Ex-Blizzard developer reflects on Sunderfolk's release challenges

An interview with former Blizzard developer Chris Sigaty at Dreamhaven highlights the struggles of the RPG Sunderfolk, which faced a poorly timed launch last year. The discussion covers what went wrong, upcoming changes, and unexpected successes.

During a visit to Dreamhaven, Chris Sigaty, an ex-Blizzard developer, opened up about his experiences with Sunderfolk, described as an unusual RPG. The game suffered from one of last year's worst-timed release dates, contributing to its difficulties in gaining traction. Sigaty provided blunt insights into the missteps that occurred post-launch and outlined shifts aimed at improvement. Despite the setbacks, he pointed to some surprise successes that have emerged. The conversation underscores the eye-opening year Sigaty has had in this new venture, with a forward-looking quote: 'Oh, this is gonna be very different.' This reflection comes amid broader transitions at Dreamhaven, focusing on innovative approaches to game development.

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Photorealistic illustration depicting Highguard's Steam backlash with negative reviews, edited dev credits, server glitches, and player protests.
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Highguard faces backlash over dev credits removal and mixed reviews

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One day after its troubled launch plagued by server issues and technical glitches, Highguard has drawn further criticism for editing out references to its developers' Apex Legends and Titanfall ties on Steam, while host Geoff Keighley denied investment rumors. Despite peak concurrent players near 100,000, 'Mostly Negative' Steam reviews persist over 3v3 format and map scales, though some praise unique mechanics.

A few days after Highguard's troubled debut on January 26—marked by server issues, negative Steam reviews, and matchmaking woes—prominent studios including 1047 Games, Remedy Entertainment, and Larian Studios have rallied in its defense. As player counts stabilize around 10,000-20,000, the industry debate intensifies over constructive feedback versus negativity, coinciding with the game's first major patch.

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Former Bethesda Game Studios lead Kurt Kuhlmann, who departed after over 20 years, has raised alarms about the studio's direction in a recent interview. This follows Todd Howard's December update confirming most of the team is on The Elder Scrolls 6, which will precede Fallout 5. Kuhlmann highlighted cultural shifts post-Skyrim success, growing bureaucracy, and a talent exodus, casting doubts on future projects.

The upcoming Lord of Mysteries MMORPG has released a striking preview trailer showcasing Tingen City, exciting fans of the original web novel. Developed by SPARK NEXA using Unreal Engine 5, the game promises a cross-platform experience on PC and mobile. Sign-ups for a closed beta test are now open ahead of its February launch phase.

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As 2025 draws to a close, GamesIndustry.biz staff have compiled their personal highlights from a year packed with new releases. The selections span genres from action adventures to puzzle games, reflecting diverse tastes among the team. Published on December 31, the roundup celebrates titles that stood out for their innovation and enjoyment.

The New Game+ Showcase 2026, held on January 9, 2026, spotlighted a variety of upcoming indie titles. Developers unveiled trailers and details for action RPGs, shooters, and exploration games, emphasizing innovative gameplay in fantasy, sci-fi, and survival settings. No release dates were confirmed for most, though one enters early access later this year.

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Following the surprise reveal of Divinity at The Game Awards 2025, Larian Studios has shared more on the RPG's ambitious scope in the Rivellon universe, with director Swen Vincke calling it their first titled 'Divinity' and a project larger than Baldur's Gate 3.

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