All articles tagged with #gdc
GDC rebranded as 'GDC Festival of Gaming' to broaden its appeal while remaining industry-only, introducing new ticket options and extending content over a week, but faces mixed reactions due to high costs, perceived lack of inclusivity, and concerns about its relevance in a digital age. Industry leaders express hope for positive change but remain cautious about the event's future viability.
GDC has rebranded and overhauled its event as the 'Festival of Gaming,' introducing a simplified pass structure with lower prices, broader access, and new networking opportunities to better serve the interconnected game industry.
Chris Crawford, founder of GDC, criticizes the event for its high costs and suggests it is becoming outdated due to the rise of online interaction methods, questioning the value of attending in person.
Game developers at GDC are reportedly puzzled about the purpose of Sony's rumored PS5 Pro upgrade, with many feeling that they haven't fully utilized the capabilities of the current PS5. While some believe that the upgrade may appeal to dedicated PS5 fans, others argue that the focus should be on creating original next-generation software rather than a mid-generation update. It's suggested that the PS5 Pro may cater to a niche market interested in features like PlayStation Spectral Resolution, potentially targeting a specific segment of PlayStation users.
At the Game Developers Conference, a panel of industry professionals made a strong case for unionization in the gaming industry, emphasizing the need for protections against layoffs, crunch, and unilateral changes. They highlighted the power of collective action and the accountability unions bring to companies. The panel also hinted at a potential nationwide union effort, signaling a significant shift in the industry's labor landscape.
Swen Vincke, director of Baldur's Gate 3 and founder of Larian Studios, criticized the gaming industry's state, attributing it to corporate greed and the pursuit of quarterly profits by publishers. He emphasized the need to prioritize people over greed and expressed frustration over ongoing industry-wide layoffs. Despite winning at the Game Developer's Conference, Vincke announced that Larian Studios will not be developing DLC for Baldur's Gate 3 or its sequel. The industry-wide layoffs were also criticized at the event, with developers speaking out against the impact on individuals and their families.
During a GDC panel, Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke revealed that Astarion, a popular character in Baldur’s Gate 3, was originally designed as a Tiefling with glowing yellow eyes and black hair, before being changed to a High-Elf with curly white hair. Despite the race change, early Astarion shared similarities with the current version, including his voice. The character, played by Neil Newbon, has gained significant fan attention since the game's release in 2023, with fan art, mods, and memes circulating online.
Nintendo's developers revealed the challenges faced in creating the physics-driven world of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom at GDC, explaining how they overcame issues by making everything physics-driven and creating a system that allows for spontaneous and unique interactions. The game's complex systems extend to vehicle creation and sound design, with voxel information used to create a 3D terrain and a physics engine for sound. Despite the challenges, Tears of the Kingdom was awarded IGN's Best Game of 2023.
Epic's State of Unreal keynote at GDC showcased the integration of Lego elements into Fortnite Creative, allowing creators to build their own Lego games with certain restrictions. Additionally, the hyperrealistic MetaHumans are being added to the Unreal Editor for Fortnite, along with new camera options and physics sandbox gameplay. The event, which is expected to unveil updates to the Unreal Engine, can be watched live on Twitch and YouTube.
Ubisoft revealed a prototype AI NPC called NEO NPC at GDC, allowing players to have real conversations with in-game characters. However, the prototype's dialogue received widespread mockery online for being awkward and unconvincing. The AI works by using language learning models to generate responses based on player input, but concerns have been raised about filtering toxicity and bias. Critics argue that AI-generated dialogue lacks the creativity and storytelling of human-authored content in video games.
Ubisoft showcased its new project, Neo NPCs, at GDC, which aims to revolutionize player interactions with non-playable characters in video games using generative AI. The AI-powered NPCs are designed to offer unique and responsive experiences, with a comprehensive understanding of their environment. While the technology is still in its early stages, Ubisoft envisions these AI-powered NPCs as a breakthrough addition to traditional NPCs, providing more immersive worlds and emergent stories. However, skepticism remains about the potential overselling of experimental technology before it's proven.
Microsoft is set to unveil its new super resolution graphics technology, DirectSR, as part of the DirectX 12 suite at GDC 2024. DirectSR aims to enhance visuals and performance using machine learning, potentially benefiting lower-end gaming devices and Xbox consoles. This move could unify existing solutions like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FidelityFX, and Intel's XeSS, and may play a significant role in future console generations, particularly amid chip shortages. The new API, along with a shader interface and features for PIX, is expected to launch alongside a new Agility SDK.
The highly anticipated reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely to happen in March, possibly before the Game Developers Conference. Speculations about the system's specifications include the possibility of 16 GB of RAM to facilitate running current-generation games. Additionally, there are rumors of an upcoming Partner Direct focused on third-party titles, suggesting that Nintendo may be saving its first-party titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal.
The GDC 2024 State of the Game Industry report revealed that approximately one third of game developers were affected by layoffs in 2023, with 9 percent reporting personal layoffs and 17 percent witnessing colleagues being let go. The survey highlighted disparities among disciplines, with QA professionals being hit the hardest. Concerns about further layoffs loom large, with over half of respondents expressing worry about potential future layoffs. Some developers expressed hope for industry changes, including better workplace protections and the potential for new start-ups to revolutionize game development.
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) remains a vital event for game developers to network, showcase their work, and learn from peers. However, the conference's high cost, particularly for travel and accommodations in San Francisco, has made it inaccessible to many developers. While GDC's organizers have offered a cheaper online alternative, developers argue that the conference's biggest benefit is the ability to meet in person. Despite the expense, developers agree that attending GDC is worthwhile for the connections made and the opportunities it provides for their careers.