Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod shelved at Sony's request
A multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part 2 has been canceled after developer Speclizer received a letter from Sony Interactive Entertainment and Naughty Dog requesting its removal. This mod aimed to bring back a multiplayer component that was originally planned but later spun off and canceled by Naughty Dog.
Fan Backlash Puts Level-5’s AI Showcase Under Scrutiny
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after fans expressed backlash over the use of generative AI in footage shown during the studio's recent digital showcase. Hino stated that AI was used to make the presentation more spectacular, but insisted that core game elements like scenarios and character designs remain human-made. The incident has drawn comparisons to other games facing scrutiny for undisclosed AI use and highlights a wider industry trend.
Legendary Zelda and Star Fox artist is "genuinely amazed" by AI even as he catches backlash from Nintendo fans
Legendary Nintendo artist Takaya Imamura, known for Star Fox and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, is facing backlash from fans for experimenting with AI in game development prototypes. While Imamura expressed amazement at AI's capabilities in bridging gaps for non-programmers, he acknowledged ethical concerns regarding AI models built on stolen art, stating he cannot ignore the technology given his profession.
The Last Of Us 2 Multiplayer Mod Canceled “On Behalf Of Sony,” Dev Says
A lead modder, @Speclizer_, announced that their multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part II will not be released due to a request from Sony Interactive Entertainment. The modder expressed sadness but hopes to create original projects in the future. Naughty Dog had previously canceled its own ambitious multiplayer project, The Last of Us Online.
That Last of Us 2 multiplayer mod everyone was looking forward to has been killed by Sony
A highly anticipated multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part 2 has been canceled after Sony Interactive Entertainment sent a cease-and-desist letter to the modder, Speclizer. This marks the second time a multiplayer project for The Last of Us has been shut down by Sony, following the cancellation of Naughty Dog's own The Last of Us Online.
Stars Reach continues its hotfixing for crafting recipes, storage, and public events
Playable Worlds has released a hotfix for Stars Reach, addressing issues with crafting recipes, storage, and public events. The update includes normalization of crafting stations, reintroduction of oil and wood refining, and bug fixes for public events like boss projectile counts and meteor showers.
GTA 6's first voice actor confirmed and you may have worked it out already
Actor Stephen Root has confirmed his involvement in Grand Theft Auto 6, revealing he voices the character Brian Heder. Root's voice was recognized from trailers, leading to the confirmation of his role as a 'classic drug runner'. The game is set to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Halloween: The Game's launch is "only the beginning," but IIIFonic isn't ready to reveal what comes next
IllFonic has stated that the launch of Halloween: The Game is just the beginning, with more content planned for the future. While the studio is not yet ready to reveal its roadmap, Chief Creative Officer Jared Gerritzen hinted at potential expansions. The article also touches on the game's performance on PC handhelds like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, suggesting optimizations are needed.
What comes after Lies of P? It looks like it might be Wonders of O, according to a new trademark
Publisher Neowiz has filed trademarks for 'Wonders of O' with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, strongly suggesting it is the sequel to their successful Soulslike game, Lies of P. The naming convention and a post-credits scene hint at a potential connection to The Oz books.
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen refused to work for Xbox because it would be like 'walking past some stakes with human skulls on them' and pretending 'it's probably fine in this direction'
Thief designer Randy Smith Evergreen explains his decision to refuse an opportunity to work for an Xbox-funded studio due to Microsoft's history of studio closures, likening it to ignoring obvious danger. He discusses the challenges of AAA development for immersive sims and his preference for smaller, more focused indie projects.
How AI Is Changing the Way Video Games Are Made - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
Artificial intelligence is transforming game development by assisting with artwork, dialogue, level design, testing, and coding, enabling smaller teams to achieve more. AI also holds the potential to create more responsive characters and larger, dynamically generated game worlds, though questions of authenticity and the need for human creativity remain.
Diablo 5: Everything you need to know about the next era of Diablo
Blizzard Entertainment has officially announced Diablo 5, slated for a Spring 2029 release, aiming to usher in a new era for the franchise. The game will feature a post-apocalyptic Sanctuary where Diablo has already won, with procedural landscapes and a new class called the Plague Knight. Development is in its early stages, with Blizzard planning to involve the community throughout the process.
PlayStation allegedly had "concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity" over Kojima Productions' Physint
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly canceled its involvement with Kojima Productions' upcoming game Physint due to concerns over budget, profitability, and exclusivity. Hideo Kojima stated the project was unexpectedly canceled by PlayStation in mid-June. Kojima Productions has since partnered with Xbox for Physint, as well as their horror title OD, with Kojima expressing commitment to redefining the action-espionage genre.
Moss developer Polyarc has shut down
Seattle-based VR developer Polyarc, known for the Moss franchise, has ceased operations after nearly 12 years. The studio cited financing challenges as the reason for its downsizing in March and subsequent closure. The company's LinkedIn post indicated that almost 30 individuals may have lost their jobs.
Roblox creators will soon be able to publish games on multiple platforms as standalone apps
Roblox is launching its 'Roblox Everywhere' initiative, allowing creators to publish their games as standalone apps across PC, mobile, and console platforms. The company also announced updates to its engine, including AI creation tools and enhanced UI features. New financial features like Roblox Wallet and Roblox Card will provide creators with faster access to earnings, though the company noted a recent decline in shares due to reduced monetization among younger users.
Roblox plan to grow their absurd gaming empire even further by letting devs release games as "standalone apps", potentially via Steam, Epic, and GOG
Roblox is planning to allow developers to release their games as standalone applications across various platforms, including PC storefronts like Steam and Epic Games Store, with Roblox powering the underlying technology. This initiative, dubbed 'Roblox Everywhere,' aims to give developers more flexibility and reach. The platform is also introducing browser-based joining, offline singleplayer options, and a new wallet feature managed by Airwallex for easier revenue conversion.
Arc Raiders Expeditions may never come back; Embark might "scrap the whole system altogether"
Embark Studios is considering a complete overhaul or even scrapping the 'Expeditions' endgame system for Arc Raiders, as it will not return until 2027 with major improvements. Executive Producer Aleksander Grøndal stated that the team is evaluating significant changes or potentially replacing the system entirely due to player feedback.
A StarCraft open-world shooter that's "Deadwood in space", Diablo 5, and a new classic-ish World of Warcraft branch out this year make up Blizzard of reveals
Blizzard Entertainment revealed several upcoming titles at BlizzCon, including a StarCraft open-world shooter set for 2030, Diablo 5 in 2029, and World of Warcraft: Forever, a new branch of the MMO launching November 4th. The StarCraft game, led by former Far Cry producer Dan Hay, is described as "Deadwood in space," while Diablo 5's announcement aims to gather early fan feedback. Support for Diablo 4 will continue, but no further expansions are planned.
World of Warcraft: Forever devs say a direct sequel like Guild Wars 2 is unlikely: 'Why would you throw that away…
World of Warcraft: Forever principal designer Kris Zierhut explains why a direct sequel like Guild Wars 2 is unlikely, citing the value of World of Warcraft's continuously developed engine and infrastructure. The article discusses the merits of remaking classic WoW versus starting anew, touching on technical debt and the appeal of older MMO design philosophies.
First GTA 6 Actor Officially Confirmed, And It’s A Big Name
Actor Stephen Root has officially confirmed his involvement in Grand Theft Auto 6, revealing he voices the character Brian Heder. Root's distinctive voice was reportedly recognized from early promotional materials, leading to the leak. The game is set to release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
