Category: Gaming

BusinessGamingIndustry

Former God of War Executive Warns Blockbuster Game Development Is Unsustainable, Advocates for “Fun First” Approach

A former God of War development executive has declared blockbuster game budgets “not really sustainable” amid industry layoffs. Meghan Morgan Juinio argues publishers must prioritize fun gameplay over graphical spectacle, pointing to successful smaller-scale titles as the way forward.

Blockbuster Game Development Reaching Breaking Point

Former God of War executive Meghan Morgan Juinio has declared that the current model for blockbuster video game development is “not really sustainable” due to skyrocketing costs, according to reports from PC Gamer. The industry veteran, who recently left her position as director of product development at Sony’s Santa Monica Studios, made the comments during an interview at Gamescom Asia, emphasizing that games need to be “fun first” rather than focusing on massive budgets and visual spectacle.

by Liam Dorsey
GamingHardware

AOC Unveils 32-Inch Agon Pro Gaming Monitor with Mini-LED and Dual Refresh Rate Technology

AOC has launched the Agon Pro AG327UXM, a 31.5-inch gaming monitor featuring Mini-LED backlight technology with 2304 local dimming zones. The display offers dual mode functionality, switching between 4K at 160Hz and Full HD at 320Hz for different gaming scenarios. With VESA DisplayHDR 1400 certification, the monitor reaches peak brightness of 1650 nits.

Premium Gaming Display Expands AOC’s Agon Pro Series

According to reports from display industry sources, AOC has introduced the Agon Pro AG327UXM, a substantial 31.5-inch gaming monitor that builds upon the company’s recent 27-inch dual mode offering. The new display represents a significant step up in both size and performance capabilities, positioning itself as a premium option for gamers and content creators seeking high-end visual performance.

by Liam Dorsey
Gaming

Arc Raiders Playtest Draws Massive Crowd, Signals Strong Launch Potential for Extraction Shooter

Arc Raiders’ weekend Server Slam test attracted nearly 190,000 simultaneous players, making it one of Steam’s top 100 most-played games. The extraction shooter’s strong performance suggests significant player interest ahead of its October 30 launch, according to reports.

Massive Player Turnout for Arc Raiders Test

Embark Studios’ upcoming extraction shooter Arc Raiders demonstrated substantial market interest during its weekend Server Slam event, reportedly reaching a peak concurrent player count of 189,668. According to data from SteamDB’s charts, this placed the game as the 89th most-played title on the Steam platform by simultaneous users, outperforming established games like GTA 5 Enhanced and Football Manager 2020.

by Liam Dorsey
BusinessGaming

Microsoft’s Xbox Strategy Faces Crossroads as Hardware Identity Blurs

Microsoft’s Xbox division is grappling with defining what “Xbox” means in an era of PC-like handheld devices and rising costs. The company faces challenges explaining its strategy to gamers while preparing for next-generation hardware expected around 2027.

Xbox’s Evolving Hardware Strategy Creates Confusion

Microsoft’s Xbox brand is experiencing what analysts suggest amounts to a full-blown identity crisis as the company expands into PC-like handheld devices while maintaining traditional console offerings. According to reports from Variety’s recent interview with Xbox President Sarah Bond, the company is actively “re-contextualizing” what the Xbox brand represents to gamers amid shifting hardware strategies.

by Liam Dorsey