Game Development
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Warren Spector retires from game development, at least he thinks so
Veteran game developer Warren Spector has announced his retirement from the industry, citing age, health, and a diminished enjoyment of the business. Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex, Thief, and the Ultima series, expressed a desire to still make three more games, including one large, one small, and one he's unsure how to create. He plans to focus on writing books, reading, and consulting in his post-retirement career.
Deus Ex, System Shock, and Thief Developer Legend Warren Spector Announces Retirement
Legendary game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on titles like Deus Ex, System Shock, and Thief, has announced his retirement from the industry. Spector's career spans decades and includes significant contributions to immersive sim and immersive sim-adjacent genres.
Deus Ex director and immersive sim legend Warren Spector is retiring, despite having "three games in particular" he'd still like to make
Legendary Deus Ex director Warren Spector has announced his retirement from game development after a 44-year career. While he has "mixed feelings" and three specific games he'd still like to make, Spector feels the industry has changed and it's time for a new generation. He plans to write books, lecture, and possibly consult, but leaves the door open for a potential return.
GYLD raises $1m to fund proprietary games research system that marked Clair Obscur as a potential hit
Gaming investment agency GYLD has secured $1 million in funding to further develop its proprietary game research system, Critical Compass. This AI-powered tool analyzes game features and audience potential, having already supported over $100 million in funding for more than 45 projects. GYLD aims to democratize access to this advanced market research, making it more affordable for developers of all sizes.
Warren Spector announces his retirement from game development
Veteran game developer Warren Spector, known for his work on Deus Ex, Thief, and Disney Epic Mickey, has announced his retirement from the industry after a 44-year career. Spector expressed mixed feelings but cited age, health, and a changing game business as reasons for his departure, though he hasn't ruled out future consulting or writing projects.
Uncanny Valley: Checkpoint – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Uncanny Valley: Checkpoint is a co-op survival game where players manage a Soviet checkpoint after a nuclear meltdown. The game involves inspecting documents, identifying infected residents, and managing resources to survive for 30 days against mutant threats. Beta sign-ups are currently open.
Warren Spector is Likely Retiring From Game Development
Legendary game designer Warren Spector, known for Deus Ex and Ultima Underworld, has announced his likely retirement from game development after a 44-year career. Citing age, health, and a desire to pursue other hobbies like writing and music, Spector expressed satisfaction with his legacy and the influence of his games. He also mentioned a possibility of staying involved through lecturing and consulting.
Ragnarok Online-inspired MMO Torebia is taking requests for its ‘biggest playtest yet’ on August 21
Indie MMORPG Torebia: Island Odyssey, developed by Twin Studios, is preparing for its largest playtest yet, starting Friday, August 21st. The open playtest will stress servers and is accessible by requesting access on Steam. The game draws inspiration from Ragnarok Online, featuring a classless system, a shared world, and open item trading.
Star Citizen Developer Stream Goes Horribly Off the Rails, Creating Further Distrust Among Players
A recent development stream for the game Star Citizen encountered significant issues, leading to a further erosion of player confidence. The problems during the stream have exacerbated existing distrust among the game's fanbase.
Project Hydron - This Battle Squadron tease could be rather decent for the Amiga!
Cobour has announced Hydron, a new vertical shoot 'em up for the Commodore Amiga inspired by Hybris and Battle Squadron. The game is designed to run on a standard Amiga 500 with 1MB of RAM and adheres to OCS and PAL standards. Development is ongoing, with monthly devlogs and testable ADF disk images planned.
Toymaker Mattel launches a new game studio with a focus on Roblox and Fortnite that could signal a growing shift in…
Toy company Mattel has launched Mattel Game Studios, a new division focused on developing and operating interactive experiences inspired by its brands. The studio will create original games for platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, moving beyond its previous mobile-focused joint venture with NetEase. This strategic shift reflects the growing importance of virtual worlds and creator platforms in the gaming landscape.
The Steam Frame is ‘just around the corner’ but the Steam Machine has already killed my interest — only Half-Life could save it now
Despite a developer's tease that the Steam Frame VR headset is launching soon, the author expresses a lack of excitement due to the high price and past disappointment with the Steam Machine. The article suggests that only a new exclusive Half-Life game could potentially salvage interest in Valve's upcoming VR hardware, though the author personally is not a fan of the series.
The Hollywood disruptors making a large-scale game with a 12-person team – and no generative AI
Wolf Haus Games is developing a co-op cult simulator called Join Us with a small team of 12-13 developers, utilizing custom tools built in Unreal Engine. The studio, which has roots in the film industry, secured funding from Krafton and Lifelike Capital and is intentionally avoiding generative AI in its creative process, focusing on a human touch for game development.
God of War Laufey star Deborah Ann Woll destroyed The Last of Us 2's infamous golf club prop during her "very…
Actress Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Laufey in God of War Laufey, accidentally broke the infamous golf club prop used in The Last of Us Part 2 during her first day on set. The prop, a significant object from the game's narrative, was reportedly damaged during a rehearsal session, much to the amusement of the crew.
Kratos actor Christopher Judge clarifies he doesn't want to join the God of War TV show because he's "old as balls," but wants game devs to "get the love and respect they deserve"
Christopher Judge, the voice actor for Kratos in God of War, clarified his recent comments regarding the God of War TV show, stating he is not seeking to play Kratos but rather wants game writers and developers to receive more recognition in adaptations. He expressed a desire for creators involved in the original games to be more involved in their screen adaptations, citing The Last of Us as an example where Neil Druckmann was heavily involved.
A Call Of Duty Studio Could Work On Halo, Report Says
A report suggests that Microsoft enlisted Sledgehammer Games, a Call of Duty studio, to help develop a Halo multiplayer game. While an initial prototype was canceled, Microsoft is reportedly still exploring the proposition. This follows speculation that Activision Blizzard studios might contribute to the Halo franchise after Microsoft's acquisition.
Hardcore MMO Eternal Tombs promises demo in October, eyes launch in ‘early 2027’
Indie developer Triune Studios announced that the hardcore MMORPG Eternal Tombs will release a demo in October as part of Steam Fest, which will remain available until the game's launch in early 2027. The studio has completed the questing system and is now focusing on itemization, with the demo to include Halloween-themed content.
Call Of Duty studio rumoured to help out with new Halo games
Rumors suggest Microsoft is considering having Activision assist with future Halo games, potentially including multiplayer development. Activision reportedly created a prototype for a new Halo multiplayer game, though it was abandoned. This follows speculation that Microsoft might place the Halo franchise under Activision's umbrella.
Deus Ex director Warren Spector is "a little bitter" new Disney Plus series won’t credit him or the other Epic Mickey devs for Oswald's revival
Warren Spector, director of Epic Mickey, expressed disappointment that the upcoming Disney Plus series reviving Oswald the Lucky Rabbit does not credit him or the game's development team for their role in the character's resurgence. Spector highlighted that Epic Mickey was Oswald's first Disney role since 1928 and that his team developed key aspects of Oswald's personality and relationships. He feels the team deserves recognition for their work before the character's game history is forgotten.
'I honestly thought Highguard looked pretty good' — Gears of War creator laments internet culture where…
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski laments the current internet culture where players form negative opinions about games like Concord, Highguard, and Horizon Hunters Gathering before release, leading to "dogpiling." He notes that this trend makes it difficult for developers, as the public's minds are often made up before they even have a chance to play the game. Bleszinski believes it's no longer "cool to like something" and that games face intense scrutiny, impacting their reception.
