Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Policymakers across Europe told to do more to support local game industry
The German Games Industry Association (Game) is urging policymakers across Germany and Europe to implement stronger frameworks to support the local video game industry. The association argues that current governmental and regulatory support is insufficient by international standards, hindering the growth of game companies. Game calls for measures including start-up funding, production support, improved infrastructure, and tax-based funding systems to create internationally competitive conditions.
"We take your feedback to heart" - Game Freak promises to improve Beast of Reincarnation following a divisive launch
Game Freak has acknowledged player feedback regarding the divisive launch of their action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation. The developer plans to release a patch next week addressing issues such as camera controls, text size, performance mode defaults, and story pacing. A player feedback survey has also been posted.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla director makes sudden return to Ubisoft, and will lead the series moving forward
Eric Baptizat, director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Black Flag, and Origins, has returned to Ubisoft to lead future development for the Assassin's Creed franchise. He previously worked at Ubisoft for 16 years before directing the Dead Space Remake at Motive Studio. Baptizat's return comes as Ubisoft splits into Ubisoft and Vantage Studios, and ahead of the upcoming game Assassin's Creed Hexe.
Silver Lining Interactive launches first title from its development label Silver Bullet
Silver Lining Interactive has launched its first game, Mr Trippy, from its internal IP development label, Silver Bullet. Mr Trippy is described as a darkly comedic management simulator. Silver Bullet, initially an indie incubator, has evolved into a full-fledged IP development label dedicated to creating original and unconventional gaming experiences.
Stars Reach is releasing its final pre-early access update to overhaul crafting, weapons, and the UI
Playable Worlds is releasing a final major update for Stars Reach before its early access launch on August 18, 2026. This patch overhauls the user interface, crafting system, weapons, and adds new features like a recipe book and pharmacology groundwork. The update is expected to drop today, accompanied by a seven-hour maintenance period.
Game Freak promises Beast of Reincarnation improvements following mixed reviews, starting with "story pacing improvements" within a week: "We take your feedback to heart"
Developer Game Freak has announced an upcoming patch for Beast of Reincarnation, addressing player feedback on the action-RPG. The update, expected within a week, will include improvements to story pacing, camera adjustments, text size, and bug fixes. Game Freak stated they are taking player feedback to heart and plan continuous updates.
EA’s Saudi takeover will be "a real waste" if it turns the publishers into a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine", Helldivers 2 studio boss says
Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that Electronic Arts' recent $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabian investors could lead the publisher to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse game catalog. He hopes for continued business and creative diversity within EA, despite the consolidation and significant debt incurred by the deal, which may lead to cost-cutting measures and layoffs.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | CodeDev Group appoints Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys
This article rounds up recent hires and promotions across the gaming industry. Key appointments include Ben Board as CEO of The Performance Guys, Nate Nanzer as EVP at Paramount Games, and Tracey Thompson returning to Bethesda as VP of communications. Several other companies like Epic Games, Amazon, and Microsoft also saw personnel changes.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Three new hires at Yogscast Games
Yogscast Games has hired Charlotte Willis, Robin Mawhinney, and Charlotte Pang for PR, production, and publishing roles. Meanwhile, Jars AI co-founders Steffen Holm and Chris Kruger have joined Roblox to support its AI tool launch in New Zealand. Sathvik Sudireddy is the new marketing manager for live services at Rockstar Games, and Joe Chard is the lead product manager at Netflix Games.
Jobs roundup: August 2026 | Frontier Developments appoints Dan Lazarides as CMO
Several key figures have moved into new roles within the gaming industry. Dan Lazarides is the new Chief Marketing Officer at Frontier Developments, while Tracey Thompson returns to Bethesda as VP of Communications. Maddie Richter joins Nintendo of America as Social Media Marketing Manager, and Steffen Holm and Chris Kruger join Roblox to support AI tool development.
Ubisoft brings back another Assassin's Creed veteran to stabilize the series as it looks to reverse its fortunes
Ubisoft has rehired veteran developer Eric Baptizat as the new Game Director for the Assassin's Creed brand, aiming to stabilize the series. Baptizat, who previously directed Assassin's Creed Valhalla and worked on Black Flag, returns after directing the Dead Space remake at EA Motive. This move follows a period of restructuring at Ubisoft, including game cancellations and the formation of creative houses, as the company seeks to improve the direction of its flagship franchises.
Secret Mode opens new Sheffield studio to support internal titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together
Indie publisher Secret Mode has established a new internal development studio in Sheffield, initially comprising three people and aiming to expand to 20 within a year. This new division will focus on supporting the publisher's existing titles, starting with Escape the Backrooms and Chained Together, by developing new content and porting games to additional platforms like Xbox and PlayStation 5. The move aims to reduce reliance on external development and foster a culture of rapid content creation.
Games Inbox: Will single-player video games go extinct?
This article discusses the current sales trends of single-player games, with readers expressing concern over their perceived decline in popularity compared to multiplayer titles. The piece also touches on the future of VR gaming, the potential for reboots of classic games like Elite, and the rising costs of GPUs and consoles.
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Troubled Development Led to Multiplayer Project Cancelation – Rumor
A recent rumor suggests that Halo: Campaign Evolved experienced a troubled development, with significant issues arising from the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and mismanagement by Halo Studios leadership. Support studio Abstraction was reportedly removed from the project, leading to work being redone from scratch and contributing to bugs and missed deadlines. This mismanagement also allegedly led to the cancellation of a multiplayer project.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Director Returns to Ubisoft to Direct More Games in the Franchise
Eric Baptizat, director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, has returned to Ubisoft to serve as the Game Director for the entire Assassin's Creed brand. Baptizat previously worked on titles like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and Assassin's Creed Origins before leading the Dead Space remake at EA Motive. His return is seen as a positive development for the future of the franchise, with new titles like Codename Hexe and Codename Jade in development for PC and consoles.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Reportedly Had a Troubled Development That Impacted a Now-Canceled Multiplayer Project
A new report indicates that the development of Halo: Campaign Evolved faced significant challenges, which reportedly had a negative impact on a separate, now-canceled multiplayer project. The article suggests these development troubles were a key factor in the project's issues.
RUST boss Alistair McFarlane has left Facepunch and will not be saving New World after all
Alistair McFarlane, director of RUST developer Facepunch Studios, has departed the company as of July 30th. McFarlane had previously teased potential involvement with Amazon's New World, but these rumors have now seemingly concluded with his exit from Facepunch.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
Turns Out, The Team Behind Riftbound Is Shockingly Small
Riftbound Game Director Dave Guskin revealed that the team behind the popular trading card game is surprisingly small, consisting of less than 50 people across all functions. Guskin discussed the game's scrappy beginnings, starting with just three people pitching the idea, and how the team has grown while iterating quickly based on community feedback. Riftbound, which is less than a year old in its English release, recently launched its fourth expansion, Vendetta.
Rockstar's great Midnight Club racing series was killed off for one simple reason, and you can probably guess what…
Former Rockstar designer Kris Roberts explained that the Midnight Club racing series was canceled primarily due to its perceived lower status compared to Grand Theft Auto. Internal conflicts between studios and missed deadlines also contributed, but the overwhelming focus on the GTA franchise ultimately led to the series' demise, despite critical acclaim for titles like Midnight Club: Los Angeles.
