add-ons Archives

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition is down at $20 today

Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition is available for .97, down from the regular price, at 9to5Toys Specials. The bundle includes both the Java Edition for PC, Mac, and Linux, and the Bedrock Edition for console and mobile users. The Java Edition supports modding and custom content, while the Bedrock Edition allows cross-platform play and access to the Minecraft Marketplace. The package includes lifetime access and all future updates, with a 33% discount off the standard price.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

UK legal action against Valve over Steam prices gets go ahead

Valve Corporation is facing a £656 million lawsuit in the UK over allegations of unfair pricing practices related to its online store, Steam. The lawsuit, initiated by Vicki Shotbolt in 2024, claims Valve uses its market dominance to impose restrictive terms on game publishers, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms. The legal documents allege Valve charges an excessive commission of up to 30%, resulting in inflated costs for UK consumers. This case is a collective action that could affect up to 14 million Steam users in the UK. Additionally, Valve is facing a separate consumer action case in the United States filed in August 2024. Steam, launched in 2003, has become the largest distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 19,000 games released in 2025, generating £8.6 billion in revenue. Valve has also introduced hardware like the Steam Deck and announced plans for the Steam Machine console.

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

Not a virus: What it means and why antivirus flags it

The term “not a virus” is used by antivirus software to indicate that a file does not match known malware signatures but still triggers a detection. This means the file is not automatically blocked or confirmed as a threat; the alert highlights something unusual, leaving the decision to the user. Alerts typically arise when software exhibits behavior associated with increased risk, despite lacking clear evidence of malicious intent. Malware is specifically designed to inflict harm, while files labeled “not a virus” may perform actions that raise security concerns but are not classified as harmful. Antivirus programs identify threats through signature detection and heuristic behavior-based detection. Legitimate programs, such as system utilities, download managers, and game cheats, can inadvertently trigger “not a virus” alerts. Common types of detections include adware, riskware, and potentially unwanted applications (PUA). The primary security risk of “not a virus” files is exposure rather than direct attacks, and privacy concerns often arise from data collection by these programs. If an antivirus detects “not a virus,” users should identify the file, review recent changes, compare detections, and decide whether to keep or remove it. To reduce unwanted alerts, users should download from official sources, use custom installation options, and remove unused software.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Hytale Is Becoming What Minecraft Used to Be

Hytale has been released after a tumultuous development journey that included its acquisition by Riot Games and a subsequent cancellation. The game, initially seen as a competitor to Minecraft, is still a work in progress but has foundational elements of a great gaming experience. The developers aimed to create a standalone game for greater creative freedom, and despite initial disinterest, the author chose to support Hytale after its revival. The game offers a crafting-focused RPG adventure, contrasting with the monetization strategies of Minecraft under Microsoft. While there are issues with the current build, the author remains excited about Hytale's potential for future updates and content.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Monster Hunter Wilds sleuth has seemingly uncovered bizarre reason for performance drops: “I refused to believe what I was seeing”

Monster Hunter Wilds, a popular co-op game, is facing ongoing performance issues, particularly on PC, despite Capcom's efforts to address them. A player on Reddit, de_Tylmarande, theorized that the game's performance may be linked to the amount of downloadable content (DLC) owned by players. They observed that their friend's Steam account, which has a complete collection of DLC, performed significantly better than their own account with less DLC. This player created a mod that allowed the game to bypass checks for DLC, resulting in improved frame rates on an account mimicking full DLC ownership. They have contacted Capcom for further investigation and have gained interest from Digital Foundry. If unresolved, they may release their mod as open source. Potential adjustments in upcoming patch notes could address these performance issues related to DLC.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Marketplace Content: January 2026

This month, the author has embraced a new character identity known as the dark ice persona, featuring items such as a Dark Ice Shirt, Dark Ice Pants, Ice Plume Boots, Dark Ice Hood, Ice Dragon Wings, and Ice Shard Gloves, all from various creators. The author encourages others to embrace change and highlights the importance of focusing on a single New Year's resolution. Additionally, the text discusses the benefits of subscribing to Realms Plus or Marketplace Pass for access to new content in Minecraft, including collaborative play options and solo adventures. It also mentions that some items will rotate out of the catalog and provides a reminder about the need to reactivate memberships or purchase add-ons if they are removed.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

How Android Apps Are Adapting To The Rise Of Cross-Platform Digital Payments

Android developers are adapting to a rapidly changing global payments landscape, driven by user demand for seamless experiences across platforms, shifting regulatory frameworks, and the rise of cross-border transactions through mobile applications. This evolution is particularly relevant for international sectors like igaming, which often utilize alternative payment methods under offshore licensing. Developers are focusing on streamlined in-app experiences by adopting payment frameworks that enhance security and expedite verification processes. Over the past two years, payment standards have diversified, leading to the implementation of unified payment layers in Android apps to accommodate various tokens, cards, mobile wallets, and region-specific methods. The number of global mobile payment users is projected to reach 5.6 billion by 2025, highlighting the need for cross-platform support. Mobile wallets, NFC, and universal payment APIs are being integrated more deeply into the Android ecosystem, allowing for instant recognition of users' preferred wallets. Streaming platforms are adopting cross-platform billing strategies, while travel apps are implementing flexible frameworks to adapt to regional regulations. In online gaming, there's a focus on diverse payment options to meet international audience expectations. By 2026, Android applications are expected to feature more cohesive payment interfaces, increased biometric verification, and dynamic updates of payment methods based on user location and device capabilities.

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

Why Server Customization Should Be More Common In Gaming

Server customization allows players to enhance their gaming experience by creating and managing their own servers, particularly in games like Minecraft. This approach provides freedom to modify game mechanics, introduce new game modes, environments, and plotlines. However, successful server customization requires knowledge of server management and networking, as well as ensuring compatibility between servers and mods to avoid glitches and crashes. Resources for learning about server mods are widely available online.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

A Parent’s Guide To The Best ‘Minecraft’ Add-Ons

Minecraft offers a platform for creativity and family interaction, enhanced by the use of Minecraft Add-Ons. These modifications provide customization options such as custom blocks, items, and themed quests. Recommended Add-Ons include the Minecraft Movie Add-On, which adds cinematic elements, the Custom Blocks Add-On for unique building materials, and Adventure Packs that promote teamwork through themed quests.

AppWizard

December 19, 2025

Epic Games Holiday Sale 2025 slashes up to 75% prices on top PC games: Top deals, free titles, rewards and more

Epic Games' Holiday Sale will take place from December 11, 2025, to January 8, 2026, featuring discounts of up to 75% on various PC and mobile titles. Notable games on sale include Battlefield 6, Borderlands 4, EA SPORTS FC 26, and REMATCH. Free games will be available, starting with Hogwarts Legacy, which can be claimed until December 18, 2025. Players who log two hours in Hogwarts Legacy will receive a Fortnite cosmetic item. The sale will also offer Epic Rewards at a boosted rate of 20% for eligible purchases made using Epic's payment system. Additionally, the gifting feature will allow users to send games or add-ons to friends. Discounts will also be available on the Epic Games Store mobile platform.