Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Dying Light: The Beast for PS4 and Xbox One Canceled After Dev Accepts 'The Technical Realities of Development'
Techland has canceled the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Dying Light: The Beast due to the technical realities of development. The studio cited these challenges as the reason for the discontinuation of the planned content for the older console generation.
Xbox fans use its own feedback forum to call out Microsoft’s business and layoff decisions
Xbox gamers are voicing their strong disapproval of Microsoft's recent business decisions and significant layoffs through the platform's official feedback forums. A popular thread criticizes the dismissal of thousands of workers, the closure of studios, and the cancellation of games, proposing a reset that includes revoking ambitious player count goals and re-evaluating executive bonuses.
Compulsion Games seeks new partnerships following spin-out from from Xbox
Compulsion Games has announced its return to independent development after being spun out from Xbox. The studio, known for South of Midnight, is now seeking new partnerships to leverage its team's talent and creativity. Compulsion Games retains the rights to its previous titles, including Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight.
How The Coalition and NVIDIA are Building Gears of War: E-Day for PC
The Coalition and NVIDIA are partnering to enhance the PC version of Gears of War: E-Day, built on Unreal Engine 5 and DirectX 12. The collaboration will integrate NVIDIA's GeForce RTX technologies, including ray tracing, DLSS 4.5 with Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and Super Resolution, and Reflex for improved performance and visual fidelity. The game will also support AMD FSR, Unreal Engine TSR, Intel XeSS, and Advanced Shader Delivery for broad hardware optimization and reduced load times.
Unreal Engine 6 to Launch at the End of 2027
Epic Games has announced that Unreal Engine 6 is slated for an early release around November 2027, with a stable version expected by late 2028. The new engine will introduce Verse as its core programming language, phasing out C++ and Blueprints, and will integrate AI models like Gemini and Claude to enhance developer creativity and streamline tasks.
A delayed next generation of consoles is "better for us", says The Blood of Dawnwalker director, as price rises continue to plague the industry
Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Blood of Dawnwalker, believes a delayed next-generation console launch would benefit developers like Rebel Wolves due to current component shortages and rising prices. He highlights the increased complexity and cost of developing for new hardware, suggesting that focusing on current-generation consoles is more manageable. The game is set to release on September 3rd for current-gen platforms, with future installments potentially targeting next-gen hardware.
Gran Velocita – Real Driving Goes PC
The Steam page for the PC version of the racing simulator Gran Velocita – Real Driving is now live, allowing players to wishlist the game. The simulator focuses on authentic vehicle handling, setup customization, and competitive online racing across various car classes. Development for the PC version is ongoing, with more updates to be shared.
The Daily Grind: What’s the most important thing an MMORPG can do in its first month?
This article discusses the crucial actions MMORPGs should prioritize in their first month post-launch, focusing on developer communication, player feedback integration, and strategic roadmaps. It emphasizes the importance of substantive communication over mere noise and warns against drastic, potentially disruptive balance changes.
Obsidian: "Vi har fortfarande samma dna som vid New Vegas och KOTOR"
Obsidian Entertainment's Brandon Adler addressed criticism regarding the studio's current identity, stating that despite recent layoffs and shifts in project focus, the core 'DNA' remains the same as when they developed games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Fallout: New Vegas. He emphasized that many lead developers are still the same individuals who worked on previous acclaimed titles.
Former Rockstar producer jokes he's 'pretty happy' he's not working on GTA 6 because of how 'monstrous' it seems — 'Every single time they do a GTA, it's like ludicrously bigger than before'
Former Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio believes Grand Theft Auto 6 will be 'monstrous' in scale, noting the developer's tendency to make each installment significantly larger than the last. He expressed relief at not working on the project due to its ambitious scope and the demanding development process, while still acknowledging the rewarding nature of creating highly anticipated games.
