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You're "dead wrong" if you think AI can make a good game, says ex Gears of War director, but he's still bopping to Soviet post-punk Britney
AppWizard
December 31, 2025

You’re “dead wrong” if you think AI can make a good game, says ex Gears of War director, but he’s still bopping to Soviet post-punk Britney

Larian Studios confirmed its use of AI to "explore references," while Expedition 33's Sandfall faces allegations regarding its AI applications. Black Ops 7 was criticized for using generative AI art assets, and Arc Raiders utilized AI to generate additional voice lines. Adrian Chmielarz, founder of The Astronauts, expressed skepticism about AI's ability to create compelling games, stating that quality games cannot be made solely through AI. He acknowledged the impressive capabilities of AI but emphasized the need for human creativity in game development. Chmielarz mentioned Revolution Software's use of AI to upscale imagery for Broken Sword, which he considers a fair application of the technology. He maintains a strict policy against AI-generated content in his projects, emphasizing the importance of human connection in gaming. Chmielarz noted that AI might be more accepted as a tool rather than a creative force and speculated that the gaming landscape will shift dramatically by 2026 with major titles on the horizon.
"Triple-A is in crisis" and games "don't have staying power because they're bad," says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

“Triple-A is in crisis” and games “don’t have staying power because they’re bad,” says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator

Adrian Chmielarz, founder of Astronauts and People Can Fly, discusses the current state of the gaming industry, noting that 2025 is expected to be significant as indie and double-A games gain prominence. This year's Game of the Year nominations highlighted a balance between indie titles and high-budget games, with Metacritic's top-rated games including Hades 2, Expedition 33, and Blue Prince. Chmielarz emphasizes the rise of double-A games, attributing it to changes in the industry that allow developers to bypass traditional publishers due to platforms like Steam. He points out challenges for new releases in maintaining visibility, citing Theorycraft Games’ Supervive as an example of a quality game that struggled to stand out. Chmielarz also notes a lack of immersive single-player shooters in the market and criticizes the focus on gunplay over atmosphere in many indie games. He expresses enthusiasm for Witchfire's dark fantasy aesthetic and its emphasis on fun gameplay.
Gabe Newell wanted this cult-classic FPS to be one of the first games to launch on Steam, but its creator said "ehhh" nah
AppWizard
December 27, 2025

Gabe Newell wanted this cult-classic FPS to be one of the first games to launch on Steam, but its creator said “ehhh” nah

Steam was launched in 2003 as a platform for updates to Valve's games and became a full-fledged storefront in 2005. Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, reached out to Adrian Chmielarz in the early days to feature the game Painkiller on Steam, but Chmielarz was hesitant as they did not hold the rights to the game. Painkiller's Black Edition was eventually released on Steam in 2007. The emergence of digital storefronts like Steam has transformed game development, allowing smaller developers greater access to audiences without the need for traditional publishers. Steam has revolutionized video game distribution, despite challenges like game discoverability, and has become essential to the PC gaming ecosystem.
Steam will always dominate over the Epic Games Store because people don't want to "cheat on [their] home library with some other shop," says Witchfire lead
AppWizard
December 20, 2025

Steam will always dominate over the Epic Games Store because people don’t want to “cheat on [their] home library with some other shop,” says Witchfire lead

Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of The Astronauts, discussed the dominance of Steam over the Epic Games Store (EGS) in a recent interview. He noted that while his game Witchfire benefited from being a timed exclusive on EGS, he criticized EGS for lacking community engagement features like written reviews and forums, which are essential for fostering emotional connections with users. Chmielarz argued that EGS is primarily a transactional platform, limiting its appeal compared to Steam, which offers a more engaging shopping experience. He emphasized that community features significantly influence a platform's success in the gaming industry.
Painkiller's creator "disagreed with every single thing" the reboot does, says it "wasted" the IP
AppWizard
December 17, 2025

