Square Enix has recognized the tremendous success of Sandfall Interactive’s RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. One investor during a recent shareholders meeting expressed enthusiasm for the potential return of turn-based combat in future titles, particularly the next Final Fantasy installment.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has generated significant buzz in the gaming community, with fans of classic JRPGs hoping this success might lead to a resurgence of major turn-based games. The indie title has sold an impressive 3.3 million units within its first 33 days, marking both commercial and critical success.

Developed by the small French team at Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts one of the highest player ratings on Metacritic, surpassing iconic titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Super Mario Galaxy. This remarkable achievement has undoubtedly caught the attention of other developers, including those behind long-standing franchises who may consider making significant changes to their gameplay approaches.

During the Square Enix meeting, it was highlighted that the last mainline Final Fantasy game with turn-based elements was 2006’s Final Fantasy 12. Fans have been vocal about their desire to see a return to this style.

Although it remains uncertain whether the forthcoming Final Fantasy 17 will incorporate turn-based mechanics, there is hope that the developers will heed the feedback sparked by Clair Obscur. While Square Enix regarded Final Fantasy 16 as a success, it faced criticism at launch for its action-oriented combat, leading some to question whether it represented a “true” Final Fantasy experience.

Despite these initial concerns, the game’s critical reception has improved. As the company focuses on the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Sandfall Interactive is also progressing, with plans for updates and potential DLC for Clair Obscur, along with the development of a new game.

Funcom, the studio behind the survival MMO Dune: Awakening, has revealed plans for significant changes to the game’s endgame. The developer aims to tackle player feedback and enhance the overall gaming experience.

Launched in early June 2025, Dune: Awakening garnered praise for its immersive desert gameplay and competitive player-versus-player (PVP) elements. The game has become a milestone for Funcom, setting records as the fastest-selling title in its history and attracting over a million players.

The combination of the iconic Dune universe with refined survival gameplay appealed to both new and returning players familiar with Funcom’s previous titles, such as Conan Exiles. Currently, thousands of players are actively engaged in building and competing for supremacy on the treacherous sands of Arrakis, the universe’s most crucial planet.

Despite its impressive launch, Dune: Awakening has received criticism, particularly regarding its PVP-heavy endgame structure. Funcom’s Creative Director Joel Bylos addressed these concerns in a recent Steam blog post, proposing an array of changes that will introduce player-versus-environment (PVE) options to enhance gameplay diversity.

Currently, the Deep Desert’s PVP system dominates the endgame, forcing players who prefer PVE to engage in activities they might not enjoy. To improve accessibility, some areas within the Deep Desert will be reclassified as “Partial Warfare (PVE),” allowing players to harvest resources without the threat of PVP.

These new zones will be designed for group play but will still present challenges for solo players. Meanwhile, the most valuable regions will retain their PVP status, catering to those who seek high-risk rewards.

Funcom is also addressing PVP balance issues, notably the prevalence of flying ornithopters. Previous updates reduced vehicle damage, but further adjustments will limit the power of rocket-equipped thopters.

The goal is for PVP battles to emphasize teamwork and strategy rather than rely heavily on any single unit. With these upcoming changes, players hope to see an endgame that better reflects their preferences and encourages collaboration.

Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the Super Smash Bros. series, has expressed concerns about the future of game development, especially for large-scale AAA projects. He believes that the industry may increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI) if the current trend continues. Recent headlines have highlighted challenges such as mass layoffs, canceled games, and an uptick in delays. These issues have coincided with rising video game prices, causing disappointment among both consumers and developers.

In a recent interview with Yahoo Japan, Sakurai shared his apprehensions regarding the sustainability of large-scale game development. He noted that creating these games often requires significantly more time than is reasonable. As a potential solution, he suggested that AI could be deployed to enhance work efficiency, making large projects more manageable. This perspective reflects a broader uncertainty in the industry about how to navigate these evolving challenges.

Developing major games, particularly new intellectual properties, often involves extensive time and investment. For instance, a project like Concord, which took nearly a decade to develop, was ultimately terminated just weeks after its release. Conversely, some franchises like Call of Duty have budgets soaring to around $700 million, even as overall game prices have stagnated amid rising inflation. Sakurai’s proposal of integrating AI could potentially streamline development, cut costs, and improve quality control, giving developers more time to eliminate bugs and enhance gameplay.

However, there are valid concerns about the implications of AI in the workforce. Many game developers fear that AI might be used not as an assistant but as a replacement, leading to job losses. Players have expressed frustration with AI usage in gaming, and voice actors are concerned about their roles being diminished. As the industry focuses on large-scale projects, it is crucial that AI aids existing workflows rather than displaces valued workers.

