Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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RPG Maker forum users are racing to archive almost 15 years of valuable resources, as game engine maker announces impending move
Users of the official RPG Maker forums are racing to archive nearly 15 years of valuable resources before the community hub is shut down on December 11, 2026. The closure is part of a community management restructure, with a new forum planned by developers Gotcha Gotcha Games. There are currently no plans for an official archive of the old forums, leaving users to manually save discussions and guides.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation devs were "able to remain true" to the original 1997 JRPG, lead says, even if the story order "might be shifted up a bit"
Square Enix director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that Final Fantasy VII Revelation aims to remain as true as possible to the original 1997 JRPG, even if some story beats are reordered. While the developers might consider certain elements less important, fan perception is prioritized, leading to minimal omissions. The remake trilogy will adjust the sequence of events, such as the Rocket Town story, to better fit the new narrative structure.
"We're going to see more hit games coming from publishers you've never heard of" – Pocketpair and the indie publishing revolution
John Buckley, head of publishing at Palworld creator Pocketpair, argues that traditional publishers are out of touch with the current industry, offering outdated deals. Pocketpair Publishing, established after Palworld's success, aims to offer more favorable terms to developers, focusing on marketing and support without ownership of intellectual property. Despite ongoing legal battles with Nintendo over alleged similarities to Pokémon, Pocketpair remains committed to its survival crafting genre and expanding the Palworld IP with spin-offs.
Stranger Than Heaven will explore Tupac's "potential future" if "he was still alive now", according to RGG studio head
RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama discussed the decision to include a digitally resurrected Tupac Shakur in the upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven. The inclusion was inspired by Snoop Dogg's role and the real-life relationship between the two artists, with the studio aiming to explore a potential future for Tupac rather than recreate his past. RGG Studio obtained approval from both Tupac's family and his estate for his likeness.
Hidetaka Miyazaki tells fans to look forward to both announced and unannounced titles
In a recent interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the acclaimed developer behind titles like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne, encouraged fans to anticipate both currently announced and unannounced projects from Kadokawa. This statement has generated excitement and speculation within the gaming community.
Out in Late October, Phantom Blade Zero Dev Doesn't Care How Close It Is to GTA 6
Phantom Blade Zero's developer, S-Game, has set an October 29, 2026 release date for the PlayStation 5 action game, intentionally placing it three weeks before Grand Theft Auto 6. Game director Qiwei Liang stated that the proximity to Rockstar Games' highly anticipated title was not a strategic marketing decision, emphasizing that the team's sole focus is on product quality and bug fixing rather than competing for attention.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis uses AI but all final assets will be human-made
Crystal Dynamics has clarified that while Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis will utilize AI in its development process, all final in-game assets will be human-made. Experience director Jeff Adams stated that AI will be used for creating various in-game objects.
"I was given that opportunity to go crazy and do something kind of insane" - Will Wright and Maxis look back on nine years making Spore
Key figures from Maxis, including founder Will Wright, reflect on the nine-year development of Spore, acknowledging it as a failed game design with disconnected elements. They attribute these issues to rapid team growth, a lack of structured decision-making under Wright's 'luminary' management style, and challenges in coordinating a large team, despite significant creative freedom granted by Electronic Arts.
Teutonic.Games 2026 Opens Pre-Registration for Germany’s Premier Indie Game Showcase
GameTikker.com has opened pre-registration for the Teutonic.Games - Indie Game Event 2026, a showcase for German indie game development. The online event will feature new titles, demos, sales, and announcements, building on the success of previous indie showcases. Pre-registration is open for German solo developers, studios, and publishers.
Xbox boss explains why The Elder Scrolls 6 wasn't at the Xbox Games Showcase
Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is 'amazing' and progressing well, but will be revealed at the right time, explaining its absence from the recent Xbox Games Showcase. Todd Howard previously mentioned the game is still a long way off, with rumors suggesting a 2027 or 2028 release, and the majority of Bethesda Game Studios staff are currently focused on its development.
Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis developers used gen AI to get "the right answers faster", Crystal Dynamics explains
Crystal Dynamics has detailed the use of generative AI in the development of Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, explaining that tools are employed to create placeholder assets for faster visualization and iteration. The studio emphasizes that all final game content is human-crafted. The game is set to release on February 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Sega is beefing up the Sonic Team on its 35th anniversary, hiring across multiple key roles
Sega is actively hiring for its Sonic Team across multiple key roles, including producer, lead planner, and graphics programmer, as the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary. While the specific project for these new hires remains undisclosed, the increased development activity suggests a new title is in the works, potentially addressing fan anticipation following a relatively quiet showing at Summer Game Fest.
Xbox’s Matt Booty Confirms Elder Scrolls VI Is “Coming Along Well”, But Don’t Expect a Reveal Just Yet
Xbox's Matt Booty confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI is progressing well and he has seen it running at Bethesda. While no release window or trailer was provided, Booty emphasized that the game will be revealed at the right time to showcase its best aspects. This update offers a positive sign for fans who have been anticipating the sequel since its initial tease in 2018.
The Hidden Power of Indie Games in Shaping Gaming’s Future
Indie games are significantly shaping the future of the gaming industry by introducing innovative art styles, gameplay mechanics, and business models that are increasingly adopted by larger publishers. These smaller, passion-driven projects often serve as the originators of transformative shifts in game design and narrative, with platforms like Roblox and digital marketplaces like Eneba facilitating their reach and impact.
Evening Interviews
The Coalition, developer of Gears of War E-Day, explains their decision to create a prequel for the franchise. The studio felt the prequel concept was too compelling to pass up.
Next Ghost Recon in Trouble After “Unrealistic Deadlines, Poor Planning and Management” – Rumor
The next Ghost Recon game, codenamed "Ovr," is reportedly facing significant development challenges due to unrealistic deadlines, poor planning, and management issues. Sources indicate that project directors are not responding to feedback, raising concerns about the game's future, potential layoffs, or cancellation. This situation could impact Ubisoft's release schedule for 2026 and beyond.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Still Nowhere to Be Seen, 8 Years Later
Eight years after its initial announcement, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains in development with no official release date or gameplay revealed. Xbox chief Matt Booty stated the game looks amazing and is progressing well, but Bethesda Game Studios is prioritizing showing it at the right time. Despite updates from Todd Howard indicating it has passed playable milestones and is built on Creation Engine 3, the prolonged silence has led to speculation and frustration among fans, especially considering the development timelines of other major titles like Starfield.
Phantom Blade Zero Director on Launching Close to GTA 6: “We Don’t Think About Any of This”
S-GAME director Qiwei Liang stated that the team is not concerned about Phantom Blade Zero launching close to Grand Theft Auto 6, focusing instead on product quality and bug fixes. The developer is prioritizing polishing the game and optimizing it to avoid a large day-one patch, with plans to release it on PC and PlayStation 5 in late October. The team is also aiming to bring the game to the Steam Deck.
After playing the new remake of Tomb Raider, I'm convinced you can't actually remake Tomb Raider
The author reflects on the evolution of Tomb Raider remakes, contrasting the original's experimental nature with modern "reimaginings" like Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. They argue that current big-budget game development struggles to capture the original's unique identity, which stemmed from the limitations and uncertainties of early 3D game creation.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond dev explains how fans helped make the game possible
Toys for Bob, now independent, is developing Spyro: A Realm Beyond, with studio head Paul Yan crediting fan demand and the success of Spyro Reignited Trilogy for making the new game possible. Yan highlighted consistent fan requests at gaming events as a key factor in pitching the project to Xbox.
