Gamedev News Digest. Last Week of July

Contents:

• Champion from the "Cat School"
• Next-gen successes
• The first Chinese processor
• "Affordable" video cards from AMD
• SpeedTree directly in Unity
• Mutiny at Activision Blizzard
• Gamedev veterans founded a new AAA studio
• Dishonest Chinese loot boxes
• Korean "The Witcher" from the creators of PUBG
• Games within the game

Champion from the “Cat School”

At the Tokyo Olympics, Russian athlete Vitalina Batsarashkina won a gold medal and set a new world record in the 10-meter air pistol shooting. She wore a Witcher medallion from the School of the Cat in her performance, adding a unique touch to her achievement. This event was a significant moment for Russian sport and underscores the athlete's high level of training.

The champion's accessory first attracted attention among fans, and then on the official Twitter account of The Witcher. Representatives from Poland congratulated the athlete on her victory and wished her success in the 25-meter shooting competition.

The tweet may have inspired Vitalina, as she again won a gold medal in her discipline. Perhaps the influence of Witcher elixirs and herbal trials is also at play. The World Anti-Doping Agency is actively studying the alchemical aspects associated with the lore of The Witcher.

Next-gen successes

Sony and Microsoft reported record sales of their new game consoles. Both manufacturers are setting historical figures for the speed of sales of their devices, which indicates high consumer interest in new technologies and gaming capabilities.

Since its launch in November 2020, PlayStation 5 has sold 10 million units. This is an impressive result, considering that the console remains difficult to find in stores. Strong sales of PlayStation 5 contribute to the popularity of its exclusive games, such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, which continues to top the gaming charts.

The Xbox Series has modest, but still impressive characteristics. Both versions of the next-generation console have sold a combined 6.5 million units, which is 700 thousand more than the Xbox One in the same period. Phil Spencer and his team are particularly pleased that many new Series owners are becoming subscribers to the popular Game Pass service. This confirms the growing interest in the Xbox ecosystem and its offerings.

The first Chinese processor

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Five million.

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Death Stranding has sold a significant number of copies on both PS4 and PC. Developed by Kojima Productions and released in 2019, it became a landmark title in the world of video games, capturing the attention of both critics and players. Its unique storyline, innovative gameplay, and stylish graphics contributed to its successful sales, making it one of the most talked-about games of its time. With each copy sold, the game strengthens its position in the industry and continues to attract new players interested in unique gaming experiences.

The Chinese company Loongson announced the release of the first mass-produced Loongson 3A5000 processor, which is completely independent of American patents. This processor is based on the original LoongArch architecture, highlighting the company's commitment to developing its own technologies and reducing its dependence on foreign developments. The Loongson 3A5000 represents a significant step towards creating independent hardware and software, which is especially important in the context of global competition in the semiconductor market.

This is a quad-core processor created using a 12-nanometer process technology and operating at a clock frequency of approximately 2.5 GHz. The performance of the 3A5000 model is comparable to the dual-core Intel Core i3-8109U or the quad-core Core 2 Quad Q9500. However, the Chinese developers failed to achieve competition with the first generation Ryzen, as originally planned. Engineers are left without the expected success in the market.

The Loongson 3A5000 processor is designed with an emphasis on the Chinese consumer personal computer market, while its 3A5000LL modification is intended for use in domestic server systems. These processors offer high performance and efficiency, which makes them attractive for use in various computing tasks. Loongson 3A5000 and 3A5000LL provide reliability and compatibility with a number of domestic technologies, which contributes to the development of information systems in China.

"Affordable" video cards from AMD

AMD has unveiled the new RX 6600 XT graphics card, aimed at 1080p gaming. Priced at $349, it is aimed at competing with the RTX 3060 and RTX 3060 Ti. Initial tests show that the RX 6600 XT outperforms the base RTX 3060 by about 15%, while having the same price. This new product from AMD could be an excellent choice for gamers looking for an affordable solution with good performance.

According to Neowin, the expected base version of the RX 6600 graphics card will be offered at a more competitive price. Users will be able to purchase this model for $299, receiving 8 GB of video memory, identical to the higher-end version, but with slightly reduced chip specifications. This makes the RX 6600 an attractive choice for gamers and users seeking a balance between price and performance.

A shortage of red 6000-series graphics cards is expected in August, leading to higher prices at resellers. This is due to high demand for these models, which offer excellent value for money. Users interested in purchasing 6000-series graphics cards should be prepared for limited availability and possible price increases on the secondary market. It is recommended to monitor offers and use reliable sources for purchasing.

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We aimed to create Steam Deck with an audience that enjoys accessible gaming in mind. The console was designed specifically for this user base. The result is a device that, while reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch in appearance, is significantly different in its conceptual features and functionality. Steam Deck offers a unique experience, allowing players to enjoy a wide range of games on a single platform, making it the perfect choice for video game enthusiasts.

Greg Coomer is the lead designer of Steam Deck, a console from Valve that combines portability and power. His work includes not only the device's appearance but also optimization of the user interface, making the gaming experience more intuitive and comfortable. Coomer and his team pay special attention to ergonomics to ensure users feel comfortable during long gaming sessions. Steam Deck offers a unique experience thanks to its powerful hardware and open platform, allowing players to enjoy games from their Steam library anywhere. Greg Coomer's work has become a vital part of the success of Steam Deck, which continues to attract the attention of gamers around the world.

SpeedTree directly in Unity

Unity announced the full integration of SpeedTree plant visualization technology into its game engine. This move was made possible through the acquisition of Interactive Data Visualization. Developers will now be able to use SpeedTree's powerful tools to create realistic and detailed plant objects, significantly improving the visuals of games and applications on the Unity platform.

