Game Development
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Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: "Games need to succeed, not just be beloved"
Id Software co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness over recent layoffs affecting over half of the studio's workforce, attributing the cuts to increasing business pressures rather than executive malice. He reflected on the need for games to be commercially successful, not just critically acclaimed, to ensure long-term production, and pondered potential design or marketing changes that could have improved Id's financial standing.
The Palworld 1.0 patch notes are monstrous: 72 new Pals, level cap of 85, rebalanced combat, a reworked story, world…
Pocketpair has released the massive 1.0 update for Palworld, marking its exit from early access. The update introduces 72 new Pals, raises the level cap to 85, rebalances combat, and overhauls the game's story with new areas and a revealed mystery surrounding the World Tree. The developer also confirmed that the game's price will not increase.
Elder Scrolls 6 faces delays as Microsoft lays off people that were making it
Bethesda Game Studios employees are concerned that The Elder Scrolls 6 may face significant delays following recent layoffs impacting over 50 staff members, including a 27-year veteran. These cuts, part of broader Xbox layoffs, have raised fears about project timelines, potential reliance on contract labor, and a decline in studio morale, especially after the reception of Starfield.
"We are the best allies to game devs": Skyrim modder shows solidarity with laid off Bethesda workers by draping union logos across Tamriel
A Skyrim modder named Elianora has created a mod called 'United Front' to show solidarity with recently laid-off Bethesda workers. The mod adds union logos to shields and banners within the game, encouraging players to raise awareness for the 'Save Our Devs March' organized by the OneBGS union. This action aims to send a message to Microsoft regarding the recent layoffs affecting Bethesda and other Xbox-owned studios.
Former MindsEye Studio Employees to Protest “All-Expenses-Paid Playtest Day”
Former employees of Build a Rocket Boy are planning a protest outside the studio's Edinburgh office regarding an "all-expenses-paid playtest day" for their Arcadia platform, occurring shortly after significant layoffs. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is organizing the protest, which aims to highlight the studio's decision to host a community event despite recent staff reductions.
Palworld Nears 500,000 Concurrent Steam Players After Exiting Early Access
Palworld has officially launched its 1.0 version, exiting early access on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game has achieved over 485,000 concurrent players on Steam, with Pocketpair confirming over 40 million players total and maintaining the $29.99 price point. While future development is confirmed, a major update akin to No Man's Sky is unlikely due to engine limitations.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, Marvel’s Wolverine, God of War Laufey Panels Announced for Comic-Con
Sony will host panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 for three upcoming games: Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, Marvel's Wolverine, and God of War Laufey. The panels will reveal new details, behind-the-scenes looks, and potentially new trailers for the PlayStation 5 exclusive titles. Marvel's Wolverine is set to release on September 15th, while Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will launch on August 6th for PC and PlayStation 5.
Outward 2 Interview – Beta Feedback, Immersion Through Friction, Gameplay Systems, And More
Nine Dots Studios CEO Guillaume Boucher-Vidal discusses the delay of Outward 2 to 2027, citing crucial feedback from beta testing regarding stability, optimization, and game balance. The extended development aims to refine the game's core mechanics, improve immersion through deliberate friction, and enhance narrative delivery with more central characters and smaller factions.
Project Awakening Development Will Now “Really Accelerate”, Says Studio
Cygames announced that development on Project Awakening will significantly accelerate, with staff from Granblue Fantasy: Relink joining the team. The studio is switching from its in-house Cyllista engine to Unreal Engine 5 to achieve "hyper-photorealism." The game's action tempo will be slower and more tactical than Granblue Fantasy: Relink, emphasizing weighty combat and realistic monster behaviors.
id Software Now Has “Roughly the Same” Number of Workers as When it Made DOOM (2016) – Rumor
Reports suggest id Software's current workforce is similar to when it developed DOOM (2016), despite rumors of significant layoffs impacting its engine development and QA teams. Microsoft confirmed that dozens of employees work on the id Tech engine across multiple locations, refuting claims of a drastically reduced headcount. The studio will continue to use its proprietary id Tech engine, with no plans from Xbox to switch to Unreal Engine.
