talent Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

The studio behind the best metroidvania of 2021 has a new game coming out next month—and I’m dropping everything to play it

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a modern metroidvania known for its class-based combat, exploration mechanics, and pixel art. Released in 2021 by LABS Works, it was notable among other metroidvania titles like Axiom Verge 2 and Ender Lilies. LABS Works is currently developing a new game called Lovish, which will be a single-screen platformer featuring straightforward combat and intricate puzzles. Lovish is set to launch on Steam on February 5, with a free demo available now. The pixel art for Lovish is created by Kap, known for his work on 1001 Spikes.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

The UK box office had its best year since COVID in 2025

The U.K. box office generated £1.07 billion in 2025, marking its most successful year since the COVID-19 pandemic, though still 21 percent below pre-COVID levels. The top ten films of the year were all sequels, remakes, or adaptations, with "A Minecraft Movie" leading at £56.8 million. Other top films included "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy" (£46.3 million), "Wicked: For Good" (£45.8 million), "Lilo & Stitch" (£37.3 million), and "Jurassic World Rebirth" (£36.1 million). Notably, no superhero films made the top half of the chart for the first time since 2020. Gen Z audiences showed a 25 percent increase in cinema attendance in 2025.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 developer seems to be working on a secret Unreal Engine project

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 ranked fourth in Game of the Year discussions for 2025 and is recognized as one of the best medieval games. Developer Warhorse Studios is speculated to be transitioning to Unreal Engine for future projects, as indicated by job listings that require experience with Unreal Engine. A user named Jakub Holík, tech ops lead at Warhorse, has also linked to job ads for an upcoming Unreal Engine project. The publisher, Plaion, has not confirmed any details regarding these speculations. Warhorse may be considering multiple projects or a complete engine overhaul, but it is unclear if Kingdom Come Deliverance 3 will use Unreal Engine. Community manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling stated that while the narrative of Henry has concluded, the Kingdom Come Deliverance IP is not shelved, and immersive RPGs will remain a focus for the studio.

Tech Optimizer

January 6, 2026

MENXTT NG to pre-install Bitdefender Antivirus on all laptops from 2026

MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, announced Ayodeji Benson, known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show during the grand finale on December 13, 2025, at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos. The competition began in September and attracted over 15,000 participants. Ayo Benzi received a ₦150 million music deal, while the first runner-up, Dave Cash, won ₦100 million. Other finalists, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay, received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million, respectively. The contestants were mentored by notable Afrobeats producers, including Puffy Tee. The event featured guest performances from Iyanya and Bella Shmurda.

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.

Tech Optimizer

December 31, 2025

Planting commits in Siberia: Postgres Pro opens in Akademgorodok

IT companies are increasingly focused on enhancing their public image through innovative contributions, particularly in coding. Postgres Professional emphasizes its commitment to open-source development, actively contributing to PostgreSQL with over 40 engineers involved in patches for version 18. The company has established a new office in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, chosen for its vibrant scientific community and research environment, to invest in the next generation of systems programmers and engineers. Their initiatives include advancing PostgreSQL components, researching performance models, and providing educational programs such as the Postgres Pro Summer School and collaborative projects with local universities. The aim is to foster hands-on experience and mentorship in systems programming, ensuring the development of world-class technology rooted in open-source principles.

Tech Optimizer

December 25, 2025

Bernardo Quintero Uncovers Creator of Virus Málaga and Cybersecurity Legacy | Ukraine news

Bernardo Quintero sought to find the programmer behind the Virus Málaga, which had a significant impact on his life and career in cybersecurity. The virus, initially a piece of malware, sparked Quintero's interest in the field and led to the creation of VirusTotal, which was acquired by Google in 2012. This acquisition helped elevate Málaga as a tech hub in Europe. Quintero revisited the virus code and discovered a clue linking it to a programmer named Enrique, who was affectionately known as Kiki. He learned from Antonio Astorga, a source who passed away, that the virus contained a hidden message against the Basque terrorist group ETA. Astorga's legacy continues through his son, Serhiy, who has aspirations in cybersecurity and quantum computing.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Grab these ten great Steam Deck games for incredibly low prices during the Steam Winter Sale

The Steam Winter Sale offers discounts up to 90% on various games, particularly appealing to Steam Deck users. - Hollow Knight is discounted by 50%, priced at .99 / £6.39, while Hollow Knight: Silksong is available for .99 / £13.40 after a 20% discount. - Blue Prince is priced at .79 / £16.49, down from .99. - Baldur's Gate 3 is available for .99, reflecting a 25% discount from its usual price of .99. - Stardew Valley is priced at .99 / £6.59, a 40% reduction from .99. - Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition is available for .24 / £7.49, down from .99, a 75% discount. - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is now .99 / £21.99, down from .99, reflecting a 60% discount. - Slay the Spire is available for .49 / £1.99, thanks to a 90% discount. - Dave the Diver is priced at .99 / £9.34, a 45% discount from .99. - Hades 2 is available for .74 / £18.74 after a 25% discount. - Subnautica is priced at .49 / £6.49, down from .99, reflecting a 75% discount. - Dispatch is available for .99, a 10% discount from its original price of .99.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

Roy Lee Grossed $9B From Movies Like ‘Weapons’ and ‘Minecraft’ But What He Really Wants to Do Is Make ‘Calvin & Hobbes’

Roy Lee, a 56-year-old mega-producer in the film industry, has produced or executive produced eleven films in 2025, including New Line’s sci-fi thriller Companion and Warner Bros.’ The Minecraft Movie, which nearly reached a billion at the box office. He is known for his subdued approach to filmmaking, preferring to empower the creative talents he collaborates with rather than seeking the spotlight. Lee began his career in the 1990s as an assistant at Alphaville Films and pioneered one of Hollywood’s first online script tracking services. He has successfully adapted works from literary icons like Stephen King, securing the rights to The Long Walk after adapting It. Lee emphasizes his focus on the creative process over awards and expresses optimism about the future of Hollywood, particularly regarding new technologies like artificial intelligence.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

The Game Awards live coverage: Every reveal and announcement as it happens

Geoff Keighley is engaging audiences on social media ahead of The Game Awards, teasing announcements and appearances. Confirmed highlights include potential developments for Tomb Raider, a new look at Resident Evil Requiem, the sci-fi RPG Exodus, and a new project from Neon Giant. The preshow starts at 4:30 PM PT, with live updates from staff writer Morgan Park. Keighley shared coordinates to a mysterious statue in the California desert, leading to speculation about its connection to games, particularly a new project from Larian Studios related to "Divinity." Rumored titles generating buzz include Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Control: Resonant, a Diablo 4 expansion, an Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake, and a Max Payne Remake. Game of the Year nominees include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Donkey Kong Bananza, Hades 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already won Best Independent Game and Best Family Game for Donkey Kong Bananza, as well as Innovation in Accessibility for Doom: The Dark Ages. A demo for Pragmata was announced, set for release in April 2026. Clair Obscur faced its first loss in the Players Voice category but secured the title of Game of the Year, bringing its total awards to ten.