Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Saber admit Rideshare "Stimulator" features generative AI writing, but deny they replaced taxi game's lead writer with ChatGPT
Saber Interactive has admitted that its upcoming game, Rideshare Simulator, features generative AI for its free-ride mode, despite not disclosing this on its Steam page, which contravenes Valve's AI policy. The game's former lead writer, Stella Sacco, claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT midway through development, a statement Saber denies, asserting that the main story was written by humans and their writing staff has tripled.
Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert could come to Switch 2 in first half of 2027
Pearl Abyss is considering a release for Crimson Desert on the Nintendo Switch 2 in the first half of 2027, provided the game can run in a satisfactory state. The development studio has been actively working on a port for the upcoming console.
Xbox boss brags about having played The Elder Scrolls 6 and teases game's name
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has played The Elder Scrolls 6 and described its scale and grandeur as 'incredible,' while teasing the game's subtitle with eight asterisks. This comes amidst concerns about development timelines and recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax Media. The article also notes a protest by the Bethesda union outside the studio regarding these layoffs.
Console Game Development Is Moving to Unreal Engine, and Halo Just Proved It
Halo Studios has transitioned from its proprietary Slipspace engine to Unreal Engine 5 for Halo: Campaign Evolved, marking a significant shift in console game development. This move aims to reduce internal engine maintenance costs, allowing more resources for game creation and faster content delivery to platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Pokémon Go’s Ban Wave Lends Weight to the Rare-Quest ‘Injection’ Trade, and Fans Suspect an Inside Job
Pokémon Go players are reportedly receiving 30-day account bans for acquiring rare Pokémon through 'injecting,' a method that grants access to unauthorized questlines. This practice, which has been rumored for over a year and involves selling these rare creatures for hundreds of dollars, suggests a potential internal leak or server hack. Developer Scopely Explore has not yet commented on the situation.
Xbox's CEO teased that she's seen The Elder Scrolls 6, so now we have to guess what it's called
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma described a 'live playthrough' of The Elder Scrolls 6 as 'incredible,' praising its scale, grandeur, and story. The article speculates on the game's title, noting the eight asterisks in Sharma's tweet and discussing potential subtitles based on lore and rumored locations like High Rock and Hammerfell.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s “Scale and Grandeur are Incredible”, Says Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has shared her positive impressions of an early build of The Elder Scrolls 6, praising its "incredible scale and grandeur" and "even greater" story. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Bethesda and union protests, as well as fan speculation regarding the game's title.
Kingdom Hearts Deep Dive Panel Announced for D23 on August 15th
Disney has officially announced a "Deep Dive" panel for the Kingdom Hearts franchise at D23 on August 15th. The panel will feature guests including Nana Gadd from Disney & Pixar Games and voice actors Haley Joel Osment and David Gallagher. While details are scarce, the event is expected to reveal more about the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 4, which is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog 'as the number of passengers in the game is infinite'
Saber Interactive has denied claims that it replaced a writer with ChatGPT on its upcoming game, Rideshare Stimulator. Former lead writer Stella Sacco alleged she was replaced by AI, but Saber stated that no writers were replaced and that the game's story was written entirely by humans. The studio did acknowledge using AI for an experimental free-ride mode due to an infinite number of passengers.
Crimson Desert did so well that developer Pearl Abyss reported 94% increased labor expenses due to "performance…
Pearl Abyss reported a 94% increase in labor expenses in Q2 2026, attributing it to performance bonuses paid to 1,035 employees following the successful launch of Crimson Desert. The game has earned an estimated $200 million in two weeks and received a Very Positive Steam rating. Pearl Abyss also indicated plans for sequels, multiplayer expansions, and additional DLC for Crimson Desert.
Crimson Desert dev comments on status of Nintendo Switch 2 port, targeting first half of 2027
Pearl Abyss has provided an update on the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert, stating that the game is now playable at a foundational level and is targeting a first-half 2027 release. The company is focused on ensuring the game's graphics, combat, and open-world experience are preserved on the new platform.
As Peak gets its final big update, developers Landfall and Aggro Crab explain why it isn't a "forever game"
Developers Landfall and Aggro Crab have released the final major update, 'The Final Ascent,' for their game Peak. This update introduces new biomes, items, and challenges, but the developers have stated Peak is not intended to be a 'forever game' and they wish to return to their separate projects. They emphasize a desire to deliver a finished experience rather than a constantly updated live-service title.
The Elder Scrolls 6 demo had a surprise guest at Bethesda HQ: a giant inflatable rat set up by protesting employees to watch Xbox execs who oversaw "devastating layoffs"
During a visit from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to Bethesda, protesting employees displayed a giant inflatable rat and hundreds of flags to highlight the significant layoffs that have occurred under Microsoft's leadership. The demonstration aimed to remind executives of the workers impacted by these cuts and advocate for fair treatment and the future of the game industry.
Max Payne 1 and 2 remake is still happening, but publisher Rockstar won't let Remedy say any more
Remedy Entertainment confirmed that the remake of Max Payne 1 and 2 is still in full production, but Rockstar Games, as the publisher, is controlling all communication regarding the project. Remedy's CEO stated they cannot comment on the remake until Rockstar does, despite multiple investor questions. The developer has released other titles like Alan Wake 2 and Control since the Max Payne remake was initially announced.
"I think that might be a misread": Thief designer on why making a triple-A immersive sim doesn't really work
Randy Smith Evergreen, a designer on Thief: The Dark Project, suggests that the immersive sim genre may not be suited for triple-A development due to its niche audience. He proposes that a triple-I or double-A approach with smaller budgets and passionate teams could be more viable for creating successful immersive sims, citing the original Thief's modest budget as an example.
Hardcore FPS immediately becomes Steam top seller as devs list '10 reasons not to buy' it
The tactical FPS Wardogs, developed by Bulkhead, has become Steam's top-selling premium game ahead of its early access launch on September 10. The developers have released a video detailing '10 reasons not to buy' the game, transparently addressing concerns about early access content, pricing, player count fluctuations, and the studio's past project, Battalion 1944.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Might Have An 8-Letter Subtitle
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has teased a potential 8-letter subtitle for the upcoming game The Elder Scrolls 6 after witnessing a live playthrough. Bethesda previously stated that development is proceeding as planned, despite recent layoffs impacting morale and raising concerns about potential delays. The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of Microsoft's most anticipated upcoming titles.
Xbox CEO says her "live playthrough" of The Elder Scrolls 6 shows "incredible" scale but "the…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared her excitement about a "live playthrough" of The Elder Scrolls 6, describing its scale and story as "incredible." While the exact build and development stage remain unconfirmed, the mention suggests significant progress is being made by Bethesda, potentially involving figures like Todd Howard.
No Man’s Sky Could Have Made So Much Money From DLC And Microtransactions, Sean Murray Says
Sean Murray, head of Hello Games, stated that the studio chose not to implement DLC or microtransactions for No Man's Sky to ensure all players receive content updates together. He believes this approach, while potentially less profitable, fosters a stronger sense of community and enjoyment for the development team. The studio is currently working on a new game called Light No Fire.
Saber CEO hides jab at Randy Pitchford in game trailer as payback for Pitchford dumping on Embracer: 'Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living'
Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch has confirmed that subtle jabs in the trailer for their upcoming game 'Rideshare 'Stimulator'' are directed at Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. These references are reportedly payback for Pitchford's perceived insults towards Embracer Group in Borderlands 4 following Gearbox's sale. Karch stated that without Embracer's acquisition, Pitchford would be struggling financially.
