Hacker News·2ykitao/pyxel: A retro game engine for Python
Pyxel is a Python-based retro game engine inspired by PICO-8 and TIC-80. It supports a 16-color palette, simple sound channels, and includes image and sound editors. Pyxel runs on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web. It's open source and ideal for creating pixel art games. Installation is straightforward with pip, Homebrew, or manual setup, and examples are provided to help get started.
Fireship·2yIntel chips can’t possibly be this bad… 100% crash rate?
Intel's 13th and 14th generation CPUs, also known as Raptor Lake, are experiencing high failure rates, causing frequent crashes in gaming and other high-demand applications. Initial blame was placed on Nvidia drivers, but later investigations pointed to issues within Intel's microcode algorithm. Many users and developers are calling for a recall of these CPUs due to their instability. Intel has acknowledged the problem but has yet to offer a definitive solution.
GamesIndustry.biz·2yWhy are Japanese developers not undergoing mass layoffs?
Japanese developers have largely been spared from the mass layoffs affecting the global gaming industry due to strong employee protections and cultural factors. Major Japanese companies like FromSoftware, Konami, Capcom, and Nintendo are increasing wages and retaining staff, contributing to a stable and growing employment landscape. Factors include Japan's robust mobile gaming market, language barriers preventing outsourcing, and a shrinking workforce driving wage competition. These practices contrast sharply with the frequent layoffs seen in Western companies driven by short-term profitability goals.
The Verge·2yIndie studio opens up to share canceled Magic School project
Dinosaur Polo Club, creators of *Mini Metro* and *Mini Motorways*, revealed their canceled project *Magic School* due to the need for a larger team. Despite the cancellation, no employees were laid off and their skills will be redirected to new projects within the *Mini* series. The studio's transparency offers a refreshing change in an industry often secretive about such cancellations.
Game Developer·2yIllusion of Skill: How to Make a Better Game in Less Time
Playtesting is crucial in game development for improving game quality efficiently. Distinguished from quality assurance, which focuses on functionality, playtesting emphasizes player feedback to enhance game appeal. Prominent game designers from companies like Valve and Schell Games prioritize playtesting to refine their designs. Frequent testing and clear feedback can exponentially increase the effectiveness of game development, helping designers trust their intuition and avoid future issues. Indie developers are encouraged to test early and often, overcoming common excuses and embracing feedback to achieve a more successful game.
GamesIndustry.biz·2yUbisoft apologises for Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional materials that "have caused concern"
Ubisoft apologized for promotional materials for Assassin's Creed Shadows that caused concern within the Japanese community. The company clarified that the game, like other titles in the series, is a work of fiction aimed at sparking curiosity about historical settings. Controversy has arisen over the depiction of samurai and the game's protagonist, Yasuke, a Black samurai from the Sengoku period, with a petition in Japan calling for the game's cancellation gaining over 94,000 signatures.
Hacker News·2yKien, the most-delayed video game in history, released after 22 years
In 2002, an Italian team began developing Kien, a game for the Game Boy Advance. Despite being completed years ago, it faced significant delays due to market risks and high production costs. It has now been released 22 years later, setting a record for the longest delay in video game history. Driven by nostalgia and a revived interest in retro gaming, the game is finally available, backed by publisher Incube8. Kien is a challenging action platformer inspired by early Japanese games and Renaissance tales, capturing a unique essence that modern games often miss.
Two Minute Papers·2yNew AI: This Is A Gaming Revolution!
New advancements in AI are revolutionizing gaming with embodied avatars, enabling players to control characters using their own body movements rather than traditional controllers. This technology anticipates and mimics human motion in real time, even without access to lower body data, and offers a more natural and immersive gaming experience. The techniques also generalize across different body types and include responsive finger movements. A minimum of 3 hours of motion capture data is required to implement these AI-driven gameplay enhancements.
GamesIndustry.biz·2yPokémon Sleep earns $100m in first year revenue
Pokémon Sleep has achieved $100 million in revenue in its first year with 9.8 million downloads. Japan leads in user spending with $73 million, followed by the US with $15 million, and Taiwan with $4 million. Significant revenue peaks were noted during events, with the largest being $4 million during the 2023 holiday period.
Game Developer·2yA small games manifesto
Brandon Dillon, co-founder of 2weeks, argues that the future of sustainable game development lies in smaller, more experimental games. He highlights the rising costs and risks associated with AAA games, exacerbated by technological advances and economic constraints. Dillon advocates for a return to smaller-scale development, which has historically led to innovative and successful franchises. He urges industry leaders to embrace new ideas and leaner production methods to ensure the long-term viability of their studios.
GamesIndustry.biz·2yGTA 6 and the PlayStation 4 problem
As the gaming industry looks forward to a possible rebound in 2025 with the launch of new consoles and economic recovery, the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is highly anticipated to be a major event. However, the transition from older consoles like the PlayStation 4 to newer ones remains a challenge, as many players continue to use their older hardware due to economic reasons and the popularity of live service games. The launch of GTA 6 may push players to upgrade, presenting both opportunities and challenges for developers and hardware manufacturers.
Game Developer·2ySKALD: Against the Black Priory is an old school CRPG with modern sensibilities
SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a retro CRPG that aims to blend the eerie, intricate charm of early '90s RPGs with modern game design to make the genre more accessible. Developer Anders Lauridsen discusses the challenges of solo development, balancing complexity with accessibility, and the inspiration behind the game's design and narrative. The game seeks to capture the unsettling atmosphere of classic horror while offering a smoother, player-friendly experience.
ThePrimeTime·2yVampire Survivors Is Amazing
Vampire Survivors is a simple yet addictive game where players control a character's movement while their attacks are automatic. Developed by Luca Galante originally as a JavaScript side project, it took the gaming world by storm due to its engaging gameplay. The game features multiple characters, stages, and weapons, all unlockable as you progress. Its initial popularity skyrocketed thanks to coverage by influencers and it has maintained its relevance with continuous content updates and a strong community presence. Despite its simplicity, it exemplifies good design and the excitement of self-imposed challenges in game development.
Hacker News·2yPC-BASIC
PC-BASIC allows users to run classic games and legacy BASIC applications from the 1980s on modern systems. It aims for full compatibility with Microsoft GW-BASIC, supporting various BASIC versions and numerous graphics, music, and printing functionalities. The software is open source and runs on any platform supporting Python, with continuous development and community feedback encouraged.
Collections·2yHumble Games Shuts Down, Laying Off Entire Team Without Notice
Humble Games has abruptly shut down, laying off all 36 employees without prior notice. The company was known for publishing acclaimed titles like A Hat in Time and Slay the Spire. The closure, attributed to 'restructuring' by parent company Ziff Davis, adds to the instability in the gaming industry, highlighting issues of corporate greed and profit-driven decisions. This move has led to concerns about the future of the games published by Humble Games and the overall state of the indie game sector.
Game Dev Digest·2yIssue #241 - Game Design, VFX/Shaders, and more
The post covers various topics related to game design and development. Highlights include a comprehensive overview of combat design, methods of network communication for multiplayer games in Unity, and the development of a custom Unity-based engine. Tutorials feature creating VFX effects like the Dr. Strange portal and utilizing auto-tiling techniques for procedural generation. Offers and tools for enhancing game development skills and assets are also mentioned.
