Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Roblox creator shares project with GTA 6 vibes that onlookers "can't believe" comes from Roblox:…
A Roblox developer's project, "Nightshift," is gaining attention for its high-fidelity graphics and gameplay that rivals AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. The game, built entirely within Roblox, features stunning supercars, advanced lighting, and detailed textures, with a focus on mobile playability. Players have expressed disbelief at the quality achievable on the platform.
Konami president Hideki Hayakawa believes AI 'won't bring a significant change' to gaming
Konami President Hideki Hayakawa stated that artificial intelligence will not significantly change the gaming industry, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human creativity. While acknowledging AI's potential for production efficiency, he believes people and creators are paramount to developing entertaining and innovative games. Konami supports its creators in safely adopting new technologies like AI.
Open-World Crime Game Samson Did Better On Console But Not Enough To Save Its Developer From Shutting Down
Swedish developer Liquid Swords, known for the crime game Samson, is shutting down due to bankruptcy. While the console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S performed better than the PC release, sales were not enough to save the studio. Founder Christofer Sundberg confirmed all 27 employees are being let go, though unpaid salaries will be covered by Swedish law. Sundberg expressed pride in the team's work and is discussing the future of Samson.
Trove answers questions about building, source code, and cheaters as it readies for Shadow’s Eve
Trove is preparing for its Shadow's Eve Halloween event, which will feature players helping lost souls against the villain Q’bthulu. The developers also addressed player questions, stating they will not release the source code due to security concerns, plan to improve build mode features by 2027, and are actively working to combat cheating with better detection and penalties.
Hideo Kojima Returns To Night City For Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2
Hideo Kojima will make a cameo appearance as Hideyoshi Oshima in the upcoming second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, premiering on Netflix on October 20. The article also mentions Kojima's involvement in Cyberpunk 2077, his game Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and upcoming Xbox projects OD and Physint.
Resident Evil 7 dev says a lot of the horror game's flaws were "vividly present" during development…
Former Capcom producer Miguel Corti stated that many of Resident Evil 7's flaws were evident during its development and were largely ignored. He explained that the game's direction was heavily influenced by the reception of Resident Evil 6 and a significant internal reorganization at Capcom, which led to a new team and a first-person perspective. Corti also noted that Resident Evil Village and its associated memes were crucial in establishing Resident Evil 7's reputation.
BeamNG.drive PS5 review – the best car crashes in gaming
BeamNG.drive offers an incredibly realistic driving and crash simulation experience on PlayStation 5, distinguishing itself from titles like Gran Turismo and Forza Horizon by meticulously modeling vehicle damage. Despite being in early access and lacking licensed cars, its detailed soft-body physics, engaging career mode, and unique side jobs make it a standout title. The game's commitment to realism extends to its intuitive driving model and the significant consequences of in-game damage.
Alice Ruppert on the Science and Art of Video Game Horses
Game developer Alice Ruppert discusses her passion for horses and how she has become an expert in accurately representing them in video games. Through her website Mane Quest and consulting work, she helps developers improve horse mechanics, anatomy, and emotional attachment in games, highlighting titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Shadow of the Colossus as good examples.
We've had two great Star Wars games this year, probably because Lucasfilm Games says it's now "more flexible" about who it takes pitches from
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to licensing Star Wars game development, moving away from exclusive deals with single publishers. This change allows independent studios like Fuse Games and Secret Mode to pitch ideas, leading to a more diverse range of games such as the recently released "Zero Company" and "Galactic Racer."
Star Wars Zero Company might be a little rough around the edges, but it's also the perfect example of smart game dev you can feel in the playing
Star Wars Zero Company is a heartfelt and smart turn-based tactics game that, despite some rough edges indicative of its development, shines through its engaging gameplay and earnest themes. Developed by Bit Reactor, the game offers a fresh take on the genre with a relaxed default difficulty and a compelling narrative set during the Clone Wars era, blending light entertainment with deeper introspection.
