Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Epic throws shade at Steam, admits to vibe-coding the new Epic Games Launcher with AI "to be faster than the other guy"
Epic Games has developed a new version of its PC launcher using generative AI, aiming to make it faster than Valve's Steam platform. While acknowledging potential bugs, Epic is encouraging user feedback. This move is part of a broader company push towards an "AI first" development pipeline, which may also influence Unreal Engine.
As if you needed another reminder of why GTA 6 took so long, it has a realistic sweat system that makes Jason and Lucia…
Grand Theft Auto 6 features a realistic sweat system that makes characters like Jason and Lucia sweat based on their physical exertion, contributing to the game's extensive development time. Reports indicate the game's scope was adjusted from an earlier, larger concept, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledging development delays.
Looking back on 10 years of Overwatch, the promises kept, and where Team 4 goes from here
Overwatch celebrates its 10th anniversary, reflecting on its journey as a live service game. Despite past challenges like content droughts and the disappointment surrounding Overwatch 2's PvE, the game is now considered to be in its best state, with developers Aaron Keller and Alec Dawson highlighting the team's passion, commitment to player feedback, and a renewed focus on the core experience. The developers are planning content years in advance, aiming to keep the game fresh and engaging for its dedicated player base.
Ex-Overwatch Director Jeff Kaplan Says He Never Wanted The Spotlight, But The Game Needed A Face
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan reflects on his public-facing role, stating he never sought the spotlight but felt it was necessary for the game's growth and fan engagement. He discusses the personal cost of dealing with player toxicity and his relief in stepping away from Blizzard to work on his new studio's game, The Legend of California.
Jeff Kaplan Says Seperation From Overwatch Was “Clinical”: ” I Never Go Back”
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan stated he has maintained a "clinical separation" from the game since his departure from Blizzard in April 2021. He explained that to protect his own mental well-being and focus on his new independent game, The Legend of California, he avoids engaging with Overwatch content online. Kaplan drew parallels to his earlier departure from World of Warcraft, noting that stepping away from that game was more emotionally impactful.
Funcom to lay off staff as it pivots to focusing solely on Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening
Funcom is undergoing a significant restructuring, pivoting to focus exclusively on the live operations of Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening. This decision will result in staff layoffs, with CEO Rui Casais departing at the end of the year to be replaced by Scott Junior. The company aims to support and grow these two titles and their communities for the foreseeable future.
Epic Games delays a Marvel and Star Wars extraction shooter in order to pivot to an ‘AI first’ production model
Epic Games has reportedly delayed an upcoming Marvel and Star Wars extraction shooter to implement an "AI first" production model, instructing developers to use generative AI for art and eliminate "hand-written code." CEO Tim Sweeney stated the company is pivoting to "maximum AI acceleration" to build more and better content, framing it as a necessary step to "survive the AI revolution."
GTA 6's first major leak was like having someone "wading through your dirty washing," says Rockstar lead:…
Rockstar Games lead Aaron Garbut described the leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6 as feeling like someone "wading through your dirty washing" and "inside your head." He elaborated on the emotional difficulty of seeing early, unfinished work made public, especially with the game's release date approaching. Despite legal actions and the cryptocurrency-fueled nature of past leaks, the article speculates that further leaks are unlikely given the game's imminent launch.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced was a big hit, and now it's time for big layoffs at the studio that made…
Despite the commercial success of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced, Ubisoft has laid off 70 employees at Ubisoft Singapore and is closing Ubisoft Redlynx, impacting up to 52 positions. These actions follow earlier layoffs at Ubisoft Barcelona after the successful launch of Black Flag Resynced, highlighting a trend of job cuts even after strong sales.
Hideo Kojima sympathizes with Tom Cruise after Digger flop – people also wrote off Death Stranding without playing it, and he thinks the film is similar to Metal Gear Solid 2
Hideo Kojima drew parallels between the critical reception of Tom Cruise's film Digger and his own game Death Stranding, suggesting both were misunderstood and unfairly labeled. He noted how Digger, like Metal Gear Solid 2, explores future anxieties amplified by AI and social media, and how public discourse often forms opinions without full engagement.
