apology Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Party Animals’ $75,000 AI video contest is a slap in the face to its creative team, and I’m not surprised it’s getting blasted on Steam

Recreate Games announced an AI video contest called the 'Golden Paw Awards' for players to create short films using generative AI tools, which has led to significant backlash from the community. The contest offers a cash prize of ,000 but has faced criticism for its reliance on AI-generated content, resulting in over 800 unfavorable reviews and a 'Mostly Negative' classification for recent reviews of Party Animals. In response to the negative feedback, Recreate Games issued an apology and proposed three options: canceling the contest, changing it to a non-AI competition, or keeping both AI and non-AI categories. The studio emphasized that they view AI as a tool for creative expression, but this explanation has not alleviated community disappointment.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

‘We want to start today by apologising’: Phasmophobia is fixing issues with its Player Character update after a slew of complaints

Phasmophobia's recent update, the Player Character Update, has caused significant dissatisfaction among players, leading developers to issue a public apology for not meeting expectations. Players reported issues like misaligned character animations and awkward leg movements, with some experiencing motion sickness due to stuttering when using video cameras. The update aimed to refresh the game before a collaboration with Alan Wake, but many players preferred the original characters. Developers recognized the need to rebuild trust with the community and promised to improve transparency regarding future updates as they work towards the game's 1.0 release. Although the latest patch fixed some issues, players remain wary due to a history of inadequate updates followed by quick fixes.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Indie dev apologizes for rough game launch, commits to turning it around: ‘The critique is fair … we got work to do’

Industria 2, a narrative first-person shooter developed by Bleakmill, was released in 2024 and is set in a dystopian parallel dimension after the original game. The game has received only 48% positive ratings, prompting the developer to apologize and acknowledge the need for improvements. Bleakmill has implemented two patches to address critical issues and plans further updates. Many players view the game as having potential despite its rocky launch, and support from other developers suggests a possibility for recovery.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and “take more risks”

Jack Buser, Global Director for Games at Google Cloud, believes AI will transform game development by accelerating production timelines and allowing developers to take creative risks. The integration of AI has increased, with industry leaders like Bethesda's Todd Howard interested in using it for data tasks, while former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra criticized Pearl Abyss for using AI in asset creation. Buser argues that AI tools can reduce repetitive tasks, enabling more innovation and creativity, potentially leading to more frequent game releases. He anticipates that public perception of AI will improve as players experience faster game production. However, there are concerns about the potential loss of artistry in game creation due to the focus on efficiency.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Square Enix forces anonymous FF14 harasser to pay compensation after court order

Square Enix is pursuing legal action against an individual who harassed its developers on private social media accounts. The company successfully deanonymized the player, who shared offensive content on a video-sharing site. A recent court ruling granted Square Enix access to the individual's identity, leading to the removal of the offending videos, an official apology, and undisclosed compensation to the company. Square Enix emphasized its commitment to a safe working environment and stated it will take strict measures against harassment, including legal action. This case sets a precedent for online trolling, highlighting potential consequences for abusive behavior towards game developers.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

In defense of placeholder assets: why generative AI accidentally appears in so many games

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has acknowledged the use of generative AI in its development, while Pearl Abyss apologized for unintentionally including AI-generated assets in Crimson Desert. Other games like The Alters and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have faced similar issues with AI elements. Developers are increasingly cautious about AI integration, with some, like Arc Raiders, moving away from AI-generated voice actors. When AI-generated art appears, developers often claim these were placeholders, which raises concerns about their inclusion in final products. Josh Sawyer highlighted the importance of distinguishing between temporary and final assets in his project Pentiment. The creative process relies on human vision and artistry, which generative AI cannot replicate. Additionally, the environmental impact of AI technology is a concern due to the energy demands of data centers. Developers' claims of unintended AI assets raise questions about transparency, contrasting with Owlcat's open acknowledgment. Players react negatively to AI-generated artwork, leading to swift apologies from developers, highlighting the tension between AI use and artistic integrity.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Tekken 8 devs promise better after latest patch, but fans are in full doom mode

Players of Tekken 8 are expressing dissatisfaction with the game's recent developments, particularly regarding the Season 3 balance patch. Reactions on the game's subreddit indicate widespread discontent, with players feeling that Bandai Namco has not adequately addressed existing issues. Recent Steam reviews show only 24% positivity, leading to a "Mostly Negative" rating and an overall "Mixed" rating. Bandai Namco has issued an apology, acknowledging that the battle experience has not met player expectations and promising to create a balanced experience centered around the Heat system. An emergency patch is planned to address critical bugs, but significant balance adjustments are not expected until mid-April or late spring. The developers' approach to rolling out fixes sequentially has led to a lack of confidence among players, and the mention of balancing around the controversial Heat system may be seen as tone-deaf.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Pearl Abyss addresses Crimson Desert’s Intel issues, but is it enough to save it?

Crimson Desert has launched and received mixed reviews, facing criticism for its use of AI art and control issues. A significant problem is the lack of support for Intel Arc GPUs at launch, which may deter potential players. Despite these challenges, it is currently the top-selling game on Steam, with 192,351 active players and a peak of 248,530 concurrent users. Pearl Abyss is working on compatibility and optimization for Intel Arc systems and has acknowledged the issue without a direct apology. The absence of Intel Arc support prevents the game from running on these systems, which affects budget-conscious gamers and those using laptops with integrated Arc GPUs. The company is also addressing boss balance and plans to remove the unintended AI usage in the game.

Winsage

March 22, 2026

Trust But Verify ⭐️

Pavan Davuluri has been appointed as the new leader of Windows development at Microsoft. The company has committed to enhancing the quality of Windows through 2026. Davuluri's recent blog post, primarily directed at Windows Insider Program participants, lacks an apology for past customer grievances and does not address several critical issues, including forced telemetry, bundled software, chaotic updates, forced Microsoft account sign-ins, and the mandatory use of Microsoft Edge. While he mentions plans to improve Windows Update and acknowledges the need for better reliability and transparency in the Windows Insider Program, many concerns remain unaddressed. The introduction of Copilot and its integration into Windows will continue, but users have expressed frustration over its implementation. Davuluri's approach to improving performance through the WinUI3 framework is met with skepticism.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

The creators of Postal just announced a new FPS where you play as a victim of the Postal Dude’s original killing spree, which is certainly an angle

Running With Scissors announced a first-person shooter titled Flesh & Wire, where players will take on the role of Angel, a young woman seeking vengeance against the Postal Dude from the original Postal series. The game is set in the Arizona desert and involves confronting military forces and traumatic memories. The narrative explores the consequences of the original game's storyline, particularly in relation to mass violence in America. There are concerns about the developer's ability to handle sensitive material due to their past issues, including a chaotic announcement last December that led to a game cancellation within 48 hours after fan backlash. Flesh & Wire is scheduled for release next year.