Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Balatro developer LocalThunk turns up on Discord to talk about the 1.1 update and life after burnout: 'I truly am…
Balatro developer LocalThunk has communicated via Discord about the upcoming 1.1 update, acknowledging the long delay and his personal burnout. He is now approaching development more like a hobby, prioritizing his well-being and the game's quality over strict deadlines. The update is expected to be the last major content addition for Balatro.
Call of Duty Developer Treyarch 'Ready to Make Something New' as It Waves Goodbye to 2 Years of Black Ops
Call of Duty developer Treyarch has indicated they are ready to move on to new projects after two years focused on Black Ops titles. The studio is looking forward to creating something fresh.
"What you're talking about is Palworld 2": Pocketpair lead desperately asks players to stop asking for features that just "aren't possible" like terrain digging
Pocketpair's head of publishing, John Buckley, expressed frustration with player requests for features like terrain digging in Palworld, stating such additions would essentially require developing a sequel. He highlighted that these requests are not feasible due to engine and landscape rework complexities, and that players should not expect them. Buckley also touched on the perceived loss of meaning in Steam's Early Access program, suggesting it has been abused.
Fable Being “Vital To The DNA” Of Xbox Helped Shield The Game From Hardship, Director Says
Fable game director Ralph Fulton stated that the franchise's close association with Xbox has protected the upcoming reboot during its long development. He believes Fable is vital to Xbox's identity and important to gaming as a whole. This protection contrasts with other Xbox projects that faced cancellations and layoffs, including the Perfect Dark reboot and studio closures.
Microsoft hasn't marched Fable to the guillotine because it's 'vital to the DNA' of Xbox, says the…
Playground Games director Ralph Fulton stated that the upcoming Fable reboot has been protected from Microsoft's studio closures due to its vital importance to the Xbox brand's identity. He believes Fable is significant not only for Xbox but for gaming as a whole, offering a unique combination of elements.
Blizzard wants Diablo 5 to have "the best campaign ever," and it's "taking what was great" in…
Blizzard Entertainment aims for Diablo 5 to feature the "best campaign ever," building upon the storytelling and cinematic elements of Diablo 4. Executive producer Matt Zitterman stated that the team is focused on elevating the narrative experience, taking lessons learned from the previous installment to create an even more compelling story for the upcoming sequel.
MindsEye studio Build A Rocket Boy appear to be making fresh redundancies, as one staffer says he's "helping wrap things up here in the HR department"
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio behind the game MindsEye, appears to be undergoing significant staff redundancies. Multiple employees, including a principal talent acquisition partner and a release manager, have indicated they are leaving the company due to layoffs. This follows previous legal claims against the studio regarding alleged mishandling of redundancies and data privacy violations.
The Witcher 3 producer says it's scary to work with another studio on the game's expansion: 'I also think…
CD Projekt Red is collaborating with Fool's Theory, a studio founded by former CDPR developers, on the upcoming expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Executive producer Jakub Kutrzuba expressed that sharing the game with an outside studio is 'scary' due to the company's deep care for the project, but trusts Fool's Theory's expertise and shared vision for quality and storytelling.
"I really want Criterion to be considered the best studio in the UK" – why the home of Burnout has a future with Battlefield
Criterion Games, known for the Burnout series and Need for Speed Unbound, is now fully focused on the Battlefield franchise, contributing significantly to Battlefield 6. Studio leadership emphasizes that the core principles of controlled chaos and spectacle that defined their racing games are still present in their current work on Battlefield. The studio has grown and is aiming to be considered the best in the UK.
Zero Parades: Director’s Cut Revealed And PS5 Edition Release Date Announced
ZA/UM Studio has announced the Director's Cut version of Zero Parades, which will be a free update for existing PC owners on October 1. A PlayStation 4 version is set to release on November 3, with a PlayStation 5 edition also coming soon. The Director's Cut adds substantial new content, including a new Dramatic Encounter, the ability to explore earlier versions of levels, developer commentary, re-recorded voiceovers, and numerous improvements to accessibility, controls, and interface.
