Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Blizzard’s Unannounced StarCraft Title: The Hard Facts
Evidence suggests Blizzard Entertainment is developing a new AAA open-world shooter set in the StarCraft universe, moving away from its Real-Time Strategy roots. The project is built on Unreal Engine and led by former Far Cry executive producer Dan Hay, indicating a significant shift in franchise direction and development strategy.
Destiny 2’s last planned patch delayed after colossal Bungie layoffs, even as pervasive glitches remain
The final planned patch for Destiny 2 has been delayed following significant layoffs at developer Bungie. This delay comes as the game continues to suffer from persistent glitches. The article highlights the impact of these workforce reductions on the game's ongoing development and support.
Quake 30 år senare: En X-exposé
Thirty years after its release, Quake is being discussed by original developer Sandy Petersen and programmer John Carmack. Petersen reflects on the immense personal cost to the id Software team, leading to key departures, while Carmack takes responsibility for the game's technical ambition and the toll it took. Both acknowledge Quake's iconic status despite the challenges.
Dear Rockstar: Please stop dancing around the GTA 6 PC release, it deserves better than this
This opinion piece criticizes Rockstar Games for its continued silence regarding the PC release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a trend seen with previous titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2. The author argues that while a PC version is inevitable, the studio's 'hide the port' strategy feels unnecessary and potentially manipulative, suggesting that confirming its eventual release would be a better approach for the PC audience.
"I torture myself over every last detail": Stardew Valley's creator is having a real time of it with Haunted Chocolatier's recipe book interface
ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, shared insights into the development of his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, specifically detailing the challenges of designing its recipe book interface. He emphasized the need for the UI to be seamless, clear, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing, requiring numerous iterations to achieve perfection. Barone also apologized for the lack of new screenshots, likening them to 'half-baked bread' and stating he doesn't need to market the game aggressively.
Cyberpunk 2 lead says "some days I feel our industry is imploding" as Destiny 2 studio Bungie is hit with mass layoffs: "Teams and game projects are getting slaughtered"
Cyberpunk 2077 associate game director Paweł Sasko expressed concern over the state of the video game industry, stating it feels like it's "imploding" due to frequent layoffs and project cancellations. This sentiment comes as Bungie, the studio behind Destiny 2, experienced significant layoffs, with other studios like Xbox Game Studios and Electronic Arts also reportedly cutting staff. CD Projekt Red, which itself had layoffs in 2023, is actively hiring for projects including The Witcher 4 and a new IP.
Haunted Chocolatier fans don't have fresh screenshots to fawn over because Eric Barone says sharing them mid-development 'feels like serving half-baked bread'
Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, explained his reluctance to share screenshots or detailed system explanations for Haunted Chocolatier during its development. He likens it to serving 'half-baked bread,' preferring to present a finished product to avoid disappointing players. Barone also noted that the game is taking longer than expected due to its larger scope compared to Stardew Valley and his perfectionist approach.
"Baldur's Gate 3 seems to have done it pretty well," but don't expect Obsidian's next story-based RPG to launch in early access, Grounded 2 lead suggests
Obsidian Entertainment's Grounded 2 director Chris Parker stated that while Baldur's Gate 3's early access success is notable, it's not a model that will work for all story-based RPGs. He believes that for large, complex narrative games, the traditional development approach is more suitable, though he acknowledges exceptions exist and that early access can be beneficial for certain titles like the original Grounded.
The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past proves that older games are just as relevant as new ones
The upcoming 2027 expansion for The Witcher 3, 'Songs of the Past,' highlights a growing trend of developers revisiting older games with new content. This phenomenon is driven by a plateau in technological advancement, making older titles still feel relevant, and a rising sentimentality within the industry, with studios paying homage to classics that inspired them.
