GameDev News - Week Ending October 2, 2015

Here are my noteworthy links for the week. I tried to categorize things a bit better as you’ll see. Let me know if this makes it better or worse… Enjoy!

• Dev/Tools/Tech
  • Unity
    • Unity v5.2.1p2 released, should fix various Win10 issues: http://unity3d.com/unity/qa/patch-releases
    • Unity UI Extensions: https://bitbucket.org/ddreaper/unity-ui-extensions
    • ARM Guide for Unity Developers: http://malideveloper.arm.com/documentation/developer-guides/arm-guide-unity-enhancing-mobile-games/
    • Unity Asset Store improvements: http://blogs.unity3d.com/2015/09/29/unite-2/
  • Unreal
    • Faceware Live for UE4: http://www.develop-online.net/tools-and-tech/key-release-faceware-live-for-ue4/0211750
    • Unreal Engine tutorials: http://www.unrealenginetutorials.com
  • Windows
    • What's new for .NET and UWP in Win10 Tools 1.1: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dotnet/archive/2015/09/28/what-s-new-for-net-and-uwp-in-win10-tools-1-1.aspx
    • Debug Visualizers in VC++2015 (one of my favorite underused features): http://blogs.msdn.com/b/vcblog/archive/2015/09/28/debug-visualizers-in-visual-c-2015.aspx
  • Marmalade
    • Marmalade Game Services: https://www.madewithmarmalade.com/cloud/game-services
  • Cocos2d-x
    • Cocos2d-x SDKBOX v1.3 released: http://blog.cocos2d-x.org/2015/09/sdkbox-v1-3-released/
  • Other
    • Git-LFS now available on VSO: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/visualstudioalm/archive/2015/10/01/announcing-git-lfs-on-all-vso-git-repos.aspx
    • Xcode 7 allows iOS device deployment for free: https://developer.xamarin.com/guides/ios/getting_started/installation/device_provisioning/free-provisioning/
• Industry News
  • Microsoft-related
    • New XB1 bundles
      • Rise of the Tomb Raider XB1 Bundle: http://majornelson.com/2015/09/28/xbox-one-rise-of-the-tomb-raider-bundle-is-now-available-for-pre-order/
      • 1TB Holiday Bundle: http://majornelson.com/2015/09/29/xbox-one-1tb-holiday-bundle-available-this-october/
      • LEGO Movie Bundle: http://majornelson.com/2015/09/30/xbox-one-the-lego-movie-videogame-bundle-available-in-october/
      • Gears of War Bundle: http://majornelson.com/2015/10/01/xbox-one-special-edition-gears-of-war-bundle-available-in-november-xbox-one-with-kinect-bundle-available-in-october/
      • Fallout 4 Bundle: http://majornelson.com/2015/10/02/xbox-one-fallout-4-bundle-available-in-november/?linkId=17544519
    • Microsoft acquires Havok: http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2015/10/02/havok-to-join-microsoft/
    • Candy Crush Soda Saga now on Win10: https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9NBLGGH1ZRPV
    • Privacy and Windows 10: http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/09/28/privacy-and-windows-10/
    • NVIDIA GRID 2.0 and Tesla platform to drive Azure: http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-gpus-to-accelerate-microsoft-azure
    • Lots o' Azure news from AzureCon: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/building-the-intelligent-cloud-announcing-new-azure-innovations-to-transform-business/
    • Project Spark goes free!: http://news.xbox.com/2015/09/games-project-spark-transition
    • …because DLC is no longer being worked on (and Conker's Big Reunion is canceled): http://www.develop-online.net/news/conker-s-big-reunion-cancelled-as-microsoft-ceases-project-spark-dlc-support/0211794
    • Interview with Phil Spencer: http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/29/9373771/microsofts-phil-spencer-xbox-one-interview
    • Google/Microsoft drop patent disputes over Xbox and others: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/30/us-microsoft-google-settlement-idUSKCN0RU2Y220150930
    • Flagship Microsoft Store in NYC opens Oct 26: http://www.windowscentral.com/new-york-citys-flagship-microsoft-store-opens-oct-26-sydney-store-opens-nov-12
  • Other
    • Google Play doubles maximum app size: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/254793/Android_game_devs_rejoice_Google_Play_doubles_maximum_app_size.php
    • Mark Skaggs leaves Zynga: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/254811/Mark_Skaggs_leaves_Zynga_as_casino_devs_rise_up.php
    • GeForce NOW launches: http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2015/09/30/shield-geforce-now-google-fiber/
    • Twisted Pixel splits from Microsoft: http://www.develop-online.net/news/twisted-pixel-reclaims-independence-from-microsoft/0211907

• Games/Misc/Stuff I Think is Interesting
  • Inside the original pitch for Uncharted: http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/28/9397619/uncharted-pitch-video-playstation
  • Doing an HD remake the right way: http://gamasutra.com/blogs/LarsDoucet/20150929/254782/Doing_an_HD_Remake_the_Right_Way.php
  • Wipeout (PSX) original design document: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/255018/Have_a_look_at_the_original_WipeOut_design_document.php