interview Archives

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Redfall developers begged Microsoft to come back and finish its last patch: ‘I know we don’t work here anymore, but can we please release this?’

Redfall, developed by Arkane Austin, was met with widespread criticism, leading PC Gamer to label it as "the first Arkane game we don't like." Following its release, Microsoft announced plans to shut down Arkane Austin a year later. Studio director Harvey Smith acknowledged that while corporate pressures played a role, the studio was also drawn to the games-as-a-service trend, which influenced the game's design. Despite initial enthusiasm for incorporating new mechanics, Smith later expressed regret that Redfall did not meet expectations and pondered whether future updates could have improved it.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

‘I would love that but we’re cheap and poor’: Jeff Kaplan speeds through everything players should know about his upcoming cowboy survival game, The Legend of California

Jeff Kaplan discussed Kintsugiyama's upcoming game, The Legend of California, set in gold-rush-era California around 1849. It is an open-world survival multiplayer game that combines exploration and player interaction, categorized as a first-person shooter rather than a simulation or traditional MMO. Players can engage in activities typical of a cowboy's life, such as trading, fishing, mining, and ranch building. Private servers will allow for player-versus-environment settings, while public servers can host up to 100 players, featuring competition and combat, but not building destruction. Server resets will occur monthly, changing the locations of key points of interest while retaining player unlocks. Future enhancements may include holiday events, pets, and horse breeding, with the potential for a "Toys to Life" concept. The game will undergo at least two more alpha phases before early access.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Take-Two’s former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: ‘The guy should be selling you the gold if he’s actually got the gold’

Take-Two Interactive laid off AI specialist Dicken and a significant portion of the AI team after a year, reflecting industry volatility. Dicken expressed skepticism about generative AI's role in creative processes, noting that many creatives view it as a departure from intentionality. He observed a divide in public perception, with Western audiences more resistant to generative AI compared to Asian audiences. Dicken highlighted challenges in integrating AI into workflows, including vendor lock-in and price volatility, drawing parallels to the Unity engine's pricing crisis. He noted a gold rush mentality among corporations eager to adopt AI, often without proper safeguards. Looking forward, Dicken believes AI will bring long-term changes to gaming but should be seen as a tool to enhance experiences rather than a revolutionary force. He advocated for a thoughtful approach to incorporating AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for alignment with a game's fundamental thesis.

Tech Optimizer

August 19, 2026

Postgres pioneer credits Oracle with helping his database take over the world

Michael Stonebraker, the creator of PostgreSQL, noted that Oracle's acquisition of MySQL inadvertently boosted PostgreSQL's prominence among major tech companies like Microsoft, AWS, and Google. PostgreSQL, which originated from Stonebraker's earlier Postgres system proposed in 1986, celebrated its 30th anniversary this summer. Its popularity surged over the past five years, becoming the preferred database among developers in 2023, as per a Stack Overflow survey. Microsoft has launched a distributed PostgreSQL database service to compete with other offerings. Stonebraker highlighted the extensive adoption of PostgreSQL's wire format by major companies, contrasting it with MySQL's declining competitiveness since Oracle's acquisition in 2010. He expressed gratitude towards Oracle for prompting users to consider PostgreSQL as an alternative, emphasizing its open-source nature and community-driven control. Stonebraker has founded several database companies and co-founded DBOS three years ago, which has pivoted towards AI agents and partnerships with Databricks and CockroachDB.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

This week in PC games: survival horror in a waterlogged city, kaiju chaos in a destructible city, and old school GTA vibes in an isometric insurgency simulator

