avatars Archives

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Once Upon a Katamari will have you rolling up the annals of history, and it’s coming to PC

Bandai Namco has announced a new game titled Once Upon a Katamari, the first mainline entry in the Katamari franchise since 2011, set to launch on October 24, 2025, for PC and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of the King of All Cosmos and explore various historical eras, including feudal Japan and ancient Greece. The game will feature customizable avatars, an original soundtrack, and a new power-up system that includes magnets, rocket boosters, and time manipulation.

Winsage

July 31, 2025

Remember the metaverse? — Microsoft Teams does, and it’s rebooting virtual meetings with immersive events

Microsoft Teams has launched immersive events in public preview, enhancing virtual meetings with spatial audio capabilities for casual conversations. Each participant can customize their virtual avatar, and hosts can personalize the event space without coding skills. Immersive events can accommodate larger groups than the existing Immersive Space view and are expected to replace it over time. Participants can join using a PC, Mac, or Meta Quest headset, with event organization requiring a Teams Premium subscription. Three environments are available for immersive events: Cascades, Oasis, and Canvas, each designed for different types of gatherings.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Multiplayer roguelike action game Out of Time announced for PC

San Mateo-based developer Manticoer Games is set to launch the multiplayer roguelike action game Out of Time this fall on the Epic Games Store for .99. Pre-orders are available, including "The Temporal Disaster Pack," which features three mounts, three hero emotes, and four avatars. The game combines elements of roguelike, real-time multiplayer, and MMO raids, set in a universe where time has fractured. Players can access a variety of gear and weapon combinations, with over 190 million options available. The game features a chaotic world filled with various enemies and allows players to customize their loadouts without traditional class systems. The narrative centers around an event called The Shattering, which merges different eras into a battleground.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Five new Steam games you probably missed (July 21, 2025)

On an average day, Steam unveils approximately a dozen new games. The Necromancer's Tale - Release: July 17 - Developer: Psychic Software The Karters 2 - Release: July 18 - Developer: Pixel Edge Games - Over 200 positive reviews since launch. - Features include a single-player campaign, 16 tracks, six battle arenas, online and split-screen support, and Steam Workshop integration. Kaizen: A Factory Story - Release: July 15 - Developer: Coincidence - Set in 1980s Japan, players design production lines for nostalgic products. Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson - Release: July 17 - Developer: Ritual Studios - Retro-style RPG with rhythm-based combat. He is Coming - Release: July 17 - Developer: Chronocle - An auto battler roguelite with over 350 items and more than 30 bosses in early access.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Ubisoft’s annual financial report includes claim that monetizing games with microtransactions ‘makes the player experience more fun’

Ubisoft's annual financial report, filed on June 19, emphasizes post-purchase monetization in its games and outlines the company's commitment to monetization policies that respect player experience. The report states that the "golden rule" for premium games is to allow players to enjoy the full experience without additional costs, while also claiming that monetization options enhance the gaming experience through personalization and progress acceleration. There is a notable distinction between microtransactions in free-to-play games and those in premium titles, with gamers expecting substantial content rather than superficial enhancements after already investing upfront. Ubisoft's attempt to distance itself from the "pay to win" model is met with skepticism, as many view microtransactions as a necessary evil rather than enjoyable features.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

These New Minecraft Skins Cost Over $300 Each

Microtransactions in gaming, particularly in titles like Fortnite and Minecraft, have become common, with some in-game items, such as a new diamond-studded skin in Minecraft, attracting attention for their high costs. Collaborations between gaming brands and luxury companies are also on the rise, with examples including Pokémon Go's partnership with Fendi and Disney Dreamlight Valley's collaboration with Loungefly. The latest collaboration features Minecraft and Swarovski, introducing collectible figures of characters like Alex, Steve, The Pig, and The Creeper, with prices ranging from to 0. Purchasing these figurines grants access to a new in-game skin, the Crystal Suit, which is only available through the purchase of the figurine.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Google Phone app starts removing the ‘Favorites’ tab on Android

Google is redesigning the Phone by Google app under the Material 3 Expressive framework, phasing out the Favorites tab in favor of a "Favorites bar" at the top of the Recents feed, now rebranded as "Home." This new bar will feature a carousel of favorites with larger profile avatars and an "Add" shortcut. The app's navigation will be simplified into three main sections: Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail, along with a floating action button for quick access to the number pad. The latest beta version, 182, has been rolled out, but some users may not see the changes immediately due to server-side components. The redesign will also affect both Pixel and non-Google phones, with a streamlined bottom navigation bar consisting of Home, Keypad, and Voicemail.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Minecraft vs. Roblox: Which Video Game is #1 in 2025?

Roblox reported 79.5 million daily active users (DAUs) in Q1 2025, while Minecraft had 140 million monthly active users (MAUs) in 2023. Roblox generated .8 million in revenue in Q1 2025, compared to Minecraft's million for the entirety of 2023. 54% of Roblox users are under 13 years old, while Minecraft appeals to a broader demographic, including adults. Roblox focuses on user-generated content and social interaction, while Minecraft emphasizes creativity and nostalgia.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

7 viral AI apps every Android users should try in 2025

AI applications are gaining popularity among Android users in India, transforming content creation, communication, and leisure activities. A list of seven notable AI applications includes: 1. CapCut AI Tools - Evolved from a video editor to a tool for content creators with features like script-to-video conversion and automatic captioning. 2. Picsart AI Photo Studio - Offers AI background removal, text-to-image generation, and various filters, catering to digital artists and marketers. 3. Reface AI - Known for face-swapping and animated avatars, utilizing advanced AI face-tracking technology. 4. AI Mirror - Converts photos into stylized anime or fantasy portraits, popular among Gen Z users. 5. Lensa AI - Features intelligent retouching and portrait enhancement, particularly for profile pictures and dating apps. 6. YouTube Summarized - Summarizes lengthy videos into concise bullet points, useful for students and news enthusiasts. 7. Pi AI - Engages users in a conversational style with emotional intelligence, suitable for journaling and self-reflection.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Human adaptability explained through a Minecraft experiment

Researchers from the Technical University of Berlin conducted a study using the video game Minecraft to explore how individuals learn both independently and collaboratively in changing environments. Participants engaged in a virtual foraging task, alternating between solo and group efforts to find hidden resources. The study manipulated environments to create "patchy" and "random" settings, examining when players chose to explore alone versus follow others. Data on players' visual attention and movements allowed the researchers to develop a behavioral model predicting actions based on individual and social learning strategies. Findings indicated that adaptability—switching between learning modes based on context—was crucial for success, highlighting that individuals are capable of adjusting their strategies rather than strictly imitating others or working independently. The research suggests that personal rewards influence learning types and emphasizes the importance of flexibility in decision-making.