Criterion Games, the studio behind beloved racing franchises like Burnout and Need For Speed, has officially shifted its focus to exclusively developing for the Battlefield series. This change was revealed during the studio's 30th-anniversary celebration, with VP & GM of Battlefield Studios Europe, Rebecka Coutaz, stating, "We are solely focused on Battlefield." The studio's new logo, displayed at the event, now reads "Criterion: a Battlefield Studio," underscoring the definitive pivot away from its racing game legacy.
Elsewhere in the industry, Xbox is under significant scrutiny following a wave of layoffs and a strategic reassessment of its operations. Rob Fahey's analysis for Gamesindustry.biz offers a candid look at the challenges facing the Xbox division, noting that while problems may be better diagnosed, solutions are still needed. The report highlights the human cost of these decisions, emphasizing that the "reset" has deeply impacted the lives of thousands of employees and studio partners. Despite acknowledging the difficult priorities Xbox leadership faces, the article points to the company's past spending and subsequent studio management issues as a key factor in the current situation.
Respec, a new website for game news, criticism, and features, has been launched by Alex Donaldson and Tom Orry. The duo, with extensive backgrounds at publications like VG247 and Eurogamer, aim to provide a more relaxed and sustainable approach to gaming journalism. Their mission is to offer content without clickbait or sensationalism, fostering a tone described as akin to a "pal waxing lyrical about games over a beer."
Game design discussions also featured prominently, with Jon Hicks exploring the rise and fall of the "waist-high wall" in early 2000s third-person shooters. He notes how this specific gameplay mechanic, often seen in titles like Gears of War, became ubiquitous for a generation of games, offering a particular type of cover-based combat. While modern game design has evolved with more dynamic environments and smarter AI, Hicks speculates on the potential for a resurgence of this retro mechanic in new titles.
Beyond gaming, The Sunday Papers also touched upon unrelated but noteworthy topics. This included an examination of glow worm mating rituals and a discussion of protests concerning asylum seekers. While these topics deviate from direct game industry news, they are presented as part of a broader cultural roundup.