Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Path of Exile co-creator tells developers "don't survey your players" because "'your audience is good at recognizing problems and bad at solving them'"
Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson advises game developers against surveying players for design direction, stating that audiences are better at identifying problems than solving them. He emphasizes that while player feedback is crucial for identifying issues, developers must maintain their own vision for the game's direction. Wilson also touches on the potential pitfalls of player surveys, such as creating false expectations and optimizing for vocal players rather than the entire community.
Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams Revealed for Series’ 40th Anniversary
Square Enix has revealed Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, formerly known as Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, as part of the Dragon Quest series' 40th anniversary. The game's title and logo have been updated following a restart in development under a new structure. Messages from series designer Yuji Horii and executive producer Yosuke Saito were shared, along with in-development gameplay footage, though no release date or platforms have been announced.
Anticipated PS5 RPG in Beloved Franchise Gets Renamed, New Spin-off Announced
Square Enix announced significant updates for the Dragon Quest series during a 40th-anniversary livestream. The next mainline entry, previously known as Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate, has been renamed Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams and undergone a development restart with a shift back to a more traditional tone. Additionally, a new spin-off, Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, was revealed for multiple platforms. Neither game has a release date.
V Rising’s content development may be done, but Stunlock is still releasing patches
Stunlock Studios has released a new patch for V Rising that does not introduce new content but includes significant balance changes for PvE and PvP. The patch fine-tunes spell effectiveness and alters mechanics like Corrupted blood summons. Developers are continuing to support the game while working on their next project.
Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams gets new trailer and title
Square Enix has confirmed that development on Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams has been restarted from scratch. A new trailer and the official title were revealed, indicating a significant shift in the game's production.
New Lord Of The Rings RPG – Here’s Everything We Know About The “Deeply Immersive” Game
Warhorse Studios is developing a new, untitled open-world RPG set in Middle-earth, with a focus on being "deeply immersive." The game is expected to release after Embracer Group's other upcoming title, Kingdom Come, which is targeting a release between April 2027 and March 2028. This new Lord of the Rings game is part of Embracer's broader strategy to revitalize the franchise, following recent less successful titles.
Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams re-announced after development reboot
Square Enix has re-announced Dragon Quest XII, now titled Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams, following a complete development reboot. Executive producer Yosuke Saito explained that the original vision for "The Flames of Fate" faced hurdles, leading to a fresh start with a new protagonist and technological advancements. Series creator Yuji Horii teased a story about a hero with sleep visions, promising a bright future beyond dreams, while confirming Akira Toriyama's character designs and Koichi Sugiyama's music will return.
Tides of Annihilation Hands-On Event Set for This Summer
Eclipse Glow Games has announced that Tides of Annihilation will host its first hands-on event this summer, allowing players to experience its Neo-Medieval combat. The studio is collaborating with Unreal Engine and NVIDIA to improve visual fidelity and performance, with support for DLSS and path tracing planned for PC. Specific details regarding dates, locations, and platform requirements for the event will be shared later.
"Of course" the director of Pragmata would love a sequel, but he's "not the only one who…
Pragmata director Yonghee Cho expressed his desire for a sequel to the recently released game, though he emphasized that the decision is not solely his. Producer Naoto Oyama stated his current focus is on ensuring players experience the existing game, while Capcom PR actively managed the discussion around potential future installments. The article highlights Pragmata as a rare example of a new, single-player IP from a major publisher.
Ex-Forza Horizon Devs Poised to Reveal New PS5 Racer Prior to Sony's State of Play
Maverick Games, a studio founded by ex-Playground Games director Mike Brown, is set to reveal its new PlayStation 5 open-world racing game on June 2nd. The studio, which includes other former Forza Horizon creatives, is working on a narrative-driven racer. While initially funded by Amazon, the studio is now independent, and there is speculation about a potential partnership with Sony, especially given the PlayStation 5's lack of exclusive racing titles outside of Gran Turismo 7.
