Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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What sense can we make of the madness at id Software?
id Software, known for Doom and Quake, has laid off 136 employees, over half its workforce, amidst broader industry cuts at Microsoft. Conflicting reports suggest the studio is starting a new Doom game and its id-tech engine remains active, despite fears of it becoming a support studio. The article analyzes the potential reasons behind these drastic layoffs, including project phasing and cost-cutting, while also questioning Microsoft's strategy and the impact on team morale and institutional experience.
"Built for that world doesn't mean built to require it": Unity reveal their next game engine while walking a careful line around generative AI
Unity has announced Unity 7, the next iteration of its game engine, promising smoother project transitions from Unity 6 and a more open approach to collaboration. While incorporating generative AI features, Unity is emphasizing that these are optional. The engine will adopt CoreCLR as its default scripting backend for faster performance and introduce a new global illumination system. Unity 7 is set for an early beta in December 2026 and a full release in early 2027, aiming to rebuild developer trust after past pricing controversies.
Edge of Memories developer Midgar Studio is being liquidated
A French court has ordered the liquidation of Edge of Memories developer Midgar Studio, following an insolvency filing by its owner, Nacon. Despite efforts to find a buyer, no deal could be completed in time. Nacon and other subsidiaries like Spiders, Kylotonn, and Cyanide also filed for insolvency earlier this year due to financial issues with their parent company, Bigben Group.
Comings and Goings
Hugo Martin, director of Doom, has denied reports that id Software has undergone significant staff departures. However, current and former employees reportedly disagree with his optimistic assessment of the studio's situation.
“Current and Former” Employees Disagree With DOOM Co-Director’s About id’s Current State
Current and former id Software employees have disputed co-director Hugo Martin's claims that the studio was not significantly impacted by recent Xbox layoffs. Developers expressed that approximately 50% of the workforce was cut, leading to a feeling that their contributions were undervalued and that the team has been 'nerfed'. The article also touches on past development challenges, including significant crunch and turnover during the creation of DOOM (2016).
Ghost Recon Announcement Confirmed for August 6th: “Intel Coming Soon”
Ubisoft has confirmed an announcement for August 6th to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ghost Recon franchise. While "leaks" suggest a "Definitive Edition" of Ghost Recon Wildlands with 4K and 60 FPS support for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, and a new "Last Rites" mission, Ubisoft also hinted at potential news regarding a new, darker tactical shooter codenamed "Ovr" inspired by Ready or Not.
Sci-fi multiplayer sim Starship Simulator says it’s using AI dev tools to increase productivity
Fleetyard Studios, the developer of Starship Simulator, has confirmed its use of AI development tools to enhance productivity and bridge the gap with larger studios. Lead developer Dan Govier stated that AI is primarily used as a productivity tool, with plans for placeholder AI-generated assets and potential in-game LLM for NPC interactions. The studio is exclusively using Anthropic's models due to their reported lower environmental impact.
Kingdom Hearts made assembling Final Fantasy 10's dev team "difficult" after Tetsuya Nomura and other JRPG veterans were assigned to the Disney crossover, lead says
Final Fantasy 10 producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed that assembling the development team for the game was challenging due to the concurrent development of Kingdom Hearts, which involved key staff like Tetsuya Nomura. Nomura, who was the director of Kingdom Hearts, also served as character designer for Final Fantasy 10, leading to divided attention and the need to bring in new talent or promote existing staff for core development roles.
It’s A Bad Time To Be A New Fallout Fan, But Things Are Looking Up
Bethesda has announced that four Fallout games are currently in production, including Fallout 5 in pre-production and remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. Additionally, Obsidian is developing a new Fallout title. This news aims to capitalize on the popularity of the Fallout television show and provide new and modernized experiences for fans.
GTA 6 probably won't include any cut content, says GTA 5 producer, even though Rockstar snuck "unannounced" game's missions into GTA 4
Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio stated that Grand Theft Auto 6 is unlikely to include cut content from previous titles, although the developer has done so in the past, such as incorporating missions from an unannounced game into Grand Theft Auto 4. Ricchio explained that the reuse of assets depends heavily on technological similarities between games, but ideas are rarely the limiting factor in development.
Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 fans might dread the return of Creation Engine, but New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer once called it "incredibly easy" to work with, even if it is "buggy and unstable"
New Vegas lead Josh Sawyer described Bethesda's Creation Engine as "incredibly easy" to work with, despite its known issues with bugs and instability. His past comments resurfaced amid fan concerns about the engine's use for The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5, suggesting it could facilitate faster development cycles.
"LawBreakers tripped so Concord could faceplant": Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski looks back on his career so far and struggle with alcoholism
Former Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski discusses his struggles with alcoholism, which impacted his career and led to the failure of his studio Boss Key Productions and the game LawBreakers. Now sober for four months, Bleszinski is considering a return to game development, focusing on PvE experiences rather than PvP.
Tides Of Annihilation Loses Expedition 33 Voice Actor Jennifer English
Eclipse Glow Games announced that Jennifer English will no longer voice the protagonist Gwendolyn in Tides of Annihilation due to personal health reasons. While English has stepped down from the role, she will remain involved in an advisory capacity and has helped recommend a new voice actor. The game is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Turns out Todd Howard is a full-time Reddit lurker just like the rest of us, says we'd 'be surprised how many…
Bethesda's executive producer Todd Howard revealed he frequently browses Reddit, stating that many developers do and that he receives numerous ideas from the platform. Howard made his second public comment on Reddit in three years to address the company's ongoing projects following recent layoffs at parent company Xbox. He emphasized that the team is listening to community feedback.
Canceled Kingdom Hearts spin-off's intro apparently leaks online and not even veteran fans understand what's going on: "Why does it look like Pacific Rim but with Keyblades"
The opening cinematic for the canceled mobile game Kingdom Hearts: Missing-Link has reportedly leaked online, featuring a large-scale battle and narrative elements that some fans find confusing and unlike the game's previously described steampunk aesthetic. The footage's grand scale has led to speculation that parts of it may be repurposed for Kingdom Hearts 4.
Wisdom of Nym: Bold predictions for Final Fantasy XIV’s second fan festival
This opinion piece makes predictions for the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV fan festival, anticipating the reveal of a new tank job, sharing of area names including the first city, a preview of the refined activity window, and the reveal of the normal raid. The author acknowledges that many details remain unknown but expresses excitement for the surprises to come.
After Doom director Hugo Martin denied reports that id Software had been gutted, "current and former employees" are disagreeing with his optimism
Current and former employees of id Software are disputing director Hugo Martin's optimistic statements following recent layoffs at the studio. Sources claim that a significant portion of the Doom (2016) development team was let go, contradicting Martin's assertion that the studio was not "gutted." These employees expressed disappointment, feeling their contributions were undervalued, and highlighted past struggles like the development of Doom 4 as evidence of the studio's fragility.
"I'm not a creative. I like spreadsheets" – The low-profile team that powers Marathon, Subnautica 2, NBA 2K, and more
Wolfjaw Studios, founded by Mitch Patterson, specializes in providing essential backend infrastructure and co-development services to major game studios, rather than developing original titles. The Troy, New York-based company has worked on franchises like Destiny 2, Marathon, NBA 2K, and Subnautica, focusing on the 'boring but essential' aspects of game development that creatives often avoid. Patterson emphasizes their stability, long-term client relationships, and their goal to make game development more accessible with manageable budgets.
The Next Game Of Thrones Game Has Been Delayed
The real-time strategy game Game of Thrones: War for Westeros has been delayed from its original 2026 release to early 2027. Developer Playside stated the delay is to ensure the game meets quality expectations for both RTS players and Game of Thrones fans. The game will allow players to control legendary Houses or the Night King in an effort to conquer the Seven Kingdoms.
Todd Howard considered retirement before being inspired by Bethesda devs working on RPGs like Fallout 5 and Elder…
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard has stated he is no longer considering retirement, inspired by the continued work of his colleagues. Howard, who has been with Bethesda since 1994 and directed major titles like The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, expressed his love for his job and the people he works with. He anticipates continuing his work on upcoming titles such as The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5.
