Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
A leaked trailer for Transformers: Reactivate shows off the only lick of gameplay we'll likely ever see of the cancelled co-op action game
A leaked internal trailer for the cancelled co-op action game Transformers: Reactivate has surfaced, offering a brief glimpse of gameplay. Developed by Splash Damage and previously planned as a free-to-play live service title, the game was reportedly shifted to a premium $70 release before its cancellation amid Tencent's funding withdrawals. The trailer suggests a focus on shooting and driving mechanics with surprisingly little actual transforming.
Cyberpunk 2 will have multiplayer mode according to job listing
A new job listing for CD Projekt Red's upcoming Cyberpunk 2 suggests the game will feature multiplayer elements, potentially incorporating plans for a standalone multiplayer spin-off that was previously scrapped. While the exact nature of the multiplayer is unclear, it is expected to be integrated into the game's world, possibly similar to GTA Online.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun studio announces major layoffs, then quickly deletes the announcement
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun developer Auroch Digital announced significant layoffs, stating that market conditions have impacted the studio, leading to a restructuring that will affect approximately a quarter of its employees. This announcement was made via LinkedIn but was subsequently deleted, though employees have confirmed the redundancies. The news comes despite recent critical success for games like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun and the upcoming Warhammer Survivors.
CD Projekt Red says it "tries really hard not to say no" to ideas, but drew the line at Cyberpunk: Edgerunners…
CD Projekt Red representatives Bartosz Sztybor and Saya Elder discussed the creative process behind the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime, highlighting how they worked with Studio Trigger to incorporate lore while drawing the line at ideas that would break established canon. They revealed that Studio Trigger frequently proposed destroying Night City and Arasaka, but the team aimed for a 'Yes, and' approach to ideas that fit within the game's universe.
Tim Sweeney argues Steam has held gaming back, but Valve's tools tell a different story
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney claims Valve's Steamworks locks developers into a closed ecosystem, hindering cross-platform communication. While Valve's documentation indicates their Steam Datagram Relay service can be used across platforms if a game also launches on Steam, Sweeney and former Epic employee Kiaran Ritchie argue developers should pay for individual services rather than a 30% revenue cut. The discussion highlights ongoing rivalry and debate over digital distribution models.
Path of Exile prepares to make some big announcements at next week’s ExileCon
Grinding Gear Games is preparing to make significant announcements regarding Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2 at their upcoming ExileCon event on November 6th. The studio has indicated that expansion announcements are expected, with trailers and web pages to be released concurrently with the keynote address.
Square Enix vets say devs of the future will need to 'master the use of AI', but the human touch will still be…
Veteran Square Enix developers Hiromichi Tanaka and Yoshinori Kitase believe future game creators must master AI, though human creativity remains essential for original ideas. They acknowledge the potential for AI to lower the barrier to entry for game development but also express concerns about idea theft and the proliferation of low-quality AI-generated content, particularly impacting indie developers.
Changing acquired studios' core identity consistently leads to doom, says Nightdive Studios CEO
Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick believes that acquiring game studios and then forcing them to change their core identity or development practices consistently leads to their eventual downfall. He contrasts this with Atari's approach, which has allowed Nightdive and other acquired studios to continue focusing on their strengths, such as remastering classic games, leading to a more positive outcome.
Peter Molyneux speaks candidly about AI: 'We, as the industry, are pretending we're not using AI, but the reality is, it's almost impossible to code now without using AI'
Legendary developer Peter Molyneux believes the game industry is actively pretending not to use AI, despite it being nearly impossible to code without it. He notes that public perception of AI has been negatively impacted by early, flawed generative models, leading to platforms like Steam requiring developers to disclose AI usage. Molyneux argues that AI is a significant advancement for creativity, especially for smaller studios, and will become deeply integrated into middleware like Unity and Unreal Engine within a year.
