Apple puts its weight behind Blender as it becomes a “Patron”

Developers who use Blender for creating 3D models will be pleased to know Apple has put its weight behind the popular software.

Apple has joined the Blender Development Fund as a “Patron” which means the Cupertino giant will support the future success of the software.

In an announcement, The Blender Foundation said that Apple will also “provide engineering expertise and additional resources to the Blender HQ and development community to help support Blender artists...

15 October 2021 | Apple

Nintendo denies handing out 4K Switch development kits

Nintendo has been forced to refute a Bloomberg report that it provided 4K-capable Switch development kits to select gaming studios.

This week, Bloomberg reported that at least 11 developers – including Zynga – were given kits to develop 4K resolution games for unannounced Switch hardware.

Following the report, Nintendo tweeted:

https://twitter.com/NintendoCoLtd/status/1443366440183074819

It’s a rare denial that has probably been issued out of concern...

30 September 2021 | Gaming

Facebook Gaming reopens applications for its Black Gaming Creator Program

Facebook Gaming has reopened applications for its Black Gaming Creator Program following a brief hiatus.

The initiative was announced in December to support the black gaming community with $10 million of funding provided to inspire and equip the next generation of creators.

“We firmly believe in positivity, inclusion, and diversity in everything we do,” the company wrote. “We want our creators and viewers to share their love for gaming in an environment that is...

24 August 2021 | Facebook

GDC kicks off with over 550 game dev sessions, will return as in-person event next year

This year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicks off today as a virtual event with over 550 sessions on all things game development.

GDC 2021 claims to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by virtual events. Back in 2020, around COVID-19’s historic peak, GDC was one of the first large events to be cancelled.

The organisers now have successive virtual events under their belt so it will be interesting to see how they’ve utilised their experience to...

19 July 2021 | Gaming

Nintendo announces Switch OLED with minor improvements

Nintendo has finally announced its long-awaited new Switch model but without many of the rumoured upgrades.

The new Switch OLED, as its name suggests, boasts a new display that should improve some of the complaints about previous models having poor contrast and brightness. However, the rumoured bump to 1080p hasn’t materialised and the screen is still just 720p.

Nintendo has increased the screen size from 6.2-inch to 7-inch so a boosted resolution would have been even...

6 July 2021 | Devices

Developers claim that PlayStation is particularly difficult to work with

Independent game developers have bemoaned the difficulty of working with PlayStation over Xbox and Nintendo.

Iain Garner of independent game publisher Neon Doctrine recently posted a tirade on Twitter where he suggested that getting prominent promotion on the store of a “very successful console” that “does not have Games Pass” (i.e not Xbox, and presumably meaning PlayStation) costs at least $25,000.

Video game publication Kotaku first published the story and...

2 July 2021 | Gaming

GDC: Developers judge 30% store cuts unfair, PS5 most interesting console

The latest report from the Game Developer Conference (GDC) provides various insights into how developers view the current gaming landscape.

GDC surveyed over 3,000 gaming industry professionals for its 2021 State of the Game Industry report.

Just three percent of developers felt it was fair for digital stores like Steam and GOG to take 30 percent of their revenue. However, perplexingly, three percent believe the platforms should take a larger cut.

62 percent of...

29 April 2021 | Gaming

Unity’s latest report highlights COVID-19’s impact on gaming

Game development platform Unity has released a report on how COVID-19 has impacted the industry.

The report is based on the world’s largest dataset on COVID-19’s impact on gaming and spans everything from the PC gaming landscape to mobile ad spend.

Ingrid Lestiyo, SVP and General Manager of Operate Solutions at Unity, said:

“In a year where online entertainment content - more than ever -  became the cornerstone of social connections for so many when...

24 February 2021 | Development Tools

Cloud gaming will ‘fundamentally disrupt’ distribution, monetisation, and consumption

A report from GlobalData highlights the big changes that cloud gaming will bring to the industry which requires consideration.

Cloud gaming is still a small industry – representing around one percent of gaming revenue in 2020 – but it is expected to grow quickly as technologies like 5G continue to rollout and/or improve.

Rupantar Guha, Associate Project Director at GlobalData, said:

“In ten years, traditional PC and console games will have been replaced...

23 February 2021 | Cloud

Game developers can have the accessibility of their titles checked by Xbox

Microsoft is launching a new initiative which enables game developers to send their PC and Xbox titles in to be analysed by accessibility experts.

“Where issues are found, they are noted with reproduction steps, screenshots, and other information to help the developer understand what aspect of a given experience may be challenging for certain gamers with disabilities,” explained Brannon Zahand, senior program manager of gaming accessibility at Xbox.

Xbox has been on...

18 February 2021 | Gaming