Immersive Sim
Ongoing coverage on Immersive Sim.
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Thief designer says that the immersive sim audience is too small for AAA games: 'There's quite a few of us who…
Designer Randy Smith Evergreen, known for his work on Thief and System Shock 2, argues that the immersive sim genre is too small for AAA development. He believes that the increasing budgets and scope required for AAA games are misaligned with the niche audience for immersive sims, leading to commercial disappointments like Arkane's Dishonored 2 and Prey. Evergreen suggests that a more viable path for immersive sims is through smaller, AA or indie budgets, citing the original Thief's modest budget as a successful model.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die Review - Party like it's 1997
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a PC first-person shooter that heavily emulates the style and gameplay of Goldeneye 007. Developed by Replicant D6, the game features a spy narrative, varied mission objectives, and a soundtrack reminiscent of the late 90s. While it successfully recaptures the look and feel of its inspiration, its dated controls and mechanics may only appeal to players with strong nostalgia for the era.
The latest ugly-cool immersive sim is scratching my itch for new Deus Ex
Parkside: Decayed Soul Manipulation, an immersive sim from Banana Hardsoft, is set to release on July 31st with a demo available now. The game features a System Shock-inspired start and Deus Ex-like gameplay, where players control Alexander, a hacker who can remotely pilot augmented combat bodies. The game emphasizes player choice and exploration with no traditional save system, relying on limited checkpoints.
"I genuinely think there's awesome potential": Mike Bithell on his "im-slim" Vampirium: 1997 and the power of quick verbs
Mike Bithell discusses his upcoming game Vampirium: 1997, an "im-slim" immersive sim that focuses on text and menu options rather than traditional 3D visuals. He explains how this approach allows for rapid implementation of new mechanics and "verbs," giving players more agency. Bithell also shares his enjoyment of creative independence after his previous studio, Bithell Games, had to lay off staff following the underperformance of Tron: Identity.
Warren Spectors Thick as Thieves läggs ner – men ska förbli spelbart
Otherside Entertainment has announced that Thick as Thieves will no longer receive new content, with the studio downsizing due to poor performance. The remaining team is working with publisher Megabit to transition the game from cloud servers to a peer-to-peer model to ensure its continued playability.
"Across the industry, we don't think enough about how we match the scope to what we're making" – Mike Bithell on why the world needs an im-slim
Mike Bithell discusses the challenges faced by indie developers, including the recent downsizing of Bithell Games. He introduces his new experimental immersive sim, Vampirium 1997, which adopts a minimalist, tile-based approach to reduce development scope and cost. Bithell advocates for better matching project scope to market potential, criticizing the industry's risk aversion and reliance on established IPs.
One of the best shooters around just got a barely recognizable second episode, and it's only $12
New Blood's immersive sim shooter Fallen Aces has released its second episode, "Shadow of Death," which is available now. The game, currently on sale for $12 until August 8, has significantly expanded in scope since its early access launch, featuring new environments, weapons, and gameplay mechanics. The developer, New Blood, is known for gradually increasing the price of its games as they are updated with new content.
'The last time I liked everything about a game was probably Baldur's Gate 3': Raphael Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios, talks us through the games installed on his PC
Raphaël Colantonio, co-founder of Arkane Studios and WolfEye Studios, discusses the games installed on his PC, highlighting Baldur's Gate 3 as the last game he "liked everything about." He shares his thoughts on current plays like Mewgenics and Cyberpunk 2077, his enduring love for immersive sims like Thief and Deus Ex, and his early PC gaming roots with Ultima 7.
Thick as Thieves studio does what triple-A won't: keep its game playable
Despite significant layoffs at developer OtherSide Entertainment, the studio is working with publisher Megabit to ensure its game, Thick as Thieves, remains playable. A small remaining team is developing an update to transition from cloud-based servers to a peer-to-peer system for co-op play, ensuring the game's longevity.
The best Deus Ex sequel is a 2009 fan-mod set in a living forum where you attack enemies with sporks and foons, and no I…
The Nameless Mod, a fan-made sequel to Deus Ex released in 2009 and updated in 2026, is lauded as potentially the best sequel to the original game. Set in a forum where the moderator has been abducted, the mod features unique factions, quirky humor, and a conspiracy-heavy story that captures the essence of the Deus Ex series. Its expansive world design and ambitious scope, developed by volunteers, are highlighted as key strengths.
