Game Development
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You could win a slice of €30,000 by building the best mod for Mount & Blade 2's controversial seafaring…
TaleWorlds Entertainment has announced a modding contest for its Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord - War Sails expansion, offering a total prize pool of €30,000. The contest features three categories: Conversion Mods, 3D Art, and Scene Design, with submission deadlines in November and winners announced in January. This initiative aims to showcase the modding tools released for the controversial naval expansion.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses several recent gaming news items and industry reflections. It covers Brenda Romero's autofiction, The Guardian's summer game previews featuring Wrong Organ's Carcass Clad, differing opinions on Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, and Sean Murray's perspective on No Man's Sky's decade-long development. Additionally, it investigates sexual harassment allegations against indie horror publishers like Critical Reflex and Black Lantern Collective, and touches on the worsening wildfire situation in France.
Kingdom Hearts 4 directors say release date delay 'is not happening'
Kingdom Hearts 4 co-director Tai Yasue and series creator Tetsuya Nomura have confirmed that the game is on track for its late 2027 release window and that no delays are expected. Development is reportedly proceeding smoothly, with Yasue stating it is a "100 percent thing." The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo has not “lost its soul” – here’s why
This article argues that Nintendo has not lost its soul, despite concerns arising from remakes and industry trends. While acknowledging the increasing cost of gaming and the shift towards digital, it highlights Nintendo's continued focus on charm, personality, and satisfying gameplay in titles like Mario Kart World and Pokemon Pokopia. The piece also touches on Nintendo's strategic decisions regarding hardware and non-game features, concluding that while some aspects may be missed, the core spirit remains intact.
'I Want to Set the Record Straight: That Is Not Happening' — Kingdom Hearts 4 Devs Say KH4 '100%' Will Not Be Delayed Past Late 2027 Launch | D23 2026
Kingdom Hearts 4 co-director Tai Yasue and series creator Tetsuya Nomura have confirmed that the game will not be delayed past its late 2027 launch window. They assured fans that the release is '100%' set to occur within that timeframe.
Square Enix talks Kingdom Hearts 4 launch timing, promises the game won’t be delayed
Square Enix has addressed concerns about Kingdom Hearts 4's release timing, with co-director Tai Yasue and series creator Tetsuya Nomura confirming the game is on track for its late 2027 launch. Both developers stated that development is proceeding smoothly and that there are no plans for delays. The article also mentions that marketing for the game has begun and that it will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Kingdom Hearts 4 Delay is “Not Happening,” as Nomura Reaffirms Late 2027 Launch
Square Enix director Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that Kingdom Hearts 4 is on track for its late 2027 release and will not be delayed. The game is set to launch on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, featuring various Disney worlds and characters.
Palworld’s First Post-Launch Update Won’t Spend a Year in Development, Says Pocketpair
Pocketpair is planning the first major post-launch update for Palworld, with development not expected to take a full year. The studio is soliciting player ideas but aims for smaller, focused additions rather than massive overhauls. This approach aligns with their philosophy of not wanting to overextend long-term support for the game.
SurviRail Playtest Sign-Ups Are Now Open! news
Sign-ups for the SurviRail playtest are now open, allowing players to explore space stations, find blueprints and resources, and prepare a train for its next journey. The playtest will focus on testing core gameplay mechanics, particularly the train expansion system. Future updates include a public demo with an additional location and expanded mechanics.
Nintendo's stinking "nap room" for overworked devs haunted legendary Super Metroid director for years: "It’s quite sad only having these kinds of memories!"
Former Nintendo director Yoshio Sakamoto reflects on the intense development conditions for Super Metroid, including a lack of sleep and a poorly maintained nap room at the company's old headquarters. Despite the hardships, the game became a classic, earning praise even from Gunpei Yokoi, who initially questioned the team's extreme dedication. Sakamoto now finds the memories of crunch bittersweet, acknowledging the negative aspects in light of modern discussions about developer well-being.
