Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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This cat is going to save the world from the AI megacorps who are replacing humans
The game Cat Secretary, developed by Good Story Guild, features a cat in a necktie as the protagonist who must save a company from being replaced by AI. The article discusses the role of AI in game development, with voice actor Samantha Béart highlighting the game's pro-human message and comedic elements.
With 32 GB as a minimum and 64 GB as the recommended amount, Cinder City's RAM requirements are all kinds of wrong…
The upcoming PC game Cinder City has drawn attention for its unusually high minimum and recommended RAM requirements, with 32 GB as the minimum and 64 GB recommended. While other hardware specifications like the CPU and GPU seem more in line with current gaming standards, the memory demands are considered excessive and potentially indicative of optimization issues. Developer Big Fire Games, a studio under NC Corporation, has yet to confirm a release date, leaving time to address these concerns.
With Xbox Speeding Up Work on New Fallout Games, One Former Bethesda Dev Warns Faster Sequels 'Risk Fan Fatigue' — but Could New Vegas Developer Obsidian Be Drafted in to Help?
Xbox is reportedly accelerating development on new entries in The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo franchises under new leadership. However, a former Bethesda developer has cautioned that rushing sequels could lead to fan fatigue, suggesting that studios like Obsidian Entertainment might be considered to assist with Fallout development.
007 developer suffers layoffs and Blade faces cancellation as Xbox cuts funding
Microsoft is reportedly considering closing at least five studios, including Arkane Studios, which is working on Marvel's Blade, and has pulled funding for IO Interactive's Project Fantasy. These cuts follow Xbox boss Asha Sharma's promise of a company 'reset' and are expected to lead to significant layoffs. While Arkane's Blade is at risk of cancellation due to budget overruns, IO Interactive remains committed to Project Fantasy despite the funding setback.
"Low-effort slop": The creators of the Godot engine behind Slay the Spire 2 are cracking down on "vibe-coding" and now require genAI disclosures
The Godot Foundation, the developers behind the open-source game engine used in titles like Slay the Spire 2 and Buckshot Roulette, are implementing stricter policies regarding generative AI usage. Citing a rise in "low-effort slop" and a strain on maintainers, the foundation will now require contributors to disclose any AI assistance and prohibits the use of AI for generating substantial code. This move contrasts with Epic Games' approach to Unreal Engine 6, which embraces AI integration.
Xbox ends deal to fund and publish IO Interactive's Project Fantasy; redundancies expected
Xbox has ended its deal to fund and publish IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision, attributed to Xbox reshaping its investment priorities, is expected to lead to redundancies at IO Interactive. Despite the setback, IO Interactive remains committed to releasing the game.
Dishonored developer Arkane is reportedly one of five studios Microsoft is targeting to close down as part of its big 'reset'
Microsoft is reportedly considering closing down Arkane Studios, the developer of the Dishonored series and Marvel's Blade, as part of a major 'reset' plan for its Xbox division. Arkane is among five studios, including Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Undead Labs, whose futures are uncertain. The company is also planning significant layoffs, potentially affecting over 1,000 jobs, with cost-cutting measures impacting various parts of the division.
Atias Legacy Playtest 3: New Gameplay Features Launch
Axie Infinity has launched Playtest 3 for its game Atia's Legacy, introducing a new real-time PvP mode with a free-for-all format where players aim for 10 kills within a five-minute session. The playtest features strategic elements, weapon variety, and new power-ups, alongside the Trial of Eight competition with a prize pool of 2,500 bAXS. Players can access this playtest on iOS, Android, and PC.
"Keeping this under wraps has been torture": Against the Storm 2 could happen, but first, Eremite are making a survival game set in the city-builder's festering world
Eremite Games, the developers of the roguelite city-builder Against The Storm, have announced a new survival game set in the same universe. The project is in its earliest stages, with the team experimenting with survival mechanics and co-op multiplayer. While a sequel to Against The Storm is still a possibility, the studio is currently focused on exploring new facets of the game's world through this survival genre experiment.