"We vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher" because "programming is hard", announce company we're somehow supposed to see as a serious Steam competitor
Epic Games has released a preview of a new version of its launcher, which it claims is faster and more responsive than Steam, using a concept termed "vibe coding" and an "AI-first" approach. The company's CEO, Tim Sweeney, has emphasized a push for "maximum AI acceleration." This new tech stack, rewritten from the ground up, aims to improve load times and system performance, though initial features are light.
If New Blood had made Dusk 2, there'd be no Iron Lung, 'and now David Szymanski has got a movie that made $50 million'—so maybe there's wisdom in not churning out sequels
New Blood founder Dave Oshry explains his strategy of investing success from hits like Ultrakill into new, 'artsy' projects rather than churning out sequels. He contrasts this independent approach with the AAA model of IP exploitation and relentless growth, arguing that this allows for more creative freedom and avoids the pitfalls of publisher-driven development, citing examples like the Heroes of Might and Magic series and the Wolverine game.
Rockstar still won't reveal the cost of GTA 6 development, but it's definitely not the previously rumored $1.5…
Rockstar Games has not disclosed the exact development cost for Grand Theft Auto 6, but has refuted claims that the budget exceeds $1.5 billion. While the final figure remains private, it is expected to be one of the largest in gaming history. The studio has also stated that development did not involve "crunching" after lessons learned from Red Dead Redemption 2.
Asha Sharma announces Xbox Labs project to "explore new technology," which sure sounds like tinkering with old games through AI
Asha Sharma announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new R&D initiative focused on exploring emerging technologies like AI for game remixing and rejigging. While Microsoft clarified AI usage won't be mandatory, the initiative aims to turn new ideas into player experiences, potentially by decompiling and rebuilding old games or making new ones more moddable. The article expresses skepticism about the initiative's true goals, linking it to recent layoffs and a focus on existing franchises.
A new Dressmaker update adds more skirts and materials to 2026's coziest success story
The indie game Dressmaker, praised for its creative experience and positive user reviews, has received a new update adding more skirts, fabrics, and accessories. Developer Cozy Lives has also implemented significant quality-of-life improvements to controls, menus, and accessibility based on player feedback.
GTA 6 Leaks Are Still Coming, Rockstar Labels The 2022 Hack “Weirdly Invasive”
Rockstar Games has addressed the ongoing Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, with a developer describing the experience as "weirdly invasive." The studio is reportedly taking steps to address security following the 2022 hack, which led to a controversial policy change requiring developers to work in the office. New leaks continue to surface, with the latest posted by a user named CyberLeek.
Doom can 'run' on a DNS database now, and one of the technology's pioneers says 'I can't decide whether this is deliciously horrible, or else horribly delicious'
A technical project has demonstrated the ability to run the classic game Doom using a DNS database as its primary processing unit. This innovative approach, developed by Corey Quinn, utilizes DNS records to store precomputed truth tables, effectively turning the domain name system into a functional, albeit slow, database for game operations. While not practical for actual gameplay due to its extreme latency, the project has been lauded by DNS pioneer Paul Vixie as a 'deliciously horrible' and impressive feat of technical ingenuity.
Epic says its new 'vibe coded' Epic Games Store launcher is faster than Steam
Epic Games has released a new preview client for its Epic Games Store launcher, claiming it is significantly faster than Steam. The rebuild, which Epic refers to as 'vibe coded,' features a redesigned library and utilizes AI tools for development. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is bullish on AI's potential to enhance game development across the company.
"We are here to give you something to believe in": the former Disco Elysium devs of Summer Eternal reveal new RPG Red Rooster, a game of fire, water and alternate selves
Former Disco Elysium developers have formed a new studio, Summer Eternal, and revealed their upcoming RPG, Red Rooster. The game is described as a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, featuring a 3D real-time third-person perspective, a magic realist setting, and a physics-powered sandbox with a focus on fire and alternate selves. The studio aims for an anti-capitalist approach to game development, though the game is still in early pre-production and seeking funding.
Rockstar says its next game after GTA 6 won’t take as long to develop
Rockstar Games stated that its next title after Grand Theft Auto 6 will not require as long a development period, leveraging the new tools and engine built for GTA 6. The studio plans to use these foundational changes to accelerate future game development, aiming to build more compelling content more efficiently.
