Kickstarter's head of games, Asher McClennahan, to speak at Game Republic New Horizons

Asher McClennahan, head of games at Kickstarter, will be a key participant in the Game Republic New Horizons conference this October in Middlesbrough. He’ll discuss best practices for games companies and join a panel on funding alongside notable industry figures from Maverick Games, Double Eleven, and others. This conference aims to strengthen the North of [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/kickstarters-head-of-games-asher-mcclennahan-to-speak-at-game-republic-new-horizons/

Side and Razer announce 'human-in-the-loop' AI playtests

Side and Razer have unveiled the Razer Cortex: Playtest Program—Powered by Side, a new tool that leverages AI to enhance playtesting efficiency and cut costs. The program allows users to participate in playtests for unreleased games, rewarding them with Razer Silver for feedback. This data-driven approach aims to catch bugs that might be overlooked in [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/side-and-razer-announce-human-in-the-loop-ai-playtests/

Atari acquires rights to Ubisoft’s Cold Fear, I Am Alive, Child of Eden, Grow Home, and Grow Up

Atari has acquired the intellectual property rights to several Ubisoft titles, including Cold Fear, I Am Alive, Child of Eden, Grow Home, and Grow Up. The company plans to re-release these games and expand their reach through new platforms and content. Atari’s VP, Deborah Papiernik, expressed excitement about reconnecting old fans and attracting new audiences, [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/atari-acquires-rights-to-ubisofts-cold-fear-i-am-alive-child-of-eden-grow-home-and-grow-up/

I just tried the new Grounded 2 update, and it boosted my frame rate by 26%

Grounded 2’s update 0.1.3 promises “significant improvements to game stability” and a purported 30% performance boost, though our tests reveal more modest gains of up to 26% at higher resolutions. While the RTX 4070 experiences an average frame rate improvement, issues like texture pop-ins and frame drops in busy areas remain. With no support for [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/i-just-tried-the-new-grounded-2-update-and-it-boosted-my-frame-rate-by-26/

"We got rejected by everybody." Thatgamecompany on the difficulties and opportunities of transmedia

Summary: Sky: Children of the Light, developed by Thatgamecompany and launched in 2019, has evolved into a thriving transmedia experience, now featuring a film, Sky: The Two Embers. The game focuses on storytelling without dialogue, fostering human connections across cultures. As the team grows and expands, successes like the film’s debut illustrate the intricate balance [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/we-got-rejected-by-everybody-thatgamecompany-on-the-difficulties-and-opportunities-of-transmedia/

devINITIVE Showcase 2025

Join Lovely Indies and DjPanchi for the devINITIVE Showcase 2025 on September 10 at 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET, streaming live on YouTube and Twitch! Expect a whirlwind of trailers and exclusive announcements featuring innovative games from Spain and Latin America, along with insights from partner studios like Dojo System, Meridiem Games, and [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/devinitive-showcase-2025/

Sony is building a vast games empire: can it keep control?

Summary: The client faces a challenge with a webpage not loading properly due to disabled JavaScript, potentially caused by browser settings, extensions, or network issues. Suggestions include checking the connection and disabling ad blockers. Thought-Provoking Statement: In an increasingly digital world, how much should we rely on individual browser settings versus designing websites that accommodate [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/sony-is-building-a-vast-games-empire-can-it-keep-control/

Squanch Games Really Wants Danny DeVito to Play a Gun in High on Life 3

Squanch Games has expressed their desire to have Danny DeVito voice a gun character in the potential High on Life 3. Despite previous attempts to recruit him for the first game being unsuccessful—due in part to concerns over whether he would grasp the project—they remain hopeful as they gear up for High on Life 2, [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/squanch-games-really-wants-danny-devito-to-play-a-gun-in-high-on-life-3/

These Lego mini gaming PC builds have a charming retro style

A Redditor has creatively demonstrated that you can build a gaming PC using Lego, constructing three impressive setups: a Commodore 64-inspired machine and two retro CRT-style monitor enclosures. Each design incorporates mini-ITX gaming PCs and touchscreen displays, showcasing the versatility of Lego as a building material. Using an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G with integrated graphics, [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/these-lego-mini-gaming-pc-builds-have-a-charming-retro-style/

Obituary: Black Forest Games producer Dennis Schiefer has passed away

Dennis Schiefer, a beloved producer at Black Forest Games, sadly passed away last week, as announced by CEO Adrian Goersch. Schiefer, who joined the studio in 2016, made significant contributions to titles like the Destroy All Humans! remake and was known for his kindness and supportiveness. Fellow industry members and former students have expressed their [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/obituary-black-forest-games-producer-dennis-schiefer-has-passed-away/

