Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Naughty Dog’s Secret Project is Not Related to The Last of Us – Rumor
A new report from insider NateTheHate suggests that Naughty Dog's secret project, rumored to be led by Shaun Escayg, is not related to The Last of Us franchise. Escayg, who worked on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and The Last of Us Part 1, previously hinted at a new project possibly tied to the Uncharted series.
GTA 6 Team Admits Pressure is “Huge,” But Wouldn’t Compromise At All: “Everything is Dialed Up”
Rockstar North's Aaron Garbut stated that the immense pressure for Grand Theft Auto 6 has led the studio to "over-deliver" rather than compromise, dialing up detail, scope, and interaction. The game is set to launch on November 19th for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.
VOID LANCER - A rather decent C64 Shoot 'em up from Snow-G
Void Lancer is a new biomechanical horizontal shoot 'em up for the Commodore 64, developed by Snow-G using 6502 assembly language with AI assistance. The game features six distinct stages inspired by H. R. Giger's art, a Gradius-style power-up system, precise hitboxes, and an original SID soundtrack. It also incorporates advanced techniques like a 32-sprite multiplexer and procedurally rendered graphics, along with challenging bosses and a fastloader.
Garry Newman adds necks to his neckless characters because the lack of necks 'comes up consistently in our many…
The default characters in the game creation platform s&box now have necks, a change implemented by creator Garry Newman and Facepunch Studios in response to consistent player feedback. While Newman personally liked the neckless design, the developers are addressing player criticism regarding character appearance, including neck size, as part of ongoing updates.
Two new The Last of Us projects are in development
Naughty Dog has announced two new projects in the early stages of development for The Last of Us franchise, which will expand the canon beyond Part I and Part II. Studio head Neil Druckmann stated that while neither is confirmed to be a full Part III sequel, they aim to add meaningful content to the world. The studio also provided an update on its original IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is slated for a 2027 reveal.
The weird experience of liking a game before it's 'fixed'
This opinion piece explores the author's unique experience enjoying games like Battlefield 2042 and the original No Man's Sky at launch, despite widespread criticism. It highlights how initial design choices, even if later 'fixed,' can offer distinct and valuable experiences, with developer Sean Murray expressing fondness for the original No Man's Sky.
Naughty Dog Confirms Two New The Last of Us Projects, But Not Part III
Naughty Dog has confirmed that two new projects expanding the canon of The Last of Us are in very early development. While the studio has not revealed specifics about these projects, it has not confirmed or denied if one of them is The Last of Us Part III.
Former Dying Light franchise lead joins Bloober Team horror imprint Broken Mirror Games
Tymon Smektala, former franchise director at Techland, has joined Bloober Team as executive director for its horror imprint, Broken Mirror Games. He will oversee creative direction and portfolio for the imprint, assisting with ongoing projects like Saw: Genesis and Onyx: The Dark Grip, while also seeking new horror game partnerships. Smektala previously spent over 13 years at Techland, known for the Dying Light and Dead Island series.
Rockstar flashes its wallet, says GTA 6 doesn't compromise on detail or scale: "I don't think we have ever created anything close to this before"
Rockstar Games is emphasizing the unprecedented scale and detail of Grand Theft Auto 6, with development head Aaron Garbut stating they have never created anything close to it before. Publisher Take-Two Interactive has invested heavily, and the studio aims to overdeliver on expectations for the game's visuals, world, and physics.
Long Forgotten PS5 Exclusive Game Makes Surprise Appearance on PlayStation Store
The controversial PlayStation 5 exclusive game Abandoned, developed by Blue Box Game Studios, has reappeared on the PlayStation Store under the title Abandoned Prologue with a new release window of 2027. This reappearance has sparked renewed speculation among players, especially given the game's troubled development history and past rumors connecting it to Hideo Kojima.
GTA 6 devs spent years "going to strip clubs," "spending time on the beach," and riding with ex-cops…
Rockstar Games developers undertook extensive research trips to Florida for Grand Theft Auto 6, visiting strip clubs, nightclubs, and beaches, and riding with ex-cops to gather reference material. Senior vice president of narrative Rupert Humphries stated these trips are crucial for capturing the diverse environments and social dynamics of the game's setting.
Naughty Dog is working on new The Last Of Us 'projects'
Naughty Dog has announced that it is working on new projects within The Last of Us universe, which will expand the existing canon. Studio director Neil Druckmann stated these are in the very early stages and did not specify if they are standalone games or expansions. The studio is also developing a new ambitious science fiction game titled Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, with details expected in 2027.
Arc Raiders devs "were super unhappy" and "super tired" after the shooter's huge launch, lead says, causing Embark to change direction to avoid burnout
Embark Studios' executive producer Aleksander Grøndal revealed that the development team behind Arc Raiders experienced significant burnout and unhappiness due to the pressures of maintaining a live-service game. The studio is now shifting its approach to avoid developer exhaustion and improve work-life balance, drawing on past negative experiences from Electronic Arts.
Marvel Tokon Devs Reflect On Its Troubles And Hope Players Give It Another Shot
Arc System Works developers and Marvel Games representatives reflect on the troubled launch of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, particularly the performance issues on PC. They apologize for the inconvenience and highlight the multiple updates released to improve the game, expressing optimism for its future with upcoming DLC like Phoenix Cyclops and continued support.
Control Resonant director lays out case for avoiding excessive 'yellow paint'
Control Resonant director Mikael Kasurinen discusses the game's deliberate choice to avoid 'yellow paint' as a signposting technique in its level design. He explains that this approach aims to make players feel more agency in exploration, rather than relying on common visual cues that can feel like handholding. The decision is framed within the context of the Control series' horror-inspired themes and the desire for players to actively interpret the game's reality.
You can now watch one of this year's best orchestral game-music performances, celebrating Hades 1 and 2, online for free
The "Ballads of the Underworld" orchestral concert celebrating music from Supergiant Games' Hades and Hades II is now available to watch online for free. The performance features the London Mozart Players conducted by Hades co-composer Austin Wintory, with vocals from game actors and composers.
Diablo IV ska fortsätta att få säsonger även efter Diablo V-släppet
Blizzard Entertainment plans to continue supporting Diablo IV with seasons as long as players remain engaged, even after the release of Diablo V. While no further expansions are planned for Diablo IV beyond Lord of Hatred, the game will not be abandoned. Director Brent Gibson stated that seasons will continue to roll out, similar to Diablo II and Diablo III, potentially shifting to a rotation of past seasonal content.
Elder Scrolls Online’s developers acknowledge ‘challenging’ road ahead after the brutal 2026 layoffs
Developers at ZeniMax have acknowledged the significant impact of the spring layoffs, which resulted in 213 employees being let go from The Elder Scrolls Online. Game Director Nick Giacomini stated that the team is still struggling with the losses and has had to push back planned 2026 updates to 2027 due to reduced resources, though he remains optimistic about the future.
How indie studios can survive industry volatility | Opinion
Denis Fedorov of Nova Assembly outlines a six-part strategy for indie game studios to survive industry volatility, emphasizing a multi-project model, avoiding sole reliance on publishers, fostering collaboration, and maintaining high-quality, differentiated games. The advice aims to improve odds in a crowded and risky market.
'We were constantly overshooting our capacity:' Arc Raiders exec says success resulted in burnout
Aleksander Grøndal, executive producer at Embark Studios, discussed the intense challenges of live service game development, particularly for Arc Raiders. He revealed that the team is exhausted from the constant pressure to produce content for over 16 million players, leading to burnout and a need to re-evaluate workflows. Grøndal also shared a personal story of severe burnout during his tenure at Electronic Arts, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance for long-term success.