How much RAM do you need for an 'ultimate gaming machine?' July in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years ago
This article looks back at past issues of PC Gamer magazine from July 1996, 2006, and 2016, highlighting discussions on RAM, PC hardware, and notable game releases and previews. It contrasts the hardware recommendations of the past with current standards and reflects on the evolution of gaming technology, including the rise and fall of VR excitement and the challenges of launching new multiplayer FPS titles.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
Developer Christoffer Bodegård discusses his journey into PC gaming, highlighting influential titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Deus Ex. His recently released CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, was inspired by tabletop RPGs and aims to replicate their unpredictability. Bodegård is exploring ideas for his next project, potentially a first-person game, and shares his current gaming habits, including extensive play of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy titles like Victoria 3 and Europa Universalis IV.
England Has A New King, And He’s Thirsty For Blood In Vampirium 1997
Bithell Games has announced Vampirium 1997, a non-linear horror game set in an alternate late '90s England where players assassinate enemies for the vampire King of England. The game, described as an immersive sim, will feature careful planning, observation, and the upgrade of vampiric powers. Vampirium 1997 is planned for an early access launch on PC, with a novella titled "The Last Portrait" also released to set the mood.
"Dracula is King of England" - New immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 announced by Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone developer Bithell Games
Bithell Games, known for Tron: Catalyst and Thomas Was Alone, has announced Vampirium: 1997, a new immersive vampire sim. Players will act as an assassin for Dracula, the King of England, using dark gifts to eliminate enemies. The game features a top-down tactical perspective with time management mechanics and will be available on Steam Deck.
Become King Dracula's personal vamp-assassin in Vampirium: 1997, an immersive sim Bithell Games are launching into Steam early access soon
Bithell Games is launching its immersive sim Vampirium: 1997 into Steam early access soon. Players will take on the role of a vamp-assassin descended from Dracula, tasked with eliminating his enemies through stealth or direct combat. The game is planned for an approximately two-year early access period, with new content and features to be added over time.
Arkane Founder Asks Xbox How Much the Studio Would Cost “For a Friend”
Arkane Studios founder Raphael Colantonio humorously inquired about the acquisition cost of the studio from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. This comes amid Xbox's recent layoffs and studio restructuring, which has put Arkane under review. Colantonio has previously criticized Xbox's Game Pass model as unsustainable.
Arkane temporarily spared in Xbox bloodbath thanks to French law, but its future is up in the air
Arkane Lyon is reportedly entering negotiations for an independent exit from Xbox due to French labor laws, which prevent immediate layoffs. While the studio's future, including the development of Marvel's Blade, is uncertain, these laws offer a different path compared to the abrupt closures of other Xbox studios like Arkane Austin. Negotiations could still result in significant layoffs at Arkane Lyon.
One of our favorite Half-Life 2 mods is getting a stealth game prequel where you're a Combine assassin preying on…
Entropy: Zero 2 - Progenitors, a new entry in the cult classic Half-Life 2 mod series, is in development and shifts focus to a stealth-focused Combine assassin. Set after the Seven Hour War, the game tasks the protagonist with eliminating a rogue Progenitor. Developer Blixibon is sharing gameplay clips showcasing ambitious mechanics, drawing comparisons to immersive sims like Dishonored, though a release date is currently unannounced due to development difficulties.
Thick as Thieves Studio Hit With More Layoffs, Left With “Fewer Than 10” Employees
OtherSide Entertainment has undergone further layoffs, reducing its staff to fewer than 10 employees, who are now focused solely on maintaining the co-op stealth game Thick as Thieves. The studio has no plans for future games following the cancellation of a project codenamed Argos and a reduction in scope for Thick as Thieves, which was originally envisioned as a PvPvE immersive sim. The studio's director, Jeff Hickman, stated that the current industry landscape makes their signature lengthy development cycles for immersive sims commercially unviable.
'Fewer than 10' employees remain at Thick as Thieves studio following another round of layoffs
OtherSide Entertainment has laid off 18 employees, with fewer than 10 remaining, following a previous round of 17 cuts two weeks prior. The studio cited the challenging market for immersive sim games and the commercial non-viability of continuing in its current shape, despite the positive reception to Thick as Thieves' introductory campaign. The studio has no plans for future games and will focus on updates for Thick as Thieves.
