Category: IGN

Terminator 2D: No Fate is packed with Terminator references and Easter eggs, but this one is perhaps for hardcore fans only.

Bitmap Bureau’s retro action game has an Easter egg that can only be accessed once you’ve unlocked its hardest mode, Judgment Day. Once you’ve done that, play through the game on Judgment Day difficulty and reach the Biker Bar level, which is only the second level in Arcade Mode if you want to get there quickly. The instant the level loads, you’ll immediately notice that the previously naked Arnie is now wearing some very bright, ultra ‘90s neon Zubaz shorts.

Why is he doing that? It’s a reference to how The Governator actually dressed on-set during the filming of the biker bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. That’s right: naked Arnie in Terminator 2 is a lie, and you can get a glimpse of those incredibly colourful shorts in this footage from behind the scenes.

We thought we’d check in with the Terminator 2D development team to find out more about this cheeky Easter egg, and they explained how it came together:

“When planning the game we did a lot of research on the movie; watching it scene-by-scene, going through materials such as the illustrated screenplay and also looking at making of content which is where the shorts idea came from.

“After looking at how some of the older T2 games handled the naked Terminator for the bar scene (for example in the SNES game where it was behind a strategically placed wooden fence) — Mike [Tucker, designer] jokingly had the idea of making a pixelated crotch effect for Easy Money mode.

“But we decided the shorts from behind-the-scenes pics would be a hilarious Easter egg and you can only unlock it on the Judgment Day difficulty!

A cluster of Starfield fans say they’ve gained an early glimpse at improvements coming to Bethesda’s sci-fi role-player, though have suggested the changes are relatively modest in scope.

The fans claimed Bethesda invited them to take a look at the upcoming content, with one saying they were “stoked” by what they saw, while another suggested they were “excited for the future of Starfield.” For now, the details of what was shown remain under embargo, to be properly revealed at a later date.

But there’s also a note of caution here, regarding the scope and scale of what Bethesda is actually working on. Another content creator, who said they had been contacted by several Starfield fans either at the event or who helped put it on, suggested this “probably isn’t a Cyberpunk 2.0-scale update,” referencing the major additions that helped improved CD Projekt’s RPG.

Word that Bethesda is working on more content for Starfield is unsurprising — indeed, Bethesda boss Todd Howard said back in August that the company had “free updates and features the players have been asking for, as well as a new DLC story” in the works.

“I can’t go into all the details just yet, but I will say part of the team has been focused on space gameplay to make the travels there more rewarding,” Howard noted. “We’re also adding some new game systems, and a few other smaller delights. There’s also some really interesting stuff coming down the pipe from our verified creators. There’s some fun stuff.”

This tease followed a long period of radio silence on Starfield’s future, and the discovery of datamined references to a still-unannounced “Cruise Mode” that suggested players would finally be able to actually travel in your spaceship from one planet to another. Firm details from Bethesda itself remain thin on the ground, however, with the game’s second anniversary in September passing with just a simple social media post and the vague tease of something named “Terran Armada.”

Bethesda’s vagueness around future plans for Starfield has long been a point of discussion among fans, with a sense that the company has pulled back on its previous ambitions for the game following its mixed response and amid a clamoring for the company’s two bigger franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.

In August it was reported that Bethesda had delayed Starfield’s second expansion due to “weak sales” of its first, Shattered Space, which launched in September 2024 to a ‘Mostly Negative’ Steam user rating. Todd Howard had previously talked of Starfield expansions releasing annually. Another reported reason for the delay was Bethesda’s plans to launch Starfield on PlayStation 5, with both the second expansion and the game’s multiplatform rollout potentially happening simultaneously. Here’s hoping 2026 provides a clearer sense of the game’s future.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Doomed Xbox blockbuster Perfect Dark had “entire chapters” of performance capture work in the can before its shock cancelation this summer, according to Joanna Dark actress Alix Wilton Regan.

In an interview with TheGamer, the voice behind Dragon Age’s Inquisitor and Cyberpunk 2077’s Alt Cunningham says she recorded scenes for The Initiative’s Perfect Dark reboot over the course of several years, beginning in 2023. “Lots” was done in 2024, with work continuing in early 2025.

