creative choices Archives

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

After just a week, Black Ops 7 has given up campaign-gating its new extraction mode Endgame

Treyarch has introduced Black Ops 7 as the most expansive installment in the Call of Duty franchise, featuring a new PvE extraction mode called Endgame, which is linked to the co-op campaign. Initially designed to encourage narrative engagement, Endgame will be made accessible to all players just a week after launch, indicating that player engagement with the campaign may not have met expectations. The campaign has received mixed reactions, and Treyarch has implemented incentives like XP rewards and four-player co-op gameplay to attract players. Starting November 21, players can access Endgame without completing all campaign missions, although initial gameplay reveals a repetitive start. Players who unlock Endgame before its wider release will receive additional rewards, including double XP tokens and GobbleGums for Zombies. The decision to make Endgame available to all suggests a shift in Treyarch's expectations regarding player engagement.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Grand Theft Auto’s Dan Houser would be “sadder” to see Red Dead Redemption 3 happen without him than GTA 6

Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, expressed feelings of loss regarding the potential development of Red Dead Redemption 3 without his involvement. After leaving Rockstar in 2020, he now leads Absurd Ventures, focusing on multimedia projects. He reflected on the emotional weight of departing from a franchise he contributed to for over two decades. Houser noted that while he no longer owns the intellectual property, he cherishes his contributions. He shared insights on storytelling mechanics, including a desire for a darker ending in GTA 4 and the complexities of narrative decisions in Red Dead Redemption. He mentioned an unfinished GTA 5 DLC featuring Trevor and emphasized his preference for single-player experiences over multiplayer-centric projects. Houser also highlighted the cultural connection of the GTA series to Americana and the challenges of creating timely narratives in a changing world.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

It’s literally impossible to pick the ‘real’ murderer in Pentiment because Obsidian never considered having one: ‘You’re not a detective, you’re a f***ing artist’

Pentiment is a game set in 16th-century Bavaria, where players assume the role of journeyman artist Andreas Maler, who becomes involved in a series of murders in the town of Tassing. The game features various suspects with distinct motives, and players must make choices without clear evidence, often leading to uncertainty about their decisions. Director Josh Sawyer emphasized that the game intentionally lacks a definitive answer to the mystery, stating that there is no right answer and that even he does not identify a specific culprit. Sawyer aimed to move away from traditional puzzle-solving mechanics in RPGs, focusing instead on the complexity of choices and their consequences. Players are not detectives but artists, with Andreas's main goal being to save his friend Piero, who is wrongfully accused of murder.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Stop Killing Games is facing a complaint in the EU that uses nonsense logic to accuse the movement’s founder of failing to disclose financial contributions he never made: ‘It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you’

The Stop Killing Games movement has gathered 1.4 million signatures for its European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), which seeks to ensure that games can operate on customer systems after official support ends. If validated, the European Commission must consider the proposal. However, an anonymous complaint has been filed alleging "systemic concealment of major contributions" by the campaign's founder, Ross Scott, who reportedly has not disclosed significant professional contributions valued between €63,000 and €147,000. Scott argues that EU regulations do not require reporting of non-financial support from volunteers. The trade association Video Games Europe has expressed concerns that the initiative could hinder developers' creative choices. The petition deadline is July 31.

AppWizard

November 25, 2024

A Minecraft Movie Director Explains Why It Isn’t Called The Minecraft Movie

Recent trends in movie adaptations show many films starting their titles with "the," but the upcoming A Minecraft Movie will not follow this pattern. Mojang Studios' Torfi Frans Olafsson and director Jared Hess explained that the title choice reflects the film's focus on individual experiences within the Minecraft universe. The film features Jason Momoa as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, a former arcade champion, alongside characters voiced by Jack Black, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, and Danielle Brooks. The film will also explore darker elements of the Minecraft universe, including creatures like zombies and Creepers. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for theatrical release on April 4, 2025.