Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Skull and Bones - AAAA-skeppet som sjönk
Ubisoft's Skull and Bones, initially conceived as an expansion to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, endured a notoriously troubled development cycle. Plagued by delays, studio controversies, and a lack of clear direction, the game eventually released in 2024 to mediocre reception, failing to live up to its "AAAA" ambitions and high development costs.
Xbox's layoffs come with a push to focus on series like Fallout, so naturally New Vegas devs Obsidian have reportedly lost around a quarter of their staff
Xbox has reportedly laid off approximately 1600 employees and is shifting focus to lucrative series like Fallout. As part of these cuts, Obsidian Entertainment, known for Fallout: New Vegas, has lost around a quarter of its staff, with 60-70 employees let go. This news comes amid broader industry trends of significant layoffs and uncertainty for remaining developers.
Xbox layoffs mean that Elder Scrolls Online's roadmap is "shifting" just two days before Season One's release... the plan put in place for the MMO after the last round of cuts
Microsoft's recent layoffs at Xbox Game Studios and Zenimax Online Studios have significantly impacted the development roadmap for Elder Scrolls Online. While the upcoming Season One launch will proceed, future plans are now uncertain and will require re-evaluation by the remaining team. This shift comes despite previous statements from studio leadership indicating the seasonal model was not a response to prior cuts.
Pearl Abyss Brings Crimson Desert to Gamescom 2026 with Samsung Electronics, Showcases Development Insights at Gamescom Dev
Pearl Abyss will showcase Crimson Desert at Gamescom 2026 in partnership with Samsung Electronics, featuring hands-on gameplay and developer presentations on its technology. The company will also host technical sessions at Gamescom dev, detailing world-building and the proprietary BlackSpace Engine. Crimson Desert has already sold over 6 million copies since its March release.
Report – Xbox cuts around 25% of Obsidian staff
Xbox has initiated significant layoffs across its studios, with Obsidian Entertainment reportedly losing around 25% of its staff, impacting producers, artists, designers, and more. This is part of Microsoft's larger plan to lay off 3,200 employees by June 2027, though Blizzard Entertainment teams have been spared for now. The restructuring aims to shift focus away from smaller acquired studios, but the arbitrary nature of the cuts is causing concern over lost expertise.
Sony leadership says AI tools are "an important foundational technology supporting our strategy"
Sony Interactive Entertainment leadership has declared artificial intelligence a crucial foundational technology for their strategy, emphasizing its role in enhancing game development quality and speed rather than solely for cost efficiency. AI tools are being integrated to streamline repetitive tasks, enable faster iteration, and create richer in-game experiences and content. While acknowledging near-term efficiency gains, Sony is also exploring fundamental AI-first initiatives to maintain a leading position as the technology evolves.
Rumor Mill
A report suggests that Arkane Studios' upcoming game, Blade, has gone over budget and is facing internal delays. Further details regarding the project's status have not been officially confirmed.
Issues and Activism
A game developer has urged Valve to address exploitable loopholes in Steam's 2-hour refund policy, citing over 55,000 players who refunded his short game and openly admitted to abusing the system. This highlights ongoing issues with the platform's refund mechanisms.
Report: Obsidian losing around one quarter of its staff to 'Xbox reset'
Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly laid off approximately one quarter of its staff, impacting 60-70 employees as part of a larger 'Xbox reset'. The cuts affect various departments, including senior talent and the art director for The Outer Worlds. This follows a broader announcement of 3200 layoffs at Xbox, with leadership citing a need to course-correct after ambitious bets on Game Pass and multi-platform strategies did not yield expected results.
The Elder Scrolls Online Studio Has Been Hit Hard by Layoffs, Content Roadmap “Will Be Shifting”
Zenimax Online Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls Online, has been significantly impacted by recent layoffs within Xbox. This has led to a reassessment of the MMORPG's content roadmap, with an updated schedule to be announced later. The article also mentions past layoffs at the studio, including the cancellation of an in-development MMO codenamed Blackbird.
Bethesda Hit Hard by Layoffs, Studio Head Says “We Need to Change Course” – Rumor
Bethesda has reportedly experienced significant layoffs, with studio head Jill Braff stating the company needs to "change course" to ensure a more stable foundation and sustainable growth. This shift involves focusing on its strongest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, potentially impacting development on other titles. The move comes amid broader industry layoffs and aims to reposition Bethesda for future success.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the past
Microsoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
Xbox Layoffs’ Effects on Blizzard Have Been “Comparatively Minimal” – Rumor
Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries addressed staff regarding Xbox's recent layoffs, stating the impact on Blizzard has been comparatively minimal. While further details will be shared, the company plans to focus on its major franchises like Diablo, StarCraft, and Warcraft, with potential cross-media adaptations and BlizzCon 2026 still planned. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the layoffs are part of a broader reset due to failed bets and overextension, with approximately 3,200 job cuts planned for the fiscal year.
State of Decay 3 Studio Confirms Development is Continuing as it Transitions Out of Xbox
Undead Labs has confirmed that development on State of Decay 3 is continuing as the studio transitions away from Xbox. While details about the new ownership are scarce, the studio expressed optimism about the game's future. This news comes amidst significant layoffs and studio sales within Xbox, affecting other developers like Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games.
Xbox CEO Says “We Simply Spread Ourselves Too Thin” Following Layoffs
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the division "spread ourselves too thin" by making numerous unsuccessful bets, leading to recent layoffs affecting approximately 1,600 employees. As part of a restructuring, four studios are being let go, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions becoming independent, and Undead Labs and Ninja Theory being sold. Sharma also confirmed further job cuts are planned and announced organizational changes, including a new COO, Helen Chiang.
Obsidian was also hit by "the Microsoft sacrificial rituals," says laid-off RPG veteran who previously worked…
Obsidian Entertainment has reportedly been affected by recent Xbox layoffs, with narrative designer Jay Turner and other developers confirming their departure. These cuts are part of a larger "reset" by Microsoft, which aims to reduce its workforce by 3,200 by fiscal year 2027. Reports suggest around 25% of Obsidian's staff, approximately 60-70 individuals, were impacted.
Microsoft's dumb enough to make a new Quake game in Unreal Engine
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs impacting id Software, raising concerns about the future of the Quake franchise. The author speculates that Microsoft might develop a new Quake game using Unreal Engine 6 instead of id Software's proprietary idTech, potentially alienating long-time fans and disregarding the studio's legacy.
Com2uS Holdings Opens Google Play and Apple App Store Pre-Registration for Stylish Action RPG, ARES: THE IRON VANGUARD
Com2uS Holdings has opened pre-registration for its action RPG, ARES: THE IRON VANGUARD, on Google Play and the Apple App Store. The game features real-time Battle Suit switching and is set for a global launch in the second half of the year. A global Creator Program has also been launched to foster community engagement.
Compulsion Games and Double Fine confirm "Independence Day" from Xbox
Compulsion Games and Double Fine have confirmed their return to independent management following significant layoffs and studio divestitures at Xbox. Compulsion Games will retain the rights to its titles, including We Happy Few and South of Midnight, while Double Fine also regains ownership of its games. This news comes as part of broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division, affecting multiple studios.
Legendary former Tekken boss says people don't 'properly evaluate' Hidetaka Miyazaki's…
Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada believes Hidetaka Miyazaki's unique career path and FromSoftware's gradual growth are often overlooked in favor of sales figures. Harada highlighted Miyazaki's late entry into game development and the studio's consistent refinement of its craft through titles like Demon's Souls and Dark Souls, leading to the success of Elden Ring. He also noted that Miyazaki's humility about his own skills is a common trait among successful developers.
