Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Grasshopper Manufacture Splits from NetEase
Grasshopper Manufacture, founded by Suda51, has announced its independence from NetEase Games, effective October 1, 2026. The studio aims to deliver a wider variety of game styles as an independent developer. This move comes as NetEase has been scaling back its acquisitions and closing other studios, with Grasshopper Manufacture being a fan-favorite studio that NetEase likely chose to release due to its established reputation and ability to self-sustain.
Dune Awakening boss reveals movie director Denis Villeneuve once feared the survival game's name "could be a…
Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Jon Bylos discussed the challenges and streamlined approval process for Dune: Awakening, a survival game based on the Dune IP. Director Denis Villeneuve once expressed concern that the game's title was too similar to Star Wars, but Funcom proceeded with the name.
Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is "testing the bounds" of what Naughty Dog is "capable of," teases The Last of Us star – "You are not ready"
Troy Baker, the voice actor for Joel in The Last of Us, has expressed immense excitement for Naughty Dog's upcoming game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, stating that it will
Football Manager 27 release date confirmed as new deep dive released
Sports Interactive has announced that Football Manager 27 will be released on November 10, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with a mobile version on Netflix. The game aims to recover from the poor reception of Football Manager 26, which was built on the Unity engine and had a rocky launch. The new installment will feature revamped visuals, including improved crowd models and stadium designs, alongside user interface enhancements.
Activision Should Hire Former Halo Devs For Next Mainline Game, Former Franchise Director Says
Former Halo franchise creative director Frank O’Connor has advised Activision Blizzard on how to improve the next mainline Halo game. He suggests focusing on sandbox gameplay, avoiding ties to hardware launches, and potentially hiring former developers from Bungie and other laid-off studios. O'Connor also proposed new directions for the franchise, including an action-sandbox game or an action RPG.
"NO GAME NO LIFE": Grasshopper Manufacture have leapt from the jaws of NetEase and gone indie again
Grasshopper Manufacture, the studio behind No More Heroes and Killer7, has regained its independence after splitting from NetEase, which acquired them in 2021. Founder Goichi "Suda51" Suda stated the move reflects a desire to "deliver titles in an even wider variety of styles." The studio plans to continue creating unique games with its signature flavor.
Diablo 5 "won't be ready for spring 2029," Path of Exile co-creator says, and "Blizzard money"…
Path of Exile co-creator Chris Wilson believes Diablo 5, targeting a spring 2029 release, is unlikely to meet its deadline. He estimates the game has only been a central priority for about five months, suggesting a three-year development window is tight for an RPG of its scope, even with Blizzard's resources. Wilson's analysis suggests delays are probable, a common occurrence in game development.
End of Abyss: Explore and Fight Through the Abyss’ Horror
Section 9 Interactive, a studio founded by former Tarsier Studios members, announced that their sci-fi action-adventure game, End of Abyss, will launch on October 1 for Xbox Series X|S. The game features exploration, combat, and upgrades within a decaying underground facility, blending action horror and Metroidvania elements inspired by 1980s and 1990s media.
Crimson Desert's first expansion, Charting the Unknown, delayed so Pearl Abyss get more time to polish and stabilise the red pudding
Pearl Abyss has delayed the first expansion for Crimson Desert, "Charting the Unknown," by two weeks to October 29th to allow for further polishing and stabilization. The studio cited the need for additional development time to ensure a better gameplay experience. The article also touches on the use of generative AI in asset creation and previous issues with its implementation.
Tinker, Bard, Illusionist - Blizzard seemingly surveying World of Warcraft: Forever players about never-before-seen classes to add to the game
Blizzard Entertainment appears to be surveying World of Warcraft: Forever players about potential new classes, including Bard, Tinker, Necromancer, and San'layn. Some surveyed classes are new concepts, while others are reimagined versions of existing classes from modern World of Warcraft, with potential gameplay differences.