Sean Murray says a "weight had lifted" when No Man's Sky players were finally talking more about its new…
Sean Murray, lead developer at Hello Games, reflects on the long road to recovery for No Man's Sky, stating that the weight of its controversial launch didn't truly lift until about three years later. He describes how the studio continued to release transformative updates, eventually leading to coverage that focused on the game's improvements rather than its initial reception, which was a significant moment for the team.
Nexpace Sets Aug. 18 Launch for MapleStory Vibe Camp Season 2 With Verse8
Nexpace announced that the second season of MapleStory Vibe Camp will launch on August 18, in partnership with AI game creation platform Verse8. The first season distributed over $59,000 in prize money and saw creators develop hundreds of games using MapleStory IP and Verse8's AI tools. Nexpace aims to expand MapleStory from a closed IP into a programmable one through initiatives like Vibe Camp.
The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you're too dumb to appreciate a good…
This article argues that the push for AI-generated NPCs and dialogue in video games misunderstands the value of handcrafted details in creating immersive worlds and compelling narratives. The author contends that while AI might offer efficiency, it cannot replicate the creativity and nuance that human writers bring to background chatter, environmental storytelling, and characterization, ultimately leading to shallower game experiences. The piece criticizes industry figures who believe players won't notice or care about the difference, asserting that true game design relies on thoughtful, human-driven content.
This Solitaire game is so tiny it can load from a QR code, which is just what I need in the age of massive games and…
TinySol is a new solitaire game developed by Classic Bits that is so small, it can be loaded from a QR code. The 3-kilobyte MS-DOS game features simple black and white graphics and offers three-card Klondike Solitaire. The developer plans to release a version with a one-card draw mode in the future.
Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer release window, first world, and anime series unveiled
A new trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 revealed that the game will feature worlds based on Disney's Coco and is targeting a late 2027 release window. Additionally, an original Kingdom Hearts anime series was announced, produced with Square Enix and series creator Tetsuya Nomura.
Kingdom Hearts 4's first new world is inspired by Pixar's Coco
Square Enix confirmed that the first new world in Kingdom Hearts 4 will be inspired by Pixar's Coco, featuring characters like Miguel and Héctor. The trailer showcased Sora teaming up with them in the Land of the Dead. Square Enix also denied claims of using AI-generated content for the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3 promotion, stating the assets were created by their development team.
Kingdom Hearts 4 finally has a release window, if not quite a firm release date
Kingdom Hearts 4 is slated for a late 2027 release window, as announced at Disney's D23 2026 showcase. The game will launch on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, kicking off the new Lost Master Arc. Square Enix also denied claims that AI was used for assets in the Kingdom Hearts Collection 1-3, stating human error was responsible for issues.
Slay the Spire 2 updates are slowing down again, but a new character and alternate act are next
Mega Crit is slowing down regular updates for Slay the Spire 2 to focus on larger content additions, including a new character and an alternate Act Two. While the team is taking a break, these substantial updates are expected to arrive on the beta branch in at least a month. The developer also confirmed no plans for stacking enchantments or additional Ascension ranks, but Steam Achievements will be added at the 1.0 release.
The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel has been revealed and I’m already disappointed - Reader’s Feature
A reader expresses disappointment with the haphazard reveal of The Elder Scrolls 6's name, Sentinel, through tweets and rumors rather than a formal announcement. The author criticizes Xbox boss Asha Sharma's brief interaction with the game and the lack of a proper trailer or developer involvement, suggesting it diminishes hype for the long-awaited title.
Thimbleweed Park 2 is happening because Ron Gilbert's friend knows a rich guy who's a big fan of the original…
Thimbleweed Park 2 is officially happening, funded by a wealthy fan of the original game rather than a traditional publisher. Creator Ron Gilbert expressed dissatisfaction with publisher terms, opting for a more favorable deal with an anonymous benefactor. The sequel is expected in early 2028 and aims for a budget higher than the original's $1 million.
