Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Custom quests, balancing, and much more in the new Quality of Life update for Pioneers of Pagonia
Pioneers of Pagonia has received its eighth free Quality of Life update, significantly expanding the Pagonia Editor. Players can now create custom quests, adjust unit and building balancing, and modify game mechanics. Future plans include additional modding support and the second DLC, Pioneers of Pagonia – Echoes of Aldramar.
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Why new investment house Denmu has $50m to give to "auteur" developers
Denmu, a new investment firm founded by Ryan You and Michael Fan, has launched with $50 million to support "auteur" developers, prioritizing creative vision over traditional publisher advances. The firm aims to provide flexible capital solutions and leverage its East-West network to help games reach global audiences. Denmu has already invested in titles like The Hundred Line: The Last Defense Academy and is looking to back unique projects from both Asian and Western studios.
DENMU ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION FUND DEDICATED TO VISIONARY GAME MAKERS
DENMU, a new video game investment house, has announced its initial $50 million fund dedicated to supporting visionary game makers across various platforms and genres. The company emphasizes an 'auteur-first' approach, aiming to bridge Eastern and Western markets and provide flexible capital for AAA, AA, indie, and mobile projects. Founded by Michael Fan and Ryan You, DENMU's team includes industry veterans from companies like Blizzard North and Top Hat Studios.
Investment house Denmu announces 'auteur-first' $50 million fund for game devs
San Francisco-based investment firm Denmu has launched a $50 million fund aimed at supporting game developers with an "auteur-first" philosophy. The fund will provide capital for triple-A, double-A, and indie games across all platforms and business models, with a focus on creative vision and long-term partnerships. Denmu has already invested in several titles and aims to support 10 to 20 projects by 2028.
QA's real job is being the voice of the player
Mateusz Kałuża, QA Director at Testronic, argues that Quality Assurance is a strategic advantage, not just a safety net, in modern game development. He emphasizes that skilled testers act as the voice of the player, providing crucial insights early in the development process to ensure a high-quality player experience and protect business outcomes.
New World’s last devs ask players to post their patch wishes for the MMO before its 2027 sunset
Amazon's New World game director Katy Kaszynski has opened a player wishlist forum for the MMO, which is slated to shut down in January 2027. While the development team will review player requests for changes and improvements, there is no guarantee that any suggestions will be implemented before the game's sunset.
Redout Dev Now Fully Independent, Teases 'Major Title' Based on 'Revered' IP
Italian development studio 34BigThings, known for the Redout series, has announced it is once again fully independent after co-founder Valerio Di Donato bought back shares from Embracer Group. The studio is teasing a major new title based on a 'revered' intellectual property, with further projects planned for 2027 and 2028.
Up to 5x more explorable terrain awaits in Road Truckers: New Beginning
Road Truckers: New Beginning, a trucking sim RPG from Road Studio, will feature 4 to 5 times more explorable terrain than its predecessor, Alaskan Road Truckers. The game allows players to haul cargo, restore a community, and customize their trucks. It is set to release on PC and PlayStation 5 in 2026.
Douze Dixiémes, studio behind MIO: Memories in Orbit, is shutting down
French game developer Douze Dixiémes, known for MIO: Memories in Orbit and Shady Part of Me, is shutting down. The studio was part of publisher Focus Entertainment. This closure is highlighted in a report discussing the broader struggles within the French and global game development industry, including studio closures, layoffs, and funding reductions.
"Half the game is in the player's imagination": Batman Arkham Knight fan-favorite detail is actually a 12-year-old bug, Rocksteady veteran reveals
A former Rocksteady Studios programmer, Aadit Doshi, revealed that a long-standing fan observation in Batman: Arkham Knight, where Robin mimics Batman's crouch but Batman doesn't reciprocate for Robin, is actually a bug and not an intentional design choice. Doshi shared this information, which was confirmed by a manager who worked on the system, suggesting that the perceived intentionality of the interaction added to the game's charm.
Forge Your Kingdom and Put It to the Test: Reign of Victory Opens Public Playtest June 27
Reign of Victory, an upcoming multiplayer open-world medieval RPG, will hold its first public playtest on Saturday, June 27th, starting at 5 PM Eastern. The limited-time session aims to gather player feedback on first impressions and multiplayer functionality to help refine the game before future testing phases. Interested players can request a Steam key via the game's official Discord server.
Destiny 2 fans shouldn't "blame yourselves" as Bungie closes the door on its 9-year-old MMO, says community lead: "This is just the way it goes sometimes"
Bungie's principal communications manager, Dylan Gafner, has stated that players should not blame themselves for Destiny 2 ending its nine-year run without further major updates. He reassured the community that their support has been immense and that the game's conclusion is simply a natural progression. While Destiny 2 will remain playable, Bungie is shifting focus to new projects like Marathon.
Tim Sweeney Interview: Epic Games CEO on AI in UE6 and Why Games Struggle to Find Success
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discussed the challenges games face in finding success and the potential of AI tools within Unreal Engine to improve content creation efficiency. He also touched upon the role of platforms in supporting game development.
MobyGames Begins Beta Careers Program Designed for Game Industry Professionals
Atari has launched Moby Professional, a new careers program for the video game industry, under its MobyGames brand. The program offers free and premium features aimed at assisting game industry professionals with job seeking, business development, and networking. This initiative comes in response to recent volatility in the industry, including layoffs and a challenging job market.
Ubisoft Cancels Animal Crossing Rival | Two Average Gamers
Ubisoft has canceled a life-simulation game that was inspired by Animal Crossing, without providing an official explanation. The author argues that this strategic cancellation, driven by a focus on high-ROI franchises over innovation, reflects a broader risk-averse trend in the industry that should be concerning.
007 First Light For Switch 2 Is Apparently "Seeing Really Good Progress"
IO Interactive's Theuns Smit stated that the Nintendo Switch port of 007 First Light is making good progress, focusing on optimization. While no release date has been announced, the team is dedicated to ensuring the game meets desired quality standards for players. This follows previous comments from CEO Hakan Abrak about prioritizing a high-quality release for the platform.
DEVINITIVE SHOWCASE RETURNS: BIGGER, MORE INTERNATIONAL, AND MORE AMBITIOUS IN ITS 2026 EDITION
The devINITIVE SHOWCASE is returning for its 2026 edition with an expanded scope, aiming to be more international and impactful for the Spanish-speaking indie video game scene. The open call for submissions is now live until July 16, inviting developers from Spain and Latin America to participate. The event seeks to provide visibility to independent developers and connect them with players, press, and industry professionals.
Bungie devs reportedly pitched Destiny dating game
Former Bungie employees revealed that developers pitched a dating game based on the Destiny franchise, inspired by 'Dream Daddy'. While the prototype was created during internal development events, management rejected the idea, deeming it too 'silly'. This news comes as Bungie faces potential layoffs and concludes development on Destiny 2.
Atari and MobyGames launch new career development platform called Moby Professional
Atari and its subsidiary MobyGames have launched Moby Professional, a new online platform designed to help game industry professionals find jobs, network, and develop their careers. The platform offers free and premium tiers, with the premium features available for free during a beta period expected to last through summer 2026. Moby Professional leverages MobyGames' extensive database of game development credits to provide personalized career insights and job recommendations.
