creative direction Archives

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Train 2’s first DLC is transforming the game with a giant new mode and the hammer-swinging Railforged clan

A significant update for Monster Train 2, titled Destiny of the Railforged, will be released in early February as the game's first paid DLC. It introduces a new clan, the Railforged, and a gameplay mode called Soul Savior. In Soul Savior, players battle to reclaim souls from a final boss named the Lifemother, with unique mechanics that enhance gameplay. Players can unlock and upgrade over 30 souls, each providing powerful enhancements and strategic options. The Railforged clan specializes in boosting the pyre's attack power and features new units and mechanics. Additionally, the Wurmkin clan will receive a free update with new designs and balance adjustments. Pricing details for the DLC have not been disclosed.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Anthem is finally, officially dead

At approximately 2:05 PM EST today, players of Anthem were unexpectedly disconnected from EA's servers, marking the official end of the game after nearly seven years since its launch. The game had struggled with live service management and received a lukewarm reception, with a review rating of 55 in February 2019. Development issues and a lack of creative direction plagued Anthem, leading to abandoned plans for reinvention in February 2021. EA announced the game's closure in July, and in its final hours, the community engaged in a nostalgic farewell. Players expressed mixed feelings about the game's experience, highlighting both the thrill of combat and frustrations with its design.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Legendary FPS developer John Romero says his studio ‘survived the cancellation of our huge game’ and its shooter project ‘will be new to people the way that going through Elden Ring was a really new experience’

In July, Romero Games announced the loss of funding for its anticipated shooter project, coinciding with layoffs at Microsoft affecting over 9,000 employees. The studio assured its community of efforts to ensure survival amid uncertainty. Recently, at the Salón del Videojuego de Madrid 2025, John Romero announced that the studio is working on a reimagined shooter project, drawing inspiration from games like Elden Ring. Romero emphasized a bold and imaginative direction for the new game, continuing the legacy of groundbreaking titles such as Doom.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Following Black Ops 7 woes, Call of Duty finally sees sense and says no more back-to-back series releases

Activision announced that it will no longer release back-to-back titles of Modern Warfare or Black Ops games, aiming to deliver a unique experience each year. The company acknowledged that the Call of Duty franchise has not fully met player expectations and promised to improve in the future. Black Ops 7 has underperformed, leading to this strategic shift, although Activision emphasized its commitment to providing significant post-launch support for the game. The multiplayer experience of Black Ops 7 is regarded as one of the best since Black Ops 4, despite criticisms of its content and similarities to previous titles.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Destiny 2 Renegades results in a generous surge on Steam, but even Star Wars mania can’t bring back the highs of my favorite FPS

The latest chapter of Destiny 2, the Edge of Fate expansion released in June, has led to player discontent and a significant exodus from the game. In contrast, the Star Wars-themed expansion, Destiny 2 Renegades, launched on December 2, has seen a resurgence in player interest, with a peak of 71,278 concurrent players recorded on its debut day. This figure, however, is below the over 100,000 players achieved by Edge of Fate and trails behind previous expansions like the Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape, which surpassed 290,000 players. Player feedback on Renegades has been mixed, with a Steam user score of 59%, categorized as 'mixed,' and some complaints about microtransactions. Despite this, early impressions have praised the new buildcrafting features, narrative quality, and cinematic cutscenes.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Danielle Brooks had a hit with ‘Minecraft.’ ‘Peacemaker’s’ return adds to her super year

Danielle Brooks received an Oscar nomination for her role as Sofia in “The Color Purple” in 2024 and won a Grammy for best musical theater album. In 2025, she starred in “A Minecraft Movie” and voiced a character in “The Bad Guys 2.” She will reprise her role as Leota Adebayo in Season 2 of HBO Max’s “Peacemaker,” which premieres on August 21. The season, directed by James Gunn, explores themes of accountability and features Brooks' character as a supportive figure for John Cena's Peacemaker. Brooks faced personal challenges during her initial casting, including new motherhood and concerns about her physical readiness. Gunn recognized her talent from “Orange Is the New Black” and emphasized the depth of her character. Brooks' journey in the series reflects her own experiences of self-discovery. She acknowledges the pressure of her Oscar nomination but remains confident in her abilities. Brooks encourages fans to pursue their passions and aims to connect with diverse audiences through her work.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

Sekiro-likes are in a golden age, Batman games are in a drought, which makes the ground fertile for the Dark Knight soulslike I’ve always dreamed about

A gamer proposes the idea of a Batman game that incorporates soulslike mechanics, inspired by successful titles like Lies of P and Nioh 3. This concept emphasizes Batman's vulnerability and mastery through repeated attempts, contrasting with his traditional portrayal as an invincible hero. The game could feature gameplay mechanics such as parry systems and strategic combat, enhancing player engagement with Batman's character depth and psychological complexity. Additionally, it could explore themes of sacrifice and resilience, offering an immersive narrative experience. The demand for a soulslike Batman game is growing within the gaming community.

AppWizard

July 2, 2025

Despite review bombing, ‘censored’ shooter becomes a Steam top seller

Developer VOID Interactive is set to launch Ready or Not on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on July 15. The game is undergoing updates to improve performance on consoles, including a transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, which enhances animation and overall performance. The updates include modifications to animations for certification, a rework of the animation graph, and adjustments to the depiction of violence, such as limiting ongoing gore and toning down instances of torture and nudity to meet console standards. Despite these changes, the PC player community has reacted negatively, feeling that the updates betray the game's original vision. The game currently ranks 15th on the global top sellers list and has seen a doubling of its active player count following the announcement of the updates. The ongoing summer sale, offering a 50% discount, has contributed to its popularity.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

The Sims co-creator Tim LeTourneau has passed away

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 21, 2025

Doritos and Minecraft Movie Mixed Reality Campaign Ends with a Golden Chip

A mixed reality campaign called ‘The Nether Lands’ promoted ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and positioned Doritos as the ultimate movie snack. The campaign was initiated by United Playgrounds, with creative direction from Fitzroy and real-time activation by Livewall, while immersive tech was developed by Beyond. It launched on March 28 with a full-scale Minecraft portal in Amsterdam’s Museumplein, allowing players to collect resources and battle Piglins using their phones for a chance to win an 18-karat gold Dorito chip worth €1,000. The activation expanded to cinemas, train stations, and over 135 DOOH screens in the Netherlands and Belgium, enabling anyone with a bag of Doritos to access an AR-powered Minecraft adventure. The campaign gained global attention, particularly in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, and was covered by international media. Key results included 400,000 unique interactions, 42.5 million impressions, a 185% lift in association with “movie nights,” and a 27% increase in brand preference.