21 results found
11 Bit Studios, known for Frostpunk and The Alters, laid off 20 workers to adjust project teams and maintain cost discipline. Most affected employees were transferred internally, and the studio states its financial situation is stable.
Developers working on The Elder Scrolls 6 are reportedly fearing further delays for the highly anticipated RPG following recent widespread layoffs across Xbox and Bethesda Game Studios. These job cuts have had a "crushing effect on morale" and raised concerns about staffing, potential reliance on contract labor, and increased crunch for the remaining team. The situation highlights Microsoft's broader strategy to focus on projects with the "highest likelihood of making money" amidst significant industry turmoil.
Microsoft's Xbox division layoffs have severely impacted Bethesda and id Software, with up to 50% of teams cut, raising concerns for beloved franchises like Doom, Elder Scrolls, and Starfield. The focus shifts to "strongest franchises" amidst calls for sustainable growth.
Robert Bowling, ex-Infinity Ward strategist, has launched //18.bravo, aiming for a "radically different approach" to game development. The studio plans to share profits with employees and contractors, reject the live service model, and design games for "forever play" with open-source contingency if they close.
CD Projekt joint CEO Michał Nowakowski admits the studio's reputation hasn't fully healed after *Cyberpunk 2077*'s troubled launch, acknowledging that some players' faith is indefinitely lost. Despite the game's impressive turnaround and 35 million sales, the initial catastrophe still casts a shadow. Nowakowski hopes future titles like *The Witcher 4* will fully win back the community.
The initial hype around Generative AI in game development is giving way to a more pragmatic view as rising costs expose limited, inconsistent utility. While AI offers incremental gains in specific tasks like code completion, its performance on complex creative work and large codebases falls short, requiring extensive human oversight. This, combined with an "enthusiasm gap" between executives and developers, suggests AI will be a niche tool rather than a revolutionary force.
Final Fantasy XI, an MMORPG from 2002, is experiencing a surprising player boom thanks to an FFXIV crossover event. Director Yoji Fujito hints at the possibility of new areas and storylines, despite technical challenges like managing game IDs and staff availability. The team is actively working on solutions while also refining existing content like Limbus.
Quantic Dream's live-service MOBA, *Spellcasters Chronicles*, flopped disastrously, leading to its abandonment after just three months and up to 95 potential layoffs. A French union blames studio leadership, including David Cage, for "incompetence," poor management, and ignoring warnings, creating an "ungodly expensive" game that failed to connect with players.
Sony is increasing the monthly and quarterly prices for PlayStation Plus Essential starting May 20, citing "ongoing market conditions." The 1-month plan jumps to $11, while the 3-month goes to $27, though the annual $80 option remains unchanged. This hike mainly affects new subscribers and is speculated to support rising first-party game development costs.
Epic Games is exploring AI for Fortnite development, aiming for efficiency, not job replacement, according to Senior External Development Manager Stephanie Arnett. While community concerns exist, especially regarding generative AI art, Epic says its goal is to help human developers work faster. This move comes amid Epic's recent layoffs and cost-saving plans, placing them among other industry giants like Take-Two and Naughty Dog also embracing AI.
Quick Verdict Sony is aggressively embracing AI in its game development pipeline, promising a surge in game releases, faster creation cycles, and more diverse content. While the efficiency gains are impressive, raising
Indie games have quietly sparked a revolution, transforming from a niche sideshow into a major force in the industry. Driven by accessible tools like the Godot engine and developer independence, indies are revitalizing abandoned genres and creating new ones. They now account for nearly half of Steam's full-game revenue, building a thriving, self-sufficient economy outside traditional publishing.
Imagine Dragons' lead singer Dan Reynolds' game studio, Night Street Games, is ending new content development for its online shooter, *Last Flag*, less than three weeks after its April 14 launch. The CTF-like game failed to find an audience, never hitting over 600 concurrent players on Steam. While new content stops, the game will remain online with a final update and custom lobby features.
American McGee, developer of Alice: Madness Returns, recently shared a wild story about publisher EA's marketing team wanting the 2011 game to be "more sexy." His creative and hilarious response involved dildos and a snail, effectively shutting down the bizarre request.
Star Wars Eclipse, Quantic Dream's High Republic title, faces an uncertain future. Reports indicate very slow development and a lack of new hires. Its fate hinges on the commercial success of Quantic Dream's new free-to-play game, Spellcasters Chronicles, whose revenue is needed to fund Eclipse.
A new TIGA report reveals the UK games development sector is facing its "most severe downturn on record," with a 4.5% year-on-year employment fall and a significant drop in new studio formation. Larger studios were hit hardest, while mobile and PC development saw substantial declines. TIGA attributes this to weak global sales and poor financing, urging government intervention like enhancing the Video Games Expenditure Credit to stimulate recovery and prevent further job losses.
Dive into the fascinating, untold story of Resident Evil 1.5, the lost prototype of RE2 that was scrapped despite being far along in development. Discover its unique vision, why it was canceled, and how obsessive fans resurrected this crucial piece of gaming history.
Nvidia's DLSS 5 reveal sparked controversy after showing AI altering Resident Evil Requiem's Grace Ashcroft, with devs reportedly unaware of the partnership. This raises concerns about artistic integrity and a potential culture shift for studios like Capcom, known for their anti-AI stance.
Sumo Digital is partnering with Arm to test groundbreaking AI-powered neural technology for mobile chips, aiming for "PC-quality graphics on mobile." This collaboration could usher in a new era of visually stunning and immersive mobile gaming experiences. Both companies, despite recent challenges, are committed to pushing the boundaries of portable entertainment.
Activision has taken legal action against prominent Call of Duty leaker @TheGhostOfHope, demanding he cease releasing confidential information. The company asserts that even incorrect leaks harm developers and player expectations. This move, amidst community backlash and recent CoD sales struggles, raises questions about the future of leaks in the franchise.
Ubisoft has laid off approximately 40 staff at its Toronto studio, impacting individuals working on the *Splinter Cell remake*. The company confirms the game remains in development, despite the cuts. These layoffs are part of a broader organizational restructuring following other studio reductions and a recent employee strike.
