Uncharted: Drake's Fortune "is rough around the edges," ex-Naughty Dog designer says, and "went through a whole lot of hell during development"

gamesradar.com Aug 18, 2026

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune “is rough around the edges,” ex-Naughty Dog designer says, and “went through a whole lot of hell during development”

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 18, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Former Naughty Dog designer Benson Russell told FRVR that Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune endured a chaotic development cycle after the studio abandoned its legacy engine for a fresh PlayStation 3 build, delaying core systems and forcing designers to work with incomplete tools. The shift left the team “paper‑designing” while artists produced visuals, resulting in a game that felt split between Gears of War‑style shooting and Tomb Raider‑type adventure. Russell said the final product is “rough around the edges” and never fully committed to a single genre, though he remains proud of its achievement and its role in launching the franchise that later expanded to three sequels, a spin‑off and a Hollywood film. He dismissed a remake as a cash grab, preferring a new prequel instead.

💡 Why It Matters

· The candid post‑mortem reveals how rushed engine overhauls can shape a title’s design identity, offering insight into the compromises behind a landmark series.

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Palworld TCG dev promises more stock with a 2nd Edition printing and…

The Palworld Trading Card Game team has issued a second apology for the scarcity of its first expansion, Dawn of Palpagos, citing high demand and scalping. They announced that additional stock is already en route and a second‑edition print run is planned to increase availability. No release date has been set, but the team promises further details soon. The move aims to curb inflated resale prices and make the game more accessible to new players.

💡 By committing to a second‑edition print run, the developers signal a willingness to address supply‑chain bottlenecks that have stifled community growth. This could stabilize the market and broaden player participation.

eurogamer.net · Aug 19

GTA 6 gameplay footage and map appear to leak online, as group…

Gameplay footage and a full map of Grand Terror Auto 6 leaked online, allegedly from a recent build. The videos show co‑protagonist Jason driving, attacking civilians, and playing basketball, complete with a six‑star Wanted gauge and stamina bar. The map depicts Leonida, a Florida‑based world split into five counties, with Vice Dale County mirroring Miami. CyberLeek claims responsibility, demanding changes to digital‑only releases and “fake” DLC, while a QR code directs viewers to a cryptocurrency donation. Rockstar and Take‑Two have not responded.

💡 The leak forces the industry to confront the vulnerability of pre‑release content and the growing pressure from activist groups demanding transparency in digital distribution. It also highlights how quickly unverified material can shape public expectations before official reveals.

gamesradar.com · Aug 19

CRTs be damned, the Intec Time Breaker Lightgun for PS1/PS2 brings Guncon…

The Intec Time Breaker Lightgun, compatible with both PS1 and PS2, has been released to bring classic Guncon-style shooters like Time Crisis 2 back to modern living rooms. The device connects via the console’s controller port and supports standard lightgun gameplay, allowing players to experience arcade‑style shooting on contemporary TVs. Intec markets the gun as a retro‑gaming accessory that restores the tactile, on‑screen aiming experience that many console shooters lacked.

💡 By reintroducing a physical lightgun to current consoles, Intec offers a tangible bridge between nostalgic arcade mechanics and today’s home‑gaming setups, appealing to collectors and new players alike.

ign.com · Aug 19

The Pokémon Company Cancels 30th Anniversary Card Orders Following ‘Cyber Incident,’ Warns…

The Pokémon Company has cancelled all 30th Anniversary Card orders linked to a cyber incident that exposed customer data. The breach involved CEVA, the logistics partner handling European shipments, and may have compromised names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and order contents. Pokémon Center staff notified affected customers via email, explaining the data exposure. The company has not clarified why orders were cancelled or the extent of the impact, leaving many pre‑orders voided. The incident adds to ongoing concerns over card scarcity and scalping.

💡 The cancellation signals a severe breach of consumer trust, potentially eroding confidence in Pokémon’s digital sales channels. It also underscores the vulnerability of third‑party logistics in protecting personal data.

eurogamer.net · Aug 19

Stop Killing Games urges people not to support GTA 6 leakers, who…

Consumer‑rights group Stop Killing Games issued a statement condemning a hacker collective that leaked Grand Theft Auto 6 gameplay footage and attached a memecoin promotion to it. The group said the video appears authentic, citing Take‑Two’s rapid DMCA takedowns, and warned fans not to fund the leakers, labeling the act illegal and harmful to developers. Stop Killing Games emphasized that protest should not endanger the thousands of workers on the title, especially with Rockstar’s official “Extended Look” teaser scheduled to debut in a week. The statement also referenced the leakers’ manifesto, which criticized Rockstar’s digital‑only release strategy and threatened other studios, and reiterated the organization’s broader advocacy in European Parliament and U.S. consumer‑protection legislation.

💡 The leak intertwines piracy with cryptocurrency scams, exposing gamers to fraud while jeopardizing the financial and reputational stakes of a high‑profile, multi‑billion‑dollar launch.

ign.com · Aug 19

Don’t Skip Your Chance to Compete in The UNO Championship Series, With…

Mattel is launching the UNO World Championship Series, a tournament that culminates in a live‑broadcast final on November 11 from Los Angeles with a $50,000 grand prize. Players can qualify through the UNO! mobile app or by attending in‑person events in Orlando (Oct 3), Chicago (Oct 10) and Los Angeles (Oct 17). Winners of the regional qualifiers will compete in the global final, streamed worldwide on Twitch. Mattel’s VP of Games, Katie Buford, emphasized the event’s aim to elevate the classic card game to a competitive stage. To support participants, the company is releasing a line of themed merchandise, including a $19.99 tournament set, a belt, a card shuffler, and a $27.99 expanded set with a premium trophy.

💡 The prize and live broadcast turn a casual family game into a high‑stakes esport, drawing new audiences and legitimizing tabletop gaming as competitive entertainment.