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Todd Howard

Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and "take more risks"
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and “take more risks”

Jack Buser, Global Director for Games at Google Cloud, believes AI will transform game development by accelerating production timelines and allowing developers to take creative risks. The integration of AI has increased, with industry leaders like Bethesda's Todd Howard interested in using it for data tasks, while former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra criticized Pearl Abyss for using AI in asset creation. Buser argues that AI tools can reduce repetitive tasks, enabling more innovation and creativity, potentially leading to more frequent game releases. He anticipates that public perception of AI will improve as players experience faster game production. However, there are concerns about the potential loss of artistry in game creation due to the focus on efficiency.
Todd Howard says Starfield's NG+ was misunderstood and defends Bethesda's new U-turn on how it works: 'You can tell us if we're done our job right'
AppWizard
April 13, 2026

Todd Howard says Starfield’s NG+ was misunderstood and defends Bethesda’s new U-turn on how it works: ‘You can tell us if we’re done our job right’

Starfield's Free Lanes update enhances the New Game Plus (NG+) mode by allowing players to retain up to 50 items when entering The Unity, a multiverse nexus that resets the game while keeping character skills and abilities. This change addresses player concerns about losing hard-earned possessions, which was previously seen as a daunting sacrifice. The update also introduces X-Tech for further upgrades to existing gear, aiming to reward players without frustrating them by losing progress. Bethesda's director, Todd Howard, and creative producer, Tim Lamb, emphasize the importance of evolving the gameplay experience and encouraging players to engage with the game's NG+ features.
Fallout megamod maker says there were 'moments of uncertainty' about how okay Bethesda was with it, but gives props to Todd for staying cool about the whole thing
AppWizard
March 26, 2026

Fallout megamod maker says there were ‘moments of uncertainty’ about how okay Bethesda was with it, but gives props to Todd for staying cool about the whole thing

Fallout: London (FOLON) is a significant mod for Fallout 4, described as a "DLC-sized" expansion that takes players to a post-apocalyptic London. It is the largest single-player Fallout release in over a decade. The development team, led by Dean "Prilladog" Carter, faced challenges during the five-year project, particularly regarding Bethesda's acceptance of the modification. Despite uncertainties, the team was invited to Bethesda's office, indicating a positive relationship with the original developers. Todd Howard from Bethesda expressed interest in the mod team's approach to recreating elements from Oblivion. The gaming community is eagerly anticipating the release of FOLON.
Nvidia Wants to Slop-ify Your PC Games With Its New AI Upscaler
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Nvidia Wants to Slop-ify Your PC Games With Its New AI Upscaler

Nvidia has announced DLSS 5, which will enhance in-game lighting effects and employ artificial intelligence to analyze games' color palettes and motion vectors, resulting in more lifelike scenes. The technology is designed to support resolutions up to 4K and will be integrated into existing titles such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Early demonstrations, such as in Resident Evil Requiem and Starfield, show character models that may appear overly polished or exaggerated, raising concerns about the balance between realism and artistic integrity. DLSS 5 is expected to be released in the fall, as Nvidia continues to refine its model. Currently, DLSS 4.5 competes with AMD’s FSR Redstone and Intel’s XeSS, offering superior detail preservation.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
March 14, 2026

Starfield’s composer says the game will become ‘legendary’, Todd Howard’s a ‘visionary’, and maybe you ‘were just not ready for it’

Composer Inon Zur has worked in the gaming industry for nearly three decades, contributing to numerous titles, including Bethesda's Fallout series and Starfield. In an interview, he praised Todd Howard for his creativity and vision, despite mixed reviews for Starfield, which received a 75% score from PC Gamer. Zur described the score for Starfield as a standout feature, emphasizing the duality of vastness and motion in space. He used unconventional orchestration techniques, with woodwinds creating rapid patterns and brass and strings providing a stable backdrop. Zur aimed to capture the relationship between individuals and the enormity of space, which influenced his compositional process.
Elder Scrolls fans are taking it well after Microsoft says it's a 'big year for games ending in 6' ahead of its upcoming Xbox Direct showcase: 'I'm practically living off hopium and copium at this point'
AppWizard
January 10, 2026

Elder Scrolls fans are taking it well after Microsoft says it’s a ‘big year for games ending in 6’ ahead of its upcoming Xbox Direct showcase: ‘I’m practically living off hopium and copium at this point’

On January 22, Microsoft will host an Xbox Direct showcase featuring the anticipated titles Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation. Forza Horizon 6 is generating significant buzz, especially in comparison to Grand Theft Auto 6. Ride 6 is also set to launch in February. The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a highly anticipated but mysterious title, with fans eager for updates. Microsoft disabled replies to a teasing post, leading to speculation about managing expectations. Todd Howard, the director of The Elder Scrolls 6, indicated in December 2025 that while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go before its release. The likelihood of a full trailer debuting at the Xbox Direct showcase is considered slim.
We owe Skyrim's beloved Stealth Archer to one of the designers of an all-time classic PC stealth game, who wrote Todd Howard 'a big document of stealth in 20 different games'
AppWizard
November 23, 2025

We owe Skyrim’s beloved Stealth Archer to one of the designers of an all-time classic PC stealth game, who wrote Todd Howard ‘a big document of stealth in 20 different games’

Stealth mechanics in role-playing games have been popular among players for decades, with games like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Cyberpunk offering immersive experiences. The Stealth Archer playstyle in Skyrim has gained a significant following, leading to numerous guides and discussions online. Emil Pagliarulo, Bethesda's design director, has a background in stealth games, having started his career at Looking Glass Studios, known for titles like Thief. He conducted an analysis of stealth mechanics in 20 different games upon joining Bethesda. Oblivion, released in 2006, introduced important stealth mechanics such as consistent sound and line-of-sight, enhancing the stealth experience compared to previous games. Pagliarulo distinguishes between Thief, which focuses solely on stealth simulation, and Bethesda's games, which offer a broader range of gameplay systems. He emphasizes the freedom players have to shape their characters' identities through stealth gameplay, expressing pride in the evolution of stealth mechanics at Bethesda.
Fallout 4's Creations Bundle stumbles from the Vault to Mostly Negative reviews, as players lament the pack 'does not work' and 'made the game buggier'
AppWizard
November 11, 2025

Fallout 4’s Creations Bundle stumbles from the Vault to Mostly Negative reviews, as players lament the pack ‘does not work’ and ‘made the game buggier’

Bethesda has launched a Creations Bundle for Fallout 4 to commemorate its tenth anniversary, featuring 150 player-created items priced at £17.99. The bundle has received a "Mostly Negative" rating on Steam, with 124 reviews indicating player dissatisfaction with pricing and content, which appears to be a repackaging of previously available items. Players have reported new bugs, severe crashes when exiting the game, and connectivity issues with the Bethesda store. Some users noted that not all advertised creations are included in the bundle, and the newly added Creations menu has been problematic. This situation is reminiscent of the troubled launch of Skyrim: Anniversary Edition, which still holds a Mixed rating on Steam. Additionally, issues from last year's Next Gen upgrade of Fallout 4 have resurfaced, causing further disruption.
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