Telltale has ensured that The Wolf Among Us 2 "feels like coming home"
Telltale Games aims for a familiar and modernized experience with The Wolf Among Us 2, focusing on player immersion and narrative depth. Development support from PM Studios, led by CEO Michael Yum, has helped Telltale overcome past struggles and hit production milestones. The sequel promises enhanced visuals, more interactive environments, and impactful choices, aiming to recapture the magic of the original.
Dune Awakening's creative director on copying Hollywood, in-game advertising, and why style beats photorealism
Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos discusses Dune Awakening's development, including its relationship with Legendary and the shift towards more stylized graphics over photorealism. He also touches on evolving business models in live service games and the future of gaming hardware.
"Ultimately, we asked 'why are we doing this?'": the creators of Arc Raiders wildly underestimated how hard it is to make a live service game
Embark Studios executive producer Aleksander Grøndal admitted the team significantly underestimated the difficulty of creating a live service game for Arc Raiders, leading to team burnout and unsustainable update schedules. The studio has since shifted to larger, biannual content drops to improve quality and team well-being, drawing on lessons learned from Grøndal's past experiences with burnout at Electronic Arts.
GTA 6's weather is completely re-engineered from Red Dead Redemption 2, and it has hurricanes, rainbows, proper…
Rockstar Games has re-engineered the weather system for Grand Theft Auto VI, building upon the advancements made in Red Dead Redemption 2. The new system will feature dynamic cloud formations, realistic wind and rain effects, and extreme conditions like hurricanes. Vice president of art for lighting and rendering, Owen Shepherd, highlighted the detailed environmental effects that players can expect.
All the RPS Supporter rewards for September 2026: Model ships, maze cities, and the tyranny of content
Rock Paper Shotgun details its supporter rewards for September 2026, including exclusive articles and early access to game impressions. Featured games include ShipShapers: Falconeer Chronicles, Sprawl Zero, Automobilista 2, and Rogue Eclipse. The article also touches on broader industry topics like Microsoft/Xbox layoffs and the use of the word 'content'.
Housemarque and Bithell Games join Game Republic New Horizons speaker lineup, Nintendo to host open session for developers and publishers
Game Republic New Horizons has announced additional speakers for its upcoming event, including Housemarque VFX lead Robbert Groenendijk and Bithell Games director Mike Bithell. Nintendo will also host an open session for developers and publishers to discuss working with the company. The event will feature keynotes and panels on various aspects of game development, investment, and industry trends.
Veteran Halo lead has suggestions for how Activision could actually make "the greatest Halo game ever," and they include hiring "Bungie, Halo Studios, and other laid-off folks"
Veteran Halo franchise director Frank O'Connor has proposed three distinct paths for Activision to create a successful Halo game, including a return to classic gameplay, a radical reinvention, or adapting the IP to modern business models. He specifically suggests hiring laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios, noting the talent pool available after recent Microsoft layoffs.
GTA 6: Rockstar Developers Visited Strip Clubs and Rode Around at Night With Ex-Cops to Get First-Hand Florida Experience
Rockstar Games developers conducted extensive research for Grand Theft Auto 6, including visiting strip clubs and observing Florida life with former police officers. This immersive approach aimed to capture authentic experiences for the game's setting.
GTA 6 will simulate hurricanes, rainbows and persistent, dynamic clouds, among other efforts to make you stop doing crime and become a weather nerd
Grand Theft Auto 6 will feature a dynamic weather system with effects ranging from rainbows to hurricanes, aiming to immerse players in its open world. Rockstar Games also detailed the inclusion of 170 animal species, building on the work from Red Dead Redemption 2. The article also briefly touches on ongoing legal issues at Rockstar Games.
Games Inbox: Is The Last Of Us Part 3 really happening?
Readers discuss the likelihood of The Last of Us Part 3 entering development, with some speculating Naughty Dog has already begun work on it. Other topics include Rockstar's reasoning for delaying Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC, the merits of awarding remasters, and the perceived homogenization of Sony's first-party titles.
