talent development Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

New York Has a Gamer Mayor Now — and a $2.6 Billion Game Industry to Match

In June, New York City celebrated the NYC Battle of the Boroughs Champions at a press conference on June 10, recognizing the winners of the 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs. Among the winners was Team Hyper Pigmentation, an all-girl squad that won back-to-back titles. The city's digital games sector supports approximately 7,600 jobs, contributing billion in wages and generating a total economic output of billion. The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) has established the Game Development Industry Council, launched the NYC Summer of Games campaign, and funded grants for developers. New York City's digital gaming ecosystem has an annual economic impact of .6 billion, with around 380 digital gaming firms, 65 percent of which are small or indie studios. The share of open roles in the gaming industry increased from 15.1 percent to 29.2 percent between Q3 2024 and Q1 2026. The Summer of Games features events from May through September, including the NYC Video Game Festival and the Tribeca Games Gallery. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is recognized as the first "Gamer Mayor," engaging with gaming culture and platforms like Twitch. Jones-Harvey emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability issues to retain talent in the gaming industry. She advocates for recognizing video games as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, alongside music, film, and theater.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

After 200,000 Mobile Downloads, Classy Games Brings Orbital to PC

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the gaming industry to become a key player in the global market. The government has allocated resources for local game developers and is attracting international companies. Investment funds have been established to support startups and established firms in the gaming sector. Educational programs and partnerships with universities are being developed to train future game developers. The kingdom plans to host major gaming events to showcase local talent and enhance its reputation as a gaming hub. Additionally, there is a focus on integrating gaming into Saudi culture by promoting games that reflect local heritage and values, encouraging developers to explore themes related to Saudi culture, and fostering community involvement in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Jonas Martensson: Minecraft figure on LIV Golf and Cleeks role

Jonas Martensson, former CEO of Mojang Studios, is now the general manager of Cleeks GC in LIV Golf. He transitioned from gaming to professional sports management, focusing on team building and brand identity. Cleeks GC features players like Richard Bland, Adrian Meronk, and Frederik Kjettrup, with an average team age of 37. Martensson aims to develop future talent and create a strong fan base through a team-centric model. LIV Golf has secured significant sponsorships, including a multi-year deal with HSBC, and operates lucrative individual and team events. Martensson envisions expanding LIV Golf's reach with fixed event locations in Northern Europe.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

NDreams vet Tamsin O’Luanaigh founds new advisory studio Wise Cat

Tamsin O'Luanaigh, co-founder of a VR specialist, has launched an advisory firm called Wise Cat Strategy to improve working environments for game studios and businesses. She has over 20 years of experience as chief people officer at NDreams and received multiple awards for her contributions to workplace culture in the gaming industry. O'Luanaigh emphasizes the need for clear frameworks in people and culture strategies, noting that many employers struggle with implementing meaningful change. Wise Cat Strategy aims to provide tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by game studios as they grow.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Is adding SteamOS enough to ‘fix’ the Legion Go S?

A leading tech company plans to expand its operations into emerging markets to enhance its global footprint and tap into a growing consumer base. Key factors driving this expansion include increased internet penetration and smartphone usage, a young tech-savvy population, and the competitive advantage of early market entry. The company will invest in local partnerships and talent development to tailor its offerings to each market. Industry analysts are optimistic about potential revenue and market share growth from this initiative.

AppWizard

November 14, 2024

Ubisoft hires HR industry vet Froidefond as chief people officer

Ubisoft has appointed Sébastien Froidefond as its new Chief People Officer, effective November 20th. He will report to Cécile Russeil, the Executive Vice President of communications, corporate affairs, diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessibility, human resources, and legal. Froidefond has over 30 years of experience in human resources, most recently serving as the HR lead for the Americas at Groupe Lactalis. His responsibilities at Ubisoft will include talent development, workplace culture enhancement, global recruiting initiatives, talent management strategies, leadership development programs, and compensation and benefits administration. This appointment follows the departure of Anika Grant from the position in November 2023.