interview Archives

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Dead Space 4 looks unlikely as “companies are looking for the next Fortnite,” series producer says

Visceral Games created the horror game series Dead Space, which has a dedicated fan base but has not seen a new installment due to disappointing sales figures despite critical acclaim. Chuck Beaver, a producer of the original games, noted that while horror games have passionate fans, this enthusiasm does not always lead to substantial sales, which are crucial for franchise viability. The sales expectations have risen due to increasing production costs, and Dead Space has struggled to meet these expectations. The 2023 remake of Dead Space received a high rating but did not meet EA's sales expectations, hindering plans for a new entry. Glen Schofield, the original creator, mentioned that attempts to produce Dead Space 4 were blocked by EA due to a lack of interest. Future iterations would need to achieve sales comparable to successful titles like Resident Evil Requiem, which sold over seven million units shortly after release, to gain EA's attention.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release won’t need to accommodate other game releases, director says—except GTA 6: ‘That’s a Goliath I don’t want to take on quite frankly’

Jonathan Rogers, the director of Path of Exile, discussed his approach to scheduling major updates for the game, noting that the timing of other game releases rarely affects their schedule. He emphasized the strong relationship with the community, stating that they would face backlash if they delayed updates due to other game launches. Path of Exile 2 is expected to release around the same time as Grand Theft Auto 6, which launches on November 19. While Rogers does not plan to delay Path of Exile 2, he recognizes the significance of GTA 6's release. He believes that a slight buffer between the two games could help maintain momentum for Path of Exile 2. Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, humorously compared the situation to a "David versus Goliath" dynamic, to which Rogers acknowledged the challenge posed by Rockstar Games.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Jewish teen subjected to antisemitic slurs on Minecraft, inquiry told

A Perth teenager shared his experience of online bullying during a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hearing, detailing how classmates hurled antisemitic slurs at him while playing Minecraft. He felt isolated and distressed, confiding in his parents, who reported the bullying to the school. The school addressed the situation, leading to apologies from the students involved. The boy's mother expressed concerns about rising antisemitism, drawing parallels to her past experiences in the former Yugoslavia. Rabbi Menachem Dadon honored his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in a shooting attack. Julie Nathan from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents from 2023 to 2024, with over 1,600 incidents recorded in the past year. Musician Joshua Moshe faced online abuse after discussing Jewish history in a WhatsApp group, leading to threats and vandalism. Musician Deborah Conway experienced backlash and harassment after comments about military actions in Gaza, resulting in canceled gigs and protests. The Royal Commission continues to investigate antisemitism, having received over 9,600 submissions, primarily from Jewish individuals.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Anticipated supercannon sim PVKK delayed until 2027, but for the kind of reason you want to hear

PVKK, or Planetenverteidigungskanonenkommandant, is a highly anticipated game that features tactile controls for operating a planetary defense cannon. The release date has been delayed to 2027, as announced by game director René Habermann, who emphasized the team's commitment to improving the game. In a 2024 interview, Habermann discussed the game's focus on ethical considerations, allowing players to reflect on their actions while operating the cannon for an autocratic regime. Players can add PVKK to their wishlist on Steam despite the delay.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

007 First Light: Here Are The Full PC Specs And Requirements

Developer IO Interactive has announced the PC specifications and requirements for the game 007 First Light, which will launch on May 27. The game features an uncapped framerate, Nvidia DLSS 4.5, path tracing for realistic lighting and shadows, and DLSS ray reconstruction, which will be introduced later this summer. It also offers in-depth customization options for players. Accessibility features include customizable audio profiles, adjustable subtitles, input remapping, audio output options, menu narration, input activation options, and autocomplete features. 007 First Light will also be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2 later this summer. An exclusive video interview with IO Interactive discusses the differences between 007 First Light and the Hitman series, as well as the creative process behind a younger version of James Bond.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Videogame ‘beta versions’ are anything but, says veteran RPG dev—real games are ‘shy, shy, shy, shy, slightly less sh***y, and it skyrockets’ at the end

Prokop Jirsa, the lead designer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, argues that the term "beta" in video game marketing often misrepresents the actual state of game development. He points out that what players experience in public betas is typically much more polished than the internal alphas or betas, which are less refined. Jirsa humorously suggests that these pre-release versions could be more accurately labeled as gammas or deltas. He emphasizes the non-linear progression of game quality, noting that significant time and effort are required to achieve a polished final product, which can take months or even years. Jirsa reflects on the challenges faced during the development of the original Kingdom Come: Deliverance, given the limited resources and tight timelines.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Announced; Adds Fourth Player to the Xenomorph-Blasting PvE Fun

Developers Cold Iron Studios and Daybreak Game Company are developing Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2, a sequel to the 2021 three-player, third-person PvE shooter. The game will be available on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a release expected this summer. The sequel introduces a fourth player to enhance cooperative gameplay, full cross-play support, new types of Xenomorphs, improved player classes, and a Specialist class that allows for ability customization. It will also feature a dedicated Horde mode with challenging maps and waves of enemies.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Take-Two chief is ‘deeply disappointed’ that we still don’t have a new BioShock game

The BioShock franchise has not released a new installment since BioShock Infinite in 2013. In 2018, Hangar 13 began preliminary work on a new title, but it did not progress into a full project. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, expressed disappointment over the delays but was not surprised. The franchise is currently under the management of Cloud Chamber, which has appointed a new director and is reworking fundamental elements of the series. Following restructuring, over 80 employees, about one-third of Cloud Chamber's workforce, were laid off. The development of the next BioShock installment is still in its early stages.

Winsage

May 6, 2026

With latest world update, Microsoft Flight Simulator shines light on aerial firefighting

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has partnered with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS), the largest volunteer fire service globally, comprising nearly 40,000 volunteers. The update introduces a new mission where players can engage in aerial firefighting using water bombing techniques to combat a fire in New South Wales. An interview with Assistant Commissioner Jayson McKellar AFSM, the director of aviation for RFS, discusses the challenges faced in bushfire response strategies and how flight simulations can educate players about aerial firefighting operations. McKellar also emphasizes advancements in technology that enhance firefighter safety.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PC players aren’t Grand Theft Auto 6’s ‘core’ audience, Take-Two CEO says, and that’s why we have to wait for it

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19, exclusively on consoles initially, with no official confirmation regarding a PC release. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, stated the company's focus is on serving console players, despite the growing importance of the PC market, which now accounts for 45-50% of sales for big titles. Historically, the transition from console to PC for Rockstar titles has varied from seven months to 14.5 years. Take-Two's quarterly financial results are scheduled for May 21, where updates on GTA 6 may be provided.