Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: 'The through line from KotOR2 to…
Obsidian Entertainment game director Brandon Adler has refuted claims that the studio has lost its original talent and identity. He stated that many key personnel remain from the development of games like Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Fallout: New Vegas, asserting that the studio's core DNA is unchanged despite recent layoffs and restructuring within Xbox.
Former PlayStation Executive Says Single-Player, Narrative-Driven Games “Sustain” the Business
Former Sony Interactive Entertainment America president Shawn Layden believes that single-player, narrative-driven games are essential for sustaining the gaming business. He argues that these immersive experiences are more fundamental to the industry's success than multiplayer-focused titles. Layden highlighted upcoming PlayStation titles like Marvel's Wolverine, God of War Laufey, and Intergalactic as examples of this continued investment.
New Doom Title in “The Early Stages,” Despite Extensive Layoffs at id Software – Rumor
Despite significant layoffs at id Software, reports suggest the studio is in the early stages of developing a new Doom game. While some outlets claimed the studio was reduced to a support role, id Software has confirmed it remains roughly the same size as when it developed Doom (2016). The future direction of the new title remains speculative, with possibilities ranging from continuing the Slayer's story to returning to an old-school Doom experience.
Blizzard Has “Tons of New Projects” in Development, Including “New Stuff” for Diablo – Rumor
According to a Bloomberg report, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous new projects in development, including new content for Diablo and a rumored StarCraft shooter, despite ongoing layoffs within Xbox. While Diablo 4 is considered a successful game, the uncertain work environment is highlighted. Potential announcements for these projects may occur at BlizzCon.
Digital Extremes reveals Warframe's future in a stunning look at what awaits us on Tau
Digital Extremes revealed future content for Warframe at TennoCon 2026, including the 'Tau' expansion set to launch later this year. This expansion will introduce a new system, a noir-themed quest in the Fornax location, a new Warframe voiced by Matt Mercer, and a card-based mini-game called Portau. Additionally, an update called 'Iceblade of Narin' is planned for Fall, featuring a new ice-based Warframe and a rework for Banshee.
Roadmaps and Plans
A preview of Torchlight: Infinite's upcoming season reveals new content including a "Selena 2" character, an "Ultimate Legendary" item, and an "Afterlight Mechanic." Separately, it's reported that Ryse: Son of Rome was originally planned to be Xbox's answer to Assassin's Creed.
Quoteworthy
An Obsidian Entertainment game director has responded to public commentary suggesting the studio is not what it used to be. The director expressed frustration with these public perceptions of the studio's current state.
Saturday Postmortems/Retrospectives
An article discusses original plans for Ryse: Son of Rome to be Microsoft's answer to Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise. The game, developed by Crytek, was intended to be a flagship title for the Xbox One.
Koei Tecmo talks Pokemon Pokopia, wanted to make the best-selling Pokemon spin-off
Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma discussed the success of Pokemon Pokopia, revealing the company aimed to make it the best-selling spin-off. Despite initial low expectations, positive media reception led to strong sales, with over four million copies sold in the first five weeks. This success builds on Koei Tecmo's experience with crafting elements in games like Dragon Quest Builders 2.
Famously buggy Assassin's Creed Unity "is one of the most underestimated games in the series," says lead who admits its "launch was a huge challenge"
Ubisoft veteran Jean Guesdon reflects on the challenging launch of Assassin's Creed Unity, admitting that the game may have pushed too many new technologies at once. Despite its buggy release, Guesdon considers Unity one of the series' most underestimated titles, highlighting its ambitious features like 1:1 scale, integrated multiplayer, and new parkour system.
College Football 27 to remove microtransactions after player backlash, though EA maintains they were only added to…
Electronic Arts has announced the removal of all paid progression options from the Road to Glory and Online Dynasty modes in EA Sports College Football following significant player backlash. The company acknowledged that the introduction of these microtransactions missed the mark and did not provide the intended value. EA also stated that future live service plans for College Football 28 and beyond will focus on greater transparency and communication.
id Software insists in new statement that it still has "the crew we need to build the games and tech we're known for"
id Software has issued a statement assuring players that despite recent layoffs impacting some teams, the studio retains the necessary talent to create its signature games and technology. The company emphasized that its current team size is comparable to when Doom (2016) was developed and that it remains committed to its flat studio philosophy. This comes in the wake of Microsoft's broader layoffs within its Xbox division, which also affected studios like Obsidian Entertainment, leading to project cancellations and a shift in focus to the Fallout franchise.
The Elder Scrolls Online's developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years
Microsoft's recent layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, impacting an estimated 60% of the workforce, are criticized as cruel and short-sighted. Despite The Elder Scrolls Online's profitability and a recent positive shift in player sentiment and development strategy, the studio has faced significant workforce reductions, including the cancellation of the long-in-development Project Blackbird. This analysis argues that these cuts jeopardize the future of the MMO and the Elder Scrolls franchise's presence in the gaming landscape.
Elder Scrolls Online devs say the team is now the size it was in the 2015-2018 era
Following recent layoffs, ZeniMax Online Studios staff have indicated that the development team for The Elder Scrolls Online is now comparable in size to its teams during the development of the acclaimed Wrothgar and Summerset expansions. This suggests a continued path for new content rather than a shift to maintenance mode, despite the difficult circumstances for those impacted.
Star Citizen's next update will switch focus to fixing its bug-riddled previous update, with bigger changes shunted…
Cloud Imperium Games has shifted the focus of Star Citizen's next update, Alpha 4.9, to address numerous bugs introduced in the previous Alpha 4.8.0 update. This decision means that some planned new features, including the Siege of Orison event, will be delayed to Alpha 4.10, scheduled for mid-August, to prioritize core gameplay system stability and quality of life improvements.
Obsidian game director reacts to people "spouting off" about the studio and how it's not what it "used to be"
Obsidian Entertainment director Brandon Adler defended the studio's current identity amidst recent layoffs and external criticism. He emphasized that the core team and creative DNA remain consistent with the studio's history, despite changes and project shifts, including a new Fallout game.
Something for the Weekend – 11/07/26
This week's news includes Microsoft confirming significant layoffs affecting multiple studios, Palworld's 1.0 launch with a large patch, and matchmaking issues for Black Ops players on PlayStation 4 and 5. God of War Laufey is slated for a 2027 release, and a petition to save physical games has garnered over 285,000 signatures.
id Software gives statement after layoffs with a positive outlook for its future
id Software has issued a statement following recent layoffs, emphasizing a positive outlook for its future in game and technology development, as well as hosting QuakeCon. The studio's current team size is comparable to when they developed Doom (2016), and they maintain a flat studio structure. Reports regarding the id Tech team's status have been clarified by Microsoft, confirming multiple individuals are working on the technology across various locations.
The Minecraft Movie votes are in and, despite controversy, everyone's a winner
Mojang Studios announced the winner of the community build competition for A Minecraft Movie Squared, with Francisco C.M.'s 'Lightning Rod Lighthouse' selected to appear in the film. Despite a rule violation disqualifying the 'Tree Village' build, Mojang decided to include all finalists, including the 'Copper Badlands Castle' and 'Tranquil Taiga Tower,' to showcase community creativity. The movie is set to release on July 23, 2027.
After Space Marine 2 'literally changed everything', Saber Interactive has been inundated with offers from major licenses: 'We are in a very fortunate position to turn down more than we can accept'
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's success has significantly boosted the studio's reputation and led to numerous offers from major license holders. The company is now in a strong position to selectively choose future projects, aiming to leverage existing fanbases for safer bets like Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival.