81-year-old developer makes sequel to ZX Spectrum classic after 40 year wait
81-year-old programmer Colin Porch, who worked on the original 1980s ZX Spectrum game Head Over Heels, has released a sequel titled Return To Blacktooth: A Head Over Heels Adventure after nearly 40 years. Development initially began in 1989 but was abandoned until Porch was inspired to finish it, securing permission from the IP rights holders. The game is available on itch.io and will receive a physical release from Thalamus Digital Publishing.
Paralives is possibly the first ever videogame with a character editor that gives people motion sickness
The life simulation game Paralives, which recently launched into early access, is experiencing an unusual issue where its character creator, the Paramaker, is causing motion sickness in some players. This occurs during the tutorial sequence set on a moving train, where the passing scenery reportedly induces nausea. The developers plan to address this by adding curtains to the train windows.
Remedy's CEO isn't worried about Control Resonant launching close to GTA 6: 'It’s going to put the spotlight even more on games than maybe in past years'
Remedy Entertainment's CEO, Jean-Charles Gaudechon, is not concerned about Control Resonant launching near Grand Theft Auto 6, believing the major release will boost the entire gaming market. He suggests that GTA 6's launch could encourage players to purchase consoles like the PlayStation 5 and subsequently discover other titles. Gaudechon also touched upon his past experience at Electronic Arts and Remedy's strategy for building its franchises.
Tencent Games Spotlights Future Player Experiences with 45 Major Updates at SPARK 2026
Tencent Games revealed 45 major updates at its SPARK 2026 conference, focusing on development, publishing, and investments. The event highlighted new IP collaborations, cross-platform experiences, and technological innovations across various titles including League of Legends, Arena Breakout: Infinite, Arma Reforger, and CONTROL Resonant. Updates also covered new game launches, expansions, and collaborations with brands like Persona 5 Royal and Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Institute.
Even WWE legend Trish Stratus is throwing shade at GTA 6's delay
WWE legend Trish Stratus has joined the online discussion surrounding the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, humorously referencing the wait on merchandise. The game's release date has been pushed to November 19, with Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressing confidence in this date despite ongoing rumors of developer crunch conditions at Rockstar Games.
Diablo 4 developer explains why AAA crunch still exists
Diablo IV lead engine engineer Marcin Undak discussed the persistent issue of crunch in AAA game development, distinguishing it from the survival-driven crunch in indie studios. He suggested that in larger companies like Blizzard, crunch often stems from workplace culture rather than necessity, highlighting concerns about poor planning and management decisions. The conversation around crunch continues amidst growing unionization efforts in the industry.
Game and Mod Development
Global Game Jam has launched a pilot program called GGJ Micro-Missions, supported by the Endless Foundation. This initiative aims to foster game development and modding through new opportunities.
The Saturated Horizon of Next-Generation Game Environments - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
The article analyzes the challenges of player retention in increasingly dense and visually impressive game environments, using upcoming titles like Grand Theft Auto VI and The Blood of Dawnwalker as examples. It argues that sustainable player engagement relies more on robust internal reward systems and mathematical progression loops than on sheer scale or visual fidelity alone. Developers must engineer moment-to-moment gameplay that consistently rewards player curiosity and investment to maintain long-term communities.
'This world means so much to us': Overwatch's game director celebrates its 10 year anniversary by mapping…
Overwatch game director Aaron Keller celebrated the game's 10-year anniversary by sharing insights into its development journey, which began in 2013 after the cancellation of Project Titan. Keller highlighted how early concepts and character designs, like Cole Cassidy, evolved from scrapped projects into the final game. He expressed gratitude to the community and hopes for another decade of Overwatch.
Marathon releases a cinematic trailer to hype up its second season arriving June 2
Bungie has released a new cinematic trailer to build hype for Marathon's upcoming Season 2, which is set to arrive on June 2. The trailer focuses on setting a dark, horror-themed tone and offers glimpses of the new Night Marsh map, new enemies, and a character named Sentinel. The article also touches on the controversy surrounding Marathon's development impacting Destiny 2.