Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Horizon 3 Only Has a 'Tiny Team' Working on It at Guerrilla, Reportedly Still Years Away
Horizon 3 is reportedly still years away from release, with a small team at developer Guerrilla Games currently focused on its planning stages. The game's development is described as being in its very early phases.
Report: PlayStation scales back live service ambitions for Horizon Hunters Gathering, reassigns devs
PlayStation-owned Guerrilla Games is reportedly scaling back its live-service ambitions for Horizon Hunters Gathering due to negative playtest feedback. The game is being reworked to be a smaller-scope multiplayer experience with a story mode, and many developers will be reassigned. This follows Sony's broader struggles with live-service titles and recent layoffs across PlayStation Studios.
"We chose the worst time in history" – Harvey Smith on starting his own studio after Arkane
Former Arkane Studios director Harvey Smith has co-founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with Ben Horne, aiming to create immersive sim games. Smith acknowledges the challenging timing for starting a new studio due to the current game business landscape but expresses a desire to build games their way, focusing on player-driven experiences and creative tools. The studio has already reunited several former Arkane colleagues and is working on its first project.
"Without us, Bethesda games aren’t Bethesda games": Rallies against Microsoft layoffs at Elder Scrolls studio continue, with unionised devs' morale "on the upswing"
Unionized developers at Bethesda Softworks continue to rally against Microsoft's recent layoffs, which have impacted staff across Xbox Game Studios. Developers express concern over the company's handling of the reductions in force and the effect on game development timelines for titles like The Elder Scrolls 6. Despite low morale regarding work, there is optimism about the ongoing union organizing efforts.
New UK developer Pretty Cool Games founded by Human: Fall Flat developers
Pretty Cool Games, a new UK-based game development studio, has been founded by Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, original developers of the hit indie game Human: Fall Flat. The studio, based in Leeds, is hiring and plans to develop an AA title with physics-based gameplay, aiming for innovation and a sustainable development model amidst industry challenges like layoffs and funding difficulties. Shefta highlighted the importance of long-term vision and supporting talent within the UK development community.
Human: Fall Flat veterans launch new UK studio Pretty Cool Games
Veterans of Human: Fall Flat, Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley, have launched a new UK-based independent studio called Pretty Cool Games. The fully-remote outfit has secured financing from Hypergryph's investment arm, Coreblazer, for its debut project, a double-A, physics-based game focused on player expression.
Human: Fall Flat veterans launch new UK studio Pretty Cool Games with funding from Arknights developer Hypergraph
Human: Fall Flat veterans Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley have launched a new UK-based studio, Pretty Cool Games, with undisclosed funding from Arknights developer Hypergryph. The studio aims to build a sustainable and fair environment for employees, drawing inspiration from Nintendo, Hazelight, Disney theme parks, and The Pink Panther for its debut title. Pretty Cool Games is currently a team of four and plans to expand, with a focus on rewarding employees through share schemes.
Evening Reading - August 18, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including NBA 2K27's new features like co-op MyCareer and the inclusion of female players. It also highlights the retirement of Warren Spector, the release of download codes for The Duskbloods Closed Network Test, and a review of Mortal Shell 2. The article also touches on indie game Servant of the Lake and mentions Kingdom Hearts 4 reveals.
Games Inbox: How much disruption will GTA 6 launch cause?
Readers discuss the potential disruption caused by the Grand Theft Auto 6 launch, comparing it to Pokémon Go and anticipating media coverage. Other topics include the success of recent Star Wars games, competition between publishers like Activision and EA, the Amiga retro scene, the high cost of Star Citizen, concerns about Bethesda's game development quality post-layoffs, and the secrecy surrounding Nintendo's Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Bethesda Layoffs Were Rare Before Acquisition by Microsoft, Says Developer
A lead character artist at Bethesda, Alex Nguyen, stated that layoffs were rare at the studio before its acquisition by Microsoft. Since the acquisition, however, the studio has experienced yearly layoffs, impacting employees on the ground rather than just management. This shift has led to protests and concerns about employee morale and the impact on game development.