“To my knowledge, we were pretty far along, I’d done entire chapters of this universe,” Regan said, adding that she was shocked to learn that Microsoft was pulling the plug, with The Initiative itself also set to be closed down as part of a wave of funding cuts and layoffs.

“I was as shocked, surprised, and devastated as everyone else was when the funding was pulled, and the studio was closed,” Wilton-Regan continued, saying she learned the studio’s fate at the same time as it was announced publicly. “I did not see it coming. I was absolutely blindsided when the project was defunded,” she added. “It was devastating. So many people lost their jobs. An entire workforce was disbanded.”

A further blow would come as last-ditch talks to salvage the project also fell through — a process Wilton-Regan admits she had insider knowledge of. Interestingly, the actress mentioned that Perfect Dark may have changed in scope had it been saved, with a “slimmed-down” version ultimately seeing the light of day instead.

“I couldn’t say too much about it because I knew The Initiative was in talks to keep Perfect Dark up and running in some shape or form,” Wilton-Regan revealed. “Possibly a slimmed-down version, possibly something slightly different. But certainly, everyone was working really hard behind the scenes to bring Perfect Dark back. And then one day, I heard from the creative director that the deal hadn’t gone through, and that really everything had fallen apart, and production was fully stopping.”

A report from Bloomberg, which IGN corroborated from its own sources, previously revealed that there had been a plan to keep Perfect Dark alive via the team working on the project at Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics, which had been serving as a co-developer. Leadership from both Crystal and The Initiative reportedly spent two months looking for a new publisher and funding source.

While multiple parties expressed interest, the most likely candidate turned out to be Take-Two Interactive. However, the two groups couldn’t come to an agreement, at least in part due to disagreements over long-term ownership of the property. As a result, the deal fell through, resulting in layoffs at Crystal Dynamics as all hope of the project being reinstated vanished.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Perfect Dark studio head Darrell Gallagher and director Brian Horton had now been hired by 2K to start a brand new outfit. No details have yet emerged as to what the new studio will work on, or if any other former Perfect Dark employees joined them.

As for Wilton-Regan, while she may have lost the Joanna Dark gig, this month’s big Tomb Raider reveal at The Game Awards revealed that the actress was now the official new video game Lara Croft. She’ll star in next year’s reimagining of the original Lara Croft adventure, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, as well as all-new blockbuster Tomb Raider: Catalyst, due in 2027.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Deadly Delivery Codes can be used for weapons and revises, which are essential for helping you survive against strange entities. You’ll have a certain amount of time to explore each floor, and decide whether you want to go deeper into the facilities. The better weapons you have and more healing items you can pack, the better your chances are of making it out alive.

If you do, you’ll be able to find better loot and food to increase your cargo value and fulfil orders in this post-apocalpytic world. Use cash bonuses to spend at the vending machine, to unlock gear that will help you stay hidden, gain time, or quickly teleport back to the elevator.

Working Deadly Delivery Codes (December 2025)

Use these currently active codes:

• HAPPYXMAS – Free Candy Canes x30 and Gingerbread Man x1
• DD3000 – Free Coins x2000
• DD6000 – Free Box 1, Revive Syringe x1, Bandage x1 and Flashlight x1
• DD10000 – Free Baseball Bat x1, Hourglass x1 and Bloxy Cola x1
• DD13000 – Free Hourglass x1 and Teleporter x1
• deadlydelivery2000 – Free Revive Syringes x2
• deadlydelivery1000 – Free Coins x2000
• DEADLYDELIVERY – Free Baseball Bat x1, Revive Syringe x1 and Z-Ray Gun x1

Expired Deadly Delivery Codes (December 2025)

These codes for Deadly Delivery have now expired and can no longer be used:

• DDDC10K
• FORESTUPDATE
• DDDC5K
• DDGOGOGO

How to Use Deadly Delivery Codes

Ready to redeem the codes above? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Load up Deadly Delivery on Roblox
2. Click on the cog icon at the top of the screen to open the Settings Menu
3. Copy the code from this article and paste it in to the “code…” bar
4. Press “Redeem”

Why Isn’t My Code for Deadly Delivery Working?

When a code doesn’t work for Deadly Delivery, it’s usually because of two reasons:

• The code for Deadly Delivery has expired
• There’s a spelling mistake or an additional space in the code

Codes for Roblox experiences are typically case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you’ve got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they’re working. Just double-check that you haven’t copied over an extra space!

