employees Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

MindsEye has multiplayer and a grenade football mode now, which the handful of people still playing it will no doubt be thrilled to hear

Build a Rocket Boy is committed to developing its open-world shooter, MindsEye, despite facing challenges such as low sales, recent layoffs, and allegations of surveillance technology being installed on employees' workstations. The latest update, Update 8, introduces a team-based multiplayer mode called "grenade football," where players aim to score by propelling a large ball into the opposing team's net. However, the gameplay appears unpolished, with issues like the oversized ball disappearing during play. The game has seen a peak of only 36 concurrent players in the past 24 hours, raising concerns about player engagement. The update also includes new racing circuits, social features, and improvements to the single-player experience, such as better enemy physics, adjusted mission difficulty, and refined AI behavior. Despite the rocky launch, there is a desire for improvement, but former developers have protested against the studio's practices, and concerns have been raised about the shifting of work from employees to the fanbase during a crisis in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Xbox backwards compatibility now available on PC, starting with four original Xbox games

Microsoft has launched a pilot program allowing select original Xbox titles to be played on Windows 11, with four classic games now available: BliNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fusion Frenzy. Players can access these games via a Game Pass Essential subscription or purchase them individually, and those with previous digital copies on Xbox consoles can download them at no extra cost. The games can be played at resolutions up to 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, maintaining their original aspect ratios and framerates, with options for enhanced graphics settings. The system requirements include at least an Nvidia GTX 950 or AMD Radeon RX 550, with recommended specifications for optimal performance. There are uncertainties regarding the expansion of the game library due to recent organizational changes within Microsoft, including layoffs in the backward compatibility program.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Take Note, PlayStation: Xbox Brings Classic Games To PC

The gaming industry is experiencing a surge in demand for artificial intelligence, leading to increased hardware prices, such as the new Steam Machine exceeding ,000 despite its specifications. PlayStation plans to stop producing physical media for the PS5 by 2028, causing backlash from fans. Xbox has laid off 1,600 employees and anticipates more layoffs by the end of the 2027 fiscal year. Xbox has introduced backwards compatibility for PC, allowing access to four classic titles: Blinx: The Time Sweeper, Fuzion Frenzy, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Conker: Live and Reloaded, with enhanced features like customizable upscaling and resolution options. There is a growing interest in preserving gaming history, particularly for classic titles from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras, as the industry shifts towards an all-digital future.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Feel less bad about firing AI agents, Minecraft creator says vibe coding will replace human developers

Markus ‘Notch’ Persson has announced a shift to "vibe coding," which involves using artificial intelligence tools for code generation. This decision is influenced by difficulties in hiring skilled programmers and a growing comfort with AI solutions. Notch expressed frustration with the job market, stating he has trouble hiring talented programmers and would feel less bad about firing a chatbot. He sold Mojang and Minecraft to Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014 and is now working on a new project, Levers and Chests, at Bitshift Entertainment, which will likely rely on AI tools. This shift occurs amid significant layoffs in the tech industry, including at major companies like Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft. Notch's previous stance of rejecting AI contrasts with his current acceptance of its inevitability, reflecting a broader industry trend where leaders like Linus Torvalds and Ryan Dahl also acknowledge the transition towards AI-driven development.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Splitgate studio 1047 Games is laying off more people just a month after releasing its latest game

1047 Games has experienced another round of layoffs, described as the "third wave" by employees on LinkedIn. QA director Igor Krinitskiy and concept artist Jonathan Kuo confirmed their departures due to these layoffs. The studio, known for its hit title Splitgate: Arena Warfare, has struggled with subsequent projects, including the rebranded Splitgate: Arena Reloaded and the recently launched Empulse, which has not achieved significant player engagement and has seen concurrent player numbers on Steam drop below 1,000. Studio CEO Ian Proulx emphasized a focus on gradual growth rather than immediate success.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Enable BitLocker on Windows 11: 11 Steps, 45 Min [2026]

A stolen laptop can lead to a significant data breach, particularly when taken from public places. Windows 11 has introduced BitLocker, a full-disk encryption feature that became mandatory for Australian businesses in 2026. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner reported 766 notifiable data breaches in the latter half of 2024, with unauthorized access to devices being a major cause. Full-disk encryption is crucial for compliance with the Essential Eight framework, which mandates data protection on portable devices. BitLocker ensures that data on an encrypted drive becomes unreadable if the drive is removed and connected to another computer. It aligns with the Essential Eight framework, requiring evidence of encryption rather than just claims of protection. There are three types of encryption on Windows 11: Device Encryption, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and File-Level Encryption. BitLocker is available only on Windows 11 Pro and higher editions. To use BitLocker, certain prerequisites must be met, including having Windows 11 Pro or higher, a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot enabled, and local administrator rights. The process to enable BitLocker involves confirming the edition, checking TPM status, enabling BitLocker through Windows Settings or PowerShell, and backing up the recovery key. Organizations can deploy BitLocker fleet-wide using Microsoft Intune, and additional security measures like TPM+PIN can be implemented for pre-boot authentication. Common pitfalls during BitLocker rollout include skipping recovery key backup and assuming that Home edition machines are covered. Troubleshooting common BitLocker issues involves identifying symptoms and applying appropriate fixes. Advanced tips for enhancing security include suspending BitLocker before maintenance and auditing compliance at the fleet level. BitLocker is integral to protecting data on portable devices, and compliance documentation is essential for proving that every device has an active recovery key.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

After 15 years, I’ve got Microsoft’s shunned Fable 3 port to work on PC – and it feels like a new RPG

The author reflects on their experience with Fable 3, suggesting it feels fresh despite being a 16-year-old RPG. They express concerns about the future of the Fable series, particularly Fable 4, in light of rising console prices and recent layoffs at Microsoft. The author highlights the visual appeal of Fable 3 when played on a modern PC setup, noting the game's charm and the enhanced graphics at 4K resolution. They emphasize the importance of preserving gaming experiences and worry that new players may not access the superior PC version of Fable 3. The author questions whether Microsoft might release an updated version of the game in the future.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Retiring Valve programmer says ‘at least one’ of the studio’s beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers

Programmer Christopher Green has had a long career in the gaming industry, working on titles such as Amiga's Flight Simulators, Ultima Underworld, and Magic: The Gathering Online. He has worked at Valve for a total of 16 years, during which he contributed to projects like both Source engines, Day of Defeat: Source, The Orange Box, and both Portal games. Green retired from Valve for the second time recently, having returned in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. He shared insights from his career in a blog post and hosted AMAs on Reddit. Green previously worked at Leaping Lizard Software, where he helped develop Magic: The Gathering Online. He noted that Valve's work culture allows for personal projects, but newcomers may face challenges if their ideas deviate from mainstream expectations. His retirement announcement included details about his home office setup, which features advanced technology, and he expressed enthusiasm for pursuing personal projects, likely to be shared on GitHub.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: ‘Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size’

Studio ZA/UM announced layoffs two months after the launch of their game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, due to sales not meeting expectations. The studio issued redundancy notices affecting up to 32 employees, despite the game receiving critical acclaim. The game did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, Disco Elysium, with mixed reviews highlighting its shortcomings. Key figures from Disco Elysium had left the studio prior to the game's release, contributing to a challenging environment. Critics noted that the cultural context surrounding the game has impacted its reception, turning it into a symbol of industry practices rather than a standalone experience.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Does anyone know how to drive this thing?

Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to cease physical disc production by 2028, transitioning to a model reliant solely on digital distribution for new PlayStation games. The company has canceled eight out of twelve planned live-service projects by 2025, while CEO Hideaki Nishino remains committed to pursuing live-service opportunities. Microsoft has experienced significant financial losses and layoffs under CEO Phil Spencer, leading to a restructuring under new CEO Asha Sharma. Layoffs have affected studios like Bethesda and ZeniMax, raising concerns about ongoing project viability. The gaming industry is facing a trend of layoffs and employment uncertainty, impacting production times and budgets. Companies like Capcom and Larian, which prioritize employee retention, are experiencing success, while major publishers focus on short-term gains over long-term studio health. Successful game launches indicate a demand for quality standalone games, but there is reluctance to invest in new ideas due to a fixation on perpetual revenue streams.