This new Intel GPU feature could make budget gaming laptops much better

A recent Intel GPU driver update introduces a feature called “Shared GPU memory override,” allowing users to allocate up to 87% of system RAM as VRAM for better gaming performance on laptops without dedicated GPUs. While this can enhance frame rates, especially on budget machines, caution is advised to maintain system stability. Gamers are encouraged [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/this-new-intel-gpu-feature-could-make-budget-gaming-laptops-much-better/

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card prices are dropping, and I love to see it

After months of soaring prices, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is finally seeing more manageable prices, now dropping to around $2,399.90 in the US and £1,969.99 in the UK. While still pricey, these price reductions reflect a shift from the previously inflated rates of over $3,000. This powerhouse GPU promises top-tier gaming performance, but its [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5090-graphics-card-prices-are-dropping-and-i-love-to-see-it/

Inworld Runtime is 1st AI runtime for consumer apps

Inworld AI has unveiled its Inworld Runtime, a powerful AI engine designed to help developers quickly scale consumer applications, enabling rapid prototyping and seamless transitions from 10 to 10 million users with minimal code changes. By automating AI operations, it allows engineering teams to focus on innovation rather than maintenance, making it a valuable tool [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/inworld-runtime-is-1st-ai-runtime-for-consumer-apps/

Cronos The New Dawn system requirements

Summary: "Cronos: The New Dawn" has relatively low minimum system requirements, but these likely won’t achieve 1080p resolution, suggesting a benchmark closer to 720p. To experience the game as intended, players will need more robust hardware—specifically an Intel i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X CPU, paired with a GPU like the Nvidia RTX 3080. Despite [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/cronos-the-new-dawn-system-requirements/

What Makes Ambrosia Sky So Unique? – Game Developer Podcast Ep. 52

At Summer Game Fest 2025, the cosmic sci-fi game Ambrosia Sky captivated audiences with its unique premise: players tackle alien mold and buried mysteries of a lost colony. Developed by industry veterans from companies like Bethesda and Ubisoft, the game diverges from traditional norms, showcasing a fresh approach to storytelling and gameplay. In a recent [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/what-makes-ambrosia-sky-so-unique-game-developer-podcast-ep-52/

Genki’s Moonbase charging hub can charge 7 devices at a time

Genki’s Moonbase charging hub boasts Gallium Nitride technology, allowing it to power up to seven devices simultaneously. Marketed as the pinnacle of charging convenience, it merges functionality with style for today’s tech-savvy lifestyles. Given our increasing reliance on multiple devices, how might innovative charging solutions like this reshape our daily routines and interactions with technology? [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/genkis-moonbase-charging-hub-can-charge-7-devices-at-a-time/

Mafia: The Old Country debuts today as 10-hour game at $50

2K and Hangar 13 have launched Mafia: The Old Country, now available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Set against the richly detailed backdrop of 1900s Sicily, this installment promises an authentic experience that challenges the norms of a triple-A title with its shorter gameplay and pricing. Will gamers appreciate the focus on quality [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/mafia-the-old-country-debuts-today-as-10-hour-game-at-50/

Former Guitar Hero devs fund new rhythm games studio RedOctane Games

Former developers of Guitar Hero have launched RedOctane Games, a new studio focused exclusively on rhythm games. Led by Simon Ebejer, a seasoned veteran with a history at Neversoft and Blizzard, the studio aims to innovate within the genre while honoring its roots. With a team of 23, including industry veterans from the Guitar Hero [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/former-guitar-hero-devs-fund-new-rhythm-games-studio-redoctane-games/

Is Clash Royale having its Brawl Stars moment?

In July 2025, Clash Royale achieved a monumental $77 million in player spending, marking its best month since 2017 and outpacing Brawl Stars and Clash of Clans combined. This surge, a 50% rise month-over-month and a staggering 251% increase year-over-year, followed strategic updates that enhanced gameplay and incentivized daily battles. As Clash Royale rides this [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/is-clash-royale-having-its-brawl-stars-moment/

Lord of the Rings Online system requirements

The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) boasts impressively low system requirements for an MMO, unchanged since its 2012 launch. Unlike heavier hitters like Guild Wars 2 or World of Warcraft, even older PCs can easily meet the demands, ensuring accessibility for players without the latest hardware. With only 32GB of storage needed and a [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/lord-of-the-rings-online-system-requirements/

Casual mobile game downloads are up, but revenue remains flat

A recent AppMagic report reveals a 6% year-on-year increase in global casual game downloads, rising to 30.2 billion, but revenue growth remains modest at 3.6%, with revenue trends showing a decline in the U.S. and China alongside a significant rise in Japan. The casual games landscape continues to evolve, with puzzle and casino genres leading [...]

from FunFect Games https://funfect.games/casual-mobile-game-downloads-are-up-but-revenue-remains-flat/