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Valve veteran slams Tim Sweeney and Epic Games for laying off 1000 people while making 'as much money as possible… and hey Tim, Gabe's better at that than you'
AppWizard
March 27, 2026

Valve veteran slams Tim Sweeney and Epic Games for laying off 1000 people while making ‘as much money as possible… and hey Tim, Gabe’s better at that than you’

Chet Faliszek, a former Valve writer, expressed concerns about the recent layoffs at Epic Games, where over 1,000 employees lost their jobs. He questioned the motivation for employees to remain dedicated to their work after such significant layoffs and highlighted the closure of projects like Fortnite Rocket Racing and Ballistic. Faliszek contrasted his experience at Valve, where he felt a sense of ownership and pride, with the current situation at Epic, suggesting that the lack of agency could lead to a diminished work ethic. He warned that the layoffs could negatively impact the gaming industry's culture, resulting in a loss of passion and care among employees. Faliszek criticized Epic's strategic decisions and emphasized the importance of recognizing and rewarding employees' hard work. Epic Games did not provide specific feedback on his comments but referred to a recent post addressing the layoffs. The atmosphere at Epic is tense, with concerns about the future of Fortnite amid the workforce reductions.
If you crave Titanfall 3, 1047 Games is building a new movement shooter for you, and playtest sign-ups are live
AppWizard
March 25, 2026

If you crave Titanfall 3, 1047 Games is building a new movement shooter for you, and playtest sign-ups are live

1047 Games is in the early stages of developing a new game inspired by Titanfall and wall-running multiplayer experiences like Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. CEO Ian Proulx emphasized that Splitgate remains the studio's primary focus while expressing enthusiasm for the new project and inviting community feedback. The studio aims to create a movement shooter that appeals to both seasoned players and newcomers. Despite challenges with maintaining a player base for Splitgate 2, the studio reassured fans that they are committed to both titles. Playtesting opportunities for the new game will soon be available for interested players.
Portal writer Erik Wolpaw is "not worried about AI taking over creative writing," but it could be the straight-faced foil to GTA's chaos
AppWizard
March 25, 2026

Portal writer Erik Wolpaw is “not worried about AI taking over creative writing,” but it could be the straight-faced foil to GTA’s chaos

Erik Wolpaw, known for his work in game writing at Valve, shared insights on generative AI tools during a podcast. He has been experimenting with AI alongside colleagues, emphasizing that this is a personal exploration rather than a Valve initiative. Wolpaw is skeptical about AI's ability to create compelling narratives, stating it is currently ineffective in creative writing. He sees potential for AI to enhance character interactions in games, particularly in real-time responses to player actions, citing Left 4 Dead as an example. He believes AI should improve player experiences rather than serve as a cost-cutting measure. Wolpaw has also experimented with AI-generated voices but finds them inferior to real actors. He acknowledges the dual nature of AI, which can be both creatively destructive and pose existential risks. Wolpaw recognizes the challenges of game development and is realistic about his future in the industry.
A $5 Wikipedia-like mystery game consumed me for 2 straight hours as I dug for clues about a little town and its big weird tree
AppWizard
March 24, 2026

A $5 Wikipedia-like mystery game consumed me for 2 straight hours as I dug for clues about a little town and its big weird tree

Players in Lost Wiki: Kozlovka investigate the history of a small Eastern European town plagued by generational deceit since the late 1800s, centered around the "Draken Oak" tree. The gameplay involves two cases: The Case of the Golden Idol and The Roottrees are Dead, requiring players to fill in reports and construct a family tree and timeline of the town's tragic history. The game critiques the nature of public information and the erasure of context, using a retro computer interface and a haunting soundtrack. As players progress, they uncover hidden secrets through reports and email exchanges with a client, leading to a captivating narrative experience. The game is available on Steam.
Russia's Max: The unencrypted super-app being forced on citizens
AppWizard
March 23, 2026

