adversity Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Swatting hoax sees cops raid elderly Minecraft player’s home

Sue Jacquot, also known as GrammaCrackers, experienced a swatting incident on May 18 while she was asleep at home. Armed police officers responded to a false report, with around 20 police cars and five SWAT vans arriving at her residence. Jacquot's grandson noted the spectacle outside, and the responding officers treated her with respect, even requesting her autograph. One officer suspected the call was a hoax after seeing her livestreaming setup. Despite the incident, Jacquot resumed her Minecraft livestream the next morning, harvesting around 60 Nether warts for potions.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Fallout lead Tim Cain argues games industry crisis hasn’t reached the level of the 1983 crash: ‘I don’t think there’s ever been a worse time in the games industry’

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG developer, discussed the challenges in the current video game industry, noting that approximately 10% of game developers are affected by layoffs and studio closures. He emphasized that while the situation is serious, it does not compare to the catastrophic crash of 1983, during which many developers were abruptly unemployed and the U.S. video game market collapsed. Cain reflected on the lasting impact of that crash, stating it resulted in the loss of an entire generation of game developers and took nearly a decade for the PC market to recover. He identified contemporary issues such as an oversaturation of games, a devaluation of games due to subscription services, and an uneven crisis that largely bypasses consumers. In contrast, industry veterans John and Brenda Romero expressed a more pessimistic view, feeling that the current crisis seems more severe than the earlier collapse.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Minecraft-playing grandma swatted when livestreaming to raise funds for grandson’s cancer treatment

An 81-year-old Arizona grandmother, Sue Jacquot, known as “GrammaCrackers,” was involved in a swatting incident during a Minecraft fundraiser for her grandson's cancer treatment. Jacquot streamed her gameplay for 15 days to raise funds for her grandson, Jack Self, who has sarcoma cancer, garnering significant community support. On a recent Monday, police responded to a false report claiming Jacquot had been shot, leading to a tactical response from law enforcement. The malicious call falsely alleged that Jack had harmed his grandmother and threatened to take his own life. Despite the incident, Jacquot remains committed to her gaming and fundraising efforts. Police are investigating the swatting call.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

81-year-old Minecraft streamer GrammaCrackers swatted during cancer fundraiser stream

Sue Jacquot, known as GrammaCrackers, is an 81-year-old gamer who was streaming on Twitch to raise funds for her grandson's cancer treatment when she experienced a swatting incident on May 19. Law enforcement responded to a false emergency call, sending multiple SWAT vehicles and police officers to her home. Despite the situation, she described the experience as “kinda fun” and noted that the officers treated her kindly. GrammaCrackers has been creating online content since October 2025, primarily focusing on Minecraft, which remains popular among her viewers. The incident drew anger and concern from online users, but it also increased media attention, potentially boosting viewership and donations for her fundraiser. She chose to continue her Minecraft challenge despite the incident.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

The internet is in an uproar after an 81-year-old gamer grandma was swatted

GrammaCrackers, an 81-year-old gamer, has been streaming Minecraft for 15 days to raise funds for her 17-year-old grandchild's cancer treatment. She has also played Fortnite, Rocket League, and Roblox. On May 19, she was a victim of "swatting," where law enforcement was falsely alerted, resulting in a large police presence at her home. Despite the incident, she remained unharmed and continues her streaming efforts. The gaming community has largely responded with support and encouragement.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Lords of the Fallen 2 set to potentially release on Steam as developer CI Games and Epic terminate PC exclusivity deal

Lords of the Fallen 2, the third installment in the series, is progressing towards a tentative launch in 2026 after a gameplay showcase at The Game Awards 2025. CI Games has concluded its multi-year exclusivity agreement with Epic Games, allowing the game to potentially launch on Steam while maintaining collaboration with Epic for Unreal Engine and other services. The exclusivity termination is described as "conditional in nature." The console versions will remain unaffected by these changes. The game has sparked discussions due to comments from CI Games' CEO about "political correctness" and the introduction of more revealing armor sets for female characters. Eurogamer's review of the rebooted Lords of the Fallen rated it two stars, noting it as "a perfectly acceptable Soulslike" but critiquing it for "Soulslike clichés and performance woes."

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

The new Moomin game is lovely, but also illustrates the limits of cozy comfort over the harsher lessons of a children’s book

Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth is a sequel to Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, where players follow Moomintroll as he wakes from hibernation in a snowy landscape and embarks on a quest to bring spring. The game emphasizes Moomintroll's proactive role in helping Moominvalley residents during winter, contrasting with the themes of uncertainty found in Tove Jansson's original book, Moominland Midwinter. The game focuses on perseverance, camaraderie, and courage, aiming to provide a comforting experience while subtly altering the narrative's message. The original work's theme of resilience is echoed in Moomintroll's encouragement for the crocus to struggle through the frost, highlighting the beauty in overcoming adversity.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Open-world crime game Samson had to be pared back mid-development, which led to its unusual structure: ‘It’s become more unique’

Samson is a game set to launch on Steam and EGS on April 8, where players must meet daily financial targets while managing limited action points. The game emphasizes strategic hand-to-hand combat, having removed gunplay to enhance engagement. Players navigate the city of Tyndalston, utilizing the environment for escape and exploration. Driving mechanics are designed to reflect realism and spontaneity. The development team at Liquid Swords has faced challenges in securing funding and acknowledges the pressure of the upcoming launch, emphasizing their commitment to quality despite potential bugs.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

YouTuber Constructs Dedicated Building To Preserve PC Oddities

Clint Basinger, known as the Lazy Game Reviewer, faced significant damage to his home and collection of PC gaming memorabilia due to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. While 5 percent of his collection suffered irreparable damage, the majority survived. He has constructed a dedicated bunker of 1,800 square feet for his collection, transitioning from renting storage units at 0 a month. Basinger has been a prominent figure in the YouTube gaming community for nearly two decades, sharing videos on video game oddities and niche hardware. He encouraged his fans to support community relief efforts following the hurricane. The new bunker is designed to protect his gaming treasures and is expected to become a showcase for his collection.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

High on Life 2 is absolutely hilarious gaming with some awkward mic drops — and it’s on Xbox Game Pass, too

Squanch Games has released High on Life 2, a sequel to its successful 2022 game. The narrative follows the Bounty Hunter facing a cosmic crisis. The sequel features refined humor, attributed to the absence of former voice actor Justin Roiland, and includes a mix of chaotic gunplay and fluid combat. Players will encounter returning weapons and new tools, along with quirky environments that enhance the comedic experience. The game prioritizes accessibility and fun over complexity, allowing players to enjoy the gameplay without tedious tasks. However, performance issues have been noted, particularly for PC players with lower-end hardware, leading to stuttering and frame drops. Console versions generally maintain a steady frame rate, but optimization is needed for the PC version. Despite these challenges, the game delivers humor and engaging gameplay.