Game Development
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Wolverine developer Insomniac denies using generative AI after fans spot strange restroom sign
Insomniac Games has denied using generative AI in the development of Marvel's Wolverine after fans pointed to a peculiar restroom sign. Community director James Stevenson stated it was a "UV map bug" and confirmed no AI assets are present in the game. This comes as other studios like Level-5 have admitted to using AI, highlighting the ongoing debate in the industry.
Kojima Productions Encourages “Skepticism” About Reported Reasons for PlayStation Dropping Physint
Kojima Productions has urged skepticism regarding reports about PlayStation's withdrawal from publishing the game Physint, citing unsubstantiated claims about the studio's financial health and the Death Stranding franchise's performance. The studio confirmed that Physint development continues with Xbox, and their relationship with PlayStation remains strong, despite acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.
Marvel’s Wolverine Doesn’t Have AI-Generated Assets, Insomniac Clarifies After Fans Spot Odd Sign
Insomniac Games has clarified that Marvel's Wolverine does not feature AI-generated assets, addressing fan concerns sparked by a visual bug on a bathroom sign. Community and marketing director James Stevenson confirmed the issue was a UV map bug with a fix coming. The studio is also looking into options for players to disable scent trails, a navigation element that has drawn criticism.
Fable “Was All We Could Think About,” Says Playground Co-Founder After Xbox Proposed New Title
Playground Games co-founder Ralph Fulton explains the studio's decision to develop Fable, a fantasy action RPG, despite their success with the racing series Forza Horizon. Fulton states that the opportunity to work on Fable was compelling and that the team leveraged transferable skills from open-world design. The game is slated for release on February 23rd, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation’s 200 GB Size “May Not Necessarily Mean a Better Game,” Says Director
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation director Naoki Hamaguchi stated that the game's large 200 GB file size does not necessarily equate to a better game. He assured fans that the title, which concludes the FF7 Remake series, represents over ten years of development and aims to meet expectations.
SEGA plans to evolve classic Sonic alongside modern games
SEGA's executive producer Takashi Iizuka stated in an interview that the company plans to evolve both classic and modern Sonic the Hedgehog games. This initiative aligns with previous comments about exploring new directions for the franchise.
The Last of Us Director Apologizes to God of War Laufey Devs After Calling Recent AAA Games 'Boring'
The Last of Us director Bruce Straley has apologized to the God of War Laufey development team after his recent comments about modern AAA games generated negative attention. Straley's remarks were perceived as critical of recent large-scale game releases.
Japanese devs aren't facing the same layoff crisis because their executives are paid an order of magnitude less, 'they didn’t get swept up in the live-service trend,' and their teams are smaller, says industry expert
Industry expert Amir Satvat suggests Japanese game developers are less affected by the ongoing layoff crisis due to lower executive salaries, smaller team sizes, and a general avoidance of the live-service trend. While companies like Nintendo, Konami, and Capcom maintain high staff retention, Satvat notes that Japanese executives earn significantly less than their Western counterparts, contributing to greater stability.
After months of quiet, Last Epoch is back with a bang, and an exciting new face in charge
Eleventh Hour Games is revitalizing Last Epoch with Season 5, "Rage of the Frostborn," and a leadership change. Founder Judd Cobler has appointed founding member Mike Weicker as the new Game Director, focusing on improved communication and player engagement. The season introduces new boss Morditas, revamped item factions, and new skills for Paladin, Bladedancer, and Shaman.
The Frustrating Mystery Of Who Makes Nintendo Games
The article discusses Nintendo's secretive approach to crediting developers for its games, which frustrates fans and obscures the contributions of studios like MercurySteam and Retro Studios. This practice, while potentially protecting brand image and avoiding developer preconceptions, diminishes the recognition of talented teams and the unique qualities they bring to titles.
New Soulframe update brings the world to life with adorable wolf pups, fishing, and weather
The latest Soulframe update, Preludes 16: Of Hook and Hound, introduces several new features aimed at making the world feel more alive, including a dynamic weather system, fishing, and a trainable wolf pup companion. Digital Extremes CEO Steve Sinclair highlighted the success of the weather system, drawing comparisons to Red Dead Redemption 2, and emphasized the addition of more casual, MMO-light activities alongside core combat improvements. The update also brings new gear, weapon upgrade paths, and combat tweaks, with the game currently in an alpha test accessible via Founders packs.
Capcom indicates Monster Hunter World Nintendo Switch 2 port is unlikely
Capcom producer Ryozo Tsujimoto indicated that a port of Monster Hunter World to the Nintendo Switch 2 is unlikely due to the game's original engine. He stated that remaking the game from the ground up would be necessary, as current Monster Hunter titles utilize the RE Engine. Capcom's focus is on the upcoming Monster Hunter Wilds for the Nintendo Switch 2.
CD Projekt says abandoning its in-house engine for The Witcher 4 had nothing to do with Cyberpunk 2077's technical woes: 'The dream of the company was actually never to make technology'
CD Projekt's co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that the decision to switch from their in-house REDengine to Unreal Engine 5 for The Witcher 4 was not due to Cyberpunk 2077's technical issues. Instead, the company's core ambition was always storytelling, not technology development, leading them to adopt third-party solutions like Unreal Engine 5.
Wardogs drops Steam Family Sharing as CEO claims its $40 price tag is "the best anti-cheat"
The multiplayer shooter Wardogs has removed support for Steam Family Sharing, with developer Bulkhead citing its exploitation for cheating as the reason. CEO Joe Brammer stated that the game's $40 price tag is the best anti-cheat measure. The studio is also teasing Season 2 content and engaging with the community for feedback.
Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 development began in June 2025
Developers for Monster Hunter Wilds have confirmed that work on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game began in June 2025. The initial phase involved getting the game running on the new hardware, described as a process of optimization.
After Forza Horizon, Fable devs wanted to prove "we could cut it in a different genre," lead says: "There…
Playground Games, known for the Forza Horizon series, is developing the upcoming Fable title, aiming to prove their capability in a different genre. Studio co-founder Ralph Fulton highlighted that the open-world nature of Fable allows them to leverage transferable skills from their racing game experience. The team's passion for the Fable franchise was a significant factor in their decision to take on the project.
Valve devs "can't believe we get away" with such small updates for Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike,…
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek expressed surprise at how little content updates were needed for games like Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike 2 to satisfy players. He noted that even within Valve, teams were often amazed by the positive reception to minor updates compared to the substantial content delivered by other Valve projects.
DICE Summit | Game Developer
The DICE Summit is a significant event for the game development industry, featuring discussions on over 10,000 topics and serving a large professional audience. The event aims to provide critical insights for informed decision-making within the business.
Dueling industry surveys show Japanese game devs are embracing AI, while North American ones are still skeptical
Japanese game developers show a significant increase in AI adoption, with 85.8% using AI tools in 2026, compared to only 36% of North American developers in a separate survey. While Japanese developers cite efficiency and cost reduction, concerns about "human verification" and player reception persist. The article questions whether AI adoption has truly contributed to the perceived health of the Japanese industry.
The Last of Us game director apologizes for God of War Laufey criticism, points finger at industry leaders for triple-A…
The Last of Us game director Bruce Straley has apologized for singling out God of War in a recent criticism of a perceived lack of innovation in triple-A games. While he stands by his central point about industry leaders failing to foster fresh ideas, he expressed regret for naming the God of War team, acknowledging his comments were used for clickbait. Straley, who left triple-A development in 2017, now leads the indie studio Wildflower Interactive.