"Valve has held gaming back for years," Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney proclaims in his latest jab against Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has again criticized Valve and its Steam platform, claiming that Steamworks has hindered the gaming industry for years by creating a 'social walled garden.' Sweeney argues that this system prevents cross-platform communication and limits player interaction. The article notes that Valve's Steam Datagram Relay does offer cross-platform capabilities for games launched on Steam, and points out Valve's contributions to Linux gaming via the Steam Deck and Proton.
Gameplay from cancelled Transformers Reactivate leaks and it looks amazing
Gameplay footage has leaked for the cancelled Transformers game, Transformers Reactivate, developed by Splash Damage. The footage showcases a third-person shooter with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, suggesting a promising direction before its cancellation in January 2025. The game reportedly pivoted from a live service model to a single-player campaign with optional co-op.
UKIE calls on government to modernise Video Games Expenditure Credit ahead of Autumn Budget
UKIE is urging the UK government to modernize the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC) and establish a new fund to address the growth capital gap for domestic studios. The trade body argues that these reforms are crucial for the UK to remain competitive in attracting investment and talent against countries with more favorable tax incentives.
Mass Effect fans protest EA with Times Square ad and plans for The Game Awards
Mass Effect fans are launching a campaign, including a Change.org petition and a Times Square billboard, to pressure Electronic Arts into continuing the franchise after the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. Despite EA's decision, an Amazon TV adaptation is reportedly still in development, and composer Austin Wintory has shared music he created for the cancelled project.
Assassin's Creed and Halo veteran who served as Mass Effect 5's art director says it's "heartbreaking" to see the team BioWare built split apart: "We were good at this"
Nicolas Bouvier, former art director for the canceled Mass Effect 5 and veteran of Assassin's Creed and Halo, expressed heartbreak over the closure of BioWare and the loss of the team's potential. He described the studio as a tightly knit and talented group whose work on the next Mass Effect installment will never be released.
Mass Effect Has Been Taken Away Just When We Needed It Most
The closure of BioWare is a significant loss, particularly as the Mass Effect universe was poised for a strong showing. The article laments that this potential has been lost just when it was most needed.
"Mass Effect was my ultimate white whale": Journey composer shares 20 minutes of music created during talks to work on BioWare's recently cancelled RPG
Composer Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey, shared approximately 20 minutes of music he created for the cancelled Mass Effect 5 during talks with BioWare. Wintory expressed his deep disappointment over the project's cancellation and BioWare's subsequent closure, calling it a "white whale" project. The music explored new directions for the franchise's score, blending synths and orchestral elements.
Sucker Punch Productions reportedly lays off 24 employees following launch of Ghost of Yōtei: Complete Edition
Sucker Punch Productions has reportedly laid off 24 employees, citing market challenges and future project needs. This news comes after the recent launch of Ghost of Tsushima: Iki Island, which followed the successful release of Ghost of Tsushima. Sony Interactive Entertainment has been contacted for comment.
Composer shares 20 minutes of music created for Mass Effect 5 following tragic closure of BioWare
Composer Austin Wintory has shared 20 minutes of music he created as a pitch for Mass Effect 5, following the unexpected closure of BioWare. The music, a homage to the original Mass Effect composers, blends analog synths and orchestral elements. The closure of BioWare by EA resulted in significant layoffs and has drawn widespread criticism from the industry.
Evening Reading - October 26, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of industry news, including a review of Phantom Blade Zero, a delay for Emberville's Early Access release, and Skydance launching a voluntary buyout program. It also touches on OpenAI facing a lawsuit from Texas and the bankruptcy of Finnish esports organization ENCE. Microsoft is offering voluntary exit buyouts to employees, while Arrowhead Game Studios is focusing on Helldivers 2 over a potential Helldivers 3.
The 50 most-played Steam Next Fest demos include 7 incremental games, 4 AI disclosures, and only one instance of…
Valve has released the list of the 50 most-played demos from the recent Steam Next Fest, highlighting the continued popularity of incremental games and co-op titles. Notably, games overtly utilizing generative AI were largely absent from the top-played list, with only four such titles appearing.
