Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
Releasing The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 faster risks "disappointing fans," Bethesda veteran says following reports that Microsoft wants to speed up development
A former Bethesda developer, Bruce Nesmith, suggests that rushing the development of The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5 could lead to fan fatigue. He emphasizes the balance between resources, time, and quality in game development, noting that excessively long or short development cycles can be detrimental. Nesmith believes a sweet spot of around three to five years between major releases is ideal for meeting fan expectations without burnout.
Bungie has been hit with mass layoffs
Bungie has announced mass layoffs, citing that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations and that future projects are in early incubation. The company stated they could no longer operate at their previous size following the final content update for Destiny 2. This news comes amid criticism that mismanagement and Sony's financial priorities contributed to the workforce reduction.
I Have Nothing But Respect For This Game That Doesn’t Care About Launching In GTA 6’s Shadow
Keen Games has announced that its early access title Enshrouded will launch its 1.0 version on October 15, despite the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. The developer is confident in their game's appeal, even as other studios shift release dates to avoid GTA 6's shadow. Enshrouded, which has maintained a "very positive" rating on Steam since its early access launch in January 2024, is compared to a multiplayer Skyrim and is set to release shortly before the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.
ZeroSpace Hits 250,000 Wishlists Ahead of July 20 Early Access Launch
Starlance Studios announced that its sci-fi real-time strategy game, ZeroSpace, has surpassed 250,000 wishlists on Steam. The game is set to launch in Early Access on July 20, 2026, featuring a blend of traditional RTS mechanics, RPG-inspired storytelling, and hero-driven tactics. The announcement follows a successful showing during Steam Next Fest, where the game's demo garnered significant attention.
Following the last Destiny 2 update, layoffs at Bungie are underway, with most of the shooter's team affected
Bungie has confirmed layoffs affecting most of the Destiny 2 team and some Marathon developers, following the game's final major update. The company cited a need to reorganize and stated that these changes are necessary for the studio's future, acknowledging that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations.
Danger Zone
PUBG: Battlegrounds is implementing anti-cheat improvements and outlining its future direction. The article details ongoing efforts to enhance the game's integrity and provides insights into upcoming developments.
Sony and Bungie lay off "most" of the Destiny 2 team as well as some from Marathon
Bungie and Sony Interactive Entertainment have announced another wave of layoffs, affecting "most" of the Destiny 2 team and some developers working on Marathon. The company cited a need to reorganize and stated that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations. This follows several previous rounds of layoffs at Bungie over the past few years.
Sony and Bungie have begun laying off Destiny 2 developers following management failures
Bungie has announced layoffs affecting Destiny 2 developers, citing management failures and a need to reorganize. The company's memo, signed only as 'Bungie,' did not name specific executives responsible for the decision. This follows previous budget cuts and a perceived decline in the game's content updates.
Progress on Persist Online: Next Playtest with Improved Progression
CipSoft is making significant progress on its upcoming MMORPG, Persist Online, with a focus on improving character progression based on community feedback. The next closed playtest is scheduled for the week of June 29, allowing selected players to test reworked mechanics. The game, which features zombie survival elements and is inspired by Tibia, is currently in pre-alpha and available to wishlist on Steam.
With Destiny 2 over, Bungie lays off employees 'to align the studio’s resources with its current priorities…
Bungie has announced a significant reduction in force, citing the need to align studio resources with current priorities following the conclusion of Destiny 2's development and the early stages of new projects. Sony's Hermen Hulst confirmed the decision was made after reviewing the studio's long-term direction and resource needs, emphasizing continued support for Marathon and future incubation efforts.
Sony is laying off 'most' of the Destiny team and 'some' Marathon devs
Sony Interactive Entertainment, parent company of Bungie, has announced significant layoffs affecting "most" of the Destiny team and "some" Marathon developers, along with other SIE support roles. CEO Hermen Hulst stated the decision was made after extensive review of the studio's long-term direction and priorities to align resources. This follows Bungie's earlier announcement of ending live development on Destiny 2 due to performance not meeting expectations.
Bungie confirms layoffs, now that Destiny 2 support has ended
Bungie has confirmed significant layoffs following the end of active development support for Destiny 2. The company acknowledged that the game fell short of expectations and that this failure, coupled with future projects still in early development, necessitated the reduction in force. While the exact number of affected employees is unclear, Bungie expressed gratitude and compassion for those departing.
"Most" of the Destiny 2 team is being laid off as Bungie says the MMO "fell short of expectations these past several years," some Marathon devs also affected
Bungie has announced significant layoffs, affecting most of the Destiny 2 team and some Marathon developers, citing that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations and the studio could no longer operate at its previous size. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Herman Hulst confirmed the workforce reduction, stating it was necessary to align Bungie's resources with its current priorities and long-term goals, while Marathon remains a supported part of their portfolio.
Capcom had "no idea" how Pragmata would be received, Hugh actor says, but now the star of the 'Space dad' banger is getting touching messages from people considering their own relationship with family
David Menkin, the voice actor for Hugh Williams in Capcom's Pragmata, shared that the development team was unsure how the game would be received but is now getting positive messages from players. The game, which launched in April and has sold two million copies, has resonated with players on a personal level, prompting discussions about family relationships. Capcom is considering developing Pragmata into a series.
The Last Caretaker Launches Update 5: New Horizons - New progression paths, exploration systems, tools, storyline and major improvements
Channel37 has released Update 5: New Horizons for their Early Access title, The Last Caretaker. This major update introduces Project Eden, a new progression system focused on rebuilding, alongside new exploration mechanics, tools, and a storyline. The update also brings significant performance improvements and new language support.
EVE Frontier's Cycle 6: Sanctuary is a 'bedrock' for the game's future
EVE Frontier's latest major update, Cycle 6: Sanctuary, introduces significant changes including modular ship-building, direct flight controls, and new NPCs. Community Manager Ben Sisson emphasizes the importance of player feedback in shaping the game's development, calling Cycle 6 a 'bedrock' for future improvements. Fenris Creations is also planning to implement a player representation council similar to EVE Online's CSM.
Sony Confirms 'Significant' Bungie Layoffs Include 'Most of the Destiny Team and Some Marathon Team Members', as Bungie Admits 'Destiny 2 Fell Short of Expectations'
Sony confirmed significant layoffs at Bungie, impacting most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members. Bungie acknowledged that Destiny 2 fell short of expectations, following the end of its new content and amid lackluster player numbers for the new launch Marathon.
Enshrouded’s official release date set for October for PC and PS5, Xbox next spring
Keen Games has announced that Enshrouded will officially launch its 1.0 version on October 15th, 2026, for PC and PlayStation 5. The Xbox Series X|S version has been delayed to spring 2027 due to the complexity of porting the game's systems. The full release will include improved onboarding, quest progression, performance optimizations, new areas, enemies, and an enhanced Adventure Sharing system.
Camelot Unchained’s June roundup vows to improve the basic gameplay loop before adding more
Camelot Unchained's June roundup details plans to improve the core gameplay loop before introducing new content. The focus is on making it easier to reach the battlefield, enhancing combat engagement, and providing better player guidance through features like an in-game help panel and more enemies on Home Islands. Future updates will include new classes, zone improvements, and social systems.
Epic Games boss calls Steam AI disclosures "really irresponsible of Valve" as they make it "much, much, much harder for a game developer to have a chance of success"
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized Valve's decision to require developers to disclose the use of generative AI in games on Steam, calling it "irresponsible." Sweeney argues that these disclosures create a negative stigma, making it significantly harder for smaller developers to succeed. He believes AI tools are crucial for developers to remain competitive and that such tags discourage innovation.