Terraria's next patch will be its "largest" hotfix ever, as yo-yos "finally" get some improvements and Re-Logic gets "rolling on what comes next" for the sandbox game
Re-Logic has announced that the next Terraria update will be its largest hotfix to date, focusing on significant improvements to yo-yos and rebalancing for all weapon classes. This update aims to address residual bugs from the 'Bigger and Boulder' patch and is expected to be the final hotfix before the developer shifts focus to future content, with crossplay also anticipated to launch around the same time.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Long Development Comes Down To Chasing Perfection
Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, developer of Haunted Chocolatier, discussed the game's lengthy development in a recent blog post, attributing the delay to a pursuit of perfection in core gameplay elements. He emphasized the need for mechanics like chocolate making to be seamless and intuitive, explaining that this iterative process is why he has been hesitant to reveal too much about the game before its eventual release.
Inside Skybound’s video game strategy
Skybound Entertainment CEO David Alpert and co-chairman Jon Goldman discuss the company's successful video game strategy, including the debut of their in-house studio Quarter Up and the release of Invincible VS. They also touch on ensuring quality across franchise entries and expanding into international markets like Brazil.
Five things to avoid when marketing your indie game | Opinion
This opinion piece outlines five common marketing pitfalls for indie game developers, emphasizing the importance of understanding the target audience, focusing on emotional connection over technical details, avoiding analysis paralysis, diversifying marketing efforts, and treating PR as an ongoing activity. The article highlights that while marketing may seem secondary to development, strategic efforts are crucial for games to gain visibility and achieve their full potential in a crowded market.
Wildgate ‘hasn’t found a large enough audience to sustain ongoing development,’ but it’s staying online
Moonshot Games, led by Dustin Browder, has announced that heavy development on their multiplayer extraction RPG Wildgate is winding down due to a lack of a large enough audience. While the game will remain online and receive occasional bug fixes and balance updates, major content patches will cease. The game is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms.
Destiny 2 layoffs have affected around 300 workers so far and the studio head is stepping down
Bungie, the developer of Destiny 2, has laid off approximately 292 workers in Washington state, with more potential cuts affecting its 850 employees. Studio head Justin Truman is also stepping down from his position. These layoffs impact staff working on Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon game.
'I Torture Myself Over Every Last Detail' — Stardew Valley Creator ConcernedApe Says He's 'Still Here, Still Grinding' on Haunted Chocolatier
ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, has provided an update on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, assuring fans that development is ongoing despite the long wait. He cited his meticulous approach to game development as the reason for the extended production time.
"Yep," Haunted Chocolatier creator ConcernedApe is "still working on the game" – but he doesn't want to give too much away: "I would rather serve a fully baked bread"
ConcernedApe, the creator of Stardew Valley, has provided an update on his next game, Haunted Chocolatier, stating that development is ongoing but he prefers to share details only when the game is closer to completion. He likens the process to baking bread, wanting to serve a fully baked product rather than a half-baked one, and acknowledges that the game is taking a long time to develop due to its scope and his desire for perfection in every aspect.
"We wanted more than anything to make you smile": Destiny 2 devs react to layoffs as ex-Bungie staff call out…
Bungie has conducted a significant round of layoffs, impacting numerous developers, including members of the Destiny 2 VFX team. Former employees and affected staff have shared their experiences on social media, with some criticizing leadership and calling for reflection from Sony. The layoffs follow the disappointing reception of Marathon and raise questions about the studio's future.
'Its Happening' Marvel 1943 Is Still Set to Release
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is still in development, according to Shawn Kittelsen, senior vice president at Paramount Games. Despite delays and a merger, the game is playable and being developed by a small team aiming for AAA quality with a sustainable model. A potential release is not expected until 2027 at the earliest.
Eric Barone gives players a small update on Haunted Chocolatier's progress: 'It’s not a simple task, as I torture myself over every last detail'
Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, provided an update on Haunted Chocolatier, acknowledging the slow progress due to his meticulous attention to detail. He emphasized that the game will be larger than Stardew Valley and that he is iterating on core mechanics like chocolate making to ensure a seamless and satisfying player experience.
