UE Actor I/O 🎮, AI Fake Reviews 📈, Payment Providers Power Move ⛔
🎮 Game Development Innovations
Actor I/O: Source Engine Logic Comes to Unreal Engine 5
The Actor I/O plug-in for Unreal Engine 5 is now available, bringing a Source Engine-inspired input/output system that dynamically binds events to function calls. Leveraging UE5’s C++ reflection system, it works seamlessly with both C++ and Blueprints, making it ideal for managing large-scale projects. Developers can try it on GitHub or Fab, with ongoing improvements driven by community feedback.
Godot 4.5 Beta 3: Top 6 Features You Can’t Miss
Godot 4.5 has entered feature freeze, bringing exciting enhancements as showcased in the latest Beta 3. Key improvements include inspector collapsing, game window multi-select, shader baking with Web SIMD, GDScript upgrades, stackable shadows, and refined TileMap collision. Check out the in-depth demo video to see these features in action and get ready for a smoother, more powerful Godot experience.
🔍 AI & Ethics in Gaming
AI-Generated Fake Reviews Threaten Steam’s Trusted Game Ratings
Steam reviews have long been a reliable source of honest gamer feedback, but a recent surge in AI-generated fake reviews is jeopardizing their credibility. A Copyleaks study exposed dozens of accounts posting repetitive, generic AI-written evaluations, some dating back to mid-2023. Despite the clear threat, Valve has taken little action to remove these reviews, signaling a shift in priorities as the company embraces AI technology.
Itch.io Deindexes Adult Content Amid Payment Processor Pressure
Indie platform itch.io has removed all adult NSFW content from its browse and search pages following pressure from payment processors after a campaign targeting rape and abuse-themed games. This move, announced by itch.io’s creator, aims to maintain vital payment partnerships while conducting a content audit. Similar pressures have influenced Steam's new restrictions on adult content, signaling a shift in how game marketplaces handle controversial material.
🛠️ Tools & Techniques for Developers
SHAPES Tool Brings Professional Blend Shape Editing to Blender
SHAPES, an industry-grade blend shape editing toolset originally built for Maya, is now in development for Blender users. It streamlines creating and managing blend shapes with features like sculpting brushes, combo shapes, weight maps, and automated shape drivers to handle complex node setups behind the scenes. By simplifying corrective shape workflows and rig rebuilds, SHAPES promises to greatly enhance character artists’ efficiency in Blender.
Mastering AI Navigation: Creating Dynamic Flying Characters in Unity
Learn how to bring flying AI characters to life in Unity by mastering nav mesh and AI navigation techniques. This video tutorial covers essential steps like setting up flight paths, creating random AI behaviors, and using animation for realistic movement, enhancing your game development skills.
🌌 Exploring New Frontiers in Unity
Unlocking SplitFiction's Multiverse: Rendering Multiple Worlds in Unity
Dive into the technical artistry behind SplitFiction, a game where writers explore their own fantastical worlds. This video explores the use of Unity's stencil buffer to dynamically render overlapping game worlds efficiently. Learn how these techniques maximize performance while delivering mind-bending visual effects.
Indie Game Dev Survival: Insights from Forbidden Solitaire’s Creator
Join Jake Birkett, creator of Forbidden Solitaire, as he shares candid advice for indie developers making their first game. Discover why viral hits aren’t necessary, why the vast majority of games fail, and how to build a loyal fan base while navigating the unpredictable roller coaster of indie game development. Packed with tips on balancing risk and stability, this conversation offers valuable guidance for sustaining your game dev journey.