Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Wardogs CEO goes on the defensive after speaking in favor of crunch in an interview
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, the developer of the early access FPS Wardogs, has defended the practice of crunch in game development. In an interview, Brammer expressed support for crunch, stating that the final months of development were more important than developers' family lives and that the studio screens potential hires for anti-crunch rhetoric. He also mentioned that developers receive 'life-changing' compensation and that the studio utilized four-day work weeks and gave employees December off.
Dishonored's Harvey Smith named his new studio Black Pony Immersive so people would stop asking him to work on other genres: 'Specialising on what you love is not a bad path'
Dishonored director Harvey Smith has launched a new studio, Black Pony Immersive, with fellow Arkane alumnus Ben Horne. The studio's name explicitly signals its focus on immersive sims, a genre Smith believes in specializing in to avoid the pitfalls of projects like Redfall, which he feels Arkane should not have worked on. Smith aims to leverage his reputation in the genre to build a successful independent studio.
PHYSINT – Hideo Kojima Reveals The Lead Cast Members Trailer
Hideo Kojima, founder of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, revealed updates on OD – KNOCK and announced Bill Skarsgård as the lead cast member for the upcoming game PHYSINT during the XBOX Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast. PHYSINT is slated for a release on December 31, 2097, and will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox.
Xbox and Hideo Kojima announce Bill Skarsgard as lead star in Physint
Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgard will star as the lead in Physint, an upcoming action-espionage game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Xbox. The announcement came during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast. This news follows the recent termination of PlayStation's publishing deal for the title.
Former GTA 5 lead's studio reportedly closing as MindsEye devs announce their departure from Build A Rocket Boy
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio founded by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, is reportedly closing down. This follows the highly negative reception of their game MindsEye and allegations of poor management, including excessive overtime and layoffs. Several employees have announced their departures on LinkedIn, with HR lead Dan Hawkins indicating the studio is being wound down.
Hideo Kojima’s Physint Casts Bill Skarsgard As Its Lead
Bill Skarsgard has been cast as the lead in Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game, Physint. The project, developed by Kojima Productions, will be published by Xbox after PlayStation withdrew from the partnership. Skarsgard joins previously announced cast members, and the game aims to blur the lines between gaming and film.
Hideo Kojima taps John Wick 4 star Bill Skarsgard to play Physint's lead role, calls the Metal Gear succesor "the culmination of more than 40 years of my career"
Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgård will star as the lead in his upcoming game, Physint, a spiritual successor to Metal Gear. Kojima described Physint as the culmination of his 40-year career and a new take on 'action espionage,' now being developed under Xbox Game Studios after Sony reportedly cancelled the project. Development is progressing steadily, with Kojima expressing excitement about the partnership with Xbox.
Hideo Kojima confirms Bill Skarsgård is Physint's lead actor, gives production update on mysterious horror game OD
Hideo Kojima provided updates on his upcoming games, OD and Physint, during Xbox's Tokyo Game Show broadcast. Physint, now published by Xbox after Sony stepped away, will star Bill Skarsgård in the lead role. Development on the horror game OD is proceeding smoothly, with Kojima emphasizing its unique and fear-testing nature.
OD is "progressing smoothly," Hideo Kojima says, teasing it as a "completely new kind of game that tests…
Hideo Kojima has provided an update on his new horror game, OD, stating that development is progressing smoothly and on schedule. Performance capture and ADR recording have resumed, with actors Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer delivering intense performances. Kojima described OD as a new kind of game that tests the thresholds of fear.
Tokyo Game Show 2026: Bill Skarsgård Cast as Lead Role in PHYSINT
During the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast, Hideo Kojima announced that Swedish actor Bill Skarsgård will play the lead role in the upcoming action-espionage game PHYSINT from KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. Xbox will publish PHYSINT, expanding their existing relationship with the studio. Updates were also provided for OD – KNOCK.
