Godot 4.8 beta 3 🛠️, GDScript C++ ⚙️, PS1 Characters 🎮
Godot Updates and Tools ⚙️
Godot 4.8 beta 3 includes 74 fixes
Godot 4.8 beta 3 includes 74 fixes from 51 contributors, largely addressing regressions such as deleted scenes being recreated by Save on Focus Loss, mouse movement overriding controller input in menus, and web audio issues. Builds are available for Linux, macOS and Windows, alongside Web, XR and Android editors; Android prerelease access requires joining a testing group. The .NET build requires .NET 10 or newer, up from .NET 8. The snapshot remains prerelease software, with a handful of blockers remaining before the release candidate phase.
Grit compiles Godot’s GDScript to native code through C++
Grit is an experimental ahead-of-time compiler for Godot 4.7 that converts GDScript to C++ and then native code during executable builds, without requiring project or script changes. GameFromScratch reports speedups of 1.1× to 50×, depending heavily on the code. The tool supports embedded scripts and falls back to Godot’s virtual machine for unsupported functions. All 1,540 functions in Godot’s GDScript test suite reportedly compile, with 499 assertions passing natively. The article cautions that Grit is unsuitable for production.
Game Art and Characters 🎨
Popkin Generates Custom Low-Poly Characters in a PS1-Era Style
Popkin is a character generator for making and animating low-poly characters, with adjustable body proportions, hundreds of garments, layered facial features, decals and 64 human and zombie animations. Users can export rigged GLB models, sprite sheets in one, four or eight facings, textures and screenshots. The browser version is free but limits the library and disables exports and saving; the paid offline version unlocks all features. Exported characters may be used commercially with required creator credits, but cannot be sold or shared as standalone assets.
Platform Policies and Distribution 📱
Apple replaces EU alternative-distribution install fee with 5% sales commission
Apple’s EU business terms, effective October 1, replace the Core Technology Fee with a 5% Core Technology Commission on covered digital sales through alternative iOS app stores and web distribution. The previous fee charged €0.50 per first annual install above one million. In a sponsored article, Onside.io co-founder and CEO Alexander Baksheev argues the change reduces economic barriers for game studios, while noting significant operational requirements remain and alternative stores account for well under 1% of iOS app distribution.