Rokky launches unofficial Steam tool for checking if bundle and press keys have been used
Rokky has launched a free, unofficial browser plugin called Steam Key Checker for publishers and developers to verify if distributed Steam keys have been used. The tool, which requires a Steam partner account, aims to assist with partner reconciliation and sales forecasting by checking keys against a user-uploaded CSV. Rokky CEO Vadim Andreev stated that while the tool is not approved by Valve and carries a risk of becoming obsolete due to Steam updates, it serves as a temporary solution for publishers managing large volumes of keys for bundles or press distribution.
Uppsägningar hos Io Interactive när Xbox drar in finansiering
Io Interactive has announced layoffs due to the termination of a partnership with an external party for their fantasy RPG, 'Project Fantasy'. Bloomberg reports that Microsoft, which was set to be the financier and publisher, has withdrawn its support. While the project is not canceled, its future is uncertain without external funding. Xbox stated that their investment strategy is shifting, not decreasing overall.
Games Inbox: Will there be a definitive PS6 version of GTA 6?
Readers discuss the potential for Grand Theft Auto 6 to be released on the PlayStation 6, speculating on performance and exclusivity deals with Sony and Rockstar Games. Other topics include the possibility of a Dead Rising 2 Deluxe Remaster, the future of Nintendo Switch 2's lineup, and the financial implications of Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
IO Interactive Layoffs: Xbox Pulls Project Fantasy Funding — Too Much Gaming | Video Games Reviews, News, & Guides
IO Interactive is continuing work on Project Fantasy despite Xbox pulling its funding, and will now seek alternative funding or self-publish. This is part of a larger "reset" at Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, with reports indicating several studios like Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Undead Labs, Arkane, and Double Fine are in talks to avoid closure. Xbox is reassessing its investment priorities to better fund its existing franchises and ensure a reliable pipeline of exclusive content.
Xbox weighs closing Arkane Studios while pulling out of IO Interactive's next project
Xbox is reportedly considering closing Arkane Studios and cancelling Marvel's Blade due to development concerns. Additionally, Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's new fantasy project, codenamed 'Project Fantasy,' forcing the Danish studio to seek alternative arrangements. These moves are part of a broader restructuring by Xbox to refocus investments on its highest-priority titles and IPs.
Based on Meccha Chameleon's incredibly short 2-month dev cycle, its creators have already earned $1 million per day…
Meccha Chameleon, an indie game developed in just two months, has achieved remarkable financial success, selling over 10 million copies and earning an estimated $1 million per day during its development cycle. The game's rapid development and viral success on PC platforms like Steam are highlighted, with developers Lemorion and Haganeiro reportedly reinvesting minimal funds into promotion.
Microsoft Won't Publish IOI's Project Fantasy
IO Interactive announced the end of a partnership with an external party regarding their fantasy-themed online RPG, Project Fantasy. Microsoft will not be publishing the game, which was initially revealed in 2023.
Rumor Mill
A rumor suggests that Xbox is considering canceling its Blade game and potentially closing Arkane Studios. This news comes from The Verge, indicating significant internal shifts within Microsoft's gaming division.
Subnautica 2 Studio CEO Departs Again as Krafton Caves to Paying Promised Bonuses
Unknown Worlds Entertainment's CEO Ted Gill is stepping down again following a resolution with parent company Krafton over promised bonuses. After a legal battle, Krafton will pay over $250 million in bonuses to employees of Unknown Worlds, stemming from the acquisition in 2001 and the success of Subnautica 2, which has sold over four million copies in early access. The studio is also preparing updates for the game, including new features and improvements based on player feedback.
Marvel’s Blade Could Be Cancelled as Xbox Considers Shutting Down Arkane Studios – Rumor
Reports suggest that Xbox is considering cancelling Marvel's Blade and potentially closing Arkane Studios in Lyon due to budget concerns and impending layoffs. Other studios like Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs are also reportedly on the chopping block, with potential layoffs extending to id Software and Blizzard Entertainment.
Pragmata Developers Reveal Harsh Internal Criticism During Early Stages of Development
Capcom developers revealed harsh internal criticism during the early stages of Pragmata's development, with feedback noting incompetence in puzzle and action design. Despite initial setbacks and a broken hacking system, the project was greenlit by upper management. Originally slated for 2022, the game was delayed and eventually released on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, selling over 2 million copies in 16 days, leading Capcom to consider a sequel.
