international relations Archives

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Former Call of Duty director stopped making foreign countries the enemy because he wanted ‘to go to these countries’ without needing a bodyguard

Call of Duty began with a clear antagonist in the Nazis during its World War II era, but as the series progressed into modern and futuristic settings, the portrayal of enemies became more nuanced. Glen Schofield, a former director of the franchise, noted that the depiction of villains was influenced by themes of jingoism, colonialism, and American interventionism. His perspective was shaped by a personal story from an Iraqi classmate, whose uncle expressed ambivalence about democracy after escaping imprisonment under Saddam Hussein. This narrative inspired Schofield to develop the character of Jonathan Irons in Advanced Warfare, leading to a powerful speech crafted by Eric Hirshberg that reflected this complex worldview. The evolution of Call of Duty illustrates a growing awareness among creators regarding the narratives they present and their potential impact on players' perceptions of global issues.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

I did Liberation Day tariffs in Victoria 3, and it all went well until the famine in Colorado, the 2 lost wars with Canada, and the president beating a man to death with a stick

An individual used the video game Victoria 3 to explore economic policies related to the U.S. Liberation Day tariffs. They adopted a strategy of extreme protectionism by imposing 100% tariffs, which initially increased cash flow but led to shortages and famine. In an attempt to address these issues, the player invested in maize farms, which drained the treasury and worsened the financial crisis. The protagonist then decided to invade Canada to rally national pride and boost the economy, achieving initial military success but ultimately facing setbacks due to British reinforcements and internal insurrection. The invasion resulted in a costly peace settlement, further destabilizing the economy and government legitimacy. The game ended with a crash, prompting reflections on the complexities of economic policy and governance.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Russian government seizes Lesta Studio assets

The Russian government has taken control of Lesta Studio's assets, which manages Wargaming's interests in Russia, due to allegations of extremist activities involving Wargaming's CEO, Victor Kislyi, and Lesta Studio's head, Malik Khatazhaev. Wargaming exited the Russian and Belarusian markets in April 2022, divesting its local assets to Lesta Studio at zero cost and on a debt-free basis, and currently holds no assets or business interests in those countries.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

New report reveals top Trump admin. officials discussed classified information on messaging app

A judge compared the due process received by Nazis to that of Venezuelans facing deportation under the Trump administration. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration discussed classified military operations on the messaging app Signal, raising security concerns. A GOP senator admitted that claiming Social Security will remain untouched is disingenuous. GOP Senator Curtis clarified that Elon Musk's comments on potential cuts were merely suggestions rather than specific policy advocacy. A GOP senator indicated that impeachment of a judge who ruled against Trump is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reaffirmed his commitment to his position amid internal party pressure and expressed concerns about a constitutional crisis in American democracy. Canadian officials responded to Trump's tariffs by stating that "nothing is off the table" regarding retaliatory measures. Trump asserted that he will have the final say in deportation cases, prompting discussions about the need for a nuanced approach to immigration policy.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Civilization 7 review

Civilization 7 is a 4X turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games, priced at approximately £60. It features a streamlined approach for accessibility and pacing, particularly in multiplayer settings, diverging from the complexity of Civilization 6. The game introduces Age transitions, allowing players to maintain a single leader while evolving through three Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, with each transition involving a civilization crisis that leads to selecting a new civilization. New systems are introduced in each Age, such as religion in the Exploration Age and ideologies in the Modern Age. The citizen management system has been replaced with slottable resources, and diplomacy has been simplified, feeling more transactional. The game retains a captivating flow and builds on the art style of Civilization 5, but the simplification of complex systems raises concerns about the depth of the gameplay experience.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Americans urged to use encrypted messaging apps after cyberattack: Officials

U.S. officials recommend citizens use encrypted messaging applications due to recent cyberattacks on major telecommunications companies, including AT&T and Verizon. Microsoft identified a hacking campaign called "Salt Typhoon" as a significant intelligence breach, which remains unresolved. The attacks are believed to be conducted by Chinese entities targeting American citizens, though Chinese officials have not commented on the allegations.

AppWizard

July 11, 2024

Why Japan wants to acquire LINE messenger app

- Line, a popular technology platform in Japan, is currently in a struggle for ownership between SoftBank of Japan and Naver of South Korea. - The Japanese government is pressuring Line to "review" its relationship with Naver, leading to tensions between Japan and South Korea. - The situation is similar to the TikTok drama in the US, where foreign ownership of popular apps raises concerns about national security.