Painkiller’s creator “disagreed with every single thing” the reboot does, says it “wasted” the IP

Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of The Astronauts, has contributed to the development of notable video games, including the Gears of War series, Bulletstorm, and Painkiller. He expressed concerns about the upcoming 2025 reboot of Painkiller by Anshar Studio, stating it lacks the essence of the original game. Chmielarz criticized the design choices of the reboot, noting that it feels disconnected from the foundational elements of Painkiller. He emphasized the importance of atmosphere in gaming, arguing that previous iterations had failed to capture the original's spirit by focusing too much on mechanics rather than immersion. He believes that rebranding the game could have resulted in a more positive reception, as many fans are disappointed with the current direction. The 2025 version has received a 'Mixed' rating of 55% on Steam, with negative reviews highlighting its disconnect from the original. Chmielarz is currently working on Witchfire, an early-access first-person RPG.
Forget Starfield and Star Citizen, this super-realistic space sim will put your flight skills to the ultimate test
AppWizard
November 9, 2025

Forget Starfield and Star Citizen, this super-realistic space sim will put your flight skills to the ultimate test

Reentry, a NASA-inspired space game developed by Lyra Creative, has reached its 1.0 milestone after seven years of development. The game balances simulation and gameplay, allowing players to command nearly every system of a spacecraft, reflecting the responsibilities of an astronaut. It includes a Space Flight Academy to help newcomers learn the necessary skills, and each spacecraft comes with a detailed flight manual and checklist. Reentry allows players to experience missions such as reaching orbit in Project Mercury, docking in Project Gemini, and landing on the Moon in Project Apollo. The game is now available on Steam with a 20% discount until November 14, priced at .99 / £23.60, and has received an 'overwhelmingly positive' rating from 97% of user reviews.
No Man's Sky drops to its lowest price, but the deal is blasting off very soon
AppWizard
October 8, 2025

No Man’s Sky drops to its lowest price, but the deal is blasting off very soon

No Man's Sky has evolved from a rocky launch to become one of the finest space games, now offering extensive updates and content nearly a decade after its release. The game allows players to explore a vast universe, survive on various planets, and construct bases and starships. It features a simple premise of repairing a spaceship to explore the cosmos, with gameplay that can be tailored to individual preferences. Currently, No Man's Sky is available for .99 / £19.99 at Fanatical, with this offer ending on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Starfield's latest discount is out of this world, so grab it while you can
AppWizard
September 23, 2025

Starfield’s latest discount is out of this world, so grab it while you can

Bethesda's Starfield is a new science fiction RPG that allows players to embark on an interstellar journey with human and alien adversaries. Players start as a miner and join the Constellation crew, engaging in various side missions and character-driven narratives. The game is designed for extensive play, with the main storyline taking 15-20 hours to complete, but offering much more through side quests. Starfield has a vibrant modding community that enhances the experience, and it is currently available at a discounted price of .19/£31.19, reflecting a 48% reduction. The Premium Edition, including the Shattered Space expansion and additional perks, is priced at .99/£49.01.
Witchfire's massive next update is inspired by games like Syndicate and Bloodborne, and it's the biggest one yet: 'We really mean it'
AppWizard
July 12, 2025

Witchfire’s massive next update is inspired by games like Syndicate and Bloodborne, and it’s the biggest one yet: ‘We really mean it’

Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts, is a first-person shooter that has been in development for nearly a decade. It debuted in early access on Steam after an initial release on the Epic Store in 2023. The game has received two significant content patches in the past seven months. The upcoming update, named Webgrave, will introduce a new region called the blighted town, new weapons including the oracle sniper rifle and the lever-action rifle named nemesis, and a revamped stats system with six core attributes: flesh, blood, mind, witchery, arsenal, and faith. Additionally, a secondary stat system called the Rosary will allow players to equip magical beads for bonuses. The Webgrave update is scheduled for release on July 28.
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