studio director Archives

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word ‘Immersive’ in the name

Harvey Smith, former studio director at Arkane Austin, has founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with executive producer Ben Horne. The studio aims to create imaginative first-person action RPGs with a focus on emergent game systems. The development team includes talent from companies like Arkane, Insomniac, Epic, Avalanche, and Volition. Black Pony Immersive's mission reflects a commitment to immersive storytelling and gameplay, inspired by the legacy of Looking Glass Studios. The closure of Arkane Austin in 2024 followed the poor performance of Redfall, but there is hope that some creative ideas from that period may be revived at Black Pony. Specific details about their first project are not yet disclosed, but hints are available on their website.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Doom director Hugo Martin says id Software is fine, and anyway, ‘what matters the most is that the games are good’

Recent layoffs at Xbox have raised concerns about id Software's ability to develop new games and maintain its idTech engine. However, id Software stated that its current workforce is comparable to that of a decade ago, during the development of the 2016 Doom reboot. Studio director Hugo Martin refuted claims that the studio has been significantly downsized, asserting that reports of having only 50 employees are false. Despite layoffs affecting the Frankfurt office, where the team was reduced from 12 to 6 employees, Martin's comments aim to reassure fans and stakeholders about the studio's stability.

AppWizard

September 28, 2025

Supergiant director says the studio is fully focused on Hades 2, doesn’t ‘secretly know’ what it’ll do next and Hades 3 is ‘not preordained’

Amir Rao, co-founder and studio director of Supergiant Games, discussed the studio's future after the early access release of Hades 2, expressing uncertainty about next steps. He emphasized the organic nature of their development process and hinted at potential projects without committing to specific titles. Supergiant Games, consisting of 25 individuals, is known for its unique storytelling and innovative gameplay. Speculation includes several rumored concepts for sequels to Bastion, such as Bastion 2: Beyond the Walls, Bastion 3: The Kid No More, Bastion 4: Combat Racing, Bastion 0: Stranger's Story, Bastion Gaiden: Girl's Side, and Bastion, the Anime (Amazon Prime Studios).

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

IGDA appoints Limpho Moeti as its chair

Limpho Moeti has been appointed as the chair of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), succeeding Zak Whaley. Moeti has nine years of experience in the gaming industry and is a co-founder of the indie festival Playtopia. Nazih Gares has been appointed as the new vice chair, and Mafalda Duarte as the secretary, while Tim Cullings continues as treasurer. Gares was previously the studio director of Telescope Game Studios and co-founded Game Dev Lison. Duarte has made significant contributions to the gaming landscape. Dr. Jakin Vela, the executive director of IGDA, expressed confidence in the new leadership team.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Newly-independent Chinese Room looking to keep budgets low

The Chinese Room, now an independent studio, is adopting a frugal approach to game development by keeping budgets modest for upcoming projects. Studio director Ed Daly emphasized the importance of managing risk and fostering creativity within financial constraints. The studio is currently self-funding its games but acknowledges the need for future partnerships. Daly noted that larger budgets can lead to unsustainable practices and highlighted a shift in the industry towards more cost-conscious development, with many studios now operating within low-single-million budgets for double-A projects. The Chinese Room, which was acquired by Sumo Group in 2018, recently completed a management buyout to regain its independence.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Colossal Order and Square Enix vets form new studio Day Off Interactive

A new gaming studio named Day Off Interactive has been established by former employees from Colossal Order and Square Enix, led by Karoliina Korppoo. The team includes Des Gayle as head of production, Colman Humphrey as Technical Director, Jayne Robinson as Marketing Veteran, Ethan Grant as Studio Director, and Karl Rabbitt as Deputy Studio Director. The studio is based in Ireland with a global team of 14 staff members. Day Off Interactive emphasizes innovation through simulation, sustainable business growth, and community connection, operating remotely with a four-day work week.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

The Chinese Room completes management buyout

The Chinese Room has transitioned to independence following a management buyout (MBO) and has severed ties with Sumo Digital, facilitated by venture capital firm Hiro Capital. The studio has undergone restructuring, resulting in layoffs, and currently employs 55 developers. Studio director Ed Daly confirmed that several roles were made redundant during this process. The studio is focusing on developing original intellectual properties as well as working with partner IPs, including projects like Still Wakes the Deep and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Additionally, John McCormack has been promoted to studio creative director, and Ross Manton has been promoted to production director.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Report: The Chinese Room has laid off small number of staff

The Chinese Room has reportedly reduced its workforce, with about ten employees seeking new job opportunities, although the studio has not confirmed the layoffs or the number of affected employees. Studio Director Ed Daly stated that more information about the studio's situation will be shared in the coming weeks. The studio, acquired by Sumo Digital in 2018, recently developed the Siren's Rest DLC for Still Wakes The Deep and took over the development of Paradox's Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 in 2023. Sumo Group has undergone significant changes, shifting back to a work-for-hire model and experiencing departures of its founders and several developers. Speculation exists regarding the future of The Chinese Room, including the possibility of a sale.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Neverway is a ‘nightmarish life sim RPG’ with hand drawn cuties and horrors from Celeste’s artist

Coldblood Inc. revealed its upcoming horror life simulation game, Neverway, co-founded by pixel artist Pedro Medeiros. The game features a protagonist named Fiona, who is the "immortal herald of a dead god," and includes elements like farming, fishing, crafting, and exploring dungeons. The narrative is described as rich and unsettling, with a focus on darker fantasy themes. Medeiros previously left Extremely Ok Games due to creative challenges. A release date for Neverway has not been announced, but it can be added to wishlists on Steam.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Thick as Thieves is instantly one of my most-anticipated games, and every Thief fan should be backstabbing that wishlist button

Warren Spector's studio is set to launch a four-player multiplayer game titled Thick as Thieves in 2026. It is a PvPvE first-person stealth game focused on competition rather than combat. The development team aims to create a unique identity for the game, learning from past titles like Hood: Outlaws & Legends and Deceive Inc. They emphasize a variety of gameplay styles, allowing players to ambush, stalk, hunt, or knock out competitors while manipulating the environment to their advantage. The game is designed to feature unpredictable scenarios and diverse player interactions.