Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Katsuhiro Harada reveals his overall impression of Masahiro Sakurai
Former Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada shared his positive impression of fellow game developer Masahiro Sakurai, describing him as a down-to-earth individual. Harada noted that Sakurai would blend in easily at social gatherings.
Union launches hardship fund for laid off developers
The United Videogame Workers union has launched a hardship fund to assist game developers in the US and Canada affected by recent layoffs. The fund, supported by membership fees and a forthcoming Itch.io charity bundle, offers grants of up to $5,000 for essential living and work-related expenses. This initiative aims to provide immediate financial relief to industry professionals facing job insecurity.
Halo Project Ekur Reportedly Cancelled, Team Shifted to Campaign Evolved in Summer 2025 – Rumor
Reports suggest that Halo Project Ekur has been cancelled, with its development team reportedly shifted to work on Halo: Campaign Evolved due to issues with the latter. The cancellation comes amidst rumors of layoffs at Xbox. Halo: Campaign Evolved is slated for release on July 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
PlayStation is Using Generative AI for Placeholder Voices and Art
Sony is utilizing generative AI tools within its PlayStation studios to assist developers with repetitive tasks, aiming to speed up iteration and improve output quality. These AI tools are being used for creating placeholder assets like synthetic voices and art, as well as accelerating QA, 3D modeling, and facial animations. The company emphasizes that AI is intended to augment human creativity and capabilities rather than replace artists and creators.
Compulsion Games Confirms Retaining Rights to South of Midnight, We Happy Few After Xbox Split
Compulsion Games has confirmed it is returning to independence after its split from Xbox, retaining the rights to its titles South of Midnight, We Happy Few, and Contrast. This news comes amidst widespread layoffs at Xbox, with Compulsion's future now secure despite rumors of closure. The studio aims to continue creating unique games that tell important stories.
Wolfenstein 3 is in the Works, Marvel’s Blade Safe as Arkane Faces Restructuring – Rumor
Rumors suggest that Wolfenstein 3 is in development at MachineGames, which is reportedly safe following the success of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Marvel's Blade is also said to be proceeding at Arkane Studios, despite restructuring within the company. Jerk Gustafsson has been named president of Arkane, and further announcements regarding layoffs and the studio's new structure are expected.
State of Decay 3 Could Skip Game Pass, Third-Party Funding Still Lives – Rumor
A report suggests that State of Decay 3 might not be a day one release on Xbox Game Pass, despite Xbox funding its development, as Undead Labs is reportedly under new ownership. The article also touches on the shifting priorities at Xbox regarding Game Pass funding for third-party developers and the perceived underinvestment in the Minecraft IP.
Xbox Announces 3,200 Layoffs for Fiscal Year 2027, Four Studios to be Released
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees, with 1,600 layoffs occurring immediately. Four studios—Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, and Undead Labs—are being released. Sharma cited lower-than-comparable margins and industry hardware challenges as reasons for the restructuring, aiming to reset Xbox's business focus.
Xbox Layoffs Won’t Stop Work on Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein
Despite significant layoffs impacting Xbox and its ZeniMax Media subsidiaries, work on franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein will continue. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that ZeniMax will not be reduced to only developing Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. The company is also undergoing management restructuring to streamline decision-making processes.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder dev reveals how the Inchworm Pipe sound effect was made
A developer from Nintendo shared insights into the creation of the Inchworm Pipe sound effect for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The team experimented with vibrato effects to achieve a wriggling, creature-like quality, aiming to evoke surprise and fun for players. The sound designer emphasized the importance of evoking specific feelings and adding color to the game world through sound.
Clive Barker & Doug Bradley were involved as advisors for Hellraiser: Revival
Saber Interactive is developing Hellraiser: Revival, an action-horror game based on the iconic franchise. Associate Director Vid Rajin confirmed that both Clive Barker and Doug Bradley, the longtime actor for Pinhead, have been involved as advisors, providing feedback on the story and character portrayal to ensure authenticity.
Chaos Zero Nightmare Unveils New Season Details at Anime Expo 2026
Super Creative and Smilegate revealed details for the upcoming "Galactic Disaster" season of Chaos Zero Nightmare at Anime Expo 2026. The new season, titled "Season 4 Shattered Light and Claw," is scheduled for a July 28 update and will introduce new combatants Hilde, Arabella, and Olga, along with a character appearance customization system.
Hasbro should stop looking for a Baldur's Gate 4 studio and take a leaf out of Larian's book by trying…
This opinion piece argues that Hasbro should not pursue a Baldur's Gate 4 and instead take inspiration from Larian Studios' approach to game development. The author suggests that the immense success and unique development path of Baldur's Gate 3 make it nearly impossible for any studio to replicate its quality or meet player expectations for a sequel. Instead, Hasbro should focus on nurturing talent and developing new IPs within the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director thinks devs will eventually "be able to churn out a game in 5 seconds with a prompt," but he hopes they're not any good
Guillaume Broche, lead developer at Sandfall Interactive, believes that while AI could eventually allow for games to be generated instantly with a prompt, he hopes these creations won't be good. His studio is not using generative AI for creative work, though they are exploring its use for administrative tasks. Broche also mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a spiritual successor to the JRPG Lost Odyssey.
"Det blev en väldigt personlig berättelse" – Elden Pixels-medgrundaren om A Void Hope
Elden Pixels co-founder discusses the development of their game A Void Hope, highlighting how a personal story and the involvement of Waveshaper significantly impacted the project. The article is exclusive content for members of the Indiespelklubben.
Final Fantasy 15, and others, could come to Nintendo Switch 2 – "it's not entirely impossible"
Square Enix has indicated that a Nintendo Switch 2 port of Final Fantasy 15 is "not entirely impossible," despite acknowledging "certain hardware constraints." The company is considering player feedback regarding the feasibility of bringing past Final Fantasy titles to the new console, alongside discussions about updating graphics and combat systems for contemporary audiences.
Danganronpa 2x2 delayed to 2027
Spike Chunsoft has announced that Danganronpa 2x2 has been delayed to early 2027. Producer Shohei Sakakibara stated that while development was progressing towards a 2026 release, the decision was made to ensure the best possible player experience. The game will feature both a revamped 'Original' mode retelling Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair with updated visuals and a new 'Slayhem' mode with a different storyline.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various gaming-related topics from recent publications. It touches on the struggles within the game development industry, the personal journey of Cliff Bleszinski after the closure of Boss Key Productions, and explorations of queerness in games like Elden Ring and Disco Elysium. It also briefly mentions themes of labor and slavery in relation to AI films.
MachineGames is apparently working on Wolfenstein 3 and a Wolfenstein TV show
MachineGames is reportedly developing Wolfenstein 3 and a Wolfenstein television series in collaboration with Amazon's Fallout TV producers. The studio is also known for its work on previous Wolfenstein titles, which have been released on Nintendo platforms.
Wolfenstein 3 Is Reportedly In Production As Microsoft Looks To Invest In MachineGames
Wolfenstein 3 is reportedly in production at MachineGames, with Microsoft looking to invest in the studio. The article also hints at a potential Wolfenstein television series and mentions leadership changes at both MachineGames and Arkane Studios.