Game Development
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IO Interactive regains ownership of Project Fantasy IP following end of Xbox deal, shuts down Istanbul studio
IO Interactive has regained full ownership of its Project Fantasy intellectual property after Xbox withdrew from a funding deal. This development has led to the closure of the studio's Istanbul branch and staff layoffs, with the company now focusing on its internal core titles. Project Fantasy, described as an online fantasy RPG, will continue to be developed and funded independently by IO Interactive.
Påstådda detaljer om Splinter Cell-remaken läcker ut
Alleged details about the Splinter Cell remake have surfaced, suggesting features like non-lethal options, a linear structure, destructible environments, and a light/darkness meter. The game is reportedly using the Snowdrop engine and may launch in the latter half of 2027, though its development is described as being in a 'fragile state'.
Evening Reading - July 7, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including IO Interactive regaining ownership of Project Fantasy and announcing layoffs, PlayStation facing complaints about its disc controversy, and updates on Marvel Rivals and Guilty Gear Strive. The article also highlights indie game Cosmodrill and discusses the broader gaming industry landscape.
Love and Deepspace Valko Controversy Explained – Geeky Sweetie
The mobile romance game Love and Deepspace faced significant backlash after revealing a new love interest, Valko, who was subsequently canceled by developers Infold/Papergames. This controversy escalated beyond the game's fandom due to player concerns about character design, story integration, and company communication, leading to global protests and discussions about the future of content in live-service games.
Buffs, Nerfs, and Bugs
Bethesda has removed Denuvo from Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Subnautica 2 will receive an update allowing players to 'stun' fish instead of killing them. The article also briefly mentions new developments in Minecraft.
Evening Postmortems/Retrospectives
Grove Street Games, the developer behind the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy Definitive Edition, has acknowledged that fan criticisms regarding the remaster's quality were valid. However, the studio also stated that the disastrous launch was not solely attributable to the remaster itself, implying other contributing factors.
Survey finds only 31% of Steam users have a problem with AI in games, with 43% totally fine with it
A survey of 3,800 Steam players by The GameDiscoverCo newsletter indicates that a significant portion of gamers are accepting of AI in game development, with 43% expressing no problem or being fine with it. While many players are neutral or slightly hesitant, nearly 90% of respondents stated they check AI disclaimers before purchasing a game, suggesting a demand for transparency from developers and publishers.
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Former Content Designer Says The Team “Deserved Much Better”
Former content designer Andrew Young expressed disappointment over recent layoffs at Zenimax Online Studios, stating the team deserved better and that the studio may not have enough staff left to maintain its content roadmap. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed widespread layoffs across the division, with more planned, while announcing leadership changes within the Xbox division.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Interview – Faithfulness to the Original, Anvil Engine, and More
Developers from Ubisoft Singapore and Ubisoft India discuss the creation of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, focusing on faithfulness to the original game and the contributions of the Indian teams. They highlight the challenges and rewards of modernizing a beloved classic using the Anvil engine, emphasizing player freedom and immersion as key takeaways.
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Studio Boss Acknowledges Issues, Says Players Still Enjoyed It
Thomas Williamson, CEO of Grove Street Games, acknowledged the widespread criticism and bugs affecting Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition. While admitting the release had issues, he stated internal metrics showed many players enjoyed the remastered titles. Williamson also suggested that a truly perfect redux would require direct involvement from Rockstar Games.
id Software Suffers 90 Layoffs, “Most (If Not All) Coders” and QA Department Let Go – Rumor
id Software has reportedly laid off 90 employees, approximately 50% of its staff, including its entire QA department. This move is part of Xbox's broader "reset" plan, which has already led to significant job cuts across its gaming divisions. The layoffs come shortly after the release of DOOM: The Dark Ages' expansion, Revelations, for PC and current-generation consoles.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is Still Two or More Years Away – Rumor
According to journalist Jason Schreier, The Elder Scrolls 6 is still at least two years away from release. Bethesda and Microsoft have remained silent on official details, though Todd Howard described it as their biggest current project. Development is reportedly progressing well, with most of Bethesda's staff focused on the highly anticipated RPG.
Crimson Desert Studio is Evaluating a Potential Nintendo Switch 2 Port
Pearl Abyss is exploring the possibility of porting Crimson Desert to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with CEO Huh Jin-young stating that basic gameplay is achievable. However, the company is still evaluating technical feasibility, optimization, and whether graphical standards can be maintained. The studio is also investigating the potential for a multiplayer mode, though it presents significant technical challenges.
IO Interactive Shuts Down Istanbul Studio After Project Fantasy Deal With Xbox Falls Through
IO Interactive has announced the closure of its Istanbul studio and layoffs due to the collapse of a funding deal with an external partner for Project Fantasy. The studio has regained full ownership of Project Fantasy and plans to continue its development independently. This decision was made to ensure the long-term survival of IO Interactive as an independent AAA developer and publisher.
Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis End-of-Service Announced for October 6th
Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis will cease service on October 6th, with in-game purchases already disabled. Planned events will continue until the shutdown. The company will delete player data post-service, and refunds for unused currency will be available for players in Taiwan. Originally launched in September 2023 for mobile and December 2023 for PC, the game aimed to retell iconic moments from the Final Fantasy 7 saga.
Destiny 2 isn't fully dead yet: community manager says the devs who weren't laid off are still working on "maintenance/upkeep" and "a small fix could sneak in here or there"
Despite significant layoffs at Bungie and the end of new content for Destiny 2, the game will continue to receive server maintenance and occasional hotfixes for critical issues. A community manager confirmed that while major updates are finished, the team will still address game crashes and perform upkeep, with the possibility of small fixes being implemented.
"This has got to be the most awesome toaster ever": Saber on building upon hits like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated that Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 was a pivotal success that changed how the studio approaches game development and how they are perceived. He indicated that the studio is in a strong position, able to turn down more licensed game opportunities than they accept, and plans to continue working on adaptations of existing properties like Hellraiser and World War Z, noting the success of the latter may even inspire a new movie.
Kickstarted indie MMORPG Hollowed Oath will host a panel at Dragon Con 2026
God Mode Games announced that their crowdfunded MMORPG, Hollowed Oath, will host a panel at the 40th Anniversary of Dragon Con in Atlanta. The studio also provided updates on recent game development progress, including the implementation of trading, item socketing, and grouping systems.
Some Of The Most Impressive Gaming Tech Ever Wasn’t Enough To Save Devs From Xbox Cuts
Microsoft's recent layoffs at id Software have raised concerns about the future of its proprietary id Tech engine, with reports indicating a significant portion of the studio's coding talent was let go. This follows a trend of major studios, including 343 Industries and potentially MachineGames, moving away from internal engines towards Unreal Engine, potentially hindering technological innovation in the gaming industry.
Crimson Desert gives update on potential Nintendo Switch 2 version, talks challenges involved
Pearl Abyss CEO Huh Jin-young provided an update on a potential Nintendo Switch 2 version of Crimson Desert, stating that basic gameplay is possible and R&D is ongoing. However, maintaining the game's graphics, action, and open-world experience on the platform presents significant optimization and technical challenges, making a release schedule difficult to confirm.