How to Get More Codes for Deadly Delivery

We regularly check and test new codes for popular Roblox experiences, so the best way to get more codes for Deadly Delivery is to visit this article. But if you want to search for codes yourself, the best place to go is the Deadly Delivery Discord.

When Is the Next Update or Event in Deadly Delivery?

Deadly Delivery is currently celebrating its Christmas Event that began on December 12, and will run until January 13, 2026. This update has brought with it a special Christmas-themed floor, entities, loots, and even a limited-time mutation. You’ll also be able to login each day for new Christmas rewards. Throughout this time, a new Tickets update will take place on December 19, introducing a new special subfloor, skins, class, and more. You can then expect another new level on December 26,

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Anime Final Quest Codes will help you collect stacks of cash and reroll your Weapons and Gear, so you can work your way through dungeons taking on waves of Goblins and Orcs, using moves that are exclusive to your class.

Use Spins to change your class from King Ripper with twin daggers to rarer options like Hawk Eye, which uses a sharp blade and ground slam to crush enemies, or maybe you’ll be lucky and get the Mythic King of Curses. Alternatively, you can unlock gear with spins such as the Blood Hammer, Time Stop, or Coyote Pistol.

Working Anime Final Quest Codes (December 2025)

Use these currently active codes:

• SHADOW – (Active from Friday December 19, when Update 1 releases)
• BOSS – (Active from Friday December 19, when Update 1 releases)
• UPDATE1 – (Active from Friday December 19, when Update 1 releases)
• THXFOR1MVISIT – Free Gear Lucky Spins x3, Normal Spins x5, Rune x4 and Cash x15000
• RELEASE2 – Free Gear Lucky Spins x5 and Weapon Luck Spins x5
• AFQPEAK – Free Lucky Weapons Spins x3, Rune x1, and Cash x2500
• AGRIS – Free Gear Spins x3 and Rune x1
• RELEASE – Free Normal Spins x5 and Cash x2500

Expired Anime Final Quest Codes (December 2025)

There are currently no expired codes. Once this changes, we’ll update this article. Be quick using the ones above, so you don’t miss out!

How to Use Anime Final Quest Codes

Ready to redeem the codes above? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Be sure to join the Anime Final Quest Roblox community so you can use codes
2. Load up Anime Final Quest on Roblox
3. Click the blue icon on the right showing a ticket. It says “codes”
4. Copy the code from this article and paste it into the “Enter code here…” bar
5. Click “Confirm”

Why Isn’t My Code for Anime Final Quest Working?

When a code doesn’t work for Anime Final Quest, it’s usually because of two reasons:

• The code for Anime Final Quest has expired
• There’s a spelling mistake or an additional space in the code

Codes for Roblox experiences are typically case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you’ve got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they’re working. Just double-check that you haven’t copied over an extra space!

How to Get More Codes for Anime Final Quest

We regularly check and test new codes for popular Roblox experiences, so the best way to get more codes for Anime Final Quest is to visit this article. But if you want to search for codes yourself, the best place to go is the Anime Final Quest Discord.

When Is the Next Update or Event in Anime Final Quest?

Anime Final Quest is currently in Beta release, so updates are frequently taking place during its development. Its first big update will drop on Friday, December 19. You can expect to see Cid Shadow as a brand new weapon, a Final Boss map, featuring a final boss from Solo Leveling, and a full body armor cosmetic.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Looking for some cheeky Magic: The Gathering deals for last-minute Christmas gifts? You’re in luck. I’ve got you covered with a cheap preorder on the upcoming Universes Beyond: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box, alongside more Booster Box and Commander Deck deals picked up by our deals team. How about 33% off the Apple iPad Air (Wi-Fi) rocking an M3 chip? Yes please. We’ve even tracked down a great deal on an Nvidia RTX 5070 12GB GPU for under $490, right in the middle of a DRAM shortage (you’re welcome).

TL;DR: Deals for Today

You’re going to need a proper gaming monitor to make the most of that much horsepower, so why not save 48% on a 49-inch Samsung Odyssey G9 ultrawide? Or go portable instead with an RTX 5070 Ti-powered Acer Predator Helios Neo for under $1,500. The choice is yours. Let’s get into it.