Marvel's Wolverine star calls his role "the honor of a lifetime," and couldn't be more grateful to Insomniac: "You've given this nerdy kid more than he ever dreamed of"
Liam McIntyre, the lead actor for Marvel's Wolverine, expressed immense gratitude towards Insomniac Games and the fanbase on the game's launch day. Despite the game receiving mixed critic reviews, fan reception on the PlayStation Store is highly positive, with McIntyre's performance specifically drawing praise.
Relic thought Company of Heroes 3's ambitious dynamic campaign would eventually come together, but it didn't:…
Relic Entertainment's CEO Justin Dowdeswell reflects on the ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful dynamic campaign in Company of Heroes 3. Despite the game's RTS battles remaining strong and a second traditional campaign being excellent, the dynamic Italian campaign failed to meet expectations due to a lack of polish and dynamism, leading to mixed player reception. Relic has continued to support the game with updates and DLC, and a remaster of the original Company of Heroes is planned for 2027.
The Witcher 3 "is not a monument" says lead writer ahead of Songs of the Past, which means "adding a new…
Lead writer Marcin Blacha stated that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is not a monument and can still be improved, especially with the upcoming remaster and the new Songs of the Past expansion. He expressed creative invigoration from revisiting the game and creating new content, viewing it as a way to bridge the wait for The Witcher 4.
Images for Unannounced Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and Brothers in Arms Games Leak Online
Images for an unannounced sequel to Tiny Tina's Wonderlands and a new Brothers in Arms game have surfaced online. Reports suggest that both projects may have been scrapped.
Smash Bros and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai warns "an industry that loses its originality will simply die a slow death" as he retires his Game Designers Award after 16 years
Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros., announced the discontinuation of his Game Designers Award due to his inability to find a successor. He emphasized the critical importance of originality in the gaming industry, warning that a lack of it will lead to a slow death, especially as AAA budgets increase and lead to safer, less innovative titles.
ZERO PARADES is Getting a Free Director’s Cut Update On October 1st, PS5 Version Out on November 3rd
ZA/UM announced that ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies will receive a free Director's Cut update on October 1st, adding substantial new material and features like a new Dramatic Encounter and a Backstage development peek. A PlayStation 5 version is also slated for release on November 3rd. The update includes technical enhancements such as ultrawide display support and controller remapping.
WARDOGS Studio Wants to be Known For Crunch, Says CEO
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, stated that crunch is an inevitable and valued part of the studio's development process for games like WARDOGS. The company actively seeks employees who embrace hard work and even checks social media for anti-crunch sentiment, while also offering financial incentives for those who engage in crunch.
Wardogs CEO says he won't hire devs who aren't down with mandatory crunch: 'If you care about what you're making, this is the place to work'
Joe Brammer, CEO of Bulkhead, has stated that the studio will not hire developers who are against mandatory crunch, framing it as a requirement for those who truly care about their work. This policy has drawn criticism from industry colleagues who argue that crunch is a result of poor planning and negatively impacts profits and employee well-being. Brammer also acknowledged that Wardogs experienced significant crunch during its launch, with staff working overnight to fix server issues.
Devs Explain Why Diablo 5 Needed to be a New Game Instead Of An Expansion For 4
Developers discussed why Diablo 5 was conceived as a new game rather than an expansion. The article implies that the scope and ambition for Diablo 5 necessitated a full sequel rather than an add-on to a previous title.
"I expect people to crunch," says Wardogs boss, so his studio will "check people's socials" to see if they criticize crunch online before hiring them
Wardogs studio Bulkhead, led by CEO Joe Brammer, embraces crunch culture as an inevitability and actively screens applicants' social media for negative comments about crunch before hiring. Brammer states that while crunch is a possibility, employees who work extra hours receive financial compensation, which he describes as 'life-changing.' This practice highlights ongoing controversial labor issues within the game development industry.
