Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Creative Assembly is developing its own custom technology for Alien: Isolation 2 'to really fine tune the experience and create exactly the best Alien experience'
Creative Assembly is developing Alien: Isolation 2 using Unreal Engine 5, and is creating custom lighting and audio technology to enhance the player experience. Creative Director Al Hope highlighted the benefits of real-time feedback in modern game development for faster iteration. The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Zlin City: Arch Moderna is a diorama city builder made with actual, physical models and based on a real Czech city
Zlin City: Arch Moderna is a diorama-style city builder developed by polyperfect, inspired by the real Czech city of Zlin. The game utilizes physical, 3D-printed models with hand-painted details to create a unique aesthetic, aiming for an 'imperfect' human touch. It draws inspiration from model railways and classic animation, with gameplay elements reminiscent of Tiny Glad and SimCity, and is available in alpha via Patreon with a Steam wishlist option.
XBOX wants to ‘accelerate’ Fallout and Elder Scrolls releases, so we might finally get word if TES6 even exists
Xbox aims to accelerate the release schedule for its major franchises, including Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. This push may lead to an official update on the development status of the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls VI.
Whether you believe it or not, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi says the end's been planned from the start
Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the ending for the series has been planned from the early stages of development. He also discussed the team's approach to player feedback, emphasizing that they do not aim to please the 'median average' to maintain the product's unique character. Hamaguchi confirmed that Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Rebirth will feature a similar number of minigames as its predecessor.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists only because of its "loud and consistent" community of fans
Toys for Bob studio head Paul Yan and associate creative director Lou Studdert stated that Spyro: A Realm Beyond exists due to the consistent support from its fanbase. The team has always wanted to return to the Spyro franchise, and the community's vocal demand made the project a clear decision. The game is set for a spring 2027 release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, with Tom Kenny reprising his role as Spyro's voice actor.
Rumor Mill
A rumor suggests that Xbox has been given the go-ahead to expedite the development of a new Fallout game. Microsoft is reportedly considering spinning off its Xbox business unit.
Saturday Interviews
Developers at Aftermath discuss the creation of Forbidden Solitaire, noting that the final product is the opposite of their initial intentions but has become a hit. The interview delves into their unexpected development journey.
A little known rendering technique that can create low-cost, photo-real graphics may be about to have its big moment in…
Gaussian splatting, a rendering technique that uses millions of 3D Gaussians to create photorealistic graphics, is gaining traction due to its low-cost and efficient nature. Scan artist Christoph Schindelar highlights its potential for indie developers, noting its implementation in major engines and its ability to handle complex details like hair and reflections, though dynamic lighting remains a challenge.
Nintendo reportedly look set to net so little from their Palworld lawsuit you'll wonder why they bothered
Nintendo's lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair is unlikely to result in a significant victory, with potential damages estimated at around $30,000. The suit, initially filed nearly two years ago for patent infringement, has been narrowed to focus on older versions of the game, and Pocketpair has already removed the mechanics in question. Meanwhile, Palworld's 1.0 version release date was announced at Summer Game Fest.
Nintendo’s Palworld lawsuit is falling apart as full release nears
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's patent infringement lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair is weakening as the game nears its full release. Setbacks in patent office rejections and Pocketpair's proactive changes to gameplay mechanics have narrowed the dispute primarily to older versions of the game, diminishing the likelihood of impacting Palworld's upcoming 1.0 launch. While Nintendo may still pursue damages, the core objective of halting the game's trajectory appears unlikely, with many players viewing the situation as an underdog story against a large corporation.
Xbox Reportedly Speeding Up New Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo Games as Microsoft Leaves Spinning Off the Business on the Table
Xbox is reportedly accelerating development on new installments of The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo franchises. This comes as Microsoft considers restructuring or spinning off its gaming division, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly pushing for faster game releases.
Rating the June 2026 Nintendo Direct, plus which games were missing
The June 2026 Nintendo Direct presentation showcased a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Kingdom Hearts 4 and its predecessors on Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. The broadcast also featured new titles like The Duskbloods and Xenoblade Genesis, along with DLC for Pokemon Pokopia and Donkey Kong Bananza, and updates for various other games. However, notable absences included anticipated titles like Super Smash Bros. and a new Animal Crossing, leading to mixed reactions from fans.
AMD Advanced Shader Delivery
Advanced Shader Delivery, developed by AMD, is now available in the Xbox PC app for all users after its initial debut for Xbox Insiders. This technology aims to improve shader performance and delivery for PC games on the platform.
Evening Postmortems/Retrospectives
Will Wright and Maxis reflect on the nine years of development for the game Spore. Wright describes the creative freedom he was given to pursue ambitious and unconventional ideas during the game's creation.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Won’t Feature Bone Village
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will not feature the location known as Bone Village, according to director Naoki Hamaguchi. While Bone Village itself is excluded, surrounding areas like North Wood and the Temple of the Ancients will be accessible. The game is set to launch in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Microsoft is looking to speed up development of future Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo games
Microsoft is reportedly considering significant changes for its Xbox division, including the possibility of spinning it off as a standalone company or forming a joint venture. The company has approved plans to increase spending on major game series like Halo, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls to accelerate their development.
New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games as Bethesda crosses 8 years since The Elder…
New Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is reportedly pushing for faster development cycles on major franchises like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Halo by providing additional funding to studios like Bethesda Game Studios. This initiative comes as The Elder Scrolls 6 approaches eight years since its announcement with little information released, and amid reports of upcoming layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
Pax Dei delivers an Unreal Engine update and addresses long-standing bugs
Mainframe Industries has released patch R46 for the MMORPG Pax Dei, focusing on backend improvements, bug fixes, and stability. The update includes an upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.6, enhancing frame rates, visuals, and loading times, alongside reworked aggro systems and UI improvements.
Erenshor’s Biggest Adventure Yet Takes Shape in New Planar March Development Update Video
Burgee Media has released a new development update video for Erenshor's upcoming Planar March expansion, showcasing large-scale raid encounters and new environments. This update, scheduled for release later this summer, will introduce four full-scale raids with over twenty bosses, expanding the game's endgame content for its single-player MMO experience. The Planar March update aims to recreate classic MMORPG raiding excitement without requiring online multiplayer, utilizing Erenshor's signature AI-driven SimPlayers.
Tupac’s presence in Stranger Than Heaven somehow gets even more bizarre after developer interview
An interview with the developers of Stranger Than Heaven has shed further light on the bizarre inclusion of Tupac Shakur in the game. The discussion delves into the creative decisions and inspirations behind this unusual element.