career Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

id Software co-founder John Romero was apparently one week removed from co-founding a completely different icon of PC gaming, but he’d already made plans

John Romero revealed on Nightdive Studios' Deep Dive podcast that Paul Neurath, founder of Looking Glass Studios, invited him to co-found the company, but he declined due to a prior commitment. Romero began his career at Origin Systems in 1987, where he initially worked on porting 2400 AD from the Apple 2 to the Commodore 64, but the project was canceled, leading him to collaborate with Neurath on Space Rogue.

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator Announced For PC

Indie game developer To-Go Games, in collaboration with publisher Astragon Entertainment, has announced Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator, set in Faremont National Park. Players will manage daily tasks such as clearing trails, assisting lost hikers, and responding to wildlife emergencies. They will use tools like an axe, hammer, and litter picker while exploring diverse biomes, including forests, meadows, and rivers. The game features a ranger camera to document wildlife encounters, with over ten animal species and multiple subspecies. Players can drive a ranger pickup, engage with visitors, and experience dynamic day-night cycles and changing weather. Ranger’s Path is set to launch in Early Access on Steam and the Epic Games Store later this year.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

‘Wednesday’ bestie Emma Myers talks wolfing out, ‘Minecraft’ memes

Emma Myers began her acting career in 2010 on "The Glades," where she played the daughter of a NASA mission specialist by simply smiling for the camera in family photos. She gained prominence as Enid in Netflix's "Wednesday," which debuted three years ago, and has since taken on various roles, including the lead in "A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder" and as Natalie in "A Minecraft Movie." Myers has a role in the upcoming animated feature "Angry Birds 3," set for release in 2027. In the second season of "Wednesday," Enid is involved in a love triangle and faces a new rival, Agnes. Myers has experienced personal growth and gained confidence over the past three years. She has input in Enid's wardrobe and character design, including a new haircut for Season 2. Myers finds the balance of Enid's werewolf transformations important and has received praise for her British accent in "A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder." She recently won a Kids' Choice Award for her performance in "A Minecraft Movie."

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Raven union secures Microsoft contract

Unionised employees at Raven Software have secured their first contract with Microsoft after nearly three years of negotiations involving 19 quality assurance staff members. The contract includes a ten percent compensation increase over the next two years, allows for permanent work-from-home arrangements, and reduces mandatory overtime while requiring a minimum of seven days' notice for any required overtime work. The unionisation process began in 2022, with Activision Blizzard recognizing the bargaining unit shortly after. However, in August 2024, the union accused Microsoft and Activision Blizzard of negotiating in "bad faith."

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Key Benefits of Hiring a Detroit-Based Android App Development Company in 2025

The mobile app market is experiencing significant growth in 2025, with Android holding over 71% of the global smartphone market share. The North American Android app development sector is projected to reach .31 billion by 2026, driven by increased smartphone adoption and a shift to mobile-first strategies. Small and medium-sized enterprises view mobile apps as essential for customer engagement and operational efficiency, with 87% recognizing their importance. Detroit has become a key player in mobile app development, benefiting from its strategic location in the Eastern Time Zone, which facilitates real-time collaboration with partners across North America. The city offers competitive tax incentives, lower operational costs, and a growing pool of tech talent, with major companies like Google and Microsoft establishing operations there. Local development teams in Detroit can engage in synchronous collaboration, enhancing decision-making and minimizing miscommunication. They possess a deep understanding of North American business practices and regulatory requirements, leading to better-designed apps that resonate with users. Engaging Detroit-based developers can be more cost-effective than offshore alternatives, as local teams typically complete projects 30-40% faster. The average cost to develop a medium-complexity Android app in Detroit ranges from ,000 to 0,000, significantly lower than in cities like San Francisco. Detroit's tech talent pool has expanded due to local universities and coding bootcamps, producing graduates specializing in mobile app development. The city attracts experienced developers seeking better work-life balance and lower living costs. Canadian companies benefit from Detroit's proximity and cultural similarities, facilitating partnerships and simplifying cross-border projects. U.S. development services are often competitively priced for Canadian businesses when considering quality. Detroit's Android app development firms are integrating advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, and IoT into applications. The city's automotive industry expertise enhances development for connected vehicles and industrial IoT systems. Local development relationships focus on long-term partnerships, ensuring ongoing support and updates for applications. Proximity allows for regular communication and strategic planning, fostering better outcomes and stronger business relationships.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

