Gamedev News Digest. Fourth Week of September

Contents:

• New problems for Activision Blizzard
• Apple is in no hurry to return Fortnite to the App Store
• "Instant launch" on Steam
• New budget card from AMD
• Quantic Dream is making a Star Wars game
• Bayonetta 3 and the rest of Nintendo Direct
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits is released
• Lost Judgment is released
• Error 37

New problems for Activision Blizzard

Bobby Kotick's company continues to face the fallout from a high-profile scandal involving a toxic work environment. This incident attracted public attention and sparked a backlash from both employees and customers. Improving corporate culture and creating a healthy environment for employees have become important tasks for the company in the face of a deteriorating reputation. The need for changes in the company's management and policies has become clear in order to restore trust and attract new customers.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched an investigation into Activision Blizzard in connection with employee allegations of harassment and discrimination. This investigation will analyze the company's response to these serious allegations. In addition, the SEC will focus on material aspects, such as the balance of employee salaries based on their gender and nationality. This investigation highlights the importance of upholding standards of equality and fairness in the workplace, a pressing issue for many companies in today's industry.

Since the SEC investigation began, key figures have left Activision Blizzard: Blizzard Entertainment General Counsel Claire Hart and Overwatch franchise executive producer Chaco Sonni. The reasons for Sonni's departure remain unknown, while Hart's departure is telling, given the circumstances surrounding the investigation. This situation highlights growing tensions within the company and the potential implications for its future.

Amid the recent news, Activision Blizzard shares, already in decline, fell sharply, reaching their lowest levels in a year. This drop highlights the ongoing challenges the company faces and is raising concerns among investors.

Apple is in no hurry to return Fortnite to the App Store

The trial has concluded, and the verdict obliges Apple to pay $6 million in unpaid fees. Tim Sweeney, the founder of Epic Games, hopes to return Fortnite to the App Store, but Apple has its own plans on this matter.

The platform holder confirmed that Epic Games' battle royale will remain blocked until the court makes a final decision after reviewing all appeals filed by Epic. This process can take considerable time, and players continue to wait for the situation to be resolved.

Tim Sweeney expressed regret that the appeals process between Epic Games and Apple could take up to five years. He also again accused Apple of continuing to infringe on the rights of honest developers, using its monopolistic position, albeit not confirmed in court. Sweeney emphasizes the importance of fair competition in the industry, making this process relevant for all app developers.

Instant Launch on Steam

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The number 14,000 is a significant value in various contexts. It can represent an amount, a quantity, a distance, or even a volume. Depending on the topic, this number can be used to illustrate scale, a statistic, or an achievement. For example, in a financial context, 14,000 might represent the start-up capital needed to successfully launch a business. In statistics, this number might represent the number of participants in a study or survey.

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Megabit per second (Mbps) is a unit of measurement of data transfer speed in networks. It is widely used to evaluate the throughput of internet connections, as well as to characterize the performance of various devices and data transfer technologies. For example, internet speed measured in Mbps allows users to understand how quickly they can download or upload files, stream videos, and use online services. High Mbps values ​​indicate a faster and more stable connection, which is especially important for users who actively use the internet for work, gaming, or watching high-quality content. The optimal connection speed depends on the requirements of the specific applications and services you use.

The read speed of a prototype PCIe 5.0 SSD developed by Kioxia is impressive. The new technology provides a significant increase in data transfer speeds, making it an ideal solution for modern high-performance systems. Kioxia's PCIe 5.0 SSD is used in a variety of areas, including gaming computers, workstations, and server solutions, where high loading and processing speeds are essential. Kioxia's innovative developments in the field of data storage open up new possibilities for users and businesses looking to optimize their technologies.

The creator of the SteamDB platform has discovered a patent from Valve that concerns the optimization of game sizes and their launch before they are fully loaded. This development can significantly improve the user experience, allowing players to start playing faster, even if the download is not yet complete. Innovations like these could change the way games are developed and distributed, making them more accessible to users.

In the future, Steam may implement a feature that requires a minimal download to launch a limited version of a game, similar to what is currently implemented on PlayStation, Xbox, Origin, and Battle.net. This innovation will allow users to start playing faster without having to download all the content. Notably, implementing this feature will not require any additional effort from game developers, making the process more convenient and efficient.

