career

AppWizard
June 11, 2025
Kojima Productions announced that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will be released on PlayStation 5 on June 26, with a PC version in development but without a confirmed launch date. Hideo Kojima has shared insights about his creative process, including storing game ideas on a USB stick as a legacy for his team. At 61, he expressed a desire for more time to refine his projects, indicating a struggle with perfectionism. He noted the evolving nature of game development, highlighting the flexibility to make updates post-release. Kojima humorously stated he will not pass the baton to anyone, emphasizing the importance of individual creativity and the personal nature of the creative journey. His influence on the gaming industry is recognized by many creators who cite his work as inspiration.
AppWizard
June 3, 2025
Jonathan Joss, a 59-year-old actor known for his roles in video games and as John Redcorn in King of the Hill, was shot multiple times during a confrontation with a neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, near his former residence, which had burned down earlier this year. Emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the scene. Joss's husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, reported that they had faced over two years of harassment from local residents, including violent homophobic slurs, leading up to the incident. De Gonzales stated that Joss pushed him out of the way during the shooting, saving his life. Joss had previously indicated that the fire that destroyed their home was an accident caused by a barbecue grill, while de Gonzales claimed it was part of ongoing harassment. Joss's career included voice work in various television shows and video games, with notable roles in Red Dead Redemption, Days Gone, Wasteland 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. He was set to reprise his role in a revival of King of the Hill scheduled to premiere on Hulu in August.
AppWizard
June 2, 2025
Tim LeTourneau, a significant figure in the creation of The Sims, passed away, as announced by his wife, Donna. He began his career in the gaming industry in 1998 at Maxis, where he served as a senior producer for eight years and contributed to the success of The Sims franchise. In 2006, he moved to Electronic Arts, becoming an executive producer and later Vice President and General Manager of The Sims Studio in 2008. In March 2011, he joined Zynga as Vice President of studios and was promoted to Chief Creative Officer within two years. After a brief stint at Storm8 as Chief Creative Officer, he returned to Zynga as Senior Vice President of games. In March 2017, he became Director of Product Design at Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment until his departure in 2021. He then served as Senior Advisor at Fortis Games. Following his passing, a former Maxis team member shared a tribute on Reddit, highlighting the familial atmosphere LeTourneau created at the studio.
AppWizard
May 27, 2025
Sebastian Vettel's reminder about cherishing current moments resonates within the context of the F1 gaming franchise, particularly with the release of F1 25 on May 30, 2025, developed by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts. The game is priced at £50 and is the 17th annual edition of the official F1 game. F1 25 features a nine-hour story in Braking Point 3, concluding the saga with character development for Aiden Jackson and introducing California Mayer as a rival. The game includes an email system for team management, allowing players to connect with staff achievements. However, it has faced criticism for its handling model, particularly for pad control, and contains bugs like incorrect radio messages. The game showcases modern advancements such as path-traced lighting but may struggle with performance on lower-end graphics cards. Overall, while F1 25 offers a high-quality racing experience, it lacks significant innovation compared to its predecessors.
AppWizard
May 23, 2025
Patrick O’Luanaigh will transition from CEO to Chairman of NDreams effective June 1st, with Tom Gillo, the current Chief Development Officer, becoming the new CEO. O’Luanaigh co-founded NDreams in 2006 and expressed pride in the company's growth. NDreams was acquired by Aonic Group for 0 million in 2023, but subsequently laid off 17.5 percent of its workforce nearly a year later.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
On May 5, over 270 students from Queens participated in the semi-finals of the 2025 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs at Thomas Edison High School. The event was organized by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, NYC Public Schools, and the National Esports Association. This year's competition saw 3,295 students submit 659 entries, a 37% increase from last year and more than double the participation from 2023. Participants used Minecraft Education to create models of a sustainable New York City. The winning teams from Queens are: - Elementary Division: Team Sigma from PS 24 Andrew Jackson, led by Kerry McGarvey and Principal Bani Singh. - Middle School Division: Neo NYC from J.H.S. 185 Edward Bleeker, coached by Ana Silva-Collins under Principal Michael Leung. - High School Division: Diamond Sword Bustamoney from World Journalism Preparatory School, guided by Ernest Lai and Principal Michael Roberts Bacchus. These teams will represent Queens in the Mayor’s Cup Minecraft Education finals during the NYC Video Game Festival at Convene Brookfield Place in Manhattan. The festival will feature esports competitions, virtual reality experiences, indie game demonstrations, cosplay contests, and a career expo focused on the digital games industry. Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión Jr. highlighted the event's role in promoting career-connected learning and the city's digital economy. The final round will take place on May 31.
Winsage
May 22, 2025
Renowned musician Brian Eno announced he will donate the earnings from his Windows 95 startup chime to support those affected in Gaza. This decision follows scrutiny of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli government amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Eno criticized Microsoft for its involvement in operations contributing to violations of international law and called for the company to suspend services supporting such actions. Microsoft acknowledged its contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense but claimed an internal review found no evidence of its technologies targeting civilians in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, significant casualties have been reported in Gaza, with estimates of over 52,000 to as high as 109,000 deaths. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes. Protests by Microsoft employees have occurred, demanding accountability for the company's actions. Eno emphasized the need for artists and corporations to consider the implications of their contributions.
AppWizard
May 21, 2025
Carrie Patel, former director of Avowed, has joined Night School Studio, a subsidiary of Netflix, as game director. She previously worked at Obsidian Entertainment for nearly 12 years, contributing to titles like Pillars of Eternity, The Outer Worlds, and Avowed. Night School Studio was acquired by Netflix in 2021 and is known for the game Oxenfree. In February 2025, Netflix announced layoffs at Night School Studio amidst broader changes, including the closure of its Blue studio and leadership reshuffling.
AppWizard
May 21, 2025
Fireshine Games has appointed Jasper Tanner-Barnes as its chief portfolio officer. Tanner-Barnes previously worked at Team17 for five-and-a-half years, starting as a talent acquisition manager and later leading the game scouting division. He has also worked at Ubisoft Leamington and Sega Hardlight. Brian Foote, CEO of Fireshine Games, expressed enthusiasm about Tanner-Barnes' arrival, highlighting his knowledge and experience. This appointment follows Foote's promotion to CEO in February.
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