Nine employees of the acquired company will join the Unity team. They will continue to develop SpeedTree technology, which will increase the number of indie open-world survival games on the Steam platform. This collaboration will provide developers with new tools and opportunities to create unique gaming projects.

Mutiny at Activision Blizzard

After California authorities filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, the corporation became the scene of a conflict between top managers and rank-and-file employees. While management expressed "strong concern" about the situation, employees organized a rally outside the company's headquarters in Irvine. This protest highlights the growing tension within the company and the workers' desire to defend their rights and justice. The situation surrounding Activision Blizzard continues to attract public and media attention, which could impact the company's image and its future actions.

Protesters expressed dissatisfaction with discrimination against women at the company and a toxic corporate culture, and demanded an independent audit of management. Bobby Kotick quickly responded to their demands, announcing that one of them would be fulfilled – the company would hire an outside law firm to review the actions of senior management. This decision is aimed at improving working conditions and restoring trust among employees.

The scandal at Activision Blizzard has captured the attention of investors, causing the company's stock price to plummet to record lows for 2021. While the corporation attempts to resolve internal conflicts with employees, it also faces the lawsuit that triggered this crisis. It is important to note that the consequences of this scandal could have a long-term impact on both the company's reputation and its financial performance.

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The Alpha Point tech demo, developed by The Coalition, has launched exclusively on the Xbox Series X console. This demo showcases the capabilities of next-generation gaming technology and graphics. Alpha Point offers players a unique experience, allowing them to get acquainted with the improved performance and visuals unique to the Xbox Series X. This tech demo serves as an excellent opportunity for video game fans to explore the potential of the platform and new gameplay mechanics that will be available in future titles from The Coalition.

Gabe Newell shares details about the Steam Deck in an interview with IGN. He discusses the device's key features, its performance, and its impact on the gaming market. Newell emphasizes that the Steam Deck is designed to provide convenient access to games on the go. He also touches on compatibility with existing game libraries and the platform's customization capabilities. This portable gaming computer from Valve promises to change the approach to mobile gaming, offering players new levels of freedom and flexibility.

Game development veterans founded a new AAA studio

That's No Moon, a team comprised of former employees of renowned studios such as Naughty Dog, Infinity Ward, Sony Santa Monica Studio, EA, and Bungie, was created to develop ambitious projects at the intersection of video games, film, and television. This new studio aims to bring innovation to the entertainment industry by combining gameplay and storytelling elements with a high-quality cinematic experience.

The startup has raised $100 million in investment from the Korean company Smilegate. These funds will be used to open offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as to cover salaries for the team, which currently numbers 40 people. In the future, the team plans to expand to 100 developers, which will significantly increase production capacity and accelerate the implementation of projects.

That's No Moon team will soon begin development of its first AAA game. This game will be a key project for the studio, which aims to attract players' attention and successfully compete with large companies where its employees previously worked.

Dishonest Chinese loot boxes

Researchers in the field of Behavioral Public Policy analyzed how gaming companies comply with Chinese laws regarding the accounting of loot box drop rates. They examined the 100 most popular iPhone games in China to determine how well they comply.

During the four years that the restrictions have been in place, marketers have adapted and begun to actively exploit legal loopholes. The study found that only 23% of the analyzed games disclosed drop rates directly in the app. Meanwhile, 39% of games hid drop rates for rare items, such as Legendary Bras, on their official websites. This highlights how companies seek to circumvent regulations and convey information to users through a variety of methods.

Among the 23% of games that comply with the law, there are still unscrupulous developers attempting to conceal important data. Finding out the loot drop rate is difficult in most games, and only five titles provide this information openly.

The Korean "Witcher" from the creators of PUBG

Korean studio Krafton, known for the popular battle royale game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, is developing an ambitious dark fantasy RPG under the working title Project Windless. The project’s creators openly state that they aim to create a “Korean Witcher,” which emphasizes their intention to offer players a deep and engaging storyline, rich in exploration and interesting characters. This game promises to be a significant contribution to the genre, combining RPG elements with a rich world and a well-thought-out interaction system.

The game, like its Polish original, will be based on a literary work – the novel “The Bird That Drinks Tears” by writer Lee Yeon-do. The Korean developers will be inspired by CD Projekt’s approach to expanding the franchise, which, in addition to the game itself, will include comics and films. This will create a rich universe capable of captivating both game fans and lovers of literature and film.

In addition to Project Windless, Krafton is actively developing the horror game The Callisto Protocol, a spinoff of the popular PUBG. A casual game for mobile devices, Project BB, is also in development, but there has been no news about the latter for a while. Krafton continues to expand its gaming universe, combining elements of horror and casual gameplay.

Games within a game

Media Molecule has unveiled two new games under the Media Molecule Originals brand, developed on the Dreams platform. These projects open up new opportunities for users, allowing them to create unique content and share it with the community. Thanks to the innovative tools available in Dreams, players will not only be able to enjoy the games they create but also participate in their development, making this project truly interactive and engaging.

One of the interesting games is Tren, a complex casual train game developed by game designer Job Beach and refined by the Media Molecule team. The second game, Ancient Dangers: A Bat’s Tale, offers a co-op adventure in a fantasy world. These projects attract attention thanks to their unique gameplay and original art, which makes them attractive to a wide audience of players.

Both games will be available to all Dreams owners at no additional cost. This applies not only to these new products, but also to thousands of other user projects created on the platform. Dreams provides a unique opportunity to create and share your ideas with the community, making it the perfect place for creative people.