After eight months as a paid game, Square Enix's Foamstars will go free-to-play on October 4.The developer further revealed that it'll remove the PlayStation Plus requirement for the sudsy shooter on the same day. In short, it's effectively giving the game away for free to anyone interested.Foamstars released in early February for the PlayStation 4 and 5. While it was priced at $30, PS+ subscribers got the game packaged in with their subscription, similar to how PlayStation handled the launch of Destruction All-Stars in 2021.
Will free-to-play status clean up Foamstars' numbers?
Reading between the lines, the free-to-play shift indi…
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa believes generative AI technology "can be used in creative ways," but added that video games "cannot be created by technology alone."During a recent investor Q&A, Furukawa was asked whether Nintendo is currently leveraging AI technology internally. Reading between the lines, the president pointed out that AI tech has always been prevalent in game development, but offered a comment on the rise of generative AI tools and how they might be applied."I believe that game development and AI technology have always had a close relationship. Generative AI, which is becoming a big topic recently, can be used in creative ways, but we recognize that it may also raise issues with intellectual property rights," he said."We have d…
Xbox president Sarah Bond claims Microsoft's decision to shutter key studios such as Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks is about ensuring the company's video game business is "healthy for the long term."Bond was addressing the closures during an interview at Bloomberg Live and described the decision to wind down major studios as "extraordinarily hard." In justifying the move, she claimed Microsoft has a "deep responsibility" to ensure its games, devices, and services can survive moments of transition within the game industry. "The news we announced earlier this week is an outcome of that," she said.Bond said the industry has been "flat" over the last year despite a lot of "tremendous releases" in 2023. "The growth di…
"I think that we are really focusing on the learning – the curriculum, if you want – and really bringing people on and empowering them to be professionals."–Roblox Studio head Stefano Corazza
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Crumbling conglomerate Embracer Group has sold key Gearbox Software assets to Take-Two Interactive Software in a deal worth $460 million.The divested assets include studios like Gearbox Software, Gearbox Montreal, Gearbox Studio Quebec. Take-Two will also acquire major franchises such as Borderlands, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, Homeworld, Risk of Rain, Brothers in Arms, and Duke Nukem.Embracer will retain ownership of Gearbox Publishing San Francisco (formerly known as Perfect World Entertainment), including the publishing rights to the Remnant franchise, Hyper Light Breaker, and other "notable" unannounced releases. Lost Boys Interactive, Captured Dimensions, and Cryptic Studios, including projects such as Neverwinter Online and Star Trek Online, will also be staying put.The d…
Ubisoft's shooter xDefiant has allegedly been undermined by a toxic team culture that's lasted for years.According to a new Insider Gaming report, a "Boys Club" of executives and directors have caused problems throughout the shooter's creation. Beyond crunch and several departures, it's resulted in missed deadlines for an already troubled project.The club's effect is so strong, several sources claimed it's added years onto xDefiant's development cycle. One source cited these individuals' unprofessionalism and bad work ethic, and one club member is said to have "more HR reports than I’ve ever seen."Allegations of toxic behavior have followed Ubisoft for years across various offices. A second source admitted they heard it was &quo…