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What we've been playing - "That's one of gaming's great cities, that is"
Several individuals share their recent gaming experiences. Bertie revisits The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, praising its immersive city of Novigrad. Dom discusses the challenging campaign of Gears of War: E-Day on Hardcore difficulty. Kelsey expresses delight in Silent Hill: Townfall, appreciating its blend of the Silent Hill IP with a UK setting. Chris recounts how the mobile party game Heads Up! provided unexpected fun at a social gathering.
Arc Raiders still has a cheating problem because cheats are an $8 billion industry and "we'd need thousands of developers" to counter it, says Embark engineer
Embark Studios engineer Tom van Dijck stated that combating cheating in Arc Raiders is an immense challenge due to the $8 billion industry supporting it, requiring thousands of developers to effectively counter. The studio banned 15,000 accounts recently but acknowledges the ongoing 'cat and mouse game' is difficult to win. Embark also develops The Finals, further stretching their resources.
Bethesda Game Studios and ZeniMax hit hard by Xbox layoffs, says union
Microsoft's recent Xbox layoffs have significantly impacted Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company ZeniMax Media, with the Bethesda Game Workers Union reporting that many employees have been let go. Reports indicate that studios like id Software and ZeniMax Online Studios are also cutting a substantial number of staff. These reductions are part of a broader reorganization across various Microsoft gaming divisions to focus on higher priority projects.
From Vancouver Studios to Xbox Consoles: Why British Columbia Is a Global Gaming Development Powerhouse
British Columbia, particularly Vancouver, has emerged as a significant global hub for game development, driven by talent, strategic government incentives like tax credits, and the influence of established companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft. The region benefits from strong educational programs and a crossover of skills from its robust film and visual effects industry, contributing to innovation in areas like live-service design and online multiplayer. Despite challenges such as rising living costs and competition, BC's gaming industry continues to adapt and thrive, with a promising outlook for indie development and emerging technologies like VR and cloud gaming.
IGN Crimson Desert Review
This review discusses Crimson Desert, with commenters debating whether the game receives a pass from critics compared to EA or Ubisoft due to its originality. Some argue that Pearl Abyss's willingness to innovate with personality in an often unoriginal industry warrants forgiveness for rough edges, while others question the hype surrounding the title.
Influential Game Designer Rob Pardo Hosting GDC Festival of Gaming March 12
Influential game designer Rob Pardo will deliver a keynote titled “An Odyssey in Building Games That Last” at the GDC Festival of Gaming on March 12. Pardo, known for his work on StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, will reflect on his career and discuss his current project, Arkheron, with Bonfire Studios. The GDC Festival of Gaming runs from March 9-13 in San Francisco.
