Latest game development news from across the industry
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Gamefromscratch
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5 hours, 3 minutes ago
XBox Wire
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2 hours, 43 minutes ago
Graphics and tools teams get the most from these drops: Babylon.js 9.28.0 improves render correctness and adds root-motion support for animation groups, while also smoothing OBJ AssetContainer and Gaussian Splatting behavior. Aseprite’s patch fixes a tilemap paste crash and layer/sprite copy issues, which matters for pixel-art workflows. Stride’s CLI and samples updates mainly reduce setup friction and keep starter content/versioning aligned for teams on newer .NET paths.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Dutch police have arrested a 24-year-old Amsterdam man tied to ShinyHunters, the group blamed for a Rockstar breach that exposed GTA Online revenue. The leak showed the game earns more than $1m a day, adding another security headache for Rockstar after the GTA 6 footage theft.
Game Developer reports that Ubisoft Montreal employees have launched collective action to protect their hybrid work schedule. The first step is a petition, signaling staff pushback against any move away from the current arrangement. For teams balancing collaboration and retention, it’s another reminder that workplace policy is now a live production issue.
GamesIndustry.biz says Microsoft wants Xbox to find a “sustainable business model” as it pushes to reach more players across PC and console. Satya Nadella tied that goal to recent “streamlining,” which has already meant thousands of layoffs and studio closures. He also said Xbox is expected to return to growth in fiscal 2027/28.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt just set a new Steam concurrent-player record after CD Projekt Red rolled out its free Remastered edition. The spike passed 120,000 players on Steam alone, helped by visual and gameplay upgrades plus bundled expansions. It’s a strong reminder that meaningful rework can revive a mature hit.
XBox Wire says The Elder Scrolls Online is kicking off the High Seas of Tamriel event, sending players after sunken treasure across the game’s waters. For developers, it’s another reminder that live events can refresh an MMO’s economy, exploration loop, and social play without a full expansion. The exact rewards and event structure are the main draw here.
MonoGame (GitHub Releases) has shipped v3.8.6-preview.1, a pre-release update for the cross-platform game framework. The changelog text provided is minimal, so the main takeaway is simply that a new preview build is available for teams tracking the next maintenance line. Developers should treat it as an early look rather than a stable upgrade target.
XBox Wire says Microsoft Casual Games has launched Microsoft Jewel on iOS and Android, its first new mobile release in seven years. The match-3 game adds Xbox Achievements on mobile, cross-progression with PC, and Game Pass perks for subscribers. It’s a small but useful reminder that platform features can still be a meaningful retention hook.
Ars Technica reports that the PS5 hacking scene has crossed a major threshold: the new Relapse exploit works on consoles up to firmware 13.6, not just years-old builds. For developers, the practical takeaway is that jailbreak access is now viable on far more retail units, and the exploit is dramatically faster than earlier attempts.
XBox Wire says End of Abyss launches October 1 on Xbox Series X|S, bringing a sci-fi action-adventure from Section 9 Interactive, a three-person studio formed by former Tarsier devs. The game has shifted from a top-down shooter into a slower, more atmospheric horror-metroidvania built around exploration, tension, and gear upgrades.
GameFromScratch reports that former Guerrilla Games and Crytek AI developer Jose Escribano has released htn_planner, an HTN-based planning framework inspired by AAA work on Horizon. It pairs hierarchical task network AI with domain editing tools, compilers, and dynamic bindings, giving teams a more structured way to author game behavior.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Grasshopper Manufacture is splitting from NetEase Games and becoming independent again. CEO Goichi Suda says Romeo is a Dead Man helped sharpen the studio’s direction, and Grasshopper now plans to lean on its self-publishing experience. The move keeps the door open for future collaboration with NetEase.
GamesIndustry.biz argues indie studios need to build for volatility, not just a hit. The piece points to layoffs, rising costs, and tougher funding as reasons to keep 12–18 months of runway, validate ideas early, and avoid betting everything on a single project.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that Zynga nearly bought Supercell for $400 million in 2012, with Mark Pincus saying the all-cash deal collapsed after Zynga’s board lost confidence following OMGPop. For devs, it’s a reminder that execution risk can kill even strategic acquisitions. The hindsight sting is obvious: Supercell later posted huge profits.
GamesIndustry.biz details how Funcom is handling Dune: Awakening’s licensed production, from Jira-based approvals with Legendary to a console push that adds single-player support and deeper difficulty options. Joel Bylos also argues style matters more than photorealism, while floating a future where games borrow Hollywood’s project-financing model.
GamesIndustry.biz says Game Republic New Horizons has added Housemarque, Bithell Games, and a Nintendo developer breakfast to its 2026 lineup. For teams shipping on Switch or chasing stronger VFX and pitch strategy, the event is shaping up as a practical mix of craft talks, platform access, and funding advice.
Steamworks Development says Steam will start phasing out its manual Discounts & Events calendar in early 2027, replacing fixed promo slots with more dynamic, personalized recommendations. Valve says the test surfaced 10x more games in a day and lifted visits, wishlists, and cart adds. Existing Weekend, Midweek, and Daily Deals will still run.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that global game content revenue is forecast to climb from $204.4 billion in 2025 to $229.1 billion by 2030. S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan sees PC and Asia-Pacific doing much of the heavy lifting, while rising dev costs, pricier hardware, and cautious consumers could slow the pace.
Unreal Engine says September’s free learning drop covers MetaHuman Animator, UE 5.8’s MCP server, and the new Experimental AnimGen workflow. The lineup also touches physics and animation, giving teams a quick way to sample upcoming pipeline tools without waiting for a full production rollout.
Game Developer reports that former Dying Light franchise lead Tymon Smektała has joined Bloober Team’s horror imprint, Broken Mirror Games. The move strengthens a label already focused on genre projects, and it signals more senior production and franchise experience inside Bloober’s horror pipeline. For teams building horror, it’s another sign that established IP and specialist leadership remain a strong draw.
XBox Wire says NBA The Run’s first seasonal update is live now, adding five 2000s-era legends, new camera options, and a free batch of gameplay and customization upgrades. For teams building sports games, the patch is a useful example of how to extend launch content without splitting the player base.
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