Game Development
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Inner Pocket is a new indie publisher looking to champion 'curiosity games'
Veterans from Critical Reflex, Gaijin Entertainment, and Nozomu Games have launched Inner Pocket, a new indie publishing label focused on "curiosity games." The company will offer support services and last-mile investment, typically under $75,000, to developers. Inner Pocket aims to foster a community through Steam curation and engagement on platforms like YouTube and Discord, with Nozomu Games' "Burn With Me" being one of its debut titles.
Leakers suggest Chronicles of Elyria boss is working on ElyriaMUD and income generation
Leaked messages suggest that Jeromy Walsh, a key figure at Soulbound Studios, is actively developing ElyriaMUD, a spin-off of the troubled MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria. The leaked communications indicate plans to monetize ElyriaMUD and potentially license the Chronicles of Elyria IP for a mobile game, despite the original MMO's troubled development history and ongoing skepticism from former backers.
Welcome to Optimism Week!
This article discusses the current challenges and gloom surrounding the video game industry, including widespread layoffs, executive mismanagement, rising game costs, and ethical concerns. It argues for the importance of covering these negative aspects while also acknowledging the need for optimism and celebrating the joy games can bring. The piece introduces 'Optimism Week' as a feature series dedicated to highlighting the brighter side of gaming.
Another cancelled Star Wars video game has surfaced online with early footage
A cancelled multiplayer action RPG for Star Wars, codenamed Magellan, developed by Echtra Games and NaturalMotion under Zynga, has surfaced with early footage. The game, intended for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, was reportedly abandoned in 2025 due to strategic realignments within Zynga and its parent company Take-Two Interactive, which also led to Echtra Games being shut down.
Canceled Star Wars RPG surfaces 1 year after it was officially scrapped, revealing Jedi and Mandalorian combat, looter shooter gameplay, and more we'll never get to experience ourselves
Footage has surfaced online of a canceled Star Wars action RPG, reportedly codenamed Star Wars: Magellan, which was in development at Echtra Games before the studio's closure. The leaked gameplay showcases playable Mandalorian and Jedi characters engaging in combat, featuring looter shooter mechanics and a multiplayer ARPG focus. The game was intended for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S before its cancellation.
Mafia Developer Says Comparisons to Grand Theft Auto Are an 'Internet Thing'
Hangar 13, the developer behind the Mafia series, has stated that comparisons between their games and Grand Theft Auto are primarily an 'internet thing.' The studio seems to be pushing back against direct comparisons to Rockstar's popular open-world franchise.
Most Anticipated PlayStation 5 RPG Finally Has a Release Date Window
Square Enix announced that Kingdom Hearts IV, a highly anticipated PlayStation 5 action RPG, is slated for release in late 2027. The game will feature a dynamic combat system and the return of characters like Sora, Donald, and Goofy. The trailer also confirmed the appearance of characters from Disney and Pixar's Coco.
Tides of Annihilation seemingly casts Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor as its new lead after Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Jennifer English left the role
Angela Sant'Albano is reportedly the new lead voice actor for Gwendolyn in Tides of Annihilation, taking over from Jennifer English due to health reasons. English, who also provided input on her successor, will remain with the project in an advisory capacity. Fans noted Sant'Albano's resemblance to the new voice and her recent acclaimed performance in Resident Evil Requiem.
Saber Interactive adds AI disclaimer to Rideshare on Steam; CEO Matt Karch apologies to former lead writer
Saber Interactive has added an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator's Steam page after CEO Matt Karch apologized to former lead writer Stella Sacco. The disclaimer clarifies that while the main campaign is human-written, AI tools are used for voice generation, localization, and optional Free Ride mode content. Karch's apology followed public statements where he initially made disparaging remarks about Sacco and the use of AI in game development.
Saber Interactive adds AI disclaimer to Rideshare on Steam; CEO Matt Karch apologises to former lead writer
Saber Interactive has added an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator's Steam page following controversy over allegations that a writer was dismissed and replaced with AI-generated content. CEO Matt Karch has since apologized to former lead writer Stella Sacco for his public comments, admitting he "shot first and thought second" in his response. The disclaimer clarifies that while the main campaign is human-written, AI tools are used for voice generation, some localization, and optional Free Ride mode content.
