Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler lauds the benefits of early access, suggesting that even iconic games like Dark Souls could have improved with its implementation. Early access provides invaluable feedback and allows developers to refine their games over time, leading to more polished and feature-rich final products.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King raised concerns about potential changes to King’s game development strategy. However, King President Tjodolf Sommestad believes the company will maintain its independence and focus on mobile gaming. Sommestad acknowledges the industry-wide layoffs but remains optimistic about the future of mobile gaming.
The director of ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ believes early access launches have significant benefits, enabling developers to create more complex and sophisticated games with extensive testing and feedback from players. He cites ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ and ‘Hades 2’ as examples of successful early access launches.
The perception of AI in gaming has shifted from whimsical NPCs to frightening images and nonsensical text. However, at King, the developer of the beloved Candy Crush franchise, AI has been harnessed to enhance the gameplay experience without compromising its charm. From level design optimization to personalized recommendations and performance marketing, AI seamlessly handles tedious tasks, enabling human developers to focus on creativity.
While Elden Ring’s story is often attributed to a collaboration between FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki and A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin, the game’s development involved a vast team and extensive world-building beyond traditional narratives. Martin’s involvement primarily centered around creating the foundational mythology and historical events that shape the game’s setting, providing inspiration for the team’s subsequent character development and world design.
Veteran Final Fantasy localization expert Michael–Christopher Koji Fox hints that producer Naoki ‘Yoshi-P’ Yoshida may be ready to depart from dark fantasy themes in future Final Fantasy projects. Fox suggests that Yoshida, known for his work on Final Fantasy 14 and 16, desires a return to lighter tones after delving into somber narratives in recent installments.
Fallout is enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to Amazon’s TV adaptation, but Bethesda may miss the opportunity to capitalize on it due to its slow development cycle. The industry’s focus on creating massive “megagames” comes at the cost of flexibility, leaving studios scrambling to meet the demands of an ever-changing audience.
Ubisoft has allegedly canceled a planned battle royale spin-off for its Watch Dogs franchise, signaling a potential end to the series. This decision comes after the critical and commercial failure of Watch Dogs Legion, which squandered the potential of its unique character-swapping mechanic. Ubisoft’s focus now appears to be on its Far Cry franchise, although rumors persist about a possible mainline sequel in the works.
Shift Up, the developers of the upcoming PS5 exclusive Stellar Blade, have announced that the game will be released uncensored in all countries. The game has been rated 18 and over due to its violent combat and revealing costumes, which have sparked debate over the hyper-sexualization of women in gaming. The developers have stated that Eve, the game’s protagonist, is based on a real-life influencer and that they believe her figure is the “most attractive looking body” for players. Critics have argued that her physique and outfit are impractical for a soldier, while some players have praised the game’s unapologetic approach to character design.
