talent Archives

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Hytale devs hire Minecraft modders behind incredible Create mod, teasing that it “opens the door to automation and a whole lot more” in their sandbox RPG

Mojang is focusing on smaller updates for Minecraft, including the Tiny Takeover drop and the upcoming Chaos Cubed. The developers of the Create mod are collaborating with Hypixel Studios on Hytale, an expansive sandbox RPG inspired by Minecraft that has been in development for nearly a decade and entered early access in January. Simon Collins-Laflamme from Hypixel Studios confirmed that the Create mod team is now part of Hytale's core design team, which may lead to innovative gameplay features. The community has responded positively to this collaboration, expressing hope for its potential impact on the game.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Hytale Hires the Creators of Minecraft’s Create Mod

Hypixel Studios has integrated the creators of the Create mod into its core design team for Hytale. Studio lead Simon Collins-Laflamme confirmed this, indicating that their focus is on enhancing the game's core systems, which may lead to automation features in the future. The Create team stated they will continue to support the Create mod for Minecraft, but it will not be ported to Hytale. The inclusion of the Create team suggests a commitment to expanding Hytale's mechanical complexity, although animated mechanical systems are not expected in the immediate future. Community response to this development has been positive.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Valorant gets its biggest VCT shake-up ever, and it could be the best thing to happen to it

Riot Games is restructuring the Valorant Champions Tour for 2027, moving away from the current league format to a more inclusive regional free-for-all system. The new format will feature open qualifiers and regular regional tournaments called 'VCT Cups,' allowing teams of all skill levels to compete for spots in international events. Riot plans to host over 20 tournaments annually across 16 cities, with a prize pool exceeding a million dollars each year. Partnered teams will still have advantages but will operate on a two-year cycle. The changes aim to foster compelling narratives and enhance competitiveness by allowing organization-less teams to emerge. Leo Faria stated that the shift to a tournament-driven system will create a dynamic ecosystem where every match matters and every team has a chance at the global stage.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Shinji Mikami’s next game was just stealth-announced in a YouTube video and it sure looks like the creator of survival horror is back doing what he does best

In 2023, Shinji Mikami founded a new studio called Unbound, marking his third studio creation after PlatinumGames and Tango Gameworks. Unbound recently launched its website, attracting the attention of Shift Up, a Korean publisher, which announced the complete acquisition of Unbound. Mikami emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent and expressed confidence in creating a "masterpiece of a game." Unbound currently has around 50 staff members and is expanding its workforce for an upcoming project. Mikami conveyed his enthusiasm for the creative process and addressed gamers, asking them to wait a little longer for the game's release.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

underscores Rates BTS, God, Minecraft, and Music Theory

The artist underscores collaborated with Pitchfork to discuss various cultural phenomena, including gaming, music, and personal expression, questioning whether elements like Minecraft, music theory, SoundCloud, dermal piercings, and Deadmau5 are overrated or underrated. Underscores' third studio album, titled U, is available for streaming and complements the discussions. The production team included Sam Dennis (Director), AJ Young (Director of Photography), Sam DiVito (Editor), Kristen DeVore (Creative Producer), Jen Santos (Line Producer), Evie Roop (Production Manager), Paige Garbarini (Talent Booker), Jon Corum (Camera Operator), Christian Olguin (Post Production Supervisor), Stella Shortino (Post Production Coordinator), Eduardo Araujo (Supervising Editor), Justin Symonds (Assistant Editor), Leo Fernandez (Global Head of Video), and Cara Marceante (Executive Producer).