Users flock to Xbox Player Voice portal to ask for an end to cycle of layoffs
Following recent layoffs and studio closures at Xbox, users are flocking to the Xbox Player Voice portal to express their frustration. The top trending thread calls for an end to studio closures and layoffs, with users citing leadership failures and corporate greed. Former id Software developer Johnmichael Quinlan also shared his experience of being laid off despite successful project delivery.
As Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's underwater levels draw praise, dev says those responsible are "being fired right now because Ubisoft thinks that's what we deserve"
A developer from Ubisoft Barcelona has spoken out against the studio's planned layoffs, highlighting the critical success of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which featured praised underwater levels developed by the very team facing termination. The developers are striking to protest the decision and demand job security, while Ubisoft plans for a quiet period before a more active release schedule.
Sorry, You’re (Probably) Never Going To Get Another Need For Speed Game
Rebecka Coutaz, general manager of Battlefield Studios Europe, has stated that Criterion Games is now solely focused on the Battlefield franchise, effectively ending the development of new Need for Speed and Burnout titles. Criterion, which previously developed several Need for Speed and Burnout games, will leverage its expertise in creating intense player experiences for Battlefield. This shift means fans are unlikely to see new installments in the beloved racing series anytime soon.
Kingdom Hearts 4 updates could be coming soon as series "deep dive" is confirmed for D23, 2 months after Square Enix's surprise new trailer
Kingdom Hearts 4 is set to receive a "Deep Dive" showcase at the upcoming D23 event, celebrating the franchise's 25th anniversary. While the event will likely focus on the series' history and collaboration between Disney and Square Enix, a new trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 was recently released, though a release window is not expected soon.
id Software producer says 'you'll never get another WoW or Morrowind in the current climate' in the wake…
id Software producer Andrew Willis believes the current climate prevents the creation of long-lasting franchises like World of Warcraft or Morrowind, attributing this to large publishers and a lack of understanding from executives. He advocates for developer-owned studios as the path forward for sustainable growth and artistic integrity in the gaming industry, contrasting this with Xbox's stated goals of returning to growth through further layoffs.
How Evil Trout aims to turn a cult free game into a Steam hit - again
Indie studio Evil Trout Inc is releasing its second game, The Incident At Galley House, a remake of the free detective game Type Help. This follows their previous success with The Roottrees Are Dead, also a remake of a free Itch.io title. Studio founder Robin Ward aims to turn cult free games into successful Steam releases, with the latest project featuring voice acting and a new interface designed for Steam Deck and consoles.
Days after leaving Xbox, South of Midnight developer Compulsion Games broadcasts that it's looking for work
Following its separation from Microsoft's Xbox division due to layoffs, Compulsion Games is actively seeking new collaboration opportunities with other studios. The developer of South of Midnight and We Happy Few aims to leverage its award-winning talent to support external projects while retaining ownership of its existing IPs.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Developers in Barcelona Are Being Laid Off as Ubisoft Celebrates Game's Success
Ubisoft Barcelona developers who worked on Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag are reportedly being laid off, despite the game's commercial success selling 2 million copies shortly after launch. This news comes as the company celebrates the game's achievements.
Global Game Jam and World Food Program USA Partner for Online Jam to Support Venezuela Earthquake Relief
Global Game Jam and World Food Program USA are partnering for a virtual game jam called "Juntos: Game Jam for Venezuela Earthquake Relief" from July 24-26. The event aims to raise funds and awareness for the World Food Programme's relief efforts in Venezuela following recent earthquakes. Participation is free, with donations being voluntary and directly supporting humanitarian aid.
Kingdom Hearts will have a big presence at a Disney fan event next month, but you probably shouldn't get too excited about Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts will be featured at the upcoming D23 Disney fan event, focusing on the series' history rather than new reveals for Kingdom Hearts 4. While a trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 was recently shown, featuring gameplay and confirming its release on the Nintendo Switch 2, the D23 event will feature a 'deep dive' into the franchise's past with "creative minds" and "character voices."