Former Naughty Dog Designer Comments on Cutting Down Long Development Cycles and “Waste”
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell believes that the studio, and other AAA developers, can shorten lengthy development cycles by establishing a clear 'North Star' early on. This central goal can help align siloed teams and reduce waste, potentially cutting years off projects like the upcoming sci-fi title Intergalactic.
Industry legend Warren Spector is retiring: 'I'm feeling like I've done what I set out to do'
Industry veteran Warren Spector, known for his work on immersive sims like Deus Ex and System Shock, has announced his retirement from game development after nearly 44 years. While he has mixed feelings and ideas for future projects, Spector feels he has accomplished his goals and is ready to pursue writing, lecturing, and consulting. He also cited changes in the industry and a desire to make way for new talent as reasons for his departure.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune "is rough around the edges," ex-Naughty Dog designer says, and "went through a whole lot of hell during development"
Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell described the development of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune as tumultuous, citing issues with ditching old technology for the PlayStation 3 and a lack of clear direction. Despite its rough edges and a difficult development cycle, Russell expressed pride in the game's achievements and its role in launching the successful Uncharted franchise.
"That's unacceptable": Red Dead Redemption dev says crunch at Rockstar was to "put on the show"…
Former Rockstar Games developer Kris Roberts described the crunch during the development of Red Dead Redemption as the worst period of his career, arguing it was performative for executives rather than necessary for game improvement. Roberts detailed how expectations for working hours escalated significantly, leading to extreme sleep deprivation and a feeling of artificial pressure, especially when executives like Sam Houser and Leslie Benzies visited. This experience, coupled with the difficulty of communicating such demands to his team, was a major factor in his decision to leave the studio.
New Killer Instinct Game Is Cancelled, It’s Alleged
Insider Shpeshal Nick has reportedly stated that a new Killer Instinct game has been canceled after years of speculation. This news comes amidst rumors of a potential surprise sequel announcement from Xbox at GamesCom.
Immutable Adding Roughly 15 Studios Every Week as Ferguson Teases ‘Imminent’ Product Launch
Immutable is onboarding approximately 15 new game studios weekly and is set to announce a new product imminently, according to co-founder Robbie Ferguson. The company has seen significant growth in the last 90 days, helping one game achieve 150,000 wishlists in 10 days and increasing wishlist-to-sale conversions by 2.2 times. Immutable's growth platform, Immutable Audience, is being marketed to web2 studios to improve player acquisition and conversion rates.
Apparent GTA 6 Footage And Map Leak As Rockstar Issues Takedowns
Footage and map details for Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 have reportedly leaked online, with the company issuing DMCA takedowns. The leaker, Cyberleek, has also issued demands regarding digital preorders and DLC. The leaked content includes gameplay clips and a map of the Leonida setting, though its authenticity is not fully confirmed.
Deus Ex And Immersive Sim Founding Father, Warren Spector, Retires From Game Development
Warren Spector, a pivotal figure in the creation of the immersive sim genre known for his work on Deus Ex and Thief, has announced his retirement from game development after a nearly 45-year career. While he has mixed feelings, Spector, aged 70, feels it's time for a new generation to innovate and plans to focus on writing books and consulting. His final game, Thick as Thieves, was released earlier this year.
NBA 2K27 brings lady ballers to The City
NBA 2K27 will introduce the ability for players to create female MyPlayers for the first time in the series' history. Developer Visual Concepts announced that both male and female MyPlayers will share the same framework for height, weight, wingspan, and ratings. The game will also feature Badge Tokens for equipping player badges, with availability and cost influenced by position and size.
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector is 'a little bitter' that his studio isn't getting props for sparking Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's big comeback
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector expressed frustration that his studio, Junction Point, is not receiving adequate credit for revitalizing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Spector highlighted the significant role Oswald played in the Epic Mickey games, including giving the character a voice for the first time and introducing his paramour, Ortensia. He feels the games that reintroduced the character to the public consciousness are being overlooked ahead of an upcoming Oswald the Lucky Rabbit miniseries.
