Game Development
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Steam's Achievement Sets beta aims to stop new content breaking your completion status
Valve is beta testing Steam Achievement Sets, a new feature designed to prevent new content from breaking players' completion status. Developers can group achievements into sets, ensuring that progress is preserved even when new achievements are added later. This update also includes an improved achievements page with new filtering and comparison options.
Gameplay footage emerges of reportedly cancelled Assassin's Creed game Destiny
Gameplay footage has surfaced online for a reportedly cancelled Assassin's Creed game codenamed Destiny, which was allegedly in development at Tencent's TiMi Studio Group for current platforms. The leaked clips showcase stealth kills, the iconic Leap of Faith, and a unique spinning umbrella weapon, with the game reportedly set in 206 BCE. This news comes amidst broader negative developments for Ubisoft, including proposed studio closures and significant layoffs at Ubisoft Singapore.
Developer cancels public demo of its upcoming horror drinking game, fearing it will be instantly cloned by AI vibe coders: 'We sincerely apologise for the short notice'
Alliance Arts has canceled the public Steam demo for its upcoming horror drinking game, Drunken Goddess Reflux, due to concerns about AI tools cloning the game. The developer cited the risk of the demo's content being used to replicate the game's presentation and gameplay before its official launch. Instead, the studio will offer private online play sessions.
It’s Time For Epic Games And Its CEO To Touch Grass
Epic Games and CEO Tim Sweeney are facing criticism for their embrace of AI-accelerated development, which critics argue shows they are out of touch with the gaming community and the realities of game development. The company's recent pivot to AI tools for coding and art, exemplified by a troubled Marvel and Star Wars shooter project and a buggy AI-coded Epic Games Launcher beta, has been met with mockery and concern over worker sentiment and product quality.
Bloober Team's Switch 2-exclusive heralds "amazing times of GameCube" horror, thanks to "Japanese…
Bloober Team's publishing division, Broken Mirror Games, has secured a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive horror title, Onyx: The Dark Grip. This marks a significant achievement, as Nintendo rarely partners with third-party developers for exclusive horror games. The developers express excitement about bringing back the 'amazing times of GameCube' horror era and highlight Bloober Team's growing reputation, particularly after the success of Silent Hill 2 Remake.
Funcom is laying off yet more developers as it pivots to supporting Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles
Funcom is undergoing a restructuring that will lead to layoffs as the company pivots to focus solely on supporting its existing live service games, Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. CEO Rui Casais will depart after the reorganization, with Scott Junior set to take over. This shift follows Dune: Awakening's move away from MMO elements and the addition of solo and PvE modes.
Evening Reading - October 16, 2026
This week's gaming news roundup includes updates on Mina the Hollower, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and The Wolf Among Us Remastered. Legislation for player ownership was introduced, and new game maps are available. The article also touches on upcoming releases like Stranger Than Heaven and Hillthorn, and mentions the latest Jackbox Party Pack and Neva.
What GTA 6 coverage keeps getting wrong - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature criticizes the current coverage of Grand Theft Auto 6, arguing that much of it is speculative rather than based on official information from Rockstar Games. The author emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between confirmed facts, such as release dates and platforms, and unverified rumors or fan-made calculations regarding map size and frame rates.
Konami president says AI won't have a "significant" effect on game dev, and if it does, "people and creators" will always be more important
Konami president Hideki Hayakawa stated that artificial intelligence is unlikely to significantly change the game market or lower entry barriers for developers. He emphasized that human creators will remain the most crucial element in producing entertaining and innovative video games, despite potential production efficiency gains from AI.
Tech founder vibe codes game about shooting 'zombies' in San Francisco's poorest neighborhood
A web-based shooter game called Tenderloin Night Shift, created by NanoCorp founder Pierre-Louis Biojout, has drawn significant criticism from San Francisco residents and city leaders. The game, set in the Tenderloin district, depicts players shooting 'zombies' that reportedly include homeless individuals and drug addicts, leading to accusations of monetizing dehumanization. Biojout claims he did not intend to provoke and that the game also featured tech workers, but the game has since been removed.
"Our industry is rotting" and AI "pushed things over the edge," so the creator of DayZ wants to change how games are made with some of the smartest devs in the industry
DayZ creator Dean Hall believes the game industry is fundamentally flawed and that AI development has exacerbated these issues. To combat this, Hall and his studio RocketWerkz have released "Brutal," an open-source C# framework intended to offer an alternative to mainstream engines like Unity and Unreal Engine, empowering developers with more control and independence.
Mina the Hollower composer dedicates the bayou theme to his mother
Composer Jake Kaufman discussed the inspiration behind the bayou theme for the upcoming game Mina the Hollower. He revealed that the music was a tribute to his late mother, who was a fan of blues music. Kaufman learned to play the accordion specifically for this section of the soundtrack.
Devs are canceling their demos to stop AI users from stealing their games – creator of one of Steam's most-wishlisted is "concerned" it may be ripped off and beaten to its own launch
Alliance Arts has canceled the public demo for their highly anticipated game Drunken Goddess Reflux due to concerns about AI tools being used to steal their game's concepts and rush out a copycat. Instead, they will opt for a closed playtest with stricter rules. This decision reflects a growing trend among developers worried about AI-driven intellectual property theft and rapid replication of their work.
My career as a weed farmer was derailed by my unslakeable lust for golf
The author details their struggles with a weed farming mod for Grand Theft Auto V, which conflicts with their street golfing and jetpack mods due to unalterable keybinds. This conflict prevents the harvesting of weed, leading to frustration and an exploration of other game mechanics.
Cope for the future? Bungie is hiring new developers to work on Destiny 2
Bungie is actively hiring new developers to work on Destiny 2, suggesting continued support and future development for the game. This move indicates a commitment to the long-term future of the title.
We have reached a new threshold in genAI gloom, with a game dev cancelling a demo for fear of copycats ripping them off before release
Alliance Arts has cancelled the public demo for their game Drunken Goddess Reflux due to concerns about generative AI being used to clone and release the game before its official launch. The developers cited difficulties in managing content restrictions and the potential for AI-generated copies to appear first. This decision highlights growing anxieties within the game development community regarding AI's impact on intellectual property and market originality.
Super Smash Bros and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai says original games will be harder for AI to rip off, but…
Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros, expressed concerns about generative AI in game development, particularly its ability to replicate established game mechanics. He believes AI-generated games pose a significant threat to original titles, especially in the crowded indie market, and advises players to support human-made games.
What will happen to video games under Skydance?
The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will significantly impact the video game industry, potentially leading to layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations. While studios like NetherRealm and Avalanche may be relatively safe due to successful IPs, Rocksteady faces uncertainty after the poor reception of Suicide Squad. The consolidation of major IPs under Skydance presents both creative opportunities and business challenges.
24 'Til Launch: The Making of Mina the Hollower documentary now available
Shacknews has released a new documentary titled '24 'Til Launch: The Making of Mina the Hollower,' offering an in-depth look at the development of Yacht Club Games' latest title. The documentary features interviews with over half a dozen developers discussing the game's six-year creation process, the studio's history, and overcoming rumors of financial trouble.
'We F***ed Up' — Wardogs Boss Admits Season 2 Hasn't Gone Particularly Well
The developer of Wardogs, Bulkhead, has admitted that the game's second season has not performed well, with the studio head stating, "We f***ed up." This candid admission highlights significant issues with the recent season's launch.