Russia’s Max: The unencrypted super-app being forced on citizens

The Max application was launched by VK in 2025, raising concerns about potential government surveillance and a separation from Western digital services. The app combines social media, messaging, and government services, including a digital ID and banking, and is being promoted as a "secure" platform by President Vladimir Putin, who aims for "technological sovereignty." Since September, Max has been pre-installed on devices sold in Russia and is included on a "white list" of services operational during internet blackouts. Initially available only to users with Russian or Belarusian SIM cards, it now supports English and phone numbers from 40 "friendly" countries but is not available in the EU or Ukraine. Public sentiment is mixed, with some individuals feeling forced to use it for communications, while others have concerns about privacy and data security. Max does not offer end-to-end encryption, and user data is stored on Russian servers. The app's introduction is part of Russia's strategy for a "sovereign internet," with increased regulatory authority to monitor online activities.
Kirsten Dunst Joins the Cast of MINECRAFT MOVIE 2 as Alex
AppWizard
March 20, 2026

Kirsten Dunst Joins the Cast of MINECRAFT MOVIE 2 as Alex

Kirsten Dunst has joined the cast of the untitled Minecraft Movie sequel, where she will portray Alex, a primary avatar from the Minecraft video games. The returning cast includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Danielle Brooks, Matt Berry, and Jennifer Coolidge. The first film featured four misfits who were transported to the Overworld and had to navigate challenges while teaming up with Steve, an expert crafter. Minecraft 2 is set to be released in theaters on July 23, 2027.
Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Russian Officials Use Burner Phones to Avoid State Messaging App Surveillance

Russian officials are increasingly using separate phones and SIM cards to install the state-backed messaging app, Max, due to growing distrust of the platform among government employees and state enterprise managers. Reports indicate that many officials prefer not to install Max on personal devices, often acquiring additional smartphones specifically for this purpose. Some officials register for the app using their regular numbers but continue to use separate devices for communication, and the most cautious avoid syncing contacts with their work phones. The pressure to adopt Max extends to the education sector, where students at Moscow Pedagogical State University are compelled to register for the app, with threats to their diploma access if they refuse. The university has started moving academic communication to the state messenger, with messages from the dean's office stressing the importance of registration. Additionally, a document from the Ministry of Education instructs institute directors to hold meetings with students regarding Max. Resistance is also seen in the military, with reports of servicemen in the Donetsk region refusing to comply with orders to install the app.
Moscow University Students Pressured to Use State App Max to Receive Diplomas
AppWizard
March 16, 2026

Moscow University Students Pressured to Use State App Max to Receive Diplomas

Students at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPGU) have raised concerns about a directive to register for the state-run messaging application, Max, warning that non-compliance could jeopardize their access to diplomas via the government portal, Gosuslugi. The university is transitioning all academic communication and administrative processes to Max, with messages from the dean's office emphasizing the necessity of registration. An order from the Russian Ministry of Education instructs university officials to discuss the implementation of Max with students. MPGU representatives confirmed that the introduction of Max aims to enhance the university's information environment. Additionally, the state messenger's adoption affects Russian military personnel, who are resisting orders to install Max, which has led to discontent among soldiers and officers. Concerns about digital surveillance have also intensified, with many military personnel seeking to avoid using Max, viewed as a surveillance tool. The Russian government plans to enhance internet monitoring and censorship, with a new system set to be introduced in 2026, backed by a budget of 2.27 billion rubles.
МТС начал взимать ежедневную плату за использование VPN
TrendTechie
March 14, 2026

МТС начал взимать ежедневную плату за использование VPN

MTS, a major mobile operator in Russia, has reclassified virtual private networks (VPNs) as equivalent to torrent services, imposing a daily fee of up to 87 rubles for users who wish to engage in private browsing. Traffic routed through VPNs will no longer be included in standard service packages, leading to additional charges for accessing blocked resources or securing connections. The new tariff structure charges users based on their region and plan, with fees ranging from 80 to 87 rubles per day for a quota of five gigabytes of specialized traffic. Users can block this service to avoid charges, resulting in the complete unavailability of VPN connections. This policy is seen as a response to pressures for new monetization strategies and aligns with government efforts to limit internet circumvention. The potential for other major telecom operators to adopt similar practices could impact net neutrality in Russia.
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