ancient Rome Archives

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Free PC Game Offering Is a Cozy Animal Crossing Competitor

The ongoing Steam Next Fest runs until 2 March and features a variety of game demos. One highlighted game is Collector’s Cove, a free demo developed by VoodooDuck, where players manage a floating farm aboard a ship, exploring islands and gathering crops and fish. The demo allows players to grow crops, fish, craft items, and personalize their ship, with the goal of becoming a Named-Collector. Progress made in the demo will carry over to the full game, which includes access to the first seven in-game days. Collector’s Cove is compatible with the Steam Deck. Other demos featured in the event include Romestead, The Witch’s Bakery, and Witchspire.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

I thought Fishing Shop Simulator was a joke after I saw mechs in ancient Rome, but after two hours with its demo, I’m hooked

Fishing Shop Simulator is an indie game developed by solo creator Sinqnew, blending survival and resource management in a post-apocalyptic setting. Players select bait from card packs and fish in waters that combine historical and fantastical elements. They can catch rare fish to enhance their shop's aesthetic and unlock upgrades in a tech tree, including better equipment and hiring assistants. Players must manage wages and taxes, with an airship collecting taxes every few days, adding strategic depth. The game features a crumbling town that evolves with player progress, and while the demo is basic, there are plans for expansion with new biomes and gameplay mechanics.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Legendary city-building series arrives in the Roman Empire for a new start, but one roadblock is keeping players out

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a simulation game set in Ancient Rome, featuring detailed representations of iconic monuments and structures. Players can construct cities in various regions, including Latium and the Celtic wetlands of Albion. The game has received a graphics upgrade and expanded building options, with enhanced military systems allowing for ground and naval combat. Players can choose a patron deity to influence their settlements, and monuments like the Colosseum require multiple building stages and culminate in festivals. However, the game requires Denuvo Anti-tamper technology and an Ubisoft Connect account, which has caused frustration among players due to account creation issues and multiplayer connection errors. The game is available on Steam for .99 / £49.99 and has a 72% positive rating based on reviews.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

New Minecraft edition has students restore St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City launched an educational edition of Minecraft titled “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage” on March 18, 2025, in collaboration with Microsoft. The game allows students aged 8 to 18 to explore a digital version of St. Peter’s Basilica, engaging in restoration tasks and learning about its art and history. Players earn golden papal key tokens by completing tasks, and the game features two modes: “Restoration Mode” and “Exploration Mode.” The initiative aims to enhance cultural heritage understanding through interactive gaming. The game is available in the Minecraft Education lesson library for licensed users, with a free trial version accessible through Office 365 or Microsoft 365 Education accounts.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

‘A massive, massive moment of wow.’ Microsoft CEO predicts AI-generated games are a ‘CGI moment’ for the industry

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's plans for artificial intelligence and quantum computing, particularly focusing on their AI-powered game generation platform, Muse. He compared Muse's potential impact on gaming to the influence of CGI in the film industry, despite its current limitations of generating games at a resolution of 300 by 180 pixels. Nadella envisions a future where users can request unique gaming experiences, indicating that the integration of AI into gaming is imminent. He also highlighted the broader implications of AI on economic growth, cautioning against the hype surrounding artificial general intelligence (AGI) and emphasizing the importance of AI's impact on GDP growth. Nadella believes in a collaborative future for AI development, suggesting that the market can support multiple successful players. The timeline for when gamers can fully engage with Muse remains uncertain, with some experts cautioning that its capabilities may be overstated.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Making Minecraft all their own

Students at Skidmore College engaged in a project where they took on roles of ancient Romans, such as bakers, farmers, and miners, to explore daily life in ancient Rome. Assistant Professor Amy Oh emphasized the importance of everyday individuals in Roman society, who made up 99% of the population. In collaboration with environmental studies major Kate Manor, Oh utilized the educational version of Minecraft for her course, "The Romans in Their Environment," to create a fictional town named 'Skidrome.' Students researched Roman urban planning and geography to construct the town and developed backstories for their characters. They hosted a festival to showcase their work, which included political engagement and a simulated natural disaster. Oh noted that the immersive gameplay fostered collaboration and allowed students to express their creativity and engage more freely than in a traditional classroom setting. She highlighted the potential of using Minecraft as a teaching tool across various disciplines.