What in the week
Let’s get over the AI one first, and we’ll make it as quick and painless as possible. Microsoft announced Muse, a generative AI model designed in collaboration with Ninja Theory (and trained on Bleeding Edge), which can produce game environments based on visuals or players’ controller actions on the fly in real time. Or in other words, imagine a game being generated as you play it. The mega corporation insisted that Muse is intended to be used during the iteration stages, and not designed to generate entire games or replace creators; although it could also be used to improve classic games. Meanwhile, in completely unrelated news, videogame development costs continue to rise, so do the layoffs.
Speaking of the latter, Netflix-owned Night School Studio (Oxenfree, Afterparty) let go of an undisclosed number of employees, while [checks notes again] the phenomenally successful Marvel Rivals‘ publisher NetEase laid off its US development team, including game director Thaddeus Sasser and level designer Jack Burrows. “This is such a weird industry,” wrote Sasser in a LinkedIn post soon after. No shit. And while we’re at it, let’s also add Liquid Swords, Toast Interactive and 10:10 Games to the list of studios for the week.
But on to some less depressing news. S.T.A.L.K.ER. 2: Heart of Chernobyl received a major patch with “1,700 improvements and fixes”. Valve released Team Fortress 2 source code, effectively handing over the title to modders and opening the door to new fan-made games. Indie horror Mouthwashing topped over half a million units in sales, and is soon headed to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Meantime in the world of adaptations, HBO’s The Last of Us season 2 got a premiere date of April 13 for its seven-episode run, and Capcom/Legendary’s Street Fighter film found a new director in Kitao Sakurai (The Eric Andre Show).
Lastly, Viktor Antonov, the art director for Half-Life 2 and visual designer on Dishonored, passed away at the age of 52. RIP.
Eyes out for
Now for some notable releases for the upcoming week
- Ryu Ga Gotoku’s Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, February 21
- Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds, February 28
- HB Studios’ PGA TOUR 2K25, February 28
Read up
And here are some exciting reads for you over the weekend from our very own garage:
- Anirudh Regidi compiles a comprehensive review of Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, a worthy flagship.
- Karan Pradhan gives his thoughts on Don’t Nod’s much anticipated new title, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.
Story Mode recommends
Pattern Recognition, by William Gibson
Twenty-two years isn’t an awfully long time for a book — it’s generally technology that goes obsolete, not art. I picked up William Gibson’s Pattern Recognition again recently because I was searching for a certain phrase. I found that and the joy of an old book too. For the uninitiated, this 2003 novel is a masterful exploration of modernity through the eyes of a marketing consultant with an acute sensitivity to branding. Set in a post-9/11 world, the novel deftly intertwines themes of identity, consumerism, and the quest for meaning in a chaotic digital landscape. With a plot that blends mystery and corporate intrigue, Pattern Recognition captures the frenetic energy of contemporary culture while critiquing its superficiality. This novel not only showcases Gibson’s signature style but also solidifies his relevance in the ever-evolving narrative of technology and society. It’s an especially relevant read in today’s world. — Karan Pradhan
Asteroid Impact In 2032 — What Are The Chances? What Can We Do?
If you’d been paying attention to the space news more recently, you probably would have come across Asteroid 2024 YR4. More specifically, the growing likelihood of it hitting earth in seven years (up from 1% in January to 3.1% this week), and the entirety of central Indian laying in the path of possible contact. Astrophysicist (and gamer) Scott Manley breaks down it all down in his concise and quite informative video — from the nature of the threat, the (low, but real) possibility of a collision, what can be done in the worst-case scenario, and even the geopolitics that might come into play. — Harsh Pareek
Until next time.
Banner image by Harsh Pareek
