BBC Archives

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

LSE and Lancaster University create Victorian London on Minecraft

Researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Lancaster University have recreated Victorian London in Minecraft through a project called “Charles Booth’s London.” This project utilizes Charles Booth's Poverty Map, which color-codes streets based on income and social class. Players start in the modern LSE library and can explore six historical walks, engaging in quests that reflect daily life in 1886. A team of 15 builders and two academics created over 1,000 new blocks and textures based on 2,000 pages of notes by Booth's assistant, George Duckworth. The project took two years and includes over 45 million blocks and interactions with more than 200 characters, including Beatrice Webb.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

Randy Pitchford says sifting through the loot in Borderlands 4 is tickling a fundamental part of you: ‘Our brains need to do it, and our brains like doing it, and we’re better off when we do it’

Borderlands 4 has been released and is receiving "Mixed" reviews on Steam due to performance issues on the PC version. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, in a BBC interview, expressed humility about the studio's mission to entertain, stating that they have a long way to go despite the franchise potentially selling around 100 million units. He discussed the psychological engagement of looter-shooters, emphasizing the importance of decision-making in gaming and its cognitive benefits. Pitchford believes that the mechanics of choice in games reflect essential skills that have contributed to human evolution. He noted that Borderlands has a unique position in the market, suggesting that other developers may not fully understand what makes it successful. Pitchford hinted at future growth for the franchise, indicating that they are still on a journey of discovery.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Catholic church canonises its first gamer saint, and one of his favourite games was Halo

Carlos Acutis was canonised as a saint after passing away at the age of 15 from leukaemia in 2006. His canonisation process began in 2012, and he was declared "Venerable" in 2018, "Blessed" in 2020, and formally recognised as a saint in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Acutis created a website documenting miracles to promote the Catholic faith, earning the nickname "God's influencer." His final resting place in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site. The Catholic Church will commemorate him annually on a designated feast day.

Tech Optimizer

July 29, 2025

Surfshark One Review

Surfshark has launched Surfshark One, a comprehensive security suite that includes a VPN, antivirus software, a data leak detection system, and a private search engine. Surfshark One features over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. The antivirus component offers real-time protection and was awarded 'Top Product' by AV-TEST in June 2024 for a 100% detection rate against advanced malware. Surfshark Alert notifies users of data breaches involving sensitive information, while Surfshark Search provides an ad-free, private browsing experience. Users can choose from various plans, with competitive pricing and a seven-day free trial available. The interface is user-friendly and supports multiple devices, allowing protection for up to five devices per account. The antivirus continuously monitors devices, and users can conduct on-demand scans or schedule them. Surfshark's VPN offers features like NoBorders mode, Dynamic MultiHop, and a built-in speed test. Additional features include the Alternative ID for managing online personas and the option for a dedicated IP address for an extra fee. However, some features like a password manager and parental controls are not included.

AppWizard

July 25, 2025

6 best streaming apps for Android phones: our picks for TV, anime, film, and more

Android users have numerous options for streaming films and TV shows. A VPN can enhance the streaming experience by providing access to more content while ensuring privacy. Netflix offers a vast library of films and series, including games, with an entry-level plan starting at .99 and a premium tier for Ultra HD at .99. Disney Plus features exclusive Marvel content and family-friendly classics, with an ad-supported tier at .99 and a premium plan at .99. BBC iPlayer is a free service supported by a license fee, offering classic shows and live TV, including major sporting events. Mubi curates cult films and provides a unique viewing experience, along with Mubi Go, which includes weekly cinema tickets. Crunchyroll is the leading platform for anime, offering new episodes on the same day they air in Japan, with a premium tier priced at .99 per month. Apple TV+ focuses on original content with high production values, priced at .99 per month.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Roblox launches new Learning Hub

Roblox has launched a Learning Hub that covers subjects such as mathematics, English, and computer science, with plans for future expansion. The platform has partnered with BBC's Bitesize to create a geography-focused experience called Planet Planners, aimed at providing interactive learning opportunities for students during summer break. The Learning Hub is designed to offer subject- and grade-level-appropriate content to engage students in learning. Roblox has also introduced a new Licensing Hub to further enhance its offerings.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Chinese FMV game about getting ‘revenge on gold diggers’ plunges the country into online gender tumult

A new Chinese FMV game titled "Revenge on Gold Diggers" has sparked nationwide debate over gender dynamics and misogyny. Players assume the role of Wu Yulun, a man seeking revenge against women who manipulate men into losing their fortunes. The game has faced criticism for reinforcing harmful stereotypes about women, with detractors labeling it as misogynistic rather than anti-fraud. Following the backlash, the creator, Mark Wu, was banned from Bilibili, and the game's name was changed to "Emotional Fraud Simulator" shortly after its release. The game's narrative parallels real-life events, including the case of streamer Pangmao, whose death was linked to financial exploitation by his girlfriend, further fueling online vitriol against women. Critics argue that the game distorts reality and promotes a regressive agenda rather than fostering meaningful discussions about relationships and financial exploitation.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

BBC Earth Debuts Building With Dinosaurs on Minecraft

BBC Earth has collaborated with Minecraft Worlds and Minecraft Education to launch a gaming experience called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by Walking With Dinosaurs. Players take on the role of paleontologists, excavating to find dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet provides educational details about these dinosaurs, including height, weight, diet, and habitat. The experience is available to schools worldwide. The original Walking With Dinosaurs series has returned after 25 years and is available on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. and PBS platforms in the U.S.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Minecraft’s New Villains—This Hostile Mob Steals Everything

Cyber criminals are targeting Minecraft's player base, particularly the 65% of players under 21, who are often less aware of cyber threats. A recent report from Check Point reveals a sophisticated malware campaign that embeds malicious software in counterfeit Minecraft mods shared on platforms like GitHub. This malware operates in stages, starting with a Java downloader, followed by a stealer, and an advanced tool to harvest sensitive information such as passwords and cryptocurrency wallet details. The campaign is linked to Russian-speaking attackers and uses a distribution-as-a-service model to spread malicious links. Disguised as legitimate cheat tools, these files install additional malware on users' devices, capturing credentials from browsers and applications, and sