Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Elder Scrolls and Fallout developer Bethesda "will be fine" as "they make all the money," but layoffs for the rest of ZeniMax "have begun," Duke Nukem co-creator says
George Broussard, co-creator of Duke Nukem, has confirmed that layoffs have begun at ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Game Studios. While Bethesda is reportedly unaffected due to its profitability, other studios under ZeniMax may face deeper cuts. Broussard attributes these issues partly to mismanagement and recent changes within Microsoft's Xbox division.
Vampire Survivors Developer 'Reviewing' Fortnite Crossover Plans, After Epic Details Unreal Engine 6 AI Usage
Vampire Survivors developer Poncle is reportedly reconsidering a Fortnite crossover due to Epic Games' recent confirmation of using generative AI in Fortnite's development. This news follows Epic's announcement regarding AI usage in Unreal Engine 6.
Major Update Expands Character Expression with Support for "Live2D®" Animated Illustrations!
SmileBoom Co.Ltd. has released version 2.5 for RPG Developer Bakin, introducing support for Live2D animated illustrations to enhance character expression. This update also includes shader management tools, mouse cursor customization, and a new beginner tutorial. Alongside the update, a "SmileBoom Early Summer Sale 2026" is offering RPG Developer Bakin and its DLCs at discounted prices, with the game itself available at a 30% discount.
Yakuza Creator's Gang of Dragon PS5 Game Really Does Seem Dead
Evidence suggests that Gang of Dragon, the PlayStation 5 game from Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi's Nagoshi Studio, has been cancelled. Publisher NetEase reportedly ceased funding, leading to the disappearance of the developer's YouTube channel and key personnel, including Nagoshi and studio director Daisuke Sato, distancing themselves from the project on social media and in interviews.
Epic's Unreal Engine Rolls Out Major Update, Lumen Lite Mode Now Available For Switch 2
Epic Games has released Unreal Engine 5.8, introducing a new 'Lumen Lite' mode for its dynamic global illumination system. This feature is designed to significantly reduce GPU costs, making it viable for platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2, where it can enable 60 fps performance. The update also includes optimizations for Nanite and is the last major planned update for Unreal Engine 5 before work shifts to Unreal Engine 6.
Quoteworthy
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Unreal Engine has the potential to disrupt the gaming landscape dominated by platforms like Roblox. He believes Unreal Engine offers a more robust and versatile solution for game development.
Game and Mod Development
Epic Games has released Lore, a next-generation open-source version control system designed for game and mod development. This new tool aims to provide advanced features for managing game projects.
Evening Interviews
Developers of the Chinese game The Scroll of Taiwu discussed what Western developers misunderstand about the Chinese market and their decision to reject generative AI. They also mentioned that their next project, 'Control Resonant,' is their largest game to date.
Samson: A Tyndalston Story Has Had Tons of Patches, But Is It Actually Fixed?
Samson: A Tyndalston Story, developed by Liquid Swords, has received numerous patches since its troubled launch, addressing technical issues, performance, and gameplay friction. While the game is now technically stable and more playable, the article discusses whether these fixes have fundamentally improved the experience and if the game's core vision is now realized. The developers have taken ownership of the shortcomings and are actively working to refine the game, making it a distinctive but still slightly rough experience.
Xbox is Punishing its Studios For Following Previous Orders – Report
A report indicates that Xbox is punishing its studios for following previous directives, leading to significant layoffs and studio closures. This follows major investments like the Activision Blizzard acquisition and the push for Game Pass, with some studios being criticized for prioritizing the subscription service over individual game sales. The situation has created an environment of fear and uncertainty, impacting game development.
Epic Games Gives Us An Exciting First Look At Unreal Engine 6
Epic Games provided an early look at Unreal Engine 6, with Marcus Wassmer detailing its aim to unify Unreal Engine 5 and the Unreal Editor for Fortnite into a single platform. The engine will feature improved rendering, reduced cook times, tighter iteration loops, and a new framework based on the Verse programming language, promising to enable a new generation of collaborative game development.
Xbox’s Biggest Problems May Still Be Ahead
Xbox is facing significant internal challenges despite a recent showcase of upcoming games like Gears of War: E-Day. CEO Asha Sharma admitted to substantial financial losses and poor investment returns over the past five years, citing issues with funding franchises and inadequate infrastructure. Reports suggest impending layoffs and potential restructuring, including spinning off Xbox as a subsidiary or forming joint ventures, as Microsoft seeks to make its gaming division a sustainable business.
Anyone Not Working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout at Bethesda is Being Laid Off – Rumor
Reports suggest that ZeniMax Media, including studios like Bethesda Game Studios and id Software, is undergoing significant layoffs, with employees not working on The Elder Scrolls or Fallout projects being particularly affected. This comes amid broader Xbox restructuring and potential studio closures for titles like Hellblade and South of Midnight, as executives cite revenue losses and rising hardware costs.
No Law Creative Director Discusses How Unreal Engine 5 Was Used to Create Port Desire
Developer Neon Giant showcased how they are using Unreal Engine 5 for their open-world shooter No Law, focusing on "density over scale" for the city of Port Desire. Creative director Tor Frick highlighted features like Nanite and Lumen for visual fidelity and dynamic lighting, and MetaHuman for NPCs. The team also discussed similarities and differences with Cyberpunk 2077, emphasizing No Law's more intimate and personal experience. The game is planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Palworld Developer Doesn’t Use Generative AI Because “Gamers Don’t Want It”
Pocketpair's John Buckley stated that the company does not use generative AI in game development because players are against it, calling current trends unsustainable. He believes that games should be assumed to be human-made unless otherwise stated, and expressed concern over a future where studios might need to add disclaimers. Buckley also mentioned that while some studios might use AI to save time, Pocketpair prefers to utilize its in-house artists.
It Certainly Looks Like Yakuza Successor Gang Of Dragon Is Dead
Nagoshi Studios' debut title, Gang of Dragon, appears to be dead following the withdrawal of funding from NetEase and the disappearance of the studio's online presence. Creator Toshihiro Nagoshi is now listed simply as 'game creator' in Famitsu, and co-founder Daisuke Sato lists his involvement with the studio as 'ex-'. This suggests Nagoshi Studios is defunct, making the release of Gang of Dragon unlikely.
From Handheld to Console: Discover the World of Kemco on XBOX
This Xbox Wire feature highlights Kemco's strategy of releasing numerous RPG titles across console, PC, and cloud via Xbox Play Anywhere. The company focuses on creative partnerships and consistent releases, offering flexible save options and shorter play sessions suitable for various lifestyles. A publisher spotlight sale is currently live, featuring a wide array of Kemco's diverse game catalog.
PlayerUnknown's survival game becomes free-to-own and offers Steam refunds 'without restrictions on playtime…
PlayerUnknown Productions has announced the closure of development for their survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback!, less than a year after its early access launch in 2025. The game is now free-to-own on Steam, and all players who purchased it during early access are eligible for unrestricted refunds until August 17, 2026. While development on this title has ceased, the studio will continue working on its Melba game engine with a smaller team.
Hours after announcing a collab with Fortnite, Vampire Survivors dev suggests it may back out over Epic's touting…
Following Epic Games' announcement of a collaboration with Vampire Survivors for Fortnite, developer Poncle expressed concerns and is reviewing the partnership. These concerns stem from Epic's use of generative AI in creating game assets and features, as demonstrated at Unreal Fest. The developer stated they will provide updates on the collaboration's future.
The Simpsons joins Fortnite’s IP Partner Program allowing developers to create “fully authentic” Simpsons games
Disney has granted Epic Games the intellectual property rights for The Simpsons franchise, allowing third-party developers to create authentic Simpsons games within Fortnite. This announcement was made at Epic's Unreal Fest Chicago 2026, signaling new opportunities for game creation based on the popular animated series.