Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
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Subnautica 2 Studio CEO Departs Again as Krafton Caves to Paying Promised Bonuses
Unknown Worlds Entertainment's CEO Ted Gill is stepping down again following a resolution with parent company Krafton over promised bonuses. After a legal battle, Krafton will pay over $250 million in bonuses to employees of Unknown Worlds, stemming from the acquisition in 2001 and the success of Subnautica 2, which has sold over four million copies in early access. The studio is also preparing updates for the game, including new features and improvements based on player feedback.
Kojima’s Horror Game Will Survive The Xbox Bloodbath, It’s Claimed
Hideo Kojima's upcoming horror game OD is reportedly still on track despite recent shifts at Xbox. The project, which blends gaming and film with a notable cast, does not yet have a confirmed release date.
IO Interactive warns of 'staffing decisions' as Xbox pulls out of deal to publish Project Fantasy
IO Interactive has announced that Xbox has withdrawn its partnership to publish and fund their online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision may lead to short-term consequences for the developer, including potential staffing changes. The game was previously stated to be in a healthy development state as recently as May 2026.
Xbox pulls funding for 007 First Light dev's new fantasy RPG, prompting layoffs as Microsoft insists "we're not reducing our overall investment in games"
Xbox has withdrawn funding for IO Interactive's upcoming online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy, leading to layoffs at the developer. Microsoft stated that while overall investment in games remains the same, the company is shifting its investment focus. IO Interactive confirmed its commitment to completing the game despite the funding change.
Possible Layoffs At IO Interactive As Xbox Pulls Out Of Funding Deal For “Project Fantasy”
IO Interactive has reportedly scrapped its "Project Fantasy" game after Microsoft withdrew funding for the deal. The studio is expected to downsize, though it hopes to revive the project in the future. This comes after the success of their title "007 First Light."
Iron Lung and Dusk creator says using generative AI in games is great if you want "a big neon sign for your…
Indie developer David Szymanski, known for Iron Lung and Dusk, expresses strong reservations about using generative AI in game development. He cites ethical concerns regarding plagiarism, environmental impact, and job security, and believes current AI tools produce subpar results and undermine the creative process by removing challenges that define an artist's voice.
Microsoft reportedly add Arkane and their Blade game to the potential shuttering pile
Microsoft is reportedly considering shutting down Arkane Studios and canceling the Blade game, with potential layoffs affecting up to 1000 employees across Xbox. Other studios like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are also rumored to be on the chopping block. The company is also reportedly divesting its partnership with IO Interactive on Project Fantasy.
Chrome Horizon - This nod to R-Type looks pretty decent with this new version 1.0 release for the C64!
The Commodore 64 has received a new shoot 'em up titled Chrome Horizon, developed by retroteamgames. This final 1.0 release showcases modern C development on the classic 8-bit hardware, featuring advanced technical elements like parallax scrolling and extensive sprite support. The game includes four levels, an upgraded title screen, and optimized performance.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Star Citizen fans are infatuated with the mocap doggo in CIG’s new sizzle reel
Fans of the long-in-development space simulation game Star Citizen are expressing delight over a dog featured in a motion capture suit within a recent highlight reel from developer Cloud Imperium Games. The video, showcasing the company's talent acquisition team, has players hoping for the addition of pets to the game or simply enjoying the presence of the dog. Star Citizen, originally crowdfunded in 2012, remains in alpha with over $1 billion raised.
Elder Scrolls Online plans a dev panel for a fan event at July’s GCX Event in Orlando, Florida
ZeniMax Online Studios will host a special panel for The Elder Scrolls Online at the GCX Event in Orlando, Florida, on July 24th and 25th. The panel, featuring Associate Design Director Mike Finnigan and Principal Creator Engagement Manager Gina Bruno, will focus on improving the community feedback loop in the game's development and will be livestreamed.
Helldivers 2 pushes back the release of its next warbond to give it ‘more time to cook’
Arrowhead Game Studios has delayed the release of the next Helldivers 2 warbond, originally slated for June, to ensure its quality. The studio stated that the warbond needs more time to be finalized and will be released once it meets their standards. Further details on the delay and a new release timeline were not provided.
Terraria looks to ‘crossplay and beyond’ with its summer development plans
Terraria is preparing to implement cross-platform play following its latest patches, with development plans for future content being laid out with DR Studios. The team is also hinting at new weapon types, including potential ice-themed magic, and has a sale on Steam until July 9th.
Rumor: Microsoft’s next layoffs are poised to hit Blizzard, Bethsoft, and Undead Labs
Rumors suggest Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several of its gaming studios, including Undead Labs, Blizzard Entertainment, and Bethesda Softworks. These cuts are reportedly the largest for Xbox and come as the company evaluates its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition. Unionized workers at Xbox are reportedly organizing to negotiate over potential job losses.
Quantic Dream-anställd: Star Wars Eclipse kan inte färdigställas utan mer personal
Employees at Quantic Dream have stated that the development of Star Wars Eclipse is severely understaffed and may not be completed without significant additional personnel. This comes after the studio laid off 115 employees following the cancellation of their multiplayer game Spellcasters Chronicles. The developers are organizing protests, dubbed 'Summer Strike Fest', to highlight the unsustainable working conditions and the need for more staff to complete Star Wars Eclipse.
1.0-släppet av spökjägarspelet Phasmophobia försenas till 2027
Kinetic Games has announced that the 1.0 release of their co-op ghost hunting game Phasmophobia has been delayed to 2027 to prioritize quality. While the full release is postponed, the developers plan to release updates throughout the year, including a revamped 13 Willow Street map, bug fixes, and character improvements. A Phasmophobia film is also in development with Blumhouse.
Rykte: State of Decay 3-utvecklaren Undead Labs riskerar också stängning
Recent reports suggest that Microsoft may be considering closing or selling Undead Labs, the developer of the highly anticipated State of Decay 3. This follows unconfirmed information that Ninja Theory, Double Fine, and Compulsion Games are also facing potential closures or sales. Microsoft is reportedly planning to make these decisions in early July.
offbrand games is set to premiere the 2nd ever Secret Sauce Showcase on July 16th, 2026!
offbrand games and Open Sauce are collaborating for the second Secret Sauce Showcase, a digital and physical event celebrating indie games. The showcase will premiere on July 16th, featuring over 70 indie titles with new trailers, footage, and announcements. The event also includes a Steam sale from July 17-23 and an in-person expo at the Open Sauce Festival in the SF Bay Area from July 17-19.
Battlefield 6 made a sudden change players loved, but devs quickly backtracked because it was ‘an error’
A change implemented in Battlefield 6 was initially well-received by players but was quickly reverted by developers who deemed it an error. The article does not specify the nature of the change or the developers involved.
Hideo Kojima’s OD Is Reportedly Safe From Upcoming Xbox Cuts
Hideo Kojima's upcoming Xbox console-exclusive horror game, OD, is reportedly safe from potential studio closures and game cancellations at Xbox. Despite widespread rumors of layoffs and restructuring within Xbox, a source indicates OD remains in development at Kojima Productions and will still be published by Xbox. This news comes as Xbox undergoes changes under new CEO Asha Sharma, with several other studios and games reportedly facing uncertainty.
