Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Dispatch devs share storytelling and co-dev secrets
Adhoc Studios' narrative game 'Dispatch' has become a surprise hit, praised for its superhero story and development process. Co-directors Nick Herman and Dennis Lenart share insights into their interactive storytelling techniques and the challenges overcome during development, including a last-minute investor dropout that was resolved with help from Critical Role.
Can co-development save the game industry?
This article discusses co-development as a potential solution to the game industry's economic challenges, highlighting how external studios can assist both large and small developers. CEOs from Blackbird Interactive, Sweet Baby Inc, and Wolfjaw Studios share insights on the practice's role in preserving professional employment.
Not So Massively: Blizzard’s reckless experimentation on StarCraft II and Heroes of the Storm
The article criticizes Blizzard Entertainment's recent balance patches for StarCraft II and Heroes of the Storm, suggesting reckless experimentation with minimal testing and communication. The author argues that these drastic changes, particularly to core mechanics, are detrimental to the games and their communities, drawing parallels between the two titles under Blizzard's classic games team.
Robert Bowling's New Studio
Robert Bowling, formerly of Infinity Ward, has announced the launch of a new game development studio. Bowling, who previously served as Community Manager and Creative Strategist, revealed the news via a LinkedIn post.
Roadmaps and Plans
Funcom provided an update on Dune: Awakening, recapping the past year's development and outlining plans for a September preview. The update covers the game's roadmaps and future development.
Ubisoft hires former Take-Two and Amazon vet to head up its Tom Clancy games
Ubisoft has hired Christoph Hartmann, formerly of Take-Two Interactive and Amazon Game Studios, to lead its "Creative House 2." This new division will oversee major Tom Clancy franchises including The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot expressed confidence in Hartmann's ability to build and elevate these established game series.
Dune Awakening recaps its first year and fall plans and teases post-console plans in new video
Funcom provided an update on Dune Awakening, detailing plans for its September console launch and the year's development progress. The console release will feature a complete version of the game with solo offline play, expanded story content, and a new onboarding system, followed by the Polar Cap map. The developers also recapped changes made over the past year, including PvP adjustments and endgame revamps.
Rumors claim Xbox wants to close Obsidian, but Jason Schreier says otherwise
Recent reports suggest Xbox is considering closing or selling several studios, including Obsidian Entertainment, due to financial pressures. However, journalist Jason Schreier has refuted claims that Obsidian is in negotiations to avoid closure, stating Xbox intends to keep the developer. The article also touches on frustrations within Xbox regarding leadership's focus on profitability and the impact of underperforming titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD is said to survive Microsoft's culling for the second time now
Despite ongoing major studio and game culls at Microsoft, Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror title OD is reportedly safe. The game, developed by Kojima Productions and published by Xbox Publishing, has survived previous reassessments and continues its development. The project also features collaboration with director Jordan Peele and a notable cast, making it a high-profile title unlikely to be axed.
Sony says AI is "exciting," great for "synthetic assets," and an "important foundational technology supporting our strategy"
Sony executives have expressed enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence, viewing it as a foundational technology that will enhance game development efficiency, player experience, and content creation. The company is exploring AI for applications such as improving data analysis for fraud prevention and utilizing synthetic assets as placeholders to speed up development and improve quality.
‘We are now fully focused on developing content for 8.0,’ says SWTOR boss
Broadsword's Keith Kanneg announced that Star Wars The Old Republic is now fully focused on developing content for update 8.0, with the first Public Test Server phase planned for the coming weeks. This phase will include the first boss of a new Operation and level 85 for select classes. Galactic Season 10 will conclude at the end of July.
WoW's bug-filled April patch was actually from trying to fix too much too fast, says director Ion Hazzikostas—like an elevator from 13 years ago that blew up housing
World of Warcraft director Ion Hazzikostas explained that the numerous bugs in Patch 12.0.5 were not due to a rushed development cycle, but rather an aggressive attempt to fix issues close to the release date. One significant bug that disabled player housing was traced back to a last-minute fix for a 2013 Siege of Orgrimmar elevator issue, highlighting the complex interdependencies within the game's code.
Star Citizen prioritizes addressing bugs for alpha 4.9, shifting major content pieces to August
Cloud Imperium Games is shifting the focus of Star Citizen's upcoming Alpha 4.9 update from new content to addressing critical bugs impacting core gameplay systems. Major content additions like Siege of Orison have been moved to Alpha 4.10 in mid-August, while Alpha 4.9 will prioritize fixing issues such as broken freight elevators, ship retrieval, and inventory interaction, with a mid-July launch still planned.
Xbox May Shut Down Obsidian Entertainment, Too
New reports indicate that Xbox is considering shutting down or selling Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind games like Avowed and Fallout: New Vegas. This potential closure is part of a larger plan by Xbox to reallocate funds towards its major franchises, potentially affecting other subsidiaries like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.
Avowed, The Outer Worlds, and Fallout: New Vegas Developer Obsidian Entertainment Reportedly Also at Risk of Closure Amid Xbox 'Reset'
Obsidian Entertainment, the developer behind Avowed, The Outer Worlds, and Fallout: New Vegas, is reportedly at risk of closure as part of a broader 'reset' within Microsoft's Xbox business. This news follows reports of potential studio closures and project cancellations within Xbox.
"The goal isn't to build something that burns brightly for a few years and disappears" – Cosmic Division CEO on launching a "responsibly ambitious" studio
Harry Krueger, former game director at Housemarque, has launched Cosmic Division, a new studio focused on sustainable growth and long-term endurance. He emphasizes a 'responsibly ambitious' approach, prioritizing talent, scope management, and a healthy runway over aggressive expansion. Krueger aims to build a studio that lasts, drawing lessons from AAA development to avoid common pitfalls of over-ambition and compromise.
TV Studio Story Wants You To Build The Next Small-Screen Smash
Kairosoft's management simulation game, TV Studio Story, is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. The game challenges players to build their own television network by creating hit shows, discovering stars, and managing production. It features Kairosoft's signature pixel-art style and deep management systems.
Valheim 1.0 won’t update the survival game’s sparse oceans, reveal devs Iron Gate, who add it’s "too soon to say" how long post-release updates will continue
Iron Gate has announced that Valheim's 1.0 release in September will introduce the Deep North biome but will not include updates to the game's oceans. The developers also stated that it is too early to determine the extent of post-release content updates, though bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements will continue. The game's price will increase to $29.99 with the 1.0 launch.
450 words on Clockwork Revolution, the console exclusive that may mark the end of an era for Xbox
Clockwork Revolution, an upcoming Xbox console exclusive from inXile Entertainment, is highlighted as a potential system-seller and a glimpse into the future of RPGs. However, the article expresses concern that the game's ambitious scope and long development cycle may represent the end of an era for Xbox's willingness to take creative risks on new intellectual property, especially in light of recent internal restructuring and rumors of layoffs.
Fantasy meets reality: Why turmoil at Xbox is impacting IO Interactive and Project Fantasy
IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, is in turmoil after Xbox Game Studios Publishing reportedly pulled its funding. Despite this setback, IO Interactive remains committed to the project and is restructuring to continue development. This situation highlights the shifting priorities within Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, impacting independent studios reliant on external partnerships.
