Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Okami Sequel Director Says Capcom Trusts Clovers, Is Hands-Off
Okami sequel director Hideki Kamiya stated that Capcom has a trusting and hands-off approach with his studio, Clovers. He highlighted the strong relationship and alignment between the two companies regarding the game's creative and commercial balance. Kamiya feels supported and can focus on development, with Capcom patiently waiting for feature demonstrations.
GSC Game World says there's a reason it didn't give Stalker 2 more time in the oven: 'To make something better, you need to receive feedback, and this feedback should be fresh'
GSC Game World CEO Ievgen Grygorovych explained that releasing Stalker 2 with some bugs was a strategic decision influenced by the need for fresh player feedback and the high financial cost of extended development. He also cited market conditions like layoffs and studio closures as factors in bringing the game to market.
Saber Interactive CCO says studio won't change its comms strategy after AI writer controversy
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated the studio will not change its communications strategy following a controversy where the CEO suggested replacing a writer with AI. Despite the CEO's apology to the writer, Willits indicated the company stands by its direct communication style, referencing past backlash over game releases and expressing confidence in their upcoming titles.
After Persona 3 Reload, Atlus "put all the effort into making a full remake" of Persona 4 Golden:…
Atlus producer Kazuhisa Wada explained that the decision to fully remake Persona 4 Golden as 'Persona 4 Revival' was influenced by lessons learned from Persona 3 Reload. Unlike Persona 3 Reload, which initially focused on the base game, Persona 4 Revival will integrate elements like Marie's story from the outset, reflecting a more confident approach to substantial remakes.
Valve staged its own Left 4 Dead 2 trailer "leak" to get around an ESRB ban, says former writer
Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek revealed that Valve intentionally 'leaked' the trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 in 2009 to bypass ESRB restrictions on its violent content. The developer had a contentious relationship with the ratings board and various countries over the game's gore and profanity, leading to this unconventional marketing tactic. The game ultimately received an M rating and was released in Germany uncensored in 2021.
Konami's Wai Wai World Craft Allows Anyone to Make Games
Konami has announced Wai Wai World Craft, a game-building platform that will allow users to create and play games on PC, iOS, and Android. The platform, which focuses on Konami characters, will feature intuitive tools for beginners, including an AI assistant called Magic Pod for those who cannot code. Players will be able to publish their creations with one click, and cross-play is expected.
There won't be a Valheim 2, but there will be more Valheim, Iron Gate says
Iron Gate Studio has confirmed that there will not be a 'Valheim 2,' but the team intends to continue developing content for the original Valheim after its 1.0 release. Directors Robin Eyre and Andreas Tomasson stated that player feedback indicated a desire for more content and progression within the existing game rather than a sequel.
Stellar Blade interview: dev on bringing the game to Nintendo Switch 2, adoration for Zelda: Breath of the Wild, more
Shift Up's DongKi Lee discusses the upcoming Stellar Blade: Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, detailing technical optimizations and the use of DLSS and FSR 3.1 for a target of 60 frames per second. Lee also expresses admiration for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which inspired him to work on console games.
Laser Guy is a twin-stick "anti-shooter" about a stressed out game developer who can't stop shooting laser beams from his eyes
Laser Guy is a new twin-stick "anti-shooter" where players control a stressed game developer who uncontrollably shoots laser beams from their eyes. The game challenges players to navigate levels and avoid accidentally killing co-workers, using environmental elements for cover and puzzle-solving. A playtest is available on Steam.
Saber CCO says the studio isn't changing up its comms strategy after recent controversies: 'There's…
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits stated the studio will not change its communication strategy despite recent controversies. The studio faced backlash over its handling of a writer's termination and the use of AI in game development for 'Rideshare Stimulator'. Willits believes the games themselves will ultimately speak for the company.
