Godot 4.8 beta 3 🛠️, Grit Compiler ⚙️, Ratchet Cancelled 🎮
Game Development 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.
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.
Games and Industry 🎮
PlayStation cancels Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble before worldwide release
PlayStation has canceled Ratchet & Clank: Ranger Rumble, the free-to-play iOS and Android spin-off developed by Oh BiBi with Insomniac Games, after a year in soft launch without a worldwide release. It will leave the App Store and Google Play on November 21, with servers closing May 1, 2027. Real-money purchases have ended, and the Super Pass is now free. AppMagic estimates the game generated about $62,000 in player spending and 391,000 downloads during soft launch.
The Citadel Project scheduled for Steam Early Access on November 11
The Citadel Project, a dark fantasy stealth RPG from solo developer Reliquary Software, is scheduled to enter Steam Early Access on November 11. Inspired by Thief: The Dark Project and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, it uses light exposure and specialized crossbow bolts to support stealth. According to its Steam page, the current version includes two areas and roughly three to four hours of gameplay. The developer plans one to two years in Early Access, with six additional areas and expanded RPG systems planned.
Two Unconfirmed Assassin’s Creed Projects Reportedly in Development
French content creator j0nathan reports that Ubisoft is working on two Assassin’s Creed games: Mars, reportedly set in Ancient Rome, and Pocket, a mobile game reportedly set in Jerusalem. Their status as mainline entries or spin-offs is unclear, and a possible link between Mars and Netflix’s Ancient Rome-set series is only speculation. Insider Gaming says it has heard both codenames but could not verify them. Ubisoft has not confirmed the projects, and details could change.
Linux Script Emails Sam Altman About Unused RAM
Developer Iain Kay published the Ram-Altman Bash script on GitHub, where Linux users can configure it to email Sam Altman about unused memory on their PCs. The script checks RAM usage every five minutes and sends an email when more than 10% is available, with messages sent at most once per day. Whether emails reach Altman depends on how users configure the correspondence.
Gaming Business and Platforms 📱
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.