Game Development
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The Steam ripoff market is so bad that viral game Needle In A Haystack Simulator is facing 8 copycats before release and has slapped "original" on itself to clarify
The upcoming Steam game Needle In A Haystack Simulator by Studio Bitdot is facing significant issues with copycat titles appearing on the platform before its release. To combat this, the developers have added "Original" to their listing. The game involves finding a needle within a massive haystack and is set to release in the last quarter of the year.
Level-5 CEO admits using generative AI in recent showcase
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino has apologized after confirming that generative AI was used in the studio's recent digital showcase for Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch titles. Hino stated the AI was used as an experiment to make the presentation more spectacular and apologized for making fans uncomfortable, while emphasizing that the games themselves are still made by human hands. He also mentioned the studio's goal to reduce development time by using AI for efficiency tasks like converting artwork into polygons.
GTA 6's first confirmed actor is King of the Hill's Stephen Root: "It's an amazing thing to look at"
Actor Stephen Root, known for King of the Hill, has confirmed he is part of the voice cast for Grand Theft Auto 6. Root stated the game is scheduled for release on November 19th and expressed excitement about his involvement, calling it "an amazing thing to look at."
The Steam Frame launches during one of the slowest periods for VR on Steam, but Valve hopes to 'rekindle the…
Valve's new Steam Frame hardware aims to revitalize the PCVR market, which has seen a decline in new game releases on Steam since 2017. Despite the rise of standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3, Valve believes PCVR still offers unique experiences and hopes the Steam Frame will bridge the gap between PC and mobile VR.
BlizzCon 2026: Diablo IV will not receive any further expansions as efforts shift over to Diablo V
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that Diablo IV will not receive any further expansions beyond the two already released, with development efforts now shifting towards Diablo V. While the company plans to continue supporting Diablo IV with seasons and story content if player interest remains high, the focus is clearly on the upcoming sequel.
Bungie delays next Marathon update and ends 'strict seasonal schedule' as it goes all-in on Destiny-like…
Bungie is delaying the next update for its game Marathon and moving away from a strict seasonal schedule to allow for more flexible development. This change means content planned for this month is pushed to December, with an October update to reset progression and economy. The developer aims to create a more stable and engaging experience, potentially making Marathon more like Destiny 2, though some players are unhappy with the extended wait for new content.
Blizzard Says Diablo 5 Was Too Big To Be A Diablo 4 Expansion
Blizzard Entertainment has announced Diablo 5, aiming for a 2029 release. The decision to make it a new numbered title rather than a Diablo 4 expansion was driven by the need for significant structural changes to the game's design and to properly reintroduce Diablo as the main villain. This early announcement allows for player feedback to be incorporated during development.
Diablo 5's 2029 release window comes from 'clarity of creative vision and production schedule'
Diablo 5 Executive Producer Matt Zitterman expressed confidence in the game's 2029 release window, citing clarity in creative vision and production schedule. He highlighted that the team is building on the foundation of Diablo 4 and has decades of experience with the franchise. This early announcement aims to foster open communication and feedback with the player base.
Overwatch’s Tracer Once Shot Lasers From Her Eyes, And It Could Happen Again
During BlizzCon 2026, Overwatch game director Aaron Keller revealed that Tracer once shot lasers from her eyes during early engine development. Associate game director Alec Dawson indicated that a future hero with a similar laser-shooting ability is a possibility, suggesting that creative ideas are always being considered for the game's roster.
World Of Warcraft: Forever beta starts this week - here's how to get access
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that the beta for World of Warcraft: Forever will begin on September 17, 2026. Access to the beta can be guaranteed through pre-ordering specific editions of the game, or players can sign up for a chance to receive an access key. World of Warcraft: Forever is an evolution of World of Warcraft Classic, featuring improved visuals and new content.
World of Warcraft 2 isn't happening because Blizzard isn't sure what a sequel to the MMO would "give you…
Blizzard Entertainment principal designer Kris Zierhut stated that a direct sequel to World of Warcraft, referred to as World of Warcraft 2, is unlikely to be developed. He explained that the ongoing development of the original MMO and the upcoming World of Warcraft: Forever provide continuous improvements and new experiences, making a complete restart unnecessary. Zierhut emphasized the strength of the existing engine, infrastructure, and lore, questioning what a sequel could offer that the current game doesn't already provide.
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.
