leadership changes Archives

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla director comes back to Ubisoft to be game director for the entire brand

Eric Baptizat has returned to Ubisoft as the game director for the entire Assassin's Creed series after a brief hiatus. He previously served as the lead game designer on Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag and as the director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Baptizat has a 16-year tenure at Ubisoft, contributing to key titles such as Black Flag, Origins, and Valhalla. He left Ubisoft in 2021 to work at EA Motive, where he directed the Dead Space remake and was the game design director on Battlefield 6. His return is viewed positively and may signal a revitalization for Ubisoft.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Subnautica 2 is responsible for Krafton’s ‘record second quarter performance’ despite the messy legal battle and accusations of sabotage

Subnautica 2 launched in early access in May 2025 after facing corporate turmoil, including the removal of Unknown Worlds' leadership by Krafton and allegations of sabotage. Krafton accused the studio heads of neglect, while the ousted leadership claimed Krafton was stalling to avoid a financial obligation. Despite these challenges, Subnautica 2 sold 5 million copies shortly after its release. Unknown Worlds' CEO, Ted Gill, left his position amid the turmoil, and staff were set to receive bonuses from the earnout. Krafton reported record revenues of KRW 1.29 trillion and an operating profit of KRW 410.9 billion, largely attributed to Subnautica 2 and the PUBG franchise. PC revenue exceeded KRW 500 billion for the first time, but Krafton faced a net profit deficit of KRW 29.9 billion due to costs from acquiring Unknown Worlds and the earnout.

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

The Microsoft/OpenAI breakup: What does it actually mean for Copilot and other AI apps on your Windows 11 PC?

Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI has shifted from an exclusive agreement to a non-exclusive one, allowing OpenAI to offer its products on various cloud platforms while Microsoft remains its primary cloud partner. Microsoft is facing potential challenges, including its worst quarterly performance since 2008 and internal sales cuts due to low interest in its AI offerings. Despite this, CEO Satya Nadella reported that Microsoft 365 Copilot has reached 20 million paid enterprise seats, with user engagement increasing. However, there are concerns about the willingness of Microsoft 365 and Office 365 users to pay for Copilot. The non-exclusive agreement may weaken Microsoft's competitive edge, as OpenAI can now license its models to competitors. Microsoft is developing its own in-house AI models and has made leadership changes within its Copilot division to secure its position in the AI market. The future of Copilot in Windows 11 remains uncertain, but Microsoft continues to innovate with AI features across its platforms.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Who is YouTuber Marlow? Minecraft Crystal PvP star accused of hacking, catfishing, fake face reveal, and massive deception scandal

Marlow became a notable figure in Minecraft's Crystal PvP scene, known for her montage videos and distinctive blue and white-haired skin, attracting a large following. However, concerns arose about the authenticity of her content, leading to a scandal involving allegations of deception regarding her identity, with claims that she might be a man using the alias "Danger Mario." Accusations included cheating in ranked matches, staging PvP recreations, and using AI-generated voice tools to maintain her female persona. A report by Dexerto in May 2026 brought the controversy to wider attention, resulting in significant upheaval within MC Tiers, including staff resignations and credibility issues. Prominent players began distancing themselves from Marlow, raising questions about trust and integrity in the competitive Minecraft community.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Hexe loses 2nd director-level developer in as many months

Game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure from the development team of Assassin's Creed Hexe, marking the second high-profile exit this year after creative director Clint Hocking left in February. Richer is co-founding a new studio, Servo Games, with three former Ubisoft developers. Ubisoft has described Assassin's Creed Hexe as a departure from the open-world, action-RPG format established since 2017's Origins. The franchise is also set to release Black Flag Resynced, a remake of Assassin's Creed 4, on July 9. Additionally, former franchise boss Marc-Alexis Côté departed Ubisoft last year and has filed a lawsuit against the company for "constructive dismissal," seeking .3 million Canadian in damages.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

PS5 Games on PC Don’t Hurt PlayStation Sales, Finance More Projects, Says Shuhei Yoshida

Sony is considering a strategy shift regarding the release of its first-party single-player games on PC alongside the PlayStation 5. Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida stated that PC ports have not negatively impacted PS5 sales and could help recoup development costs for high-budget titles. He noted that releasing games on PC after a period of exclusivity allows for additional revenue that can be reinvested into future projects. Yoshida also mentioned his departure from the role of president of Worldwide Studios was due to a lack of alignment with then-CEO Jim Ryan. Currently, Sony has not officially announced its future plans for PC releases, and there is uncertainty regarding upcoming titles like Saros and Marvel’s Wolverine.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Microsoft Is Already Pulling Back On Its Windows Copilot AI Push

Microsoft has integrated its generative chatbot, Copilot, into various aspects of the Windows operating system, leading to user dissatisfaction due to perceived compromises in the overall experience. Users have expressed frustration with Windows 11's problematic updates and system demands, coining the term "Microslop." Initially, Microsoft resisted this backlash, but as dissatisfaction grew, the company began to shift its strategy, acknowledging the need to address Windows' challenges. This included removing the Copilot button from Notepad in a recent preview build, while still maintaining AI functionality through a different button. Leadership changes at Microsoft suggest a potential realignment of priorities amid profitability challenges in the AI sector. Upcoming enhancements to Windows will restore legacy taskbar features, make Windows Update less intrusive, and improve File Explorer's performance. Additionally, the launch of Apple's budget-friendly MacBook Neo poses a challenge to Microsoft's affordable Windows market, as Apple adopts a more measured approach to AI. Microsoft must ensure that new Windows 11 laptop owners do not face performance issues or an overload of AI features.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Subnautica 2 set for early access release in May as Krafton signals surrender: ‘We look forward to working with Ted Gill to support a smooth transition and work toward a successful launch’

Krafton announced that Subnautica 2 will enter early access in May. This announcement follows a leadership change at Unknown Worlds, with Ted Gill set to reclaim his position as CEO. Steve Papoutsis, the current head of Unknown Worlds, expressed gratitude to the team for their hard work on the game. The early access launch is anticipated to lead to a full release in 2025. Krafton faces a financial obligation related to a 0 million bonus tied to the leadership dispute, with the deadline extended until September 15, 2026. Papoutsis highlighted the importance of collaborating with Gill for a smooth transition.

Winsage

March 13, 2026

Windows & Devices boss now reports directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella

Microsoft has announced leadership changes affecting its Windows & Devices, Office, and LinkedIn divisions. Rajesh Jha, executive vice president of the Experiences & Devices division, will retire on July 1 after over 35 years. Four new leaders have been promoted to executive vice president roles: Pavan Davuluri (Windows & Devices), Ryan Roslansky (Office and LinkedIn), Perry Clarke (Microsoft 365 Core), and Charles Lamanna (Business and Industry Copilot). Jha will remain in an advisory role post-retirement. CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the opportunities ahead for Microsoft and the importance of a smooth transition. The restructuring aims to revitalize Windows 11 and address past criticisms, with a focus on quality updates and customer feedback under Davuluri's leadership.