Hideaki Itsuno, the renowned director behind iconic titles like Devil May Cry and Dragons Dogma, has embarked on an exciting new journey by establishing a second branch of his studio in Osaka. This move not only signifies a fresh start for Itsuno after over 30 years at Capcom but also highlights his commitment to creating original AAA game titles, a rarity in the current gaming landscape. The new studio has already made waves by hiring key veterans from the Devil May Cry and Street Fighter franchises, including narrative designer Toshihiro Nakagawa and character artist Daigo Ikeno.

In a significant legal move, Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent, alleging that its upcoming game, Light of Motiram, is a slavish clone of Sony’s acclaimed Horizon series. This lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, highlights the growing concerns over intellectual property rights in the gaming industry, especially as the lines between inspiration and imitation blur. Sony claims that the similarities between Light of Motiram and its Horizon games are so pronounced that players could easily confuse the two.

The ongoing saga of Subnautica 2 has taken a dramatic turn as former developers initiate legal action against Krafton, the game’s publisher. This conflict stems from accusations of abandonment and betrayal, following the unexpected departure of key leadership from Unknown Worlds, the studio behind the beloved underwater exploration franchise. As the game faces delays, the tension between the former team and Krafton raises questions about the future of this highly anticipated sequel.

In a shocking turn of events, Build a Rocket Boy, the studio behind the much-anticipated game MindsEye, has reportedly initiated mass layoff proceedings that could affect over 100 employees. This news comes on the heels of a rocky launch for MindsEye, which has been plagued by technical issues and bugs, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among players and even refunds from PlayStation. According to sources cited by IGN, the Edinburgh-based developer has begun a 45-day consultation process, a legal requirement in the UK when laying off 100 or more staff.

The development of The Witcher 4 is proving to be a formidable challenge for CD Projekt Red, particularly when it comes to optimizing the game for the Xbox Series S. As highlighted by Charles Tremblay, VP of technology at CDPR, achieving a smooth 60 FPS on this less powerful console is “extremely challenging.” This concern underscores a broader issue within the gaming industry: how to deliver a consistent experience across different hardware capabilities.