Hyper Light Drifter developer Heart Machine has laid off the majority of staff
Indie studio Heart Machine has laid off the majority of its staff after a publisher pulled funding for an unannounced title. Studio founder Alex Preston announced the devastating news on LinkedIn, stating that the loss of this key income has made the studio's survival uncertain. This follows previous layoffs in November 2024 and October 2025, with the studio's earlier title, Hyper Light Breaker, being cut before it left early access.
Media Molecule Reportedly Working on Animal Crossing Style Game
Media Molecule is reportedly working on a new social simulation game inspired by Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon, with a potential reveal in 2027. The project, which is not a live-service game, marks a departure from the studio's previous user-generated content platforms like Dreams. This new intellectual property is expected to be the studio's first release in seven years.
Heart Machine faces possible closure after publishing deal falls through; majority of staff laid off
Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Drifter, is facing potential closure after a crucial publishing deal fell through, leading to the layoff of most of its staff. Studio head Alx Preston described the situation as devastating and is seeking new opportunities for the talented individuals affected. This marks the third round of layoffs for the studio in under three years, highlighting the challenging economic climate for independent game developers.
Rapport: Mindseye-utvecklaren är på väg att slå igen
Build a Rocket Boy, the studio founded by Grand Theft Auto veteran Leslie Benzies, appears to be on the verge of closure. Multiple developers have reported being laid off, and sources suggest the company is shutting down. The studio's game, Mindseye, received significant criticism and was named Metacritic's worst game of the year.
Heart Machine Has Laid Off “Nearly Everyone”, Founder Unsure of Studio’s Survival
Heart Machine, the studio behind Hyper Light Drifter, has laid off nearly all of its staff after a publisher canceled an unannounced project. Studio founder Alx Preston expressed devastation and uncertainty about the company's future survival, while also seeking roles for the talented individuals affected. This follows previous layoffs in 2025 and the critical reception of Hyper Light Breaker.
Fable “Protected” From Xbox’s Mass Layoffs Because It’s “Vital to the Platform’s DNA”
Playground Games' Fable has been protected from Xbox's mass layoffs due to its perceived importance to the platform's identity. Game director Ralph Fulton stated that the long-anticipated title is considered vital to the DNA of Xbox and gaming as a whole. The game is slated for release on February 23rd, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
GPT-6 Astra Plays Minecraft, Gets So Depressed After Creeper Destroys Its Progress That It Farms Potatoes for Hours
OpenAI's AI model, GPT-6 Astra, experienced a simulated depression in Minecraft after a creeper destroyed its progress, leading it to farm potatoes for hours and develop paranoia towards green elements. This event highlights the AI's simulated emotional responses within the game.
Hyper Light Drifter dev lays off "nearly everyone at the studio" after publisher backs out of new game: "I'm not sure yet how or if Heart Machine survives"
Indie studio Heart Machine has laid off nearly all of its staff after its publisher unexpectedly withdrew funding for its next unannounced game. Studio founder Alx Preston stated that the future of the company is uncertain, and they are seeking roles for the displaced developers. The studio, known for Hyper Light Drifter, has faced challenges with recent titles like Hyper Light Breaker and Possessor(s).
Hyper Light studio Heart Machine lays off 'nearly everyone' after publisher deal for unannounced game falls…
Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Drifter, has laid off nearly its entire staff after a publisher deal for an unannounced game fell through. Studio founder Alx Preston described the situation as devastating, stating that the loss of this key income has forced the studio to let go of most employees. The studio will continue to seek a path forward, but its survival is uncertain.
Diablo 5 senior game director says the game will tell 'three stories,' including the past, the present desolation of Diablo's takeover, and the future 'terror forming' of the Sanctuary
Diablo 5 will feature a narrative spanning the past, present, and future, with explorable biomes that dynamically change based on the influence of Diablo's Dread Commanders. Senior game director Joe Shely and narrative director Jennifer Hepler detailed how these environments will offer a unique experience each time players revisit them, reflecting the ongoing 'terror forming' of Sanctuary.
