gaming-industry13.135 min read
Wolverine Disc Sales Defy Sony's Digital-Only Future
2 days ago•Source: Kotaku
Gaming Industry News
The latest gaming industry stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.
Featured Gaming Industry Stories
View original source
13.46 min•3 days ago
The Coalition CEO Promises Faster Gears Development Amid Xbox Restructuring Fears
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated in a BBC interview that the next Gears of War game will not take seven years to develop, following the recent release of Gears of War: E-Day. While Crump declined to address specific rumors of further layoffs at the studio, he emphasized the team's focus on shipping quality games and highlighted the long-standing experience of its leadership. The comments come as Xbox continues a corporate reset involving workforce reductions, though The Coalition has largely avoided major cuts so far, aside from the loss of its narrative director prior to the game's launch.
More Gaming Industry Stories
Supermassive Games Finalizes Mass Layoffs, Cutting Over 70 Staff
Supermassive Games has finalized a redundancy process resulting in the departure of more than 70 employees, including senior leadership and developers. The cuts, which began with a consultation in August, reduce the studio's workforce from over 400 to a significantly smaller number, marking a major contraction for the developer of 'Back 4 Blood' and 'State of Decay'.
Ninja Theory Staff Begin Departures as Xbox Closure Process Advances
Ninja Theory has begun laying off employees following the collapse of two sale agreements, marking the start of a closure process announced by Xbox in September. Staff members have publicly expressed grief over the unfinished third 'Hellblade' game, while Microsoft retains control of the 'Senua' intellectual property.
Capcom's REX Project: Automating RE Engine's Backend for AI-Driven Development
Capcom has detailed its multi-phase REX Project, which aims to evolve its proprietary RE Engine into an 'AI-generation game engine' by integrating artificial intelligence into backend workflows. The initiative focuses on automating quality assurance, debugging, and data processing to improve efficiency for its 2,000-plus developers, while explicitly excluding AI from the creation of final creative assets like art and writing. New tools, including RE:Dox and RE:Log, will be open-sourced to facilitate AI training, with the long-term goal of enabling developers to 'create games together with AI.'
Ninja Theory Staff Face Redundancy as Xbox Restructuring Accelerates
Ninja Theory developers are facing redundancy as the studio moves toward closure following failed sale attempts during Xbox's broader restructuring. Staff have expressed sadness and uncertainty on LinkedIn, while Microsoft retains control of the 'Senua' intellectual property.
Supermassive Games Confirms Mass Layoffs, Cutting Over 70 Staff After August Consultation
Supermassive Games has finalized a redundancy process that resulted in the dismissal of more than 70 employees, including senior leadership and developers. The cuts, which began with a consultation in August, reduce the studio's workforce from over 400 to a significantly smaller number, marking a major contraction for the developer of 'Back 4 Blood' and 'State of Decay'.
Nerial Shuts Down After 13 Years as Founders Return to Solo Indie Work
Nerial, the developer behind the mobile hit Reigns, is closing its doors after 13 years and 11 published titles. The decision, made in partnership with parent company Devolver Digital, stems from financial challenges and a desire for creative autonomy. Founders François and Tamara Alliot will continue making games independently, while seven staff members are being laid off. Devolver retains rights to the existing game catalog.
The Coalition staff fear post-launch layoffs will void Gears of War: E-Day bonuses
Developers at The Coalition are anxious about potential layoffs following the October 6 release of Gears of War: E-Day. Staff fear that cuts could occur before a scheduled Metacritic bonus payout in late October, rendering them ineligible for the reward. The anxiety stems from the recent dismissal of story director Juan Vaca and broader Microsoft gaming restructuring.
The Coalition staff fear post-launch layoffs and lost bonuses for Gears of War: E-Day
Developers at The Coalition are anxious about potential layoffs following the October 6 release of Gears of War: E-Day. Staff fear that cuts could occur before a scheduled Metacritic bonus payout in late October, rendering them ineligible for the reward. The anxiety stems from the recent dismissal of story director Juan Vaca and broader Microsoft gaming restructuring.
Sony weighs disc policy adjustments after publisher pushback
Sony Interactive Entertainment is in direct talks with Nippon Ichi Software regarding its plan to end physical disc production for PlayStation by 2028. While the official policy remains unchanged, executives suggest potential compromises like code-in-a-box models or exceptions for collector's editions following industry feedback.
Jill Braff Reassures Obsidian Staff of Creative Autonomy Under New Bethesda Reporting Structure
Microsoft’s president of Bethesda and Casual Games, Jill Braff, sent an email to Obsidian Entertainment staff confirming that the studio will retain its distinct creative identity despite being reorganized under the Bethesda umbrella. Braff stated that Obsidian CEO Feargus Urquhart and his leadership team will continue to lead the studio, which now reports directly to her. The move is part of a broader 'franchise-led' model at Xbox, where Obsidian will collaborate with Bethesda Game Studios on a new Fallout project while maintaining its own development pipeline. This announcement follows recent layoffs and restructuring efforts aimed at consolidating resources around major franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.