MTG Deals

Edge of Eternities only released in August, but it’s already available in a great bundle deal that’s ready-made for multiplayer Commander nights. The same goes for the Lorwyn Eclipsed Commander Deck Bundle. One of the standout deals right now is the Commander Masters Play Booster Box, which is currently over $100 cheaper than market value. That said, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Play Booster Box is also under market value on Amazon at $159.99, making it a solid pickup for fans of Universes Beyond.

Apple iPad Air (M3) Wi-Fi

MSI SHADOW GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 PCI Express 5.0 Graphics Card 3X OC

LEGO Ideas Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

49″ Samsung Odyssey G9 (G91SD) Gaming Monitor

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16″ OLED Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Laptop

Sony WH-1000XM5 + Free WF-C700N Earbuds

iBuypower Element SE AMD Ryzen 7 8700F RTX 5060 Ti Gaming PC (32GB/1TB)

Baseus Blade 20,000mAh 100W Slim Power Bank

Metal Gear Solid Deta: Collectors Edition (PS5)

8Bitdo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller

Samsung P9 256GB MicroSD Express Card

eBay “Holiday Rush” Sale

The best Black Friday deal on Sony’s newest flagship wireless noise cancelling headphones has returned. eBay (via either Buydig or Electronic Express) is offering a brand new pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones for just $358.20 after you apply off coupon code “HOLIDAYRUSH“. That’s a 20% discount off the $450 list price. eBay estimates free delivery before Christmas. Both retailers are authorized Sony resellers, so you get the full manufacturer’s warranty.

Meta Quest 3 / 3S Deals

Deals aside, should you get a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S? Here’s a specifications comparison table so you can make up your own mind:

Amazon Buy 1 Get 1 50% off Book Sale

So the quarter-bound The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion Tolkien Illustrated Editions are must-buys in this sale for me, and they are 44% and 46% off, respectively, before the buy one, get one deal comes into play. So that’s a total of $191.29 down from $243.63. Bear in mind, at MSRP, both of these books come to $445. That’s an insane deal on its own. Other highlights for me are The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia and A Game of Thrones hardback box set.

Sonos Refurb Sale

When it comes to big-brand gear, I’d always go for a solid refurbished or open-box deal over brand-new products. If it’s a brand or retailer worth its salt, these products are pretty much new anyway but can’t be sold as such, as they’re a customer return or something similar.

With Sonos refurbs, you’re getting the same one-year warranty you would with a brand-new alternative, plus they get delivered as new with all the leads and gubbins you’d usually get. It’s literally a no-brainer when you’re getting over 55% off a Sonos Arc soundbar, for example.

Pokémon TCG Single Card Price Crash

Pokémon TCG stock levels are getting better and better across the board, which means there’s more chance of buying off store shelves and a much bigger chance of scalpers losing out. It’s a win-win, especially for Pokémon card collectors, as single cards are finding a new floor when it comes to market values.

It’s the best time this year to snap up some of those grails you’ve been eyeing up, so I’ve found the top 5 chase cards in every Pokémon TCG expansion and base set from the previous Scarlet and Violet era, as well as Mega Evolution, the current era of Pokémon cards. There’s some serious bargains to be had here, and I reckon we’ll see prices tick back up when Ascended Heroes launches early next year, so don’t wait around.

Best Pokémon TCG Sealed Deals

The best deal here for me is the Mega Charizard X ex Ultra Premium Collection that’s currently at market value on Amazon and close to MSRP.

• 4 x Phantasmal Flames
• 4 x Mega Evolution
• 4 x Destined Rivals
• 4 x Journey Together
• 2 x Surging Sparks

The main pull of this UPC is the Mega Charizard X ex Mega Attack Rare and Oricorio ex SIR promo cards, which, frankly, are the best couple of promo cards we’ve had in a big box collection for a while. It also contains Mega Charizard X-themed card sleeves, deck box, damage counter dice, playmat, and a metal coin.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A and More Deals

Need to get Pokémon Legends: Z-A sorted for Christmas? Here’s the cheapest way: the Nintendo Switch 1 version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A for $44.99 on Woot, then upgrade it to the Switch 2 version for $9.99 via the Amazon digital code service. You’re saving $15 compared to buying the usual Switch 2 copy of Legends: Z-A.