From Pixels To Paychecks: How Minecraft Is Launching Gen Z’s Careers

Minecraft has sold over 350 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time. Colin McDonald, who started playing Minecraft at age 13, now leads a software development company called Moonsworth, which has created a popular modpack for the game. Many players have turned their passion for Minecraft into successful careers, including operating servers and creating YouTube channels. The Minecraft Partner Program, initiated in 2017, has generated over 0 million in revenue and rewarded 43 partners with payouts exceeding million. Players are developing problem-solving, technical, and entrepreneurial skills through Minecraft, leading to a shift from a degree-based economy to a skills-based one. Lauri Lifljandski, founder of WiseHosting, credits his programming skills and entrepreneurial spirit to his experiences in Minecraft, highlighting the game's role in fostering resilience and creativity.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Ukraine’s Youth Robbed of Childhood Innocence

The conflict in Ukraine has led to dire conditions, particularly for children in frontline villages. Russian forces are advancing, and the landscape is marked by trenches and minefields. Schools are closed, and children participate in online arts and crafts programs supported by UNICEF. The nonprofit Common Man for Ukraine, co-founded by Susan Mathison, has delivered over 4 million pounds of food and essential supplies to those in need, covering over 20,000 miles across the country. Their mission includes providing trauma counseling retreats for children who have lost their fathers. A recent humanitarian convoy faced air raid sirens while delivering supplies to mothers and children in a frontline village. A comic book found in an abandoned school illustrated the dangers children face, highlighting their resilience amidst the conflict. The organization plans to continue its efforts with a thirteenth convoy scheduled for August.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

‘Maybe I’ve directed my last game,’ Dead Space creator Glen Schofield says after being unable to secure funding for his new project: ‘With the industry on pause, AAA feels like it’s a long ways away’

Glen Schofield, a veteran in the video game industry, has announced his decision to step away from game direction after struggling to secure funding for a new horror project he had been developing for eight months. Despite assembling a talented team and setting a budget, he faced challenges due to the industry's shift towards higher share prices and artificial intelligence solutions. Schofield's previous title, The Callisto Protocol, did not meet expectations, leading to financial repercussions for its publisher and layoffs at his studio. He expressed a desire to return to his artistic roots while reflecting on the stagnant state of the industry. His daughter, Nicole, who contributed the original idea for the halted project, was also part of the team.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

7 years on, CliffyB is ‘still bitter’ about people gravedancing when his studio Boss Key failed: ‘It was amazing at first and then, well, it broke me for a good long while’

Cliff Bleszinski, a game designer known for his work at Epic Games and as the lead designer for the original Gears of War trilogy, founded Boss Key Productions, which launched the game LawBreakers in 2017. Despite innovative mechanics and unique characters, LawBreakers struggled in a competitive market dominated by games like Overwatch and PUBG, leading to its failure. Bleszinski reflected on the experience, expressing bitterness about the public's reaction to his studio's closure. He noted that shortly after LawBreakers' release, Epic Games introduced a new mode for Fortnite, further intensifying competition. Currently, Bleszinski prefers consulting over game development.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

How to survive as an indie developer for 20 years

Dan Marshall began his game development journey at 24 while learning C++. Over two decades, he created three games that received over 80% review scores in PC Gamer, despite facing challenges such as a 26% rating for Behold the Kickmen. His company, Size Five Games, started as a hobby, and he developed games like Ben There, Dan That! and Time Gentlemen, Please! with minimal financial risk. One notable game, The Swindle, featured a unique design that limited players to 100 attempts, leading to mixed reactions but ultimately became Size Five's most financially successful title. Marshall has kept overhead costs low by hiring external talent for short projects and has navigated the industry's volatility without significant expenses. Despite critical acclaim for Lair of the Clockwork God, its sales did not match expectations, and he speculated that a change in protagonists might have affected its performance. Marshall expresses anxiety about the future of his projects and the possibility of needing a traditional job, yet he remains committed to game development regardless of financial circumstances.