creative process Archives

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.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Onimusha: Way of the Sword

PC Gamer has an exclusive feature on Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a new action sword-fighting game from Capcom, marking its return after two decades. The magazine includes insights from seven developers and highlights the game's unique swordfight experience. Additionally, it features a 32-page supplement titled PC Gamer's Top 100, showcasing the top 100 games for PC gamers in 2026. The issue also includes an A1 poster of Onimusha, discusses favorite co-op games, and provides hands-on impressions of upcoming titles like The Blood of Dawnwalker and others. It reviews new releases such as Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced and is available in PDF and EPUB formats.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog ‘as the number of passengers in the game is infinite’

Saber Interactive's upcoming game, Rideshare "Stimulator," has sparked controversy due to comments from former lead writer Stella Sacco, who claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT during development. Sacco stated that all passenger voices in the game were also AI-generated, raising concerns about transparency in the game's development. She attributed the decision to use AI to higher-ups at Saber, despite her supervisor's support for her involvement. Saber Interactive has denied Sacco's claims but acknowledged the use of AI in the game. The game's Steam page promotes "unique and unpredictable passenger stories," but Sacco's remarks suggest a disconnect between the marketing narrative and the creative process, particularly regarding the lack of disclosure about AI usage.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Lies of P studio reveals name change and hypes up sequel: ‘My goal has been to create the world’s greatest action game.’

Nough, formerly known as Round8, has released a 16-minute mini-documentary that explores its culture and the creative process behind the Lies of P series. The studio's name change reflects its commitment to a development philosophy centered on the motto 'Games by Gamers'. The documentary features behind-the-scenes insights, personal stories from developers, and highlights the challenges faced during the creation of Lies of P. The team is currently working on a sequel, with optimism stemming from the success of the original game and its Overture expansion. News writer Harvey Randall has noted the positive reception of the Overture expansion as a promising sign for Lies of P 2.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

We asked the voice of Eisenhorn, Gaunt, and Garro in Warhammer 40k who his favorite character to play is

Toby Longworth is a prominent voice actor in Warhammer 40k, known for his work on Black Library novels, particularly those by Dan Abnett, including the Eisenhorn and Gaunt's Ghosts series. He has also voiced Nathaniel Garro in Horus Heresy novels. Currently, he is involved in Dawn of War 4, voicing various Space Marines. Additional content about his career and collaboration with Alex Jordan will be available on the PC Gamer YouTube channel.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

‘Wait for me, my Czech friend’: Japanese dev adds Czech localization just for the one Steam user who wishlisted his game in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic and Japan formed a bond during the 2023 World Baseball Cup when the Czech national baseball team, mostly made up of amateur players, played against Japan and lost 2-10. The Czech pitcher Ondrej Satoria struck out Shohei Ohtani, earning admiration from Japanese fans. In a related development, Japanese developer Eba Game is launching a game called Ball Boy Simulator on Steam, which includes Czech language support due to a request from a Czech user. The game explores the psychological horror of high school baseball clubs and incorporates AI-generated content for various elements. The quality of localization for the Czech audience is yet to be determined.