Games Archives

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

“Gabe really had a great vision”: Steam became a PC gaming cornerstone because Valve built a community with “stickiness,” says Nightdive chief who worked on GameStop’s Steam competitor

GameStop was a pioneer in digital distribution before Valve's Steam became the leading platform for PC gaming. Larry Kuperman, a veteran of the gaming industry, contributed to the development of Impulse, an online store acquired by GameStop. In the 2000s, third-party digital distribution was not intuitive, as game sales were primarily controlled by physical retailers. BioWare regretted not creating a platform like Steam. Amazon's attempts to compete with Steam were unsuccessful. Kuperman attributes Steam's success to its community-building efforts, which fostered loyalty among users. The platform significantly lowered barriers for game developers, allowing anyone to publish games for a nominal fee. Steam has been crucial for indie developers, providing extensive reach and discoverability compared to other platforms like GOG. Kuperman credits GOG as essential for his work at Nightdive, and Gabe Newell's ideas continued to shape Valve after he stepped back from active development.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

New findings reinforce why Sony may leave PC behind and release new first-party singleplayer games on PlayStation instead

Sony's entry into the PC gaming market generated 0 million in revenue over three years, as disclosed in 2023. The company is reconsidering its strategy for first-party singleplayer games on PC, potentially reinforcing PlayStation exclusivity. Jerry Liu, a former planner in Sony's PlayStation division, reported that he managed operations for the PS PC group, which grew from zero to 0 million in net revenue over three years. Sony's earnings from PC games for fiscal years were as follows: FY20: million, FY21: 0 million, FY22: 0 million. The surge in FY22 revenue was largely due to the acquisition of Bungie and the release of nine first-party titles on PC. The reported figures reflect net revenue, while actual gross revenue for FY22 was approximately 0 million. This discrepancy indicates that Sony's quarterly reports represent gross revenue, while segment briefings reflect net revenue. Focusing on PlayStation exclusivity may help Sony balance gross and net revenues and avoid revenue sharing with platforms like Valve.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Steam’s Latest Free Game Is a Cozy Minecraft Alternative

Agro Life is a free-to-play PC game that launches on Steam today, April 1st. In the game, players can build, grow, and manage their own countryside life, starting with a small plot of land that can be developed into a farm with crops, animals, and structures. Activities include planting and harvesting crops, caring for livestock, gathering resources, crafting tools, and expanding settlements. Unlike Minecraft, Agro Life does not feature combat but allows exploration, hunting, fishing, and trading with NPCs. The game offers a customizable experience, catering to both peaceful farming and active survival styles.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

IAEA Launches Global Student Challenge to Design Sustainable Uranium Mines Using Minecraft

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has launched a global competition for university students to design and simulate sustainable uranium mining operations using the Minecraft Education platform. Teams of two to four members must create a comprehensive mining system that includes ore extraction and yellowcake production, incorporating advanced technologies such as robotics, smart sensors, and optimized processes. Submissions are due by 1 July 2026, and the winning team will present their project at the International Conference on Fuel Supply Chain for Sustainable Nuclear Power Development in Vienna, Austria, from 13–15 October 2026. Participants must submit an entry form, a university enrollment confirmation letter, a 5–7 minute video demonstrating their mining concept, and a sustainability commitment statement. The competition aims to inspire students to pursue careers in uranium exploration and mining amid rising global demand for nuclear energy. Modern uranium mining is increasingly adopting technologies to enhance safety and minimize environmental impact, with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Minecraft introduces Herdcraft, Mojang’s latest annual joke update, and suddenly I’m a pseudo-summoner with a sentient inventory to command

Mojang has released its annual April Fool's snapshot called Herdcraft, which humorously eliminates the traditional inventory system by scattering items throughout the game world. Players must now use leads to manage their items, similar to handling pets. The community has responded positively, discussing potential future features inspired by this update. Mojang's lead developer mentioned that smaller updates like Herdcraft feel more sustainable and contribute to a dynamic development cycle. While past April Fool's updates have not always been integrated into the game, there is hope that Herdcraft could inspire meaningful gameplay enhancements.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Minecraft creator Notch says ‘DLSS fundamentally makes no sense’, but the X comments say ‘um, actually’

Markus Persson, known as Notch, criticized Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology on social media, arguing that it is illogical to use the same hardware that struggles to run games at reasonable speeds to operate a neural network for generating additional frames. He compared DLSS to anti-aliasing, suggesting both technologies complicate the rendering process. Nvidia's vice president, Bryan Catanzaro, highlighted a shift in the industry towards artificial intelligence to improve graphics rendering, stating that traditional methods are no longer sufficient. He emphasized the need for smarter approaches to optimize resource use in graphics rendering. Nick, a tester, is evaluating DLSS and Frame Generation, illustrating the GPU's workload in rendering versus AI interpolation of frames.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Russian officials discover fraudsters in Minecraft – they are using children in their schemes

Fraudsters are exploiting in-game chats in Minecraft to deceive young players, particularly in Russia. They initiate contact with children in the game, then move the conversation to Telegram, posing as "cybersecurity officers" and claiming that the children have shared sensitive information. They threaten detention to coerce minors into stealing money from their parents to give to couriers. Authorities have issued warnings to raise awareness among children and parents about these deceptive tactics.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Slay the Spire 2’s team is already cooking on 3 ideas for new game modes, each offering ‘ways to interact with Slay the Spire that don’t exist right now’

Casey Yano, co-founder of Mega Crit, revealed that Slay the Spire 2 will enter early access in the next year or two and will feature three new modes, including a co-op mode. This addition aims to attract both seasoned players and newcomers. The team is exploring new gameplay dynamics, which may include collaborative gameplay, dynamic challenges, and experimental features that could surprise players.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Revisiting the last truly great Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 has seen a resurgence in interest due to a sale on Steam. The game is praised for its visual quality, sound design, and gameplay experience, setting high standards for first-person shooters. Its Create-a-Class system encourages strategic gameplay, and the attachment mechanics require meaningful choices, preventing any single weapon configuration from dominating. Despite some flaws, the game retains distinct weapon characteristics. Modern Warfare 2019 is viewed as both a high point for the franchise and a catalyst for challenges, particularly with the introduction of Warzone. The decision to separate Modern Warfare from Warzone has been positively received. Activision's recent discount indicates an effort to rekindle excitement for the game, which continues to be a benchmark for future titles.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The Emperor Protects: A Warhammer 40,000 Musical is a deeply committed April Fool’s joke from Games Workshop, and I don’t care if it’s a day late because it’s just that good

April 2 marks the end of the April Fool's festivities until 2027. "The Emperor Protects: A Warhammer 40,000 Musical" is being promoted on YouTube, featuring performances by Space Marines and Battle Sisters of songs like "Suffer Not the Alien To Live," "My Collection," and "There Is Only the Emperor." A behind-the-scenes video showcases rehearsal footage and insights from producers Adam and Eddie, though access may require a VPN for viewers in Canada. The musical is set to premiere on April 1, 2027. The Warhammer community is enthusiastic about the project, with fans expressing eagerness for its realization. The production features three songs, elaborate costumes, and a dedicated cast.