Avowed 2 Has Not Been Cancelled Following Layoffs at Obsidian – Rumor
Despite recent layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment and rumors of cancellation, former co-founder Chris Avellone has stated that Avowed 2 is still in development and the studio hopes to "re-pitch" the concept. While some projects are being re-evaluated, expansions for The Outer Worlds 2 are still planned, and Grounded is continuing development.
How do you put a price tag on a legacy like id Software's?
The article discusses the recent layoffs at id Software and contrasts Microsoft's handling of the studio's legacy with Costco's long-standing commitment to its $1.50 hot dog price. It questions Microsoft's stewardship of id Software's influential franchises like Doom and its proprietary id Tech engine, suggesting a lack of appreciation for their historical and creative value compared to their financial performance.
'To Continue Being Produced Long Term, Games Need to Succeed, Not Just Be Beloved' — John Carmack Responds to id Software Layoffs
John Carmack commented on the recent layoffs at id Software, expressing sadness but not anger. He stated that for games to continue being produced long-term, they need to achieve commercial success, not just critical acclaim or popularity.
John Carmack reacts to massive layoffs at id Software: 'My 'Microsoft will probably be a good steward of the…
Co-founder of id Software, John Carmack, has commented on the recent layoffs at the studio, expressing disappointment that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand "isn't aging well." While saddened, Carmack stated he doesn't "muster anger or outrage," suspecting id Software was a marginal business for Microsoft. He also discussed hypothetical strategies that could have prevented the team's decimation, while co-founder John Romero expressed grief for those affected.
Carmack says his 'Microsoft will be a good steward' of the id Software brand take didn't age well
Following significant layoffs at id Software amidst a broader Xbox reorganization, co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness and acknowledged that his previous statement about Microsoft being a good steward of the brand has not aged well. Carmack suspects id Software may have been a marginal business for Microsoft, contributing to the cuts despite recent releases like Doom: The Dark Ages.
Dragon Age is "unlikely" to continue at EA, says former lead David Gaider, but if you gave him the keys to the RPG he'd take it somewhere "dark" and "do things that will make people upset"
Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider believes the series is unlikely to continue under Electronic Arts due to the company's historical dissatisfaction with its sales performance, despite generally positive reviews for recent titles like The Veilguard. Gaider expressed that if given the opportunity, he would steer the franchise in a darker, more provocative direction, focusing on the core appeal that resonated with fans.
Tiny old-school MMORPG Winds of Valen introduces an optional sub model to support development
Indie studio Fiery Dog Games has introduced an optional $5 monthly subscription model for their old-school MMORPG, Winds of Valen, to support ongoing development without microtransactions. The update also includes new content like a lava cavern and a high-tier sword and shield, with members receiving exclusive benefits such as additional bank space and access to a new city zone.
Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that's lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year
Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media has resulted in significant layoffs, with a total of 379 employees affected across ZeniMax Online Studios and ZeniMax Media. ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has seen over half of its staff depart in the past year, reducing its workforce to approximately 40% of its previous size despite the game's consistent revenue.
Microsoft Reportedly Still Wants To Use id Tech After Gutting The Team Behind It
Despite significant layoffs that have gutted the team responsible for id Tech, Microsoft reportedly still intends to utilize the engine. The future of the id Tech engine's development and usage remains uncertain following the drastic reduction in staff at id Software.
Devs don't buy Steam disclosure claiming gen AI was a necessity: "I'm literally unemployed and I still…
A Steam disclosure for the game Bahast, which stated generative AI was essential for its development, has sparked debate among developers. Many indie developers argue against using AI, citing personal asset creation without AI despite financial struggles. Industry figures like Tim Sweeney believe AI-aided development is crucial for the future, while Sony also views AI as an important technology.