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 translator claims they have been “replaced with AI”; Warhorse says they “deeply value the people who shape our work”

A former translator and localizer for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, known as Max H on Reddit, was let go by Warhorse Studios on March 27, as the studio decided to shift towards AI-driven solutions for translations, deeming Max's position "obsolete." Max had worked at the studio for nearly four years and expressed feelings of betrayal regarding the abrupt dismissal. They noted that management had begun integrating AI tools across various departments, including code development, and claimed AI was used without their approval to expedite translations, resulting in some content lacking thorough review. Max indicated they were the only employee affected by this shift, although they observed an increase in departures among colleagues. Warhorse Studios stated they are a talent-driven studio and value their employees but did not comment on individual situations.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Deus Ex: Human Revolution could’ve had a track from the original game’s composer but it was rejected for not being the ‘right fit,’ and in hindsight he says they were right

Deus Ex is celebrated for its impactful soundtrack, which contributes significantly to the game's emotional resonance. Eidos Montreal featured the theme song in their 2010 announcement of the franchise's return, evoking nostalgia among fans. Initially, creative director Jeffrey Birns envisioned composer Brandon for the score of Deus Ex: The Fall, but the task was ultimately assigned to Mike McCann. Brandon expressed disappointment but acknowledged the unpredictability of the industry. McCann's contributions to Human Revolution have been well-received, maintaining the essence of the Deus Ex universe. Brandon respects Szczepkowski, who offered him a role on Human Revolution, and humorously noted their differing career paths. Since his layoff from Frost Giant in 2025, Brandon has submitted around 50 resumes but has only secured one interview, highlighting the challenges faced by creatives in the current job market.

BetaBeacon

March 28, 2026

The Best 13 Android Games You Must Play in 2026

- Monster Hunter Outlanders completed its first round of closed beta testing in 2025 and is one of the most anticipated new mobile games of 2026. - Genshin Impact remains at the top of the free-to-play mobile scene with continuous updates to the story and events. - Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG with high-end action game polish and style, now available on Android phones and PC. - Destiny: Rising adapts the excellent shooting skills and MMO-style growth system of the console version to the mobile platform. - Goose Goose Duck, a mobile game released in 2026, attracted 5 million players in its first month and offers unique gameplay with a large number of characters. - Among Us is a global sensation in social deduction gaming where players must uncover the impostor among them. - Spaceteam is a local multiplayer game designed for 2 to 8 players to play together by shouting out technical terms to keep the spaceship running. - Chrono Trigger and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are classic RPGs now available on Android devices. - Gwent: The Witcher Card Game and Hearthstone are deeply strategic card games with rich deck-building options. - Marvel Snap is a fast-paced competition game with Marvel heroes and a three-minute gameplay duration. - Nizhan Future is a sci-fi shooting game developed specifically for mobile platforms with a season-based design and data interoperability between PC and mobile platforms.

Winsage

March 27, 2026

A legendary Windows dev is assembling a team to rebuild Windows 11 apps

Microsoft is mobilizing a team of seasoned professionals to enhance Windows 11 in response to user frustrations, as indicated by the trending term "Microslop" on social media. Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices, leads this effort, supported by notable figures such as Scott Hanselman, a Microsoft Vice President, and Clint Rutkas, a product manager for Windows Terminal and PowerToys. Rudy Huyn is also forming a new team focused on Windows applications, inviting developers to connect and share their portfolios. Huyn emphasized the importance of strong product thinking and customer focus in building this team.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Everything you need to know about Star Wars Zero Company

Bit Reactor's tactical game, Star Wars Zero Company, is set in the Clone Wars era and is projected to launch in 2026, though a specific release date has not been disclosed. The game features tactical combat mechanics similar to XCOM and allows players to command a mercenary group made up of former operatives from the Separatist and Republic factions. Players control a custom protagonist named Hawks, accompanied by a clone buddy named Trick, and can choose from a diverse cast of squadmates, each with unique abilities. Character customization is extensive, allowing players to select from various classes and alien species for their mercenaries. Combat involves controlling a squad of four characters with three action points per turn, and players can engage in tactical missions and non-combat operations that affect squad morale and narrative outcomes. The home base, called the Den, serves as a hub for research, gear upgrades, and mission selections. The game will not include player-centric romance subplots. Developed by Bit Reactor and published by Respawn under EA, the narrative direction is led by Aaron Contreras.