Lord of the Rings Online goes on a media blitz for its upcoming Wolves of Mordor expansion
Standing Stone Games is preparing for the upcoming release of The Lord of the Rings Online: The Wolves of Mordor on October 28th. Recent developer livestreams have detailed progress on the Bullroarer test, adjustments to the survival instincts system, and teased future content for 2027, including legendary servers and 20th-anniversary celebrations. Previews of new zones like Nan Ogel and solo instances have also been released.
GTA-Like PS5 Action Game at Risk of Delisting as Dev Goes Under
The PlayStation 5 action-adventure game Samson is at risk of being delisted from the PlayStation Store due to its developer, Liquid Swords, filing for bankruptcy. Founded by Christofer Sundberg, the studio has reportedly not paid employees for months, and a bankruptcy trustee is now involved. The future of the game's intellectual property depends on whether a buyer can be found for Liquid Swords.
30-year-old Super Mario 64 mystery has finally been solved by obsessive fan
A 30-year-old mystery surrounding the in-game text on a fountain in Super Mario 64 has reportedly been solved by a fan using a custom program. The message, previously speculated to be 'L is real 2401', is now claimed to read 'Eternal Star, We hope so.' This discovery potentially debunks the long-held fan theory about a playable Luigi.
No publishers wanted Outlast because they'd 'rather invest $50,000 in 10 mobile games' so Red Barrels relied on public investment programs and their own savings instead
Developer Red Barrels faced significant challenges securing publishers for its debut horror title, Outlast, with many preferring to invest in mobile games. The studio, co-founded by Philippe Morin, ultimately relied on public funding from the Canada Media Fund and personal savings to develop and release the game, which went on to sell millions of copies and spawn successful sequels.
New ‘more flexible’ Star Wars games to be released after Galactic Racer success
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to partnerships, seeking out smaller studios for unique Star Wars titles alongside major AAA releases. Recent successes like Galactic Racer and Zero Company have validated this strategy, encouraging the company to explore diverse genres and pitches from a wider range of developers.
Xbox business manager says devs not using AI shouldn't "be in the business of being a business" – because he "vibe coded a bad but improvable game in 2 days"
Xbox business manager Brandon Stirrup stated that game developers not using generative AI should reconsider their business. Stirrup claims he created an improvable game in two days using 'vibe coding' and believes AI is essential for future development, asserting that studios refusing AI are not truly in the business of being a business. The article counters this by highlighting successful games like Palworld that did not heavily rely on AI.
GDCA 2027 moves away from nominations-based system, publishers and devs can now submit games for consideration
The 2027 Game Developers Choice Awards will move away from its nomination-based system to allow publishers and developers to directly submit games for consideration. Games released on PC or console in 2026 are eligible, with no entry fees and a November 1, 2026 deadline. New award categories for Best Game Launch and Best Gaming Tech have also been introduced.
New Croatian conference Splitscreen wants to keep "that half-holiday, half-work feeling" of Reboot Develop
A new Croatian game development conference called Splitscreen is launching in Split, aiming to capture the spirit of the recently defunct Reboot Develop. The event, scheduled for April 20-22, 2027, will feature an international audience, a seafront venue, and a focus on social interaction over formal networking apps, seeking to blend work and leisure.
Samson studio Liquid Swords files for bankruptcy, staff reportedly unpaid for two months
Swedish developer Liquid Swords has filed for bankruptcy after its 27 employees reportedly went unpaid for two months. The studio's debut title, Samson, sold over 150,000 copies and generated $2.4 million in revenue. A preliminary bidding document has been released for potential buyers of the company's assets, including intellectual property rights.
UKIE partners with Sheridans on AI Compliance and Accreditation Service to guide UK studios in using AI lawfully and responsibly
UKIE has partnered with law firm Sheridans to launch an AI Compliance and Accreditation Service for UK game studios. This four-step program aims to guide developers in using AI lawfully and responsibly, culminating in an AI Certification Mark for use in pitches and funding rounds. The service addresses concerns about legal and commercial risks associated with AI tools.
