Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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"It's a nice story to tell": How DICE bounced back from Battlefield 2042's disastrous launch to release the blockbuster Battlefield 6
DICE VP and GM Rebecka Coutaz details how the studio recovered from the disastrous launch of Battlefield 2042 to achieve success with Battlefield 6. The turnaround involved reorganizing development, listening to player feedback, and empowering teams across multiple studios, leading to Battlefield 6 selling seven million units in three days.
Aliens Fireteam Elite 2 dev Cold Iron Studios suffers an undisclosed number of layoffs
Developer Cold Iron Studios has undergone an undisclosed number of layoffs, impacting staff working on Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2. The studio confirmed the difficult decision in a Discord announcement, expressing gratitude for the contributions of departing employees. Despite the staff reduction, Cold Iron Studios plans to continue supporting Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 and is working on a Nintendo Switch version targeting a 2027 release.
Ubisoft's calling its next push into gen-AI game development Motherbrain
Ubisoft is internally referring to its new generative AI initiative as 'Motherbrain,' a name derived from the Metroid series. Trademarks reveal plans for AI software to create video games and analyze data, with CEO Yves Guillemot calling generative AI a 'revolution.' This initiative comes amidst significant restructuring and layoffs at the company.
Meridian 59 fan dev shows off a Unity version of the classic first-person MMORPG in action
A fan developer has showcased a Unity engine version of the classic first-person MMORPG Meridian 59, featuring updated 3D models and visual improvements. The original game recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, with a volunteer team continuing to maintain and improve it.
Forget Red Dead Redemption 3, Rockstar's next game is apparently LA Noire 2 according to a GTA 6 leaker, but don't expect to play it until at least 2030
A leaker suggests Rockstar Games' next project after Grand Theft Auto 6 could be L.A. Noire 2, potentially set in San Francisco and targeting a 2030 release. While Take-Two Interactive has not confirmed any plans for L.A. Noire, the CEO mentioned the company is always considering its legacy intellectual properties.
The Witcher 3 Remastered is an extraordinarily generous upgrade that doesn't change the game, but does make it new again
The Remastered edition of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt offers a generous and free upgrade, significantly enhancing visuals with more detail, improved lighting, and updated character models. While it doesn't fundamentally alter core gameplay mechanics like combat, the visual overhaul makes the acclaimed RPG feel new again and prepares it for future content like the Songs of the Past expansion. CD Projekt Red and Yigsoft's support for this 11-year-old game is remarkable, ensuring its continued relevance.
We will never get anything like Final Fantasy 7 Remake again
The Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is an extraordinary achievement in modern game development, delivering hundreds of hours of content across three ambitious titles in just seven years. However, the article argues that such a feat is unsustainable due to ballooning budgets and industry trends favoring safe bets and live-service models, making it unlikely for similar large-scale projects to emerge.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox is simply 'streamlining' after cutting over 5,750 jobs in three years
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella described the company's extensive layoffs, which have affected over 5,750 employees since October 2023, as 'streamlining' under new Xbox boss Asha Sharma. Despite significant studio closures and job cuts, Nadella expressed confidence in Xbox's intellectual property and its ability to produce great games and achieve growth.
The Elder Scrolls hasn't had a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off because of a "very protective" Todd…
Veteran designer Kurt Kuhlmann suggests that The Elder Scrolls never received a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off due to Todd Howard's protective stance over the franchise. Kuhlmann implies that the success of Fallout: New Vegas created a perception of competition between Bethesda and Obsidian, which Howard may have wanted to avoid repeating with The Elder Scrolls.
Wardogs studio chief Brammer insists he isn't "pro crunch, I am pro hard work"
Joe Brammer, CEO of Wardogs developer Bulkhead, has clarified his stance on crunch, stating he is "pro hard work" rather than "pro crunch." He defended the studio's practices, including occasional overtime, and argued against the notion that crunch is solely a result of bad management, particularly when working with new technology like Unreal Engine 5.