Dwarf Fortress co-creator Tarn Adams was amazed other devs had heard of his game the first time he went to a convention: 'I didn't know that anyone knew what we were doing'
Dwarf Fortress co-creator Tarn Adams expressed surprise at the game's reach, recalling his first convention experience around 2013-2014 where many other developers knew of his work. He reflected on his past social reticence and how he might have encouraged more evangelism for the game earlier in its development.
8-year Old School RuneScape saga comes to a close with former dev sentenced for stealing $400K in gold and items from…
Former Jagex employee Andrew Lakeman has been sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for two years, for stealing over $400,000 worth of in-game gold and items from Old School RuneScape players. Lakeman used developer tools to access and sell player assets, a crime discovered by Jagex in 2018. The sentencing highlights the legal system's adaptation to virtual asset theft.
Saber CCO Tim Willits blames layoffs on games industry overspecialization: 'Studios that have a couple hundred employees that work on one game are going to struggle'
Saber Interactive CCO Tim Willits attributes some of the games industry's current struggles, including layoffs, to an overreliance on large-scale games with highly specialized teams. He suggests that studios with a more flexible approach, able to move resources between projects of varying scopes and develop smaller, unexpected hits like SnowRunner, are better positioned for survival and creative success.
World of Warcraft makes "different mistakes" each patch, but "that's to some extent inevitable, and a little bit our goal"
World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas and Associate Game Director Paul Kubit discuss the direction of the Midnight expansion and patch 12.1, Curse of Ula'tek. They acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable with large content rollouts and that the team learns from them, aiming for different errors in subsequent patches. The developers also touch on the importance of variety in content, future updates like Labyrinths, and express respect for the Final Fantasy XIV team.
Fable devs originally had a tool to randomize the RPG's 1,000 NPCs that "would have saved us so much…
Playground Games originally considered a tool to randomize the 1,000 NPCs in the upcoming Fable reboot, which game director Ralph Fulton admits would have saved significant development time. However, the studio found that a handmade approach to each NPC's personality and needs resulted in a more coherent and believable world, despite the increased labor.
The next Hearts of Iron 4 expansion is delayed, as Paradox tries to reduce "mental overhead"
Paradox Interactive has delayed the next major expansion for Hearts of Iron 4, citing a need to reduce "mental overhead" and ensure higher quality. While a smaller Romania-focused DLC and a quality-of-life update are still planned, the developer is taking extra time for future content following a negative reception to recent DLCs. The studio also addressed ongoing issues with hacking and griefing in the multiplayer community.
BioWare doesn't need advice for Mass Effect 4, says veteran designer, as long as "people get out of the way"
Veteran designer Armando Troisi believes BioWare's current team, which includes many original developers, doesn't need outside advice for the next Mass Effect game. He emphasizes that allowing the creators to work without interference is key to producing the magic they are known for, particularly in single-player, narrative-driven RPGs.
Star Racer launch trailer – F-Zero inspired game hits Nintendo Switch
Whatnot Games and Crossbridge Games have released Star Racer on Nintendo Switch, accompanied by a launch trailer. This retro-inspired combat racer features an original soundtrack by Grant Kirkhope and includes a robust track editor with online functionality.
The Witcher 4 Developer Won’t Detail “Specific” Milestones: “We Know What Kind of Game We’re Making”
CD Projekt RED joint CEO Michał Nowakowski stated that The Witcher 4 is in full production and the team knows what kind of game they are making, but will not detail specific internal development milestones. While acknowledging the game's ambitious scope and potential for varied development paces across different aspects, the company remains confident in a 2028 release, though no specific date has been set.
Iconic Silent Hill artist Masahiro Ito says he "probably would have been happier" if he hadn't "sacrificed" his love life for Pyramid Head
Legendary Silent Hill artist Masahiro Ito expressed regret over sacrificing his personal life and love life for his work on the early Silent Hill titles. He stated he might have been happier if he had found a partner and married earlier, despite his significant contributions to the horror genre.
