News

Valve shuts down Greenlight submissions, dates Steam Direct launch
Valve shuts down Greenlight submissions, dates Steam Direct launch
The end is nigh for Steam Greenlight as Valve prepares to open operations for its new self-publishing option, Steam Direct.
June 6, 2017
Blizzard to sell Overwatch credits instead of loot boxes to Chinese players
Blizzard to sell Overwatch credits instead of loot boxes to Chinese players
In response to a law that requires companies to disclose the probability powering packs of random gear, Blizzard has reworked how it handles loot box sales in the region.
June 6, 2017
Building replayability into the intricate architecture of Tokyo 42
Building replayability into the intricate architecture of Tokyo 42
The gameplay loop in this open, isometric world will be familiar to GTA fans. Free-roam to figure out escape routes and sightlines to use later, find hidden unlockables, or simply enjoy the scenery.
June 6, 2017
FoxNext acquires Kabam spin-off Aftershock
FoxNext acquires Kabam spin-off Aftershock
FoxNext, the video game division founded by broadcasting giant Fox earlier this year, has acquired mobile studio Aftershock for an undisclosed fee.
June 6, 2017
Borderlands scribe Mikey Neumann has left Gearbox
Borderlands scribe Mikey Neumann has left Gearbox
"Everything is 1,000,000 percent amicable with Gearbox. I physically just can’t do the work anymore. I am, and will always be, part of that family."
June 6, 2017
Get a job: Vicarious Visions is hiring a Level Designer
Get a job: Vicarious Visions is hiring a Level Designer
Vicarious Visions is looking for a Level Designer to create challenging AI encounters, interesting puzzle scenarios, and unique moments for the Destiny universe.
June 6, 2017
Video: The value of taking a narrative approach to level design
Video: The value of taking a narrative approach to level design
At GDC 2017 game designer Jolie Menzel shared some advice on how storytelling techniques can be applied to level design, drawing on her experience making games at Ubisoft and, before that, Telltale.
June 6, 2017
The Illusion of Ease
The Illusion of Ease
The Illusion of Ease is when the developer of a puzzle thinks their puzzle is straightforward and fair, while meanwhile the players find it impossibly difficult.
June 6, 2017
Little Machines Working Together (part 2)
Little Machines Working Together (part 2)
In this post I show how to build a plugin system out of the API registry presented in the previous post.
June 6, 2017
How Prey succeeds in giving players space to tell their own stories
How Prey succeeds in giving players space to tell their own stories
Or, Beat, Prey, Love: How Arkane combines holistic level design and dynamic enemies to great effect in Prey.
June 6, 2017
ESA launches lawsuit against Chicago for its tax on online games
ESA launches lawsuit against Chicago for its tax on online games
The ESA is taking aim against an amusement tax put in place by the city of Chicago that levies a 9 percent tax on streaming and subscription services that target online entertainment.
June 5, 2017
Apple ups VR developer support with Metal 2, Steam VR SDK, and more
Apple ups VR developer support with Metal 2, Steam VR SDK, and more
Apple shared a number of VR-minded announcements at its WWDC keynote earlier today, ranging from a new version of its 'Metal' API to Unreal and Unity VR support for Mac.
June 5, 2017