As Wardogs sells 3 million copies, lead admits "bottom feeder cheaters," "constant DDOS attacks," and much more have left devs "overwhelmed," so many are taking mandatory holiday
Despite selling three million copies, Bulkhead's CEO Joe Brammer revealed the team behind Wardogs is overwhelmed by cheaters and DDoS attacks, leading to mandatory holidays for staff. Brammer acknowledges the challenges but remains committed to the game's long-term vision.
L.A. Noire 2 is Rockstar’s next game after GTA 6 claims source
A resurfaced leak suggests Rockstar Games is in the early stages of developing a sequel to L.A. Noire, potentially set in San Francisco and focusing on the Zodiac killer. While no release date is clear, Take-Two Interactive has previously expressed openness to more L.A. Noire titles.
MMO Week in Review: Destiny 2’s revival, Aion 2’s stress test
This week's MMO news covers Destiny 2's revival with unvaulted content, Aion 2's stress test, and Ultima Online's 29th anniversary. Dune Awakening launched on consoles, Elder Scrolls Online discussed experimental features, and Microsoft continued layoffs. World of Warcraft Forever is impressing players, while other news includes The Division 2, Marathon, Warframe, and various other MMO updates and discussions.
Marathon Studio Explains Future Content Roadmap
Bungie has outlined its content roadmap for the extraction shooter Marathon, detailing upcoming updates in October, December, and March. These updates will introduce new PvE modes, expanded social spaces, and a focus on "connected PvE, PvP, and PvEvP experiences." The studio also confirmed improvements to Destiny 2, including the return of vaulted content.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Developer Hit With Layoffs, Nintendo Switch 2 Release Pushed to Early 2027
Cold Iron Studios, the developer of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, has experienced significant layoffs as announced by its parent company Enad Global 7. Despite these cuts, support for the game will continue, though the Nintendo Switch 2 version has been delayed to early 2027. The game itself received mixed reviews, with criticisms focusing on its story, animations, and repetitive structure, though its customization and core shooting mechanics were praised.
Gears of War story director laid off mere days after E-Day went gold
Gears of War story director Juan Vaca was laid off by Microsoft as part of a wider Xbox reset, just days after Gears of War: E-Day went gold. The Coalition studio was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement, but Vaca confirmed his layoff on LinkedIn. This incident highlights the precarious nature of employment in the games industry, even after significant contributions.
State of Indie 2026 Part 1: Winners and Losers
The indie game landscape has shifted significantly since 2021, with AAA games experiencing a resurgence while many indie publishers have struggled. Genres requiring more skill and manpower, like open-world and Metroidvanias, are seeing higher returns due to less competition, while easier-to-make genres are oversaturated. Co-op games are increasingly popular, particularly among younger audiences, but success remains challenging, with a large percentage of indie games selling fewer than a thousand copies.
CD Projekt Red worked backwards from Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's brutal final choice "and rewrote scenes…
CD Projekt Red's associate game director Pawel Sasko discussed the development of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, highlighting the shift to multidisciplinary teams and the inspiration drawn from spy fiction. He detailed how the team worked backward from the expansion's final choices, ensuring clearer consequences for player decisions compared to the base game.
Nier: Automata director made the game he wanted to make and tried to stay hidden from Square Enix
Nier: Automata director Yoko Taro stated in a recent interview that he successfully created the game he envisioned. He also mentioned that he actively tried to distance himself from Square Enix during development to maintain creative freedom.
POW - SNK's arcade beat em up is coming to the Amiga as an AGA edition
Developer ESKAY is creating a native Amiga 1200 conversion of SNK's arcade beat 'em up P.O.W. Prisoners of War. Leveraging 25 years of coding experience and AI tools, the project meticulously recreates the arcade ROM code in C, showcasing advanced Amiga hardware capabilities. The core engine has also been compiled for other platforms, and ESKAY is seeking a musician for custom audio.