Currently, there is no precise timeline for the implementation of the instant launch feature on Steam, or whether it will be implemented at all. A patent for this technology was filed in early 2020. In this regard, users continue to wait for updates and official announcements from developers.

New budget card from AMD

VideoCardz unexpectedly announced a stripped-down version of AMD's most affordable graphics card, which is designed to compete with a similar, stripped-down version of the RTX 3060. The new product is expected to hit the market in October. This graphics card will attract the attention of users looking for a high-quality solution at a reasonable price. As a more affordable alternative, it may become popular among gamers and content creators looking to optimize their hardware costs.

According to the published specifications, the new graphics card is the same RX 6600 XT with a 128-bit bus, 32 MB cache, and 256 GB/s bandwidth, but it has fewer stream processors. These characteristics are expected to be sufficient for running modern games in Full HD resolution.

As with the more powerful model, reference graphics cards are not available. Miners and resellers will obtain products exclusively through third-party companies. The expected price, which will most likely not be realized in practice, is around $330.

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I mentioned earlier that we are not currently working on any projects. We have too many other titles in development at the moment, so we cannot focus on anything specific.

Respawn Entertainment Community Manager Jason Garza shared new details about the development of Titanfall 3. In the interview, he noted that the team is actively working on the new game, taking into account the feedback and wishes of fans. Titanfall 3 promises to be a continuation of the successful franchise, offering even more immersive gameplay and improved graphics. Garza also emphasized the importance of the community in development, as player feedback helps shape key aspects of the game. Respawn Entertainment strives to maintain Titanfall's unique style, combining dynamic combat with innovative mechanics. Titanfall 3 is expected to attract both existing fans and new players, providing them with an immersive experience in the world of mechs and pilots.

Quantic Dream is making a Star Wars game

Kotaku, citing its insider sources, reports that Quantic Dream has been developing a new game in the Star Wars universe for a year and a half. The project is expected to offer a unique gaming experience and expand on the familiar world of the saga. Details about the game's mechanics and plot have not yet been revealed, but interest in the new project remains high among fans.

The most surprising thing about this news is not so much the choice of franchise, but the format of the new project from David Cage's studio. According to insiders, this will be a real GAME, without any reservations. While many expected Quantic Dream to deliver traditional interactive stories, we are in for an open-world game with action and multiplayer elements. This new direction opens up a wealth of opportunities for developers and promises an engaging gaming experience for the company's fans.

According to insiders who shared information with Kotaku, Quantic Dream's outdated tools are not up to the modern demands of developing games with active gameplay. This has led to conflicts within the team of professionals involved in video game content creation. The need to update technologies and approaches to development is becoming increasingly urgent to cope with the demands of the modern gaming market.

Bayonetta 3 and the rest of Nintendo Direct

After a four-year wait, Platinum Games revealed gameplay footage of Bayonetta 3 and announced its release date — the game will be released in 2022 on Nintendo Switch. In the new installment, Bayonetta will battle various opponents in the atmospheric Tokyo setting, with humor and witty lines translated into Russian.

The second significant event at the Direct was the expansion of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which now includes classic games from the Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis. To make the nostalgia experience more authentic, Nintendo announced the release of two new gamepads for Switch, which accurately replicate the unique design of the retro consoles' controllers. This update will allow players to relive their favorite moments from games of yesteryear and will attract the attention of both new users and loyal fans of the classics.

Nintendo fans were delighted with the announcement of a new game about the Japanese character Kirby — Kirby and the Forgotten Land. This event was a significant moment for fans of the franchise. Numerous add-ons and expansions for existing games on the portable console were also unveiled, adding to the gaming experience and delighting Nintendo fans.

Video of the Week is a unique collection of the most interesting and relevant videos that capture viewers' attention. In this section, we highlight exciting events, helpful tips, educational materials, and entertaining videos. Each week, we select the best videos to keep you up-to-date on the latest trends and news. Don't miss the chance to check out our recommendations and expand your horizons with quality content. Subscribe to our channel to stay up-to-date with the latest videos and stay in the loop.

The Bayonetta 3 gameplay trailer was a true highlight for fans of the series. In this trailer, we can see new mechanics, unique abilities, and exciting battles that await players in the third installment. Bayonetta 3 continues to evolve the renowned gameplay style, combining dynamic action with vibrant graphics and a captivating story. The trailer also showcases new locations and enemies, promising exciting gameplay moments. Fans can expect a host of new features that will make the gameplay even more exciting. Bayonetta 3 is confidently moving towards its release, and the trailer only heightens the anticipation.

The Diablo II: Resurrected launch trailer provides a stunning visual representation of the remastered version of the classic game. The trailer showcases enhanced graphics, updated animations, and reworked effects that enhance the dark fantasy atmosphere. Diablo II: Resurrected retains all the key elements of the original game, including beloved character classes and iconic locations, while offering a modern gameplay experience. The trailer also highlights the co-op mode and the ability to play both solo and with friends. Make sure you don't miss this epic release, which will attract both long-time fans and new players eager to dive into the world of Sanctuary.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is out

Game about Kena: Bridge of Spirits, a shaman girl from Ember Lab, a shining example of the indie genre, was released to a quieter reception than expected following its announcement at PlayStation's Future of Gaming in 2020. This strikingly beautiful game captured the attention of players thanks to its unique art style and captivating storyline.

Critics unanimously note that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is not only stunningly designed but also offers engaging gameplay, immersing players in an atmosphere reminiscent of Pixar's best animated films. Ember Lab's debut project earned a Metacritic score of 84, with only one mixed review. This confirms the game's high quality and its appeal to a wide audience.

The high-quality Kena: Bridge of Spirits is available on the PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5 for 2499 rubles. However, for PC players in Russia, the situation is different: on the Epic Games Store, the game has no regional pricing and also costs 2,500 rubles. This creates certain difficulties for PC users who want to enjoy this unique indie game.

Lost Judgment Release

The sequel to the Yakuza spin-off series, like the game "Meta", received a score of 84.

Lost Judgment is visually not much different from its predecessor, and the gameplay innovations are also not impressive. However, true fans of the Yakuza series and its spin-offs understand that the main value of the games lies in their gripping stories. Judging by the average score, the developers have once again created an interesting and multi-layered plot with many unexpected twists. This makes Lost Judgment a must-play for anyone who appreciates a high-quality narrative and deep characters.

Lost Judgment is available on all current consoles from Sony and Microsoft. However, the PC version of Lost Judgment has not been released, which has left many players confused.

Error 37

Before the release of Diablo II: Resurrected, it was clear that Blizzard had created a remake that would satisfy fans' expectations. The company updated the second part of Diablo, preserving the spirit of the original while introducing modern elements, which brought the classic game back to life and attracted a new audience. Fans appreciated the improved graphics, updated interface, and other innovations that made the gameplay more comfortable and engaging.

The game's launch, unfortunately, was not without problems, which were the result of the actions of Blizzard and Vicarious Visions. They should have taken a closer look at the experience of previous releases. As a result, fans of the series once again faced a situation reminiscent of 2012, when players experienced crashes, disconnects, overloaded servers, and lost progress.

Reviewers who tried pre-release versions of the remaster felt a strong sense of nostalgia, which was reflected in high scores. As a result, the game received an 82 score on Metacritic, which is a respectable result.

After the release of several hotfixes, Diablo II: Resurrected will be available for purchase in various digital stores. It will cost 1,999 rubles on Battle.net, 2,499 rubles on the PS Store, $40 on the Microsoft Store, and 3,999 rubles on the Russian eShop. For this price, owners of portable devices will get a new gaming experience with a resolution of 800x600 pixels and a smooth 30 frames per second.

Respawn is not developing a new Titanfall, which raises questions among fans of the series. Meanwhile, the Chinese gaming industry is once again facing challenges, negatively impacting its development. A new leader has topped the UK gaming charts, capturing the attention of gamers. NVIDIA continues to improve the graphics in The Elder Scrolls Online, implementing the latest technologies to enhance the gameplay experience. Find out more about current events in the Game Development section.