' for their extraction shooter Marathon will remain online until August 18th, extending beyond its original July 21st to August 4th window. This decision comes after positive player engagement and feedback, with the mode offering a glimpse into Marathon's PvE future and allowing players to explore the Cryo Archive map.
Pantheon Rise of the Fallen begins testing the new level 50 cap, wipes the test server again
Visionary Realms is testing a new level 50 cap for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, which will involve another server wipe for early access testers. The update also includes partial implementation of the Enchanter Mastery and bug fixes for Wizard and Druid abilities. The studio plans to roll out remaining class masteries for testing after Enchanter is completed.
Pragmata developers considered changing Diana’s hairstyle to reduce costs, could have been a bob cut
Capcom developers Kenji Irie and Serina Ohara revealed that Pragmata's character Diana's iconic long hairstyle was almost changed to a bob cut to reduce development costs. The team ultimately decided against the change, believing the long hair was crucial for conveying a sense of life and keeping visuals interesting. Pragmata is available on Nintendo Switch 2.
WoW Classic's latest patch is terrorizing hardcore players with bugged piles of underground enemies, and it's likely due to a decades-old quirk of Blizzard programming
A recent patch for World of Warcraft Classic has introduced a bug causing large numbers of enemies to spawn underground in the Stonetalon Mountains, posing a significant threat to players, especially hardcore characters. This issue is believed to stem from a decades-old programming quirk related to how the game handles NPC positioning, potentially causing entities to default to the region's origin point (0,0,0) when their location is lost.
Pragmata 2 likelihood is 'high' says Capcom as game exceeds expectations
Capcom has indicated a high likelihood of a sequel for its new IP, Pragmata, following strong sales that exceeded internal expectations. The game has sold over 2.5 million copies since its April release. While a sequel is considered probable, its release is not expected until at least 2030 due to ongoing development priorities for other major franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry.
Yoshi-P: "Remakes av Final Fantasy VI, VIII och IX hade krävt 4–5 spel styck"
Naoki Yoshida, also known as Yoshi-P, stated that remakes of Final Fantasy VI, VIII, and IX would be massive undertakings, potentially requiring four to five installments each, similar to the Final Fantasy VII Remake. He clarified that while he loves Final Fantasy VI, current speculation about a remake is unfounded due to the sheer scale of such a project.
Roblox was for kids. Its future belongs to all of us.
Roblox is evolving beyond its initial perception as a children's platform, becoming a versatile space for diverse game development and experiences. Developers highlight its accessibility across multiple devices and its ability to foster niche genres, attracting a broader audience including adults. The platform's future hinges on balancing creative freedom with robust online safety measures.
Perfect Ten: MMORPGs whose fans I feel sorry for
This opinion piece discusses ten MMORPGs whose fans are felt to be underserved or unfairly treated due to various issues like poor publishing deals, legal troubles, corporate decisions, or a perceived lack of developer care. Games like Fractured Online, Ashes of Creation, The Elder Scrolls Online, and New World are highlighted for their fanbases facing significant challenges.
KRAFTON: Subnautica 2 a "Franchise IP;" Five Games by Next Year
KRAFTON has announced that Subnautica 2 is considered a "Franchise IP" and plans to release five games by next year. The company reported record second quarter revenue and operating profit for 2026.
Rumor Mill
Insider Gaming reports that a new ambitious Far Cry game is in development at Ubisoft. Separately, MP1st suggests that Assassin's Creed Hexe could be released in late 2027. Both pieces of information are based on insider leaks and rumors.