Supermassive Games announces potential layoffs affecting 75 workers post-Directive 8020; Deadlock and Modern Warfare 4 receive updates, while indie classic Knytt makes a return on Steam.
The recent announcement from Supermassive Games regarding possible layoffs is undoubtedly the most significant news in PC gaming today. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, the studio, known for “Until Dawn” and “The Dark Pictures Anthology,” has begun redundancy consultations that could affect up to 75 employees. This comes merely three months after the launch of their latest title, “Directive 8020.” This move continues a troubling trend of layoffs in the gaming industry, reflecting broader economic challenges faced by game developers.
In terms of game updates, there are some notable patches and changes. PCGamesN reports that “Deadlock,” the popular MOBA by Valve, has issued an update with a specific focus on nerfing the unicorn hero Celeste, whom many players believed was disrupting team balance. This update indicates Valve’s responsiveness to player feedback, despite Celeste not being the dominant hero currently.
PC Gamer covers Infinity Ward’s adjustments in the ongoing beta of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.” The new beta patch introduces a fresh map, Cachette, and a new mode while addressing player concerns about footstep noise and weapon lethality. The release aims to refine gameplay experience following mixed reviews of “Black Ops 7.”
The weekend has also been a battleground for FPS titles. As noted by PC Gamer, both “Modern Warfare 4” and the newcomer “Wardogs” are holding beta tests. “Wardogs” manages to hold its ground against “Modern Warfare 4” on the Steam best-sellers list, a significant accomplishment for the indie studio behind it, driven by strong organic interest and wishlist numbers.
In indie game news, an unexpected re-release of the much-loved 2006 platformer “Knytt” has landed on Steam as “Knytt Classic.” Rock Paper Shotgun highlights that this “pixel-perfect port,” developed by Bit Kid with the original developer Nifflas’ endorsement, maintains its original charm and remains free to download, giving nostalgia-driven players a chance to revisit the classic on modern systems.
Finally, the conversation about representation in video games continues as Bit Reactor discusses queerness in “Star Wars: Zero Company.” A Rock Paper Shotgun interview delves into the use of they/them pronouns for customizable characters and what this might imply for the future inclusivity in games. This conversation also touches on the potential implications of the studio’s partnership with EA, now with significant Saudi ownership.
