creative process Archives

BetaBeacon

October 14, 2026

Replaced is Coming to Android on December 8th

Replaced, a retro-futuristic cyberpunk game, is set to be released on Android on December 8th. The game will feature specially developed touch controls and compatibility with gamepads for enhanced gameplay on mobile devices.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II music

Peter sought instruments that could blend chords and melodies for his project, The Sift, experimenting with various instruments like the harmonium and pipe organ without success. He discovered the harpejji, which combines elements of a piano and guitar, and it became essential in shaping The Sift’s sound. Peter also incorporated a guitar recording into the track 'Wellspring' by collaborating with musicians Pontus Fällman and Gabriel Holmertz, who introduced a lap steel guitar instead of the harpejji for the melody. This change contributed to the "soul sound" of the game, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Mike Tomlin gets roasted by former Super Bowl MVP, former Steelers star and others for Minecraft City

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been building an intricately designed Minecraft City since 2014, which he began during a challenging period for the Steelers, who did not secure a playoff victory in his last nine seasons. This hobby has drawn amusement and skepticism from the NFL community, with former players like Le'Veon Bell and Julian Edelman making lighthearted comments about it. Tomlin's motivation for the project was to connect with his children, and he finds the creative process therapeutic. Despite no longer coaching the Steelers, the topic continues to be referenced humorously in relation to his coaching legacy.

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

NBC’s Mike Tomlin shows off his ‘Minecraft’ city with viral first episode

Mike Tomlin, the former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has created a city in the video game "Minecraft," which he announced in a YouTube video that has garnered over 22 million views. The video, titled "EP 1: ROOFTOPS, PENTHOUSES, AND URBAN LIVING," showcases luxurious aspects of his city, including replicas of real-world buildings like a PNC Bank, CVS, and Trump Tower. Tomlin began this project in 2014, inspired by his children's interest in the game, and described the experience as "therapeutic." He plans to release more episodes in the future.

AppWizard

September 13, 2026

Ashly Burch, voice of Horizon’s Aloy and star of Mythic Quest, is currently obsessed with Slay the Spire 2 and thinks videogames have too many stoic characters: ‘I want more shtty little btches’

Ashly Burch began her gaming journey with a Donkey Kong knockoff on her mother's typing practice computer and was significantly influenced by LucasArts' Day of the Tentacle. She gained recognition through the online sketch show Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin' and is known for her voice roles as Tiny Tina in Borderlands 2, Chloe in Life is Strange, Parvati Holcomb in The Outer Worlds, and Aloy in Guerrilla Games' Horizon series. Burch is currently working on a YouTube comedy series called I'm Happy You're Here, which aims to make mental health discussions more accessible. She is currently playing The Incident at Galley House, a detective game, and has uninstalled Fields of Mistria after spending many hours on it. Her Steam Deck still has Kentucky Route Zero installed, a game she hasn't finished due to its abstract nature. Burch has logged 270 hours in Slay the Spire and considers League of Legends, especially its ARAM mode, a game she will never uninstall. She uses Audacity for voice auditions and maintains a tidy desktop to support her creative process.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

Ex-BioWare designer says doom and gloom about the next Mass Effect is overstated: ‘I think that they can do it’

The gaming community has expressed skepticism about the upcoming Mass Effect installment from BioWare due to mixed reactions to recent titles like Anthem and Mass Effect Andromeda. Armando Troisi, a veteran cinematic designer from the original Mass Effect trilogy, believes concerns may be overstated and emphasizes that BioWare has a talented team capable of delivering a compelling experience if given the freedom to innovate. He expressed support for the studio's vision and confidence in their ability to succeed.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Gemini hands Lyria 3.5 the mic as the music model makes its debut on the app

Google has expanded its music generation model, Lyria 3.5, making it accessible through the Gemini app and Gemini API, in addition to its original platform, Google Flow Music. Users can now choose from short and long music tracks and utilize new templates to inspire creativity. The model offers improved melodic structures, adherence to user prompts, structural awareness, and realistic vocal outputs. Developers can also access Lyria 3.5 via Google AI Studio and Google Vids.

AppWizard

August 28, 2026

Minecraft’s reclusive billionaire creator has gone from ‘reject AI’ to vibe coding: ‘Time to eat some crow’

Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, initially opposed AI in coding, labeling its advocates as "incompetent or evil" and emphasizing that coding should be based on logic. His skepticism was evident during a hacking incident involving a colleague who defended AI coding. However, by July, he began to reconsider his stance, expressing a willingness to explore AI coding due to challenges in hiring skilled programmers. He later acknowledged practical applications for AI tools and reflected on his previous rejection of the technology. By August, he publicly admitted his evolving views, stating, "Maybe it's time to eat some crow," while assuring followers of his commitment to foundational principles despite exploring AI. Persson remains cautious about fully embracing AI, preferring to stay engaged in development rather than moving into a managerial role.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you’re too dumb to appreciate a good story—don’t prove them right

Saber Interactive's CEO discusses the potential of generative AI dialogue in video games, while skepticism remains due to past failures with AI-driven characters. Companies like Convai and Ubisoft aim to create more immersive experiences with AI NPCs, but the assumption that background character dialogue is unimportant undermines storytelling in games. The richness of game worlds comes from carefully crafted scripts, and AI-generated content may not achieve the same quality. Industry veterans emphasize that good storytelling relies on human experience, and there is concern that companies may prioritize profit over artistic integrity, leading to inferior products. This reflects a broader trend of viewing video games as commodities rather than art forms, highlighting a disconnect between corporate strategies and creative processes.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

This spy game is a dream come true if you love spending time in character creators

Legion Was Here offers an immersive character creation experience, allowing players to customize avatars with extensive options, from facial features to expressions. The character creator is central to gameplay, pushing players to master character design for success in the game. A poorly crafted character can lead to challenges in survival, adding pressure to the creative process. Players can either replicate familiar faces or create new personas, with every detail impacting their character's fate.