video game development Archives

AppWizard

December 12, 2024

Can’t wait for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2? Sink your teeth into the prequel mod instead

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 has faced numerous delays and resets, raising concerns about its potential launch state. The original Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines remains popular due to unofficial patches from modder Wesp5. The modding community is actively involved in projects like VTMB Prelude, which explores events leading to the original game. In Prelude II, players take on the role of a human vampire hunter from the Society of Leopold. The first episode featured new levels, dialogue, and boss fights, while the trailer for Prelude II highlights impressive environmental design using Valve's Source Engine. Prelude is developed by modders EntenSchreck, Hareishan, and Wesp5, who contributed to the Unofficial Patch. Prelude II is in Early Access and aims for refinement before the final episode, while anticipation for Bloodlines 2 remains high.

AppWizard

November 13, 2024

How Valve made Half-Life 2 and set a new standard for future games

Half-Life 2 is notable for its innovative use of physics mechanics, particularly the gravity gun, which allowed players to manipulate objects and influenced future player interaction in games. In 2023, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom introduced the Ultrahand ability, enabling players to combine objects into contraptions, building on the mechanics established by Half-Life 2. The game is also recognized for its masterful environmental design, using subtle visual cues to guide players, a technique that has influenced many titles but has shifted towards more explicit cues in recent AAA games. Half-Life 2's world-building and atmospheric design have left a significant legacy, impacting games like BioShock, Dishonored, and Cyberpunk 2077. While it may not have introduced entirely new gameplay concepts, its execution, quality, and cultural significance have made a lasting impression on the gaming industry.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

I’ve seen the future of gaming — AI model creates playable Minecraft from a picture

Oasis is an AI model that generates Minecraft-like gameplay using only images, developed by Decart and Etched. It is described as the world's first real-time AI world model, dynamically constructing gameplay based on user input and visual data, processing commands and generating frames at approximately 20 frames per second. The AI architecture combines Vision Transformer technology with a diffusion model, allowing for frame generation in about 0.04 seconds on a single NVIDIA H100 GPU. However, the gameplay experience is low-resolution and glitchy, with issues related to object permanence and unexpected environmental shifts. The technology could transform the gaming industry by enabling rapid game development and real-time adaptation to player preferences, while also raising concerns about copyright and creative ownership. As the technology evolves, improvements in resolution, frame rates, and game complexity are anticipated.

BetaBeacon

October 17, 2024

Tales aims to revolutionise Gaming AI to enable users to build and play any game

Tales is developing a Large World Model (LWM) for video game development that can comprehend and produce all elements of a game from environments to NPC behaviors. The LWM allows for the creation of fully functional games with just a basic text prompt. Tales is utilizing crowdsourced data and resources to develop the LWM and is introducing a rewards-based incentive program to encourage community involvement. Early access to Tales will be available in November.

AppWizard

October 8, 2024

7 Minutes in Hell is the latest co-op horror game on Steam that wants to get you screaming over proximity chat

Four-player co-op horror games are currently popular, with developers frequently releasing new titles following the success of games like Phasmophobia and Lethal Company. The latest entry is 7 Minutes in Hell, which is in early access on Steam and allows players to navigate procedurally-generated death mazes while collecting cash. The game has a chaotic fun potential but may need a distinct identity to stand out. It shares similarities with Half-Dead 2 and has been criticized for its bland aesthetic. Gaggle Studios, the developer, plans to enhance the game with new items, an arena, more monsters, and mod support. They previously released Goose Goose Duck, which received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam.

AppWizard

October 7, 2024

GTA IV footage generated with AI shows the power of AI for future PC game remasters | Tom’s Hardware

A user named Indiegameplus showcased an AI-generated remaster of Grand Theft Auto IV on the aivideo subreddit, featuring realistic graphics created from text prompts. The video demonstrates a character in a hyper-realistic urban environment, utilizing Runway's Gen-3 Alpha model for production. This technology highlights the potential for AI in gaming, suggesting that future game development may increasingly integrate AI-driven graphics processes. Nvidia has indicated that future versions of their Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology will include neural rendering capabilities, potentially transforming the gaming landscape.

AppWizard

September 8, 2024

Wild Bastards is channeling its creators’ previous work on BioShock with its powers and combos, and even its most normal, ‘all rounder’ character is a cyborg horse with a lever rifle

Blue Manchu is developing a sequel to their game Void Bastards, titled Wild Bastards, which is inspired by classic westerns and aims to create a dynamic ensemble similar to the Magnificent Seven. The design director, Jonathan Chey, expressed challenges with AI teammates in first-person games, noting that they often frustrate players. To address this, the team implemented a swapping mechanic that allows players to switch between characters with unique abilities, enhancing player agency and teamwork without relying on AI. This approach reflects a trend in gaming towards empowering players and may influence future single-player game design.

Winsage

April 2, 2024

Eternal Strands is a new game from former BioWare and Ubisoft devs, and it’s coming to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC in 2025

Yellow Brick Games, a new player in the video game development industry, is set to release their self-published title, "Eternal Strands," in 2025. The game, developed for platforms like Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5, promises a gripping narrative, magical weaponry, and unique abilities. Yellow Brick Games was founded by industry veterans like Mike Laidlaw and Thomas Giroux, with a team of 68 staff members. The studio's debut title is highly anticipated due to the team's rich heritage in the industry and the game's fantastical elements.