Fans of the sandbox genre are dealt a disappointing blow with the official cancellation of Hytale, a game inspired by Minecraft. Developed by Hypixel Studios, the team known for the popular Minecraft server Hypixel, Hytale was ambitious and promised to blend sandbox and role-playing elements. Originally funded by Riot Games, the development team had been working on Hytale for several years, making the cancellation particularly tough for long-time supporters who eagerly followed the project’s journey. Hytale aimed to offer a procedurally generated sandbox experience, akin to Minecraft, with unique features, including mini-games to differentiate it from competitors.

The game’s anticipation was palpable, as evidenced by its announcement trailer, which garnered over 60 million views in its six-year lifespan. The cancellation announcement came from Hypixel Studios’ CEO, Noxy, via Twitter, where he expressed his profound disappointment. Noxy explained that as the vision for Hytale expanded, the complexity grew, leaving the team without the necessary time and resources to complete it. He also took the opportunity to thank Riot Games for their unwavering support throughout the development process.

Unfortunately, Hytale is not the only casualty in the gaming industry, as many small developers are facing similar fates, alongside major players like EA, which recently canceled its Black Panther game. Regardless of whether the reasons are creative or economic, such announcements always disappoint fans eagerly awaiting new releases. On a brighter note, the developers at Hypixel Studios are set to embark on new projects following the cancellation. Additionally, fans of Minecraft can take solace in the fact that Hypixel servers remain unaffected, allowing players to continue exploring the community that originally inspired Hytale.

With ongoing updates from Mojang Studios, Minecraft’s legacy continues, ensuring that the spirit of Hytale lives on in some capacity.

The Borderlands 4 community is buzzing with excitement as they have managed to compile a list of 54 legendary gear items revealed in pre-release footage and trailers. This represents just a small snippet of the vast array of weapons and gear players can expect when the game launches.

Borderlands 4 promises to have the most extensive selection of weapons in the franchise’s history, offering players numerous options for customization and gameplay. Although the game’s official release is set for September 12, Gearbox has kept fans engaged by providing multiple previews through trailers, promotional content, and special pre-release events.

Notably, Gearbox collaborated with PlayStation for a dedicated Borderlands 4 State of Play. The latest trailer dives into the game’s primary narrative, which revolves around Vault Hunters working to disrupt the plans of the Timekeeper on the planet Kairos.

Additionally, a recent gameplay event featuring popular content creators showcased direct-feed gameplay, allowing fans to glimpse the experience that awaits them. A significant enhancement for Borderlands 4 is the introduction of quality-of-life features alongside updates to the skill trees.

Community member amitkilo, alongside other dedicated fans, has compiled images and details of the 54 legendary gear items identified so far. They created a spreadsheet that showcases each weapon’s bonuses and skills, providing insights into both new creations such as the Hellfire SMG and Queen’s Rest Pistol, as well as returning favorites like the Plasma Coil SMG and T.K’s Wave shotgun.

It’s important to keep in mind that the legendary bonuses for these weapons are still subject to change, as the current builds may not fully represent the final version of the game. Despite minor inconsistencies and incomplete descriptions, players can look forward to an almost limitless number of weapons to pursue upon launch.

Furthermore, Gearbox has announced plans for a roadmap, promising extensive post-launch content, including DLC, new Vault Hunters, areas of Kairos to explore, story missions, challenges, and more. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also in the pipeline for later release, further expanding the game’s reach.

M for Mature: This game features blood, sexual themes, strong language, the use of alcohol, and violence. Released on October 29th, 2013, the game allows for local multiplayer options and was built using the AnvilNext engine. Set in the year 1715, this narrative unfolds in the Caribbean, a realm dominated by pirates who have forged a lawless Republic. Within this chaotic world, corruption, greed, and brutality are rampant.

At the center of this turbulent environment is Edward Kenway, a bold and ambitious captain. Kenway’s relentless pursuit of glory has garnered him the admiration of figures like Blackbeard. However, his pursuit also entangles him in the age-old conflict between two secret societies: the Assassins and the Templars. This conflict poses a threat to the very civilization that the pirates have painstakingly built.

The game immerses players in a richly detailed world of piracy, where they can explore the moral complexities of their actions and the consequences that arise from living a life of treachery and adventure. As players guide Edward Kenway through this dangerous landscape, they will encounter not only iconic historical figures but also the ongoing battle for power and ideology, provoking thought about loyalty, freedom, and the price of ambition. In this captivating story, players must navigate the fine line between heroism and villainy while confronting their own values in a setting where every decision can lead to glory or ruin.