The Last of Us director Bruce Straley criticised God of War Laufey's gameplay as unexciting during an Edge interview about AAA industry stagnation, then apologised to Sony Santa Monica after backlash. Straley clarified his comments targeted broader industry trends rather than the game's quality, noting the title's visual craft is mindblowing.
Warframe's developers, Digital Extremes, have shared their somber reactions to the abrupt conclusion of Bungie's Destiny 2, highlighting the unforgiving business side of the gaming industry. Despite being longtime rivals in the MMO shooter space, Digital Extremes expresses no joy in Destiny 2's demise. Warframe, launched a year before Destiny 2, continues to thrive as its competitor's story is left unfinished.
Ken Levine, founder of Irrational Games, discusses the diminishing returns of pursuing cutting-edge graphics technology, citing BioShock's enduring visual appeal as proof of the importance of strong art direction over ultra-realism. Levine's comments come amidst the release of moderately upgraded platforms like the Steam Machine and Switch 2. This shift in focus could significantly impact the gaming industry, emphasizing style over specs.
Crimson Desert, the action RPG from Pearl Abyss, is updating at a pace typical of live-service MMOs, driven entirely by player feedback. Director of Marketing Will Powers says this rapid, iterative approach is "not normal in the industry, but normal here." The game has seen swift additions like a "hide helmet" button, revised movement controls, and new difficulty options, all in response to community demands.
Paranormasight director Takanari Ishiyama attributes the success of his horror visual novel series to the rise of high-quality indie games, which draw attention to smaller-scale projects. The series, published by Square Enix, has garnered critical acclaim and positive Steam user ratings. This phenomenon highlights a shift in the gaming industry where indie titles pave the way for niche projects from larger publishers.
GTA 6, potentially one of the biggest games of all time, may launch with a $80 price tag, according to analyst Omar Dessouky, aiming to raise the industry's price point. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, emphasizes delivering unparalleled quality, acknowledging the high costs, including AI influence. The move, if successful, could significantly impact the gaming industry's pricing strategy.
Epic Games introduces a free Unreal Fellowship Animation Course available until September 28, 2023. Discover its in-depth curriculum, who it's for, and how it can elevate your career in animation.
