Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Seoul-set MMO shooter Cinder City halves its RAM requirements, after initial specs listed 64GB of memory
The upcoming MMO shooter Cinder City has significantly reduced its RAM requirements on its Steam page, dropping from a recommended 64GB to 32GB. Publisher NC has not yet provided clarification on the system specifications, which are considered placeholders by the author due to the game's lack of a release window and other spec inconsistencies.
Soma dev's next game, Ontos, delayed to 2027 in order to deliver on studio's "ambitious" vision
Frictional Games has delayed its upcoming title, Ontos, to 2027 to accommodate its ambitious vision for the sci-fi mystery game. Originally slated for a 2026 release, the studio cited the game's size, scale, and narrative depth as reasons for the postponement. Ontos, which features actor Stellan Skarsgård, is described as having tactile, systems-driven gameplay and an immersive narrative.
Phantom inspiration and the ethical auteur
Strange Scaffold creative director Xalavier Nelson Jr. discusses his studio's latest game, El Paso, Elsewhere, and broader issues in game development, including career longevity and knowledge transfer. Nelson highlights the disparity in creative output between film directors and game directors within their first ten years, attributing it to industry practices.
Accessibility and fancy footwork with GLYDR's John Warren
John Warren discusses his work at GLYDR, a foot-operated control apparatus, on the Game Developer podcast. The conversation covered the device's accessibility features, its Kickstarter success, marketing strategies, and the importance of positive developments amidst industry layoffs.
Road to the IGF 2024 with Joel Couture
Game Developer editor-in-chief Danielle Riendeau interviews indie journalist Joel Couture about his 'Road to the IGF' series, which highlights finalists of the Independent Games Festival. Couture discusses his preparation process for conducting numerous interviews and shares insights from developers, including those behind the game Tchia, about showcasing their culture and homeland.
What to do about Game Engines with Rez Graham
This article discusses the implications of game engine choices, particularly focusing on Unity's controversial per-install fee policy change in late 2023. It explores the downsides of relying on third-party engines and the importance of valuing human assets within game development companies, referencing Nintendo's past leadership under Satoru Iwata as an example of prioritizing employees.
Behind the GDC scenes with Beth Elderkin and Sam Warnke
Game Developer Conference content marketing manager Beth Elderkin and conference producer Sam Warnke discuss the extensive year-round planning required to organize the annual event. They highlight the challenges of curating hundreds of panel submissions and coordinating discrete events into a coherent program, emphasizing the importance of game preservation efforts like the Game History Gallery.
Double Fine documentary’s bittersweet epilogue highlights need for safe workplaces
An epilogue to the Double Fine Psych Odyssey documentary highlights the need for healthier workplace environments in game development. It examines how leadership, including CEO Tim Schafer, grappled with past issues and the impact on employees like Anna Kipnis, emphasizing lessons learned to foster a more supportive culture.
Take a look at Nix's motion capture puppet from Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws is utilizing a physical puppet of the creature Nix to aid actors in motion capture performances. Actress Humberly González, who plays Kay Vess, found the puppet, operated by Camille Loiselle-D'Aragon, invaluable for interacting with the non-existent character during scenes. This approach highlights the creative methods used in game development to enhance actor performances.
Snapping Your Career into Place with Ben Brode
Ben Brode, chief development officer at Second Dinner, discusses the challenges of designing Marvel Snap to be both accessible and expandable for long-term live service. He highlights the iterative process of defining core game mechanics and the studio's use of the Godot engine for efficient over-the-air updates.
[Omdia Webinar] 2025 Games Industry - 10 Big Questions & Answers
Omdia analysts hosted a webinar on March 11, 2025, discussing ten key questions and predictions for the games industry in 2025, in preparation for GDC 2025. Topics included the industry's viability, the impact of a potential 'Switch 2' release, and the role of AI in game development and the value chain.
Exploring Sabotage Studio's creative strategy
Sabotage Studio president and creative director Thierry Boulanger discusses the studio's strategy for financial and creative sustainability in the current video game industry downturn. He highlights the success of their self-published turn-based RPG Sea of Stars, funded partly through Kickstarter, and the decision to release substantial free DLC for the game.
What is the Game Developer Podcast? | GameDeveloper.com
The GameDeveloper.com podcast features interviews with prominent figures in the video game industry, discussing game development, design challenges, and labor relations. Hosted by Bryant Francis, the bi-weekly show includes past conversations with developers like Liz England, Sarah Elmaleh, and Charles Cecil, covering topics from game preservation to marketing.
Making a gargantuan game like Borderlands 4
Gearbox Software's creative director Graeme Timmins and global creative executive Andrew Reiner discuss the development of Borderlands 4 on the Game Developer Podcast. They cover managing large teams, using Unreal Engine 5, and Gearbox's candid communication strategy. The conversation also touches on CEO Randy Pitchford's approach to player engagement.
Spooky Guild Wars online networking stories
ArenaNet game director Stephen Clarke-Willson and server programmer Robert Neckorcuk discuss the challenges of maintaining Guild Wars and Guild Wars 2 online services. They share insights on server provider migration, game optimization, and player impact on API stability, emphasizing the value of keeping older titles online for player trust and engagement.
Leadership lessons from Mark Darrah’s days at BioWare
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah shares leadership and game development lessons on his YouTube channel, drawing from his experience, particularly with the troubled production of Anthem. He discusses communication breakdowns and the importance of a unified vision in game development.
GDC Festival of Gaming Event Info | Game Developer
The Game Developer website provides information on the GDC Festival of Gaming event, highlighting its extensive network of online properties and audience reach. The site is operated by Informa PLC, a company registered in England and Wales.
Ben Kvalo’s vision for a sustainable game industry
Midwest Games CEO Ben Kvalo discusses his vision for a more sustainable game industry, focusing on rethinking financial structures and elevating developers from underrepresented regions. He draws parallels to Hollywood's model of multiple production entities sharing financial risk, suggesting the game industry could improve upon this to mitigate the impact of underperforming titles.
Bekah Saltsman breaks down indie marketing essentials
Finji CEO Bekah Saltsman discusses essential indie marketing strategies in a new GDC Side Quest podcast episode. Saltsman, a strong advocate for indie self-advocacy, emphasizes the importance of developers taking their marketing and business needs seriously.
Analyzing the game industry's woes with Owen Mahoney
Former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney discusses the game industry's challenges and his views on emerging technologies. After 25 years in the industry, he criticizes trends like the metaverse, VR, and NFTs but expresses optimism about generative AI's potential to revolutionize game development.
