artist Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Wait and build: Slipknot’s Clown launches ‘Minecraft’ realm

Shawn "Clown" Crahan, the percussionist of Slipknot, has launched a Minecraft world called Vernearth, inviting fans to explore his creative environment. A preview of Vernearth was shared on Slipknot's TikTok. The band recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album with a reissue in September and announced a catalog deal with HarbourView Equity Partners in November.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent “AI slop,” days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures

Fortnite Chapter 7 debuted with themes including references to The Simpsons, Quentin Tarantino, and Marty McFly. Concerns have arisen about the potential use of generative AI in the game's advertising content, although Epic Games has not confirmed this. CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that AI will play a significant role in future production, prompting debate in the gaming community. Players have noted peculiarities in the new chapter, such as an advertisement with an "AI smudge look" and inconsistencies in a creature's anatomy, which they believe indicate AI influence. A Marty McFly spray initially thought to be AI-generated was confirmed to be hand-drawn. The lack of clarity from Epic has led to backlash and discussions about supporting genuine artists. The conversation around generative AI in gaming has increased, with concerns that monetizing AI-generated content could lead to player dissatisfaction.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Valve dev counters calls to scrap Steam AI disclosures, says it’s a “technology relying on cultural laundering, IP infringement, and slopification”

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized the requirement for AI disclosures on Steam store pages, calling them nonsensical and asserting that AI will become essential in game development. A Valve developer suggested that only those aware their products lack depth fear these disclosures. Games like Arc Raiders and Call of Duty Black Ops 7 have adopted AI and must disclose this on Steam. Ayi Sanchez, an artist at Valve, supports AI disclosures, comparing them to ingredient lists for food products to ensure consumer awareness. He argues that transparency is crucial for informed consumer choices and emphasizes the importance of creators over AI-generated content.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Qobuz: I tested the Android TV app and I was impressed! – Son-Vidéo.com: blog

Qobuz has launched its app on Android Smart TVs, providing high-quality music streaming with lossless sound and high-definition masters. The app features a user-friendly interface optimized for larger screens, allowing easy navigation and access to curated playlists, personalized recommendations, and synchronized library data across devices. It supports Hi-Res audio streaming and includes Qobuz Connect, enabling users to control playback from smartphones or tablets. The app is compatible with Qobuz's Studio and Sublime subscription packages, offering access to over one hundred million titles in Hi-Res quality. Qobuz emphasizes editorial content, including album reviews and artist interviews, enhancing the listening experience with a human touch.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Epic CEO says AI disclosures like Steam’s make “no sense” because AI will be involved in “nearly all” future game development

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, believes that AI disclosure tags in gaming marketplaces like Steam should be removed, arguing that AI will be involved in nearly all future game production. He expressed optimism about AI empowering smaller development teams to create expansive game worlds. However, he acknowledged that AI's reputation is often negative due to its use as a means of creative replacement rather than enhancement, leading to layoffs in the industry. Major companies like King and Ubisoft have reduced their workforce in part due to AI advancements. Steam had previously introduced guidelines requiring developers to disclose AI usage, with nearly 8,000 games reported to have incorporated generative AI. The actual number is likely higher, as seen in the disappointment over the number of demos using the technology during Steam Next Fest.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Constance is a metroidvania that wants its monsters to mean something

Constance's store page on Steam presents her as a heroine in a vibrant yet deteriorating inner world, exploring themes of mental health, creativity, and inner purpose. The game features mechanics like boss health bars and pogo-jumping that seem inconsistent with its serious themes. It draws comparisons to titles like A Short Hike and Celeste, but Constance's journey often feels superficial, with violent encounters treated as currency drops. The dreamlike realms, including an astronomy area, raise questions about their significance but lack meaningful insight. Characters, such as Frida, are visually appealing but do not deepen the narrative. The game warns of its mental health themes but fails to explore them genuinely, with fleeting moments lacking dialogue or reflection. While gameplay mechanics are engaging and the environments visually stunning, the narrative lacks depth, leaving players wanting a more profound exploration of its themes.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

DistroKid For Android

DistroKid is a music distribution service that allows independent artists to upload unlimited songs to over 150 streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and YouTube Music. It enables artists to retain 100% of their earnings, provides access to official artist accounts, and offers tools for creating promotional materials. Artists receive real-time notifications about their earnings and can check streaming statistics anytime. DistroKid also allows artists to edit their releases as needed and has a user-friendly app available on various devices.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Like going to the office in Animal Crossing: my most productive work-from-home experience this year was spending all day online in this virtual co-working game

The game On-Together has emerged as a social platform for remote workers, allowing up to 16 players to create avatars and engage in mini-games while working. It incorporates the Pomodoro Technique to encourage productivity through 25-minute work sprints followed by breaks. The game fosters a sense of community by allowing friends to join in, enhancing focus and efficiency compared to traditional task management tools. Co-developer Ilgın Saçan draws inspiration from early 2000s online chatrooms and emphasizes that remote work can be fulfilling without the loneliness often associated with it. On-Together is currently available as a free demo on Steam and will launch its full version on January 19, featuring new customization options and group areas.

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2025

Resident Evil Survival Unit Available Now on iOS and Android

- Resident Evil Survival Unit is a mobile game based on Capcom's Resident Evil series. - The game offers a strategic experience with real-time strategy elements set in a parallel world inspired by the Resident Evil universe. - Players can build bases, secure resources, battle creatures, and form alliances with others. - Iconic characters from the Resident Evil franchise are featured in the game. - Renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano contributed the original creature "Mortem" to the game. - The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases and was launched on November 18, 2025. - The game is available on iOS and Android in 151 countries and regions worldwide.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

Xbox Partner Preview: See the Latest Games From Our Amazing Third Party Partners This Week

The Xbox Partner Preview is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, at 10 AM Pacific / 1 PM Eastern / 6 PM UK. The event will highlight upcoming games from third-party partners, including IO Interactive, Eclipse Glow Games, and THQ Nordic. Viewers can expect a first look at 007 First Light, an extended gameplay trailer for Tides of Annihilation, and a glimpse at Reanimal. All featured games will be available on Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and through Xbox Game Pass, and are part of the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative. The event will be streamed on YouTube and Twitch, with live subtitles in multiple languages and accessibility features including Audio Descriptions and ASL interpretation. A recap of the announcements will be published after the event.