Woot also has more discounts on top Pokémon Switch games, such as Legends: Arceus alongside Scarlet and Violet. It’s a great time to build up your library if you’ve got a few Pokémon-sized gaps on your shelf.

Pokémon Squishmallow Deals

Nothing beats cuddling a Squishmallow, and I’ll admit that to anyone. Well, getting a $69.99 massive 20-inch Sprigatito Squishmallow for $37.99 definitely beats that feeling, but there’s some great deals on the best Pokémon plushies right now (in my opinion, which is correct).

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of “Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior”. Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Riot Games is reportedly working on a total makeover of League of Legends, according to Bloomberg.

The upcoming overhaul is allegedly called “League Next” and will be an update to the existing League of Legends rather than a standalone game, though it sounds like it’s effectively a remake. Bloomberg suggests that the update will fully revamp the game’s visual aesthetic including hcaracters, UI, and arenas. There will also be adjustments behind the scenes to help make future updates smoother. It is unclear at this time if the changes will impact game mechanics.

The report suggests that League Next is planned for release in 2027, and will be the biggest update to League of Legends in the game’s nearly two-decade-long history.

Bloomberg also claims that Riot has announced an internal reorganization, but did not provide any further details on how this will impact the studio at this time.

League of Legends was first released in 2009, and in a rare feat for a game that old has remained wildly popular ever since. It’s a multiplayer online battle arena, a MOBA, originally inspired by Warcraft 3 custom map Defense of the Ancients, and played a massive role in pioneering and popularizing the MOBA genre. It has gone on to inspire a number of spin-offs, including digital card game Legends of Runeterra, a mobile version of the game called Wild Rift, and a popular TV series: Arcane.

Bloomberg reports that League of Legends still has over 100 million players each month. The game also continues to be one of the world’s biggest esports, with the finals of its World Championship hosted in 2025 in China reaching 6.7 million viewers virtually.

League of Legends has remained so big for so long that we actually re-reviewed it years after our initial 2009 launch review…in 2014. At the time, we said it was “an amazing and intense MOBA with great depth, tons of character, and a huge community.”

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Rabbids: Takeover Codes will help you whether you’re playing as the supportive Chef, or in the attacking Pirate or Ninja roll. When you redeem codes for Rabbids: Takeover, you’ll be able to use them in the shop to purchase items including weapon packs, stickers, and cosmetic items. So if you ever wanted to slap a Rabbid or use Hot Sauce to take them down while dressed as Edward Kenway, this is your opportunity.

Working Rabbids: Takeover Codes (December 2025)

Use these currently active codes:

• TIXINVASION – Free Tickets x350

Expired Rabbids: Takeover Codes (December 2025)

There are currently no expired codes for Rabbids: Takeover, so use the above one before its too late.

How to Use Rabbids: Takeover Codes

Ready to redeem the codes above? Here’s what you need to do:

1. Load up Rabbids: Takeover on Roblox
2. Select the character you want to play as
3. Wait until the round is over and intermission has begun
4. Click on the green shopping cart icon at the bottom of the screen
5. Copy the code from this article and paste it into the “Enter code here…” bar
6. Click “Redeem”

Why Isn’t My Code for Rabbids: Takeover Working?

When a code doesn’t work for Rabbids: Takeover, it’s usually because of two reasons:

• The code for Rabbids: Takeover has expired
• There’s a spelling mistake or an additional space in the code

Codes for Roblox experiences are typically case-sensitive, so the best way to ensure you’ve got a working code is to directly copy it from this article. We check all codes before we upload them, so you can guarantee they’re working. Just double-check that you haven’t copied over an extra space!

How to Get More Codes for Rabbids Takeover

We regularly check and test new codes for popular Roblox experiences, so the best way to get more codes for Rabbids Takeover is to visit this article. But if you want to search for codes yourself, you can visit the Rabbits Takeover community on Roblox.

When Is the Next Update or Event in Rabbids Takeover?

Rabbids Takeover was last updated on December 18, 2025. There are no new updates or events currently announced, but if that changes, we’ll update this article. Addiitonal collaborations beteween Ubisoft and Roblox have been teased, however, with Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell announced as future collaborations to look out for.

Lauren Harper is an Associate Guides Editor. She loves a variety of games but is especially fond of puzzles, horrors, and point-and-click adventures.

Naughty Dog is allegedly requiring most of its developers working on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet to work a minimum of eight extra hours per week, in an effort to meet a deadline for an internal demo that will be reviewed by Sony.

This is according to a Bloomberg report, which claims that beginning in late October, Intergalatic developers have been required to work at least eight hours a week, though not more than 60 hours total per week, and to log their time in an internal spreadsheet.

Those developers have also been asked to work from the office five days per week, where previously the requirement had only been three days per week, with up to two days work-from-home. This has caused some to have to scramble to find childcare and pet care arrangements that were previously not needed.

The mandatory overtime is in service of finishing an internal demo in time for a review by Sony, after said demo missed multiple deadlines. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet does not currently have a public release date or window set, but Bloomberg’s report suggests internally it is targeting mid-2027.

The report concludes that the mandated overtime ended this week, and Naughty Dog will return to just three days a week mandated in-office ithrough the end of January, with a more detailed schedule to come.

Naughty Dog has been notorious for crunch over the years on series such as Uncharted and The Last of Us, with the studio even openly hiring for individuals who would be willing to crunch. In 2021, studio co-presidents Evan Wells and Neil Druckmann addressed the issue in an interview with Game Informer, saying that while they wanted to prevent burnout, they didn’t want to impose a one-size-fits-all restriction on employee passion and creativity. That same year, the studio hired a number of producers specifically tasked with alleviating workload. However, many of those producers have reportedly since left the company, and some employees have apparently already worked long hours to finish Intergalactic’s first trailer, which debuted at The Game Awards last year.

Druckmann has referred to Intergalactic as the most “ambitious” “expansive” and “expensive” game Naughty Dog has ever made. “What can I say and not say? I can tell you we’re in the thick of it. We’re making it, we’re playing it. We’re firing on all cylinders.”

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Following multiple days of criticism from fans and fellow game developers over the studio’s use of generative AI, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity maker Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has announced an AMA (Ask Me Anything, typically on Reddit) in the new year, inviting people to ask members of different Larian departments “any questions you have about Divinity and our dev process directly.”

In a post to Twitter/X, Vincke said that since the announcement of the studio’s next game, Divinity, at The Game Awards last week, “a lot has become lost in translation.” He continued, saying that “Larian’s DNA is agency” and said it would be irresponsible of the studio not to “evaluate new technologies,” presumably referring to the generative AI discussion that started the controversy. But he also appeared to backpedal somewhat on the idea, adding that “our processes are always evolving, and where they are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes.”

Vincke’s full statement is below:

It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, our next RPG, and a lot has become lost in translation.

Larian’s DNA is agency. Everything we work towards is to the benefit of our teams, games, and players. A better work day, and a better game. Our successes come from empowering people to work in their own way and bring the best out of their skill & craft, so that we can make the best RPGs we can possibly make.

In that context, it would be irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies. However, our processes are always evolving, and where they are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes.

To give you more insight, we’ll do an AMA featuring our different departments after the holiday break, in which you’ll get the opportunity to ask us any questions you have about Divinity and our dev process directly.

We’ll announce the date in the new year. In the meantime, I wish you all happy holidays!

Vincke’s statement comes in response to criticism of his own remarks in interviews following the announcement of a new Divinity last week. In a Bloomberg interview, Vincke admitted that Larian has been pushing generative AI internally, even though it hasn’t led to gains in efficiency or speed. Some examples given included using the technology for brainstorming, PowerPoint presentations, pitching concept art, and writing placeholder text.

In response, a number of players across various social platforms, as well as game developers and even former Larian employees criticized the studio, arguing that the listed uses for generative AI at Larian either seemed like things that didn’t benefit from generative AI at all (such as placeholder text), or alternatively were key parts of the artistic process and would suffer from not having humans at the helm throughout (concept art).

Vincke then responded with multiple statements, one given to us, and another posted on Twitter/X, where he claimed that critics were misunderstanding what Larian was doing and that “We are neither releasing a game with any AI components, nor are we looking at trimming down teams to replace them with AI.”

We also had our own interview with Vincke about Divinity, which you can read in full here.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.