announcement Archives

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

‘Minecraft World’ theme park set to open in 2027

Chessington World of Adventures Resort announced plans for a "Minecraft"-themed amusement park called Minecraft World, set to open in 2027 in Chessington, UK. The park will feature a "world first" roller coaster, block-built playscapes, and various "Minecraft"-themed retail and dining options. The project involves "iconic 'Minecraft' creators" to ensure authenticity. The announcement follows the success of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios, which has generated excitement among fans. The park aims to attract both amusement park enthusiasts and the video game community, coinciding with the 20-year anniversary of Minecraft's original release in 2009.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

State of Decay 3 springs back to life to announce alpha tests in May

State of Decay 3, a zombie survival shooter from Undead Labs, is inviting players to participate in alpha playtests scheduled for May. The game will feature four-player co-op, new base-building and resource strategies, and combat elements. Players can register for the playtests at playtest.stateofdecay.com, and selected participants will receive further instructions via email. Those not selected will have their names retained for future opportunities throughout the year.

BetaBeacon

April 3, 2026

Wine 11.6 Brings Android Driver Work, Game Mod Fixes

The Wine Project has released version 11.6, which includes improvements and bug fixes to enhance user experience. The update focuses on reviving the Android driver and improving VBScript compatibility. Gaming compatibility has been addressed, fixing issues in popular games like Minecraft Windows 10 Edition and Mount & Blade: Warband. For Linux gamers, the update resolves problems in Diablo IV and Cyberpunk 2077. Additionally, enhancements have been made for DLL handling in Gecko-based browsers and modded game setups. Compatibility fixes have also been provided for various applications like StarOffice 5.1 and PDF-XChange Editor. The source code for Wine 11.6 is available for download on GitLab, with binary packages for different distributions expected to be available soon.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Our favorite open world FPS indie gem is getting New Game+, Spider-Man swinging, and wallrunning later this month

Echo Point Nova, developed by Greylock Studio, is an indie first-person shooter that gained popularity in 2024 due to its hoverboarding and gunplay. A free expansion was released in August 2024, introducing new features. Greylock founder Matt Larrabee announced an upcoming update that will include a New Game Plus mode, randomization of weapon pickups and enemy spawns, and three new movement modes: a rope grapple, a sprint feature with wall-running, and a jetpack.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The Backstage Experience: Artemis II, Minecraft Theme Park & Daredevil: Born Again

This week, “The Backstage Experience” features guests Uma Thurman, Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Patricia Arquette, and Zazie Beetz. The show will discuss the Artemis II mission, the announcement of a Minecraft World theme park, and the exploration of AI data centers in space.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

‘Side effects may include curiosity’: Google’s $3 ChromeOS Flex kit aims to save your old Windows 10 laptop from the scrapheap

Google has launched the ChromeOS Flex kit, which includes a USB stick and instructions for installing ChromeOS Flex on older PCs, particularly those running Windows 10. The kit is designed to extend the life of aging technology and simplify the installation process for users. ChromeOS Flex can also be installed on select Mac computers, with a compatibility list available. The kit is part of a pilot program with limited supply, but its popularity may lead to increased production.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

PlayStation’s Revenue From Its PC Games Reached $300 Million in 2023

Sony may stop releasing single-player titles on PC, keeping them exclusive to PS5 and future PlayStation consoles. The rumored change affects games like Ghost of Yotei, which is believed to have had its PC port canceled, along with other titles such as Saros, Marvel’s Wolverine, and Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Live-service games like Marathon are still expected to launch on PC. Despite generating significantly higher revenue from PC ports than initially projected (from millions to 400 million from 2021 to 2023), recent PC releases like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and God of War Ragnarok have not performed as well. The requirement for players to create a PSN account may have negatively impacted player engagement. The future of Sony's strategy may depend on the performance of Death Stranding 2 on PC.

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.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

The most hardcore Jak & Daxter heads in the world have finished their native PC ports of the entire trilogy

The OpenGOAL team has released a complete PC port of Jak 3, requiring users to have a legally-obtained copy of the game. This port offers an enhanced gaming experience with fewer bugs, less resource consumption, and extensive configuration options, including modding possibilities like ultrawide support. Jak 2 was completed on OpenGOAL in 2023. Users can create an OpenGOAL-compatible disk image from their PS2 copy of Jak 2 using utilities like MPF or ImgBurn. OpenGOAL's website provides an installer and instructions for setup, including for Steam Deck users.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Minecraft’s April Fools update makes inventory management even worse

On April 1, Mojang released a fictional Java Edition snapshot called the Herdcraft Update, which humorously eliminated the inventory system and introduced a mechanic where players could herd blocks and items like livestock. This update allowed players to command blocks to follow them and use them in crafting grids on the ground. The announcement included absurd patch notes and a FAQ section about the herding mechanic. Community reactions were mixed, with some appreciating the creativity of the April Fools' update while others expressed disappointment that it did not address the actual inventory issues in a meaningful way. The Herdcraft Update continues Mojang's tradition of using April 1 to humorously critique its own game.