Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Issues and Activism
This article discusses issues surrounding creator credit in game development, specifically questioning who should be acknowledged for the game 'Order of the Sinking Star' and its source material. It also touches on the recognition of game designers.
Santa Monica Confirms a New Kratos-Led God of War — But You’ll Have to Play Laufey First
Santa Monica Studio has confirmed that a new God of War game centered on Kratos is in development, and it will follow the events of God of War Laufey. Creative director Cory Barlog stated that the narrative of Laufey is crucial for understanding the subsequent Kratos-led title. While specific release dates, platforms, or footage were not revealed, the studio emphasized the interconnectedness of these upcoming games.
Former PlayStation head says the rise of AAA games shut down Japan Studio because Sony "wanted to drive hardware…
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida explained that Sony Interactive Entertainment closed Japan Studio in 2021 because its games did not drive console sales, unlike larger AAA titles. He encouraged support for former Japan Studio developers by playing their new games, Slitterhead and Ratatan. Yoshida also noted that while Japan Studio produced creative titles, their smaller scale made them less suitable for the shift towards AAA development on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
God of War Laufey Confirms it Will Release With a Disc
God of War Laufey has confirmed it will release with a physical disc, a move that deviates from Sony's recent trend of digital-only releases for first-party titles. The game, which follows Atreus' mother Laufey, is set to launch in 2027 exclusively for PlayStation 5. Santa Monica Studio has assured fans that stories focusing on Kratos will still be told.
Portal launches Nexus, the model-routing API powering its AI game-dev stack
Portal has launched Nexus, a unified API designed to streamline AI model routing for game development. Nexus directs prompts to specialized models for code, sprites, and audio, simplifying workflows by eliminating the need for individual vendor API keys. This release is the second of four products on Portal's 2.0 roadmap, following Portal Studio and preceding GameGen and GameHub.
Roadmaps and Plans
The article discusses roadmaps and plans for Guild Wars 3, referencing the 'Vaelwardens of the Orrian Golden Age' as a potential theme or expansion. Further details on specific plans are not provided.
Comings and Goings
A Bloomberg report details how a game studio was revitalized after being dropped by Amazon. The article suggests that this separation allowed the studio to find new direction and success.
Game and Mod Development
This article discusses how the current culture within the games industry may be stifling creativity and innovation in game development. It suggests that a prevailing 'culture of fear' discourages risk-taking and experimentation among developers.
Amazon Delays Tomb Raider: Catalyst, Now Launching 2028
Amazon has delayed the release of Tomb Raider: Catalyst to 2028 and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis to February 2027. The reasons for the delays were not specified.
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry,…
Industry professionals are calling for more creative courage in game development, citing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as examples of innovation. They argue that an excessive focus on de-risking and market research leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, and that the industry's fear of risk is its greatest threat. This discussion highlights the contrast between mid-sized AA budgets and the escalating costs of AAA development.
Nintendo added a bizarre "anti-brother romance failsafe" to NES Remix to stop Mario from getting too close…
Nintendo implemented an "anti-brother romance failsafe" in NES Remix, altering a scene between Mario and Luigi that would have otherwise displayed a heart graphic. This change, discovered by fans, appears to be a preemptive measure to prevent any perceived romantic implications between the brothers, even though the original scene was practically impossible to trigger in the game.
GTA 6 Trailer 3: Every Sign Points to a Drop Any Day Now | Gamedoper
Speculation is mounting that the third trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 could be released soon, potentially between late July and mid-August. Rockstar Games has a history of timing major announcements around Take-Two Interactive's earnings calls, with the next one scheduled for August 7. The game is set for a November 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst delayed to 2028
The upcoming game Tomb Raider: Catalyst has been delayed and is now slated for a 2028 release, according to Amazon Games chief Jeffrey Gattis. This delay comes amidst reports of significant layoffs at developer Crystal Dynamics, raising concerns about the studio's stability and its impact on ongoing projects.
Soulframe is finally looking like the fantasy RPG I know it can be
Digital Extremes' upcoming fantasy RPG, Soulframe, is showing significant improvements since its early pre-alpha state. The combat has become faster and more dynamic, with distinct identities for its Pacts, and the narrative presentation is more cohesive and engaging. The game now feels like a living world, with a unique storybook-esque style that draws lessons from Warframe's success.
Blizzard Employee Out Of A Job After Allegedly Helping Friends Cheat In WoW
A Blizzard Entertainment employee has been terminated after allegedly using developer tools to help friends cheat in a high-level Mythic+ dungeon run in World of Warcraft. The incident involved an in-game spell that instantly killed remaining enemies, which is not available to players. Blizzard confirmed the employee's dismissal and stated that while developer tools are used for urgent fixes, their misuse violates company policy.
Lara Croft can't catch a break: after delaying one Tomb Raider game, Amazon is delaying another and this one won't show up until 2028
Amazon has announced further delays for its Tomb Raider games, with Tomb Raider: Catalyst now slated for a 2028 release. The other title, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, has been pushed to February 2027. These delays come amidst other production issues, including the use of AI in development and a halt in filming for the live-action TV show.
Fallout 3 and New Vegas Remasters are a good start, but before Fallout 5 Bethesda could be doing so much more
The announcement of Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters highlights the long neglect of the Fallout series, with Fallout 5 not expected for many years. While new content for Fallout 76 and a potential Obsidian project are on the horizon, the article argues that Xbox and Bethesda could leverage other studios within their ecosystem to develop more Fallout titles and better manage the franchise's potential.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced "feet pics" barrage surprised the remake's director, but he says "that's kind of what photo mode is there for"
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced game director Richard Knight expressed surprise at the volume of 'feet pics' created by players using the game's photo mode, but acknowledged it aligns with the feature's purpose for creative expression. The game has also exceeded Ubisoft's sales expectations.
Americans will be getting up before dawn to watch this weekend’s Final Fantasy XIV fan festival in Berlin
Americans will need to wake up early this weekend to watch the Final Fantasy XIV fan festival in Berlin, with the keynote containing major announcements scheduled for 4:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday. Gameplay footage of Beastmaster will also be shown during a "Letter from the Producer" segment later that day. The game's team, including localization director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and global community producer Toshio Murouchi, will also be present at Otakon 2026 the following weekend.
After half a decade of job losses, there is no “business as usual” | Opinion
The article analyzes the persistent game industry layoffs over the past five years, highlighting the destruction of talent and the failure of current business models. It suggests that the industry's reliance on instability and contractor exploitation is unsustainable for both employees and studios, proposing a shift towards more stable, indie-inspired development and prototyping models.
