Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Game Development.
Latest coverage
One of the best ways to play Morrowind just got better with improved scripting support for magic mods and a host of…
The fan-made open-source engine OpenMW has released version 0.51.0, significantly improving support for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This update allows modders to create custom magic effects using the scripting API, enabling more complex mods to function within the OpenMW engine. The release also addresses various technical issues and annoyances, ensuring a smoother experience for players on modern hardware.
CD Projekt Red co-CEO admits it "indefinitely" "lost the faith" of some fans after Cyberpunk 2077
CD Projekt Red's co-CEO Michał Nowakowski admits the studio has not yet fully regained the trust of all fans following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077. He expressed hope that future titles, including The Witcher 4, will help rebuild that faith, though the company's focus remains on making high-quality games rather than releasing them annually.
CDPR chief says games made entirely with AI are ‘incoming’ but doubts if ‘this is really the path to follow’
The chief of CD Projekt Red acknowledges that games made entirely with artificial intelligence are on the horizon but expresses doubt about this being the optimal path for game development. He suggests that while AI will be a factor, it may not replace traditional development methods entirely.
Data analyst finds 'AI stigma' on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and…
A data analysis by Ross Burton for Game Oracle suggests that games disclosing the use of artificial intelligence face an 'AI stigma' on Steam, leading to approximately a 53% reduction in reviews compared to games that do not disclose AI use. This penalty is more pronounced for high-potential games and developers with established track records, indicating that player perception significantly impacts reception despite the tool's utility in game development.
Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: 'I'm a bit obsessed with…
Bryce Clark, game director for Poppy Playtime, revealed he has accumulated approximately 23,000 hours across his Steam account over 18 years, with Rocket League, Ark: Survival Evolved, and 7 Days to Die being among his most played titles. Clark, who has worked in game development for 20 years, discussed his current gaming habits, including playing multiple games simultaneously to understand market trends and genres, and highlighted The Hunter: Call of the Wild and Subnautica as his comfort games.
CD Projekt Red boss still aware people lost faith in company after rocky Cyberpunk 2077 launch
The head of CD Projekt Red acknowledges the company's ongoing efforts to regain player trust following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077. While the game performs well on current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the older PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions faced significant issues.
A View from the Other Side of the Screen
An experienced software engineer details their journey into solo game development, focusing on their experience participating in the Campfire Creators Jam #2. They discuss the challenges of scope management, the impact of AI tools on productivity, and the personal satisfaction of completing their narrative game, 'Campfire Stories'.
PS5 Maker Admits First-Party Single Player Games Are Its 'Core Strength'
Sony acknowledges that first-party single-player games are its core strength, aiming for consistent annual releases while continuing to build its portfolio of live service games. The company plans to balance major single-player blockbusters with multiplayer titles, citing upcoming games like God of War Laufey and Marvel's Wolverine as examples of its commitment to this strategy.
"Launching on PS5 effectively makes this our second launch": Obsidian legend Chris Parker talks Grounded 2 and…
Grounded 2 is set to receive its largest content update, 'Into the Abyss,' on August 11, which will also mark its launch on PlayStation 5. Game director Chris Parker highlighted the significance of the PS5 release as a 'second launch' for the survival game, developed by Obsidian Entertainment and Eidos Montreal. The update will introduce new biomes, a new buggy, and swimming mechanics, alongside ongoing community feedback integration.
CD Projekt Red boss believes some fans were forever burned by Cyberpunk 2077's disastrous launch: 'I'm convinced that we lost the faith of some people indefinitely'
CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski believes the disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 permanently alienated some players, despite the game's eventual redemption through patches and the Phantom Liberty expansion. He hopes future titles like The Witcher 4 will help regain lost trust. The studio aims to become a more prolific developer without releasing a major title annually.
Joint The Witcher 4 and CD Projekt Red CEO says fully AI-generated games are coming, but he has "some doubts whether this is really the path to follow"
CD Projekt Red's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski believes fully AI-generated games are inevitable but expressed doubts about this being the optimal path for game development. He noted that while AI studios can rapidly prototype and launch games, he questions the long-term viability and artistic merit of such titles, emphasizing the importance of 'soul' and fresh ideas in a crowded market.
Sonic Team head says an especially memorable game that he’s worked on is Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Team head Takahashi Iizuka stated that Sonic Adventure 2 is the most memorable game he has worked on. He shared anecdotes about the development of the Dreamcast title with Famitsu magazine. The interview touched upon his fondest memories from his time working on the Sonic series.
The Sunday Papers
This article uses a metaphorical football match to discuss various aspects of game development and journalism. It touches on character expression in games like God of War, the open-world design of Red Dead Redemption, and the personal experiences of journalists from outlets like Kotaku, PC Gamer, and IGN.
CD Projekt Co-CEO Doesn’t Want to “Flood the Market” With Games: “Not Planning to Grow in That Way”
CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski stated the company does not plan to "flood the market" with games or grow by releasing titles annually. Instead, the focus remains on creating high-quality games and leveraging existing intellectual properties, including a remake of The Witcher 1 and new projects like Project Sirius and Project Hadar.
CD Projekt Red's CEO still thinks they need to finish their post-Cyberpunk redemption arc, and he's hoping The Witcher 4 will help
CD Projekt Red CEO Michał Nowakowski believes the studio has not fully completed its redemption arc following the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077, despite its eventual success. He hopes that The Witcher 4 and future titles will help regain lost player trust. Nowakowski also stated that CD Projekt Red does not aim to become a studio that releases a major game annually, preferring to focus on quality over quantity.
Former Dragon Age writer says AI could make gamedev 'frustrating as hell': 'How are we going to train up the next generation of devs if we eliminate every entry-level task?'
Former BioWare writer David Gaider expressed concerns that generative AI could make game development "frustrating as hell" by eliminating entry-level tasks crucial for training new developers. He highlighted issues with AI inconsistency and the ethical implications of using artists' data without consent, a sentiment echoed by other developers like David Szymanski and Danny Koo.
5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft
Microsoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
To make Pragmata's Diana feel naturally childlike, a small group of women dubbed the "Diana Police" was set up to keep things in check
Capcom discussed the development of the character Diana in the upcoming game Pragmata during a recent livestream. A special group, dubbed the 'Diana Police,' comprised mostly of women, was formed to ensure Diana's portrayal felt naturally childlike and not contrived, influencing voice acting and motion capture.
Roadmaps and Plans
Roberts Space Industries has released a roadmap update for Star Citizen and Squadron 42. Separately, Brendan Greene is reportedly moving forward with a smaller team as his studio, Prologue: Go Wayback!, faces struggles.
This GTA 5 filmmaker is livestreaming every step of machinima production, from location scouting to live debugging when…
Filmmaker Jordy Veenstra is livestreaming the entire production process of his Grand Theft Auto V machinima content on YouTube and Twitch. The streams showcase the often messy and technical aspects of creating films within the game, including location scouting, scene staging, camera planning, and live debugging of game crashes. Veenstra aims to share the creative process, including hardships and workarounds, with fellow creators and enthusiasts.