Call of Duty studio Sledgehammer reportedly worked on a Halo multiplayer prototype before it got canned
Sledgehammer Games, a studio known for its work on Call of Duty, reportedly developed a prototype for a Halo multiplayer game at the request of Xbox. The project was ultimately canceled by Xbox after a testing period in June, though discussions about Activision potentially developing future Halo titles are ongoing. This collaboration was explored following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Simpsons creator himself leaks that Hit & Run video game is coming back
The Simpsons creator Matt Groening may have accidentally revealed that The Simpsons: Hit & Run is returning in some form, during a recent D23 event panel. While showrunner Matt Selman seemed to backtrack, Groening's comment has fueled fan speculation for a remake or remaster of the beloved 2003 game. Licensing issues have previously prevented any re-release, but the involvement of former Radical Entertainment staff at New Radical Games offers renewed hope.
Matchmaking platform Sail.game launches free tier for devs ahead of Gamescom
Matchmaking platform Sail.game has launched a free tier for PC and console game developers ahead of Gamescom, allowing them to access the Entry Cruise package using a promo code until August 31. Developers who claim this tier during Gamescom will receive lifetime access, enabling them to create game cards, connect with publishers, and receive notifications. CEO Vladimír Geršl stated the initiative aims to help developers find funding and publishing partners more efficiently.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is probably subtitled Sentinel, and there's been an easter egg in Starfield hinting at it this…
An easter egg found in Starfield suggests the subtitle for The Elder Scrolls 6 may be 'Sentinel'. This is further supported by a rumored development codename and the name of a prominent city in the Elder Scrolls lore. The article also briefly mentions recent layoffs at Bethesda Softworks.
Halo Studios to Rely on Heavy Outsourcing on Future Projects – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Halo Studios will heavily rely on outsourcing for future game development, potentially collaborating with Activision and Sledgehammer Games. This follows reports of significant outsourcing for Halo: Campaign Evolved and a canceled multiplayer project. The article also touches on criticisms of Halo: Campaign Evolved by franchise co-creator Marcus Lehto.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Gets New Video Explaining Secure Boot, TPM 2.0 Settings Ahead of Beta
Activision has released a video guide detailing strict PC requirements for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's beta, including enabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 for the Ricochet Anti-Cheat system. These requirements will also apply to Warzone players. The beta will feature the new Kill Block mode, with the full game launching October 23rd on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
League of Legends YouTuber unearths the original investor pitch from when the game was called Onslaught: War of the…
A League of Legends YouTuber, Necrit, in collaboration with Riot Games' Paul "Pabro" Bellezza, has unearthed an original investor pitch for the game when it was known as Onslaught: War of the Immortals. The unearthed materials reveal a vastly different early version of the game, featuring a cityscape map, customizable immortals, and distinct 'order' and 'chaos' realms, with some champions like Annie and Sion appearing significantly altered from their current forms.
Super Metroid director says he’s still haunted by nap room that “smelled like a zoo”
Super Metroid director Yoshio Sakamoto reflected on the challenging development conditions for the 1994 Super NES classic. He recalled the team working long hours and sleeping at the office, with one particular nap room described as smelling like a zoo.
The backlash against gen AI in video games proves voting with your wallet works
The gaming community's strong opposition to generative AI in game development is influencing publishing contracts, with some lawyers citing restrictive clauses due to legal liability concerns. Player backlash, including review-bombing and purchase boycotts, has led publishers to discourage developers from using AI assets, demonstrating that consumer action can impact industry practices.
Sean Murray says No Man's Sky's record player count wasn't the true peak for him – it was seeing the team "solving problems" and "just meshing together"
Sean Murray, lead developer at Hello Games, shared that the true peak for No Man's Sky wasn't its record player count, but rather witnessing the development team collaborate effectively. He highlighted moments of collective problem-solving and the satisfaction of the team meshing together, especially during the development of updates like Voyagers and Beyond.
