AI Retopology 🤖, Raylib Renderer 🖥️, Xbox Dev Kit Hike 💸, Diggable Terrain ⛏️
Tech & Tools 🔧
Tractive Teases AI Retopology: Closed Beta Next Month
Tractive is a new AI-assisted retopology tool aiming to reduce one of 3D art’s most tedious steps so artists can focus on creativity. A closed beta is slated for next month, though details on how it differs from ZRemesher and which features are genuinely AI-driven remain unclear. The creators stress manual retopo skills still matter. Early access sign-ups are open for interested artists.
Raylib’s New Superpower: OpenGL-Free, GPU-Less Rendering
Raylib just gained rlsw.h, a single-header software renderer that replaces its OpenGL 1.1 backend—so your games can run even without a GPU. It supports multiple color/depth formats, clipping, depth testing, blending, texture filtering/wrap modes, and matrix stacks. This massively boosts portability for low-spec PCs, embedded targets, classrooms, and headless CI. Links to Raylib resources and a demo video are included.
Game Dev Deep Dives 🎮
Building “Windy Golf” in 8th Wall: State Machines, Shaders, and Wind
Senior XR engineer Andrew Kurano recounts building “Windy Golf” in 8th Wall Studio using a global wind system, event-driven gameplay, and dynamic grass shaders. He explains why 8th Wall’s state-machine architecture is a standout for organizing complex, asynchronous scenes, while noting current caveats like editor sync issues and no external export. Along the way, he shares practical tips on leveraging Three.js access, shader styling, and jam workflow: ship the core loop early and iterate.
Fully Diggable Worlds: How Drill and Delve Builds Its Terrain
noOne Studio’s Drill and Delve showcases fully diggable, voxel-based terrain inspired by Minecraft. The team pairs a low-res collision mesh with a tessellated render mesh, then drives fine surface detail via a custom Shader Graph displacement map. Expect physics-heavy play, wall-walking exploration, and laser tools. Join their Discord to catch gameplay demos and dive deeper into the tech.
Biz & Marketing 📈
Microsoft Hikes Xbox Dev Kit Price 33%, Effective Immediately
Microsoft has reportedly raised the price of Xbox Developer Kits from $1,500 to $2,000—an immediate 33% increase—per The Verge. In a letter to developers, Microsoft cited “macroeconomic developments” and reaffirmed its commitment to quality tools and support. The move follows recent price hikes for Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass, potentially tightening budgets for smaller teams.
Build Hype, Not Burnout: Smart Social Media for Game Developers
Stop shouting into the void—start building a fanbase. This step-by-step playbook covers choosing platforms that fit your game, posting authentic behind-the-scenes content, and engaging with #GameDev communities. It includes practical rhythms, tools like Buffer/Hootsuite, and event hooks like #WishlistWednesday. Measure results to refine your strategy and turn followers into ambassadors.