"For most of development, GTA 3 was in a sorry state": Rockstar veteran reflects ahead of GTA 6

gamesradar.com Oct 24, 2026

“For most of development, GTA 3 was in a sorry state”: Rockstar veteran reflects ahead of GTA 6

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Rockstar veteran Obbe Vermeij marked the 25‑year anniversary of Grand Terror Auto 3, revealing that the game was in a “sorry state” for most of its development. Frequent crashes, low frame rates, and a map riddled with holes plagued the project until the final six months, when performance improved to 30 fps. Vermeij explained that GTA 3 was built from scratch after Take‑Two’s acquisition of DMA Design, with little reuse from earlier titles. He contrasted the relatively smooth, small‑team process of GTA 3 with the prolonged, complex development of GTA 6, noting that Rockstar now has a larger, more structured pipeline.

💡 Why It Matters

· The retrospective underscores how early technical struggles can shape a landmark title’s legacy, while highlighting Rockstar’s evolution from a tight-knit studio to a massive, process‑driven organization.

Capsules Gaming

Read full article on gamesradar.com

Tim Sweeney shares the time he called a beloved studio’s death “economically…

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, resurfaced a 2000 tweet describing the closure of Looking Glass Studios as an “economically realistic day.” The studio, famed for titles like Deus Ex and BioShock, had produced innovative games that failed to turn profits. Sweeney’s comment sparked backlash amid ongoing criticism of Epic’s layoffs and AI focus. He reiterated the post on May 24, 2026, framing it as a historical perspective on industry downturns. The remark echoes recent concerns over the shutdown of BioWare, drawing parallels between past and present studio closures.

💡 The tweet reignites debate over how industry leaders justify studio failures, highlighting tensions between creative ambition and commercial viability. It underscores the growing scrutiny of corporate decisions that shape the future of game development.

eurogamer.net · Oct 24

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto says even if gen-AI “were to eventually handle everything,…

Legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto, slated to receive Japan’s Order of Culture, warned that generative AI will not replace human creativity in game development. During the award press conference, he noted that technology has historically amplified designers’ true abilities, and AI could free developers to focus on intent rather than labor. Miyamoto stressed that AI-generated work often lacks lasting design intention, and even if AI handled all tasks, human roles would remain essential. Nintendo’s stance contrasts with other studios that are aggressively adopting AI tools.

💡 Miyamoto’s remarks underscore a growing debate over AI’s place in creative industries, suggesting that technology may shift, not eliminate, the human touch that defines lasting art.

ign.com · Oct 24

Steam Next Fest: Most-Played Demos So Far Include Fart Together, Emberville, ArcheAge…

Valve has released the current top‑20 list of most‑played demos at Steam Next Fest, which runs until Monday, October 26. The list features a mix of genres, from comedic co‑op titles like “Fart Together” to action‑heavy games such as “ArcheAge Chronicles.” Other entries include “Worst Class Ever Probably Stolen,” “Emberville,” “Deadzone,” and “Rogue 2.” The event encourages players to try demos before the festival ends, with “Emberville” slated for early access launch next week.

💡 The list spotlights emerging indie projects that could shape future Steam trends, offering early visibility to developers and gamers alike.

eurogamer.net · Oct 24

What we’ve been playing – “Shoving Moon Flesh into an alien grandma’s…

Mertie, the host of the weekly segment “What We’ve Been Playing,” reports a mix of personal gaming experiences. She played a one‑on‑one Dungeons & Dragons session with a partner, highlighting the unique dynamics of duets and the spontaneous storytelling that emerged. She also reviewed the indie title Art of Rally: Over the Hill, praising its serene landscapes and patient gameplay. Additionally, she previewed Warframe’s upcoming Epoch Operation: Taubound, noting the community’s enthusiasm for new content and the game’s evolving universe.

💡 The article showcases how niche gaming formats, like one‑on‑one D&D, can deepen player engagement and creativity. It also underscores the ongoing appeal of indie titles and large‑scale MMO updates, illustrating the diverse ways gamers find meaning and community in their play.

ign.com · Oct 24

Mass Effect Fans Call for EA Boycott as Petition to Save BioWare’s…

EA announced the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect title, sparking a backlash from fans. The decision, revealed on October 21, prompted a petition that has already surpassed 76,500 signatures, urging EA to sell the IP or transfer development to another studio. Online communities, especially on Reddit, have organized under the hashtag #savemasseffect, calling for a boycott of all EA products until the franchise is preserved. Industry voices and former BioWare executives have expressed skepticism about EA’s willingness to comply.

💡 The move threatens the future of a flagship RPG franchise that has shaped the genre for decades. It also signals a broader shift in how major publishers handle legacy studios and beloved IPs.

gamesradar.com · Oct 24

Pokemon Winds and Waves might benefit from next-gen water tech

Game Freak programmer Fumiya Narita and University of Tokyo professor Takashi Kanai have co‑authored a paper presented at the Pacific Graphics 2026 conference in Singapore that details a new method for simulating water and liquids in real time. The technique reduces the computational load of detailed liquid physics by focusing processing power on high‑impact visual elements such as splashes, ripples and wave crests, while preserving overall visual fidelity. Although the research was not demonstrated in a game prototype, it aligns with the ambitious oceanic and underwater environments shown in the trailer for the upcoming Pokémon Winds and Waves, slated for a 2027 release on the Switch 2. Game Freak has not confirmed whether the technology will be integrated into the title.

💡 By cutting the cost of realistic water rendering, the breakthrough could free up resources for richer gameplay features and larger open‑world designs in next‑gen console titles.