Warhorse Studios creative director Daniel Vávra defended Larian's use of AI tools amid ongoing backlash. He compared the current outcry to 19th-century Luddites destroying machinery, stating that virtually every developer is now utilizing similar technology. Vávra argued that AI integration is an irreversible reality within the industry.
He expressed frustration with modern game development's lengthy timelines and bloated budgets. Vávra sees AI as a practical solution for automating tedious tasks, allowing smaller teams to focus on creative essentials and realize ideas faster. He believes this approach is necessary to maintain scope and quality without endless production cycles.
Looking ahead, Vávra predicted AI will eventually handle...
The recent controversy around Larian Studios extends beyond their use of generative AI. Industry writers are now criticizing the developer for what they call exploitative hiring practices. Several narrative designers have shared stories of being asked to complete lengthy, unpaid writing tests during the recruitment process.
Writer Zoë Quinn stated they turned down a recruitment opportunity from Larian due to a demand for an unpaid, playable test and a strict on-site work policy. Others, like Bruno Dias, called the studio's hiring process an open secret, describing months of interviews and excessive unpaid work demands. Julie Muncy and Cat Manning suggested a connection between these practices and the studio's embrace of AI tools.
Many...
A Reddit user shared a free solution for a common AirPods annoyance. They uploaded designs for a simple 3D printed tool that removes protective cases from the official charging capsule. This prevents the scratches that often happen when prying off a tight third-party shell.
Detailed printing profiles are available online for different AirPod case models. While some shell manufacturers include a similar removal tool, the DIY approach offers a specific satisfaction. The tool makes the separation process quick and safe for users who are particular about keeping their devices pristine.
Techland dropped another major update for Dying Light: The Beast. Update 1.5 introduces a brutal new Nightmare Experience difficulty and fresh survival mechanics. Players must now manage hunger, affecting stamina and health regen, while their flashlight batteries can die, requiring scavenging for replacements.
The patch also adds a terrifying new enemy called the Alpha Volatile. These infected are smarter and stronger, ignoring UV light and relentlessly hunting players across the entire map until a safe zone is reached. On the new hardest difficulty, even some Dark Zones will contain Volatiles during daytime, with resources becoming extremely scarce.
This follows Update 1.4, which brought New Game Plus and ray tracing support. The...
Unreal Engine 5.7 shows promising performance gains over earlier versions. A tech demo comparison revealed GPU improvements up to twenty-five percent and CPU gains around thirty-five percent on modern hardware. This leads to more stable frame times, directly addressing the notorious stuttering issues plaguing many UE5 titles.
The update also brings visual refinements. Lumen lighting and reflections are both more accurate and higher quality while running faster. The engine's native denoising, however, still trails behind specialized solutions like NVIDIA's DLSS Ray Reconstruction technology.
These optimizations signal Epic's continued effort to fix the engine's core problems. While games built on version 5.7 are still far off, the...
Apple's rumored budget MacBook might have undergone testing with an older A15 Bionic chip, according to a leaked developer kit. Internal project labels reference this configuration alongside another model with a newer A18 Pro processor. Industry watchers believe the A18 Pro version is the probable candidate for final production.
Using a chip from five years ago would likely frustrate informed consumers, especially since the current base iPad ships with a faster processor. The A18 Pro offers significantly better performance and longevity. This cost-saving measure seems inconsistent with Apple's typical silicon strategy for new products.
The device is expected to feature a display around thirteen inches, similar to the existing MacBook...
The narrative game Dispatch is reportedly heading to Nintendo platforms soon. A listing on the Australian eShop shows a release date set for late January, covering both the current Switch and its successor. Developer AdHoc Studio has not made an official announcement yet.
Dispatch features voice talent from actors like Aaron Paul and Jeffrey Wright. It launched episodically late in the year but quickly gained critical and commercial success, earning award nominations and strong Steam sales. The game is currently available only on PC and PlayStation 5.
Its arrival on Switch could precede a potential second season. The studio is still evaluating a sequel, given the positive reception for the first season. A release on Xbox consoles is...
A new publisher called Templar Media, founded by former Tripwire Interactive CEO John Gibson, is acquiring development studio Bible X. Their first project is Gate Zero, a time travel action adventure game based on biblical stories. The title raised significant funding through Kickstarter and separate donations before the acquisition.
Gibson left his prior role following controversy over his public comments on abortion legislation. His new venture explicitly targets an underserved audience with faith-based entertainment. The studio head cited popular religious films and shows as evidence of a large market for this content.
Gate Zero will let players experience biblical narratives firsthand as a teenager sent back in time. Templar Media...
New leaked schematics show Apple's rumored foldable iPhone with a surprisingly compact design. The device, unofficially called the iPhone Fold, would measure roughly 84mm by 121mm when closed, unfolding to a 7.76-inch screen. This gives it a notably squat, wider shape compared to a typical smartphone.
When opened, the main display would feature a 4:3 aspect ratio with a high resolution. It is expected to lack a visible crease and use special glass composites. An outer cover screen around 5.3 inches would allow basic use while folded. Thickness would drop from nearly ten millimeters to under five millimeters when open.
Reported specs include an A20 Pro chip, a large battery, and an in-house 5G modem. It might use Touch ID instead of...