This week features a variety of notable game releases, including: - Feed It: A horror game where players must evade a ravenous monster while sustaining themselves. - Tukoni: Forest Keepers: A puzzle game with artistic styles reminiscent of Amanita Design and Might & Delight. - ARCWATT: Power Empire: A city builder simulating power grid management. - Mothership Down: A nostalgic puzzle game involving lunar landers and jump pads. Multiplayer and unique experiences include: - Beastlink: A multiplayer shooter where players control kaiju in a destructible city. - Tiny Tape Store: A desktop companion game managing a video rental shop. - Stars Reach: An MMORPG combining elements of Minecraft and No Man's Sky. - Entropy: A turn-based RPG set in a world abandoned by deities. - The Sinking City 2: A sequel in survival horror with a Cthulhu narrative. - Starsand Island: An anime life simulation game blending elements of Stardew Valley and skateboarding. Innovative concepts include: - Blood in the Panopticon: A game featuring a killer android in an ASCII world. - STEINS;GATE RE:BOOT: A remastered visual novel with enhanced artwork and an additional storyline. - SFTP - Super Football Tactics Pro: A turn-based game with a fantastical twist on football. Challenges are arising as Gamescom approaches, with logistical issues related to train services and the team managing review codes while one member is on holiday.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

How to Promote Your PC Game in China — An Interview with Asia Game Buzz

Ksenia Zubareva is the CEO of Asia Game Buzz, a company focused on promoting PC games in China. She discussed how Steam operates in the Chinese market, highlighting the challenges and opportunities present. Ksenia emphasized the importance of understanding local consumer behavior and using social media for game promotion without needing a license. She also shared her views on the potential leniency of Chinese authorities towards Russian projects regarding the issuance of ISBNs for game distribution.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Witcher 3 designer says it wasn’t easy to convince players its NPC simulation wasn’t ‘just fakery’: ‘People nowadays are interested in those kinds of details, and it really came to haunt us’

In game development, especially for expansive fantasy RPGs, there is an ongoing debate about the balance between realism and gameplay experience. CD Projekt Red (CDPR) has addressed this challenge effectively, particularly during the development of The Witcher 3. Philipp Weber from CDPR highlighted the importance of detail in gameplay, noting that players are curious about the mechanics behind the scenes. The distinction between hand-crafted NPCs and AI-driven ones is significant, with CDPR describing it as "a canyon," emphasizing the value of intentional design choices for player engagement. The ongoing discussion about detail versus gameplay will influence the future of interactive entertainment.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Beast of Reincarnation director apologizes for not providing ‘a sufficiently enjoyable experience,’ but promises Game Freak is working on it

Game Freak's latest title, Beast of Reincarnation, has received a mixed reception, with an aggregate score of 73/100 on Metacritic and a similar score of 73% in reviews. Players have expressed that the game feels "close, but not quite," prompting game director Kota Furushima to apologize for certain aspects that need refinement. He acknowledged the need for updates to improve story pacing, introduce frame generation, and allow players to skip cutscenes, while noting that difficulty adjustments are not a primary focus. Despite the critiques, co-op combat and the game's atmosphere have received positive feedback, with a unique post-apocalyptic vibe resonating with players. PC Gamer's Shaun Prescott praised the game's mature presentation, highlighting its commitment to a serious and immersive ambience.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Mesh, Automattic’s CRM for everyone, comes to Android

Mesh, a personal CRM acquired by Automattic, has launched on Android, allowing users to manage their networks with features like notes, reminders, and real-time synchronization. The app includes enhancements for Android, such as split-screen views, keyboard shortcuts for foldable devices, in-app search, and home screen widgets. Mesh is currently in early access with Nexus AI, which helps users navigate their networks. It prioritizes user privacy and operates on a subscription model, offering a free version for up to 1,000 contacts. Approximately 70% of users utilize Mesh for business purposes, and it is available for download on Google Play.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Atlus is interested in remaking the PlayStation One-era Persona games, something that, after waiting for many years, I hope finally happens on Xbox and PC

Atlus has announced a remake for Persona 4 and is developing Persona 6, both set to release on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Game Pass. However, earlier titles like Revelation: Persona, Persona 2: Innocent Sin, and Persona 2: Eternal Punishment have not been remade, leaving fans of those games wanting. Producer Wada Kazuhisa hinted at the possibility of reviving these earlier titles. The difficulty in accessing these classic games has increased due to the shutdown of the PSP and PSN stores for PlayStation 3.