Game Development
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Sonic producer says AAA studios need to learn from indie developers
Sonic the Hedgehog producer Takashi Iizuka believes AAA studios can learn from the agility and creativity of indie developers. He notes that the high cost and long development times for major titles force publishers like Sega to focus on massive sales, contrasting with the faster iteration cycles of smaller studios. Iizuka suggests that the industry is seeing a shift where unique experiences, regardless of budget, are increasingly embraced by players.
Uppgift: Ghost Recon har problem, "orealistiska deadlines och dålig planering"
Sources claim the next Ghost Recon game, codenamed 'Project OVR', is facing significant development issues including unrealistic deadlines and poor planning, leading to internal goal misses. Ubisoft has reportedly assigned new management to oversee the project, sparking fears of potential reboots, cancellations, and further layoffs within its Paris studio. The company has not commented on the allegations.
Dead by Daylight Gets an Insane PS5 Graphics Upgrade for Its 10th Anniversary
Dead by Daylight is receiving a significant graphical overhaul in 2027 for its 10th anniversary, featuring completely recreated models, new animations, and dynamic weather effects. Behaviour Interactive also announced new content including collaborations with Scooby Doo and Terrifier, a new survivor Shane Wiigwaas, and the integration of The Casting of Frank Stone. The game will also see a new mall map and character skins inspired by Iron Maiden and Silent Hill.
Chris Avellone says Xbox studios are increasingly concerned about layoffs
Veteran game designer Chris Avellone reports growing concern among Xbox first-party studios regarding potential layoffs, despite previous assurances. Employees are reportedly receiving conflicting messages about their future following recent leadership changes and a company-wide focus on efficiency and core franchises.
Extraction MMO Warborne Above Ashes kills all future development, servers to stay online
Qooland Games has announced the cessation of all future development for their PvP extraction MMO, Warborne Above Ashes, less than a year after its launch. The developers cited serious operational and business challenges as the reason for the decision. While content updates will stop, the game's servers will remain online with all existing content available.
Sonic Team lead would love to "magically" remake every Sonic game but says it would take as much time "as…
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to remake every classic Sonic game for modern platforms but stated that the resources required would be better allocated to developing new titles. He noted that remaking older games to the standard of new releases would demand similar time, money, and effort. While many older Sonic titles are not readily available on current consoles like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch, some are accessible on PC, and fan communities have created updated versions.
1666: Amsterdam unveils the first episode of its new Developer Diary series, Behind the Shadows
Panache Digital Games and Patrice Désilets have released the first episode of their "Behind the Shadows" developer diary series for "1666: Amsterdam." This inaugural episode, "The Vision: The Real City That Became a Myth," explores the creative vision and the team's research trip to Amsterdam. The game is set to launch in Early Access on PC in 2026, with console versions planned for later.
Xbox to pour more development into Fallout, Halo, and Elder Scrolls franchises, report says
A report indicates that Microsoft is shifting its focus for Xbox, prioritizing accelerated development and increased funding for future titles in the Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo franchises. This strategic change comes amid reports of potential major layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division and considerations about Xbox's future structure, including its potential separation as a subsidiary or even sale.
What went wrong with Sega's $776m acquisition of Angry Birds giant Rovio?
Sega Sammy's $776 million acquisition of Rovio has faced significant challenges, resulting in a $200 million impairment due to profitability falling below forecasts. Issues include difficulties integrating Rovio's technology and the mature state of the Angry Birds franchise in a rapidly changing mobile market with increased user acquisition costs and platform shifts. While Take-Two's acquisition of Zynga eventually proved successful, Sega's situation highlights the complexities and risks involved in acquiring mobile game companies, particularly when relying heavily on established IP.
How to Find Any Minecraft Biome Easily
This guide details the console game launch journey in 2026, covering business decisions, costs, and approval processes for PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. It highlights platform-specific requirements, common rejection reasons, and the decision between in-house development or working with a specialist partner.
Sonic lead says AAA developers have much to learn from indie studios
Takashi Iizuka, producer for Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, believes that AAA developers can learn valuable lessons from the operational and economic models of indie studios. He highlighted how indie developers can quickly iterate on ideas and bring them to market, contrasting this with the significant time and financial investment required for large-scale AAA titles. Iizuka also drew parallels between the games industry and the film industry, noting how smaller creative projects can achieve significant success.
Torii: Beyond The Gates Demo 3 is out!
The demo for Torii: Beyond The Gates, version 3, has been released, featuring new bosses and story elements. The developers have incorporated community feedback regarding combat flow and animations, with further improvements planned for future updates. Players can explore a new realm and experiment with different character specializations.
Dead by Daylight Delivers an Unforgettable 10th Anniversary Celebration
Behaviour Interactive celebrated the 10th anniversary of Dead by Daylight with major reveals including new chapters featuring Jason Voorhees, Shane Wiigwaas, and Art the Clown, alongside collaborations with Iron Maiden, Ice Nine Kills, The Walking Dead, Silent Hill, Scooby-Doo, and Diablo. The developer also announced ambitious plans for 2027, including a visual overhaul, new game modes, and sandbox modding tools. A Dead by Daylight film is also in development with director Thordur Palsson.
Report: Microsoft weighing up spinning off Xbox
Microsoft is reportedly considering spinning off or restructuring its Xbox division as a wholly owned subsidiary to improve its financial sustainability. New Xbox boss Asha Sharma has reportedly received approval to increase spending on key franchises like Halo and Fallout to accelerate development, despite recent revenue declines and plans for further layoffs.
'Super Farming Boy' is now available on Nintendo Switch!
Super Farming Boy has officially launched on Nintendo Switch for $9.99 USD, offering an action-puzzle-farming adventure. The game was previously a finalist for Apple App Store Awards and SXSW Sydney. A regional release for Asia and South-Asia is scheduled for June 18th.
Steam Week in Review: More than 300 games released on Steam last week, and 120 of them had AI disclosures
Last week saw over 300 games released on Steam, with 120 of them featuring AI disclosures. Several games, including visual novels and FMV titles, heavily utilize AI-generated art, music, and narrative, with some priced at $100 or more. This trend raises concerns about the quality and legitimacy of AI-driven game development and pricing strategies on the platform.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars’ Orr, Elder Scrolls’ U50, and EVE’s Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers Guild Wars 3's monetization and setting, Elder Scrolls Online's new difficulty settings, EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion, and Blizzard's lawsuit against a World of Warcraft emulator. It also touches on Destiny 2 entering maintenance mode, Camelot Unchained's early access, and the ongoing discussions around the Lord of the Rings MMO and industry layoffs.
Grand Theft Auto 6 Coming in November Unless Something “Catastrophically Goes Wrong,” Says Insider
An insider claims Grand Theft Auto 6 is still on track for a November release, with marketing set to begin on June 21st. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick reiterated the November 19th launch date. The game is expected to release on Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Will Have “Smaller, Free Add-ons,” Says Rebel Wolves CEO
Rebel Wolves CEO Konrad Tomaszkiewicz stated that the studio is planning a roadmap for smaller, free add-ons for their upcoming game, The Blood of Dawnwalker. The game, which is expected to take 50-70 hours to complete, is set to launch on September 3rd for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Make-your-own-Witcher game is apparently real and will be free-to-play, according to report
A report suggests that a new game allowing players to create their own Witcher experiences is in development and will be free-to-play. This news follows other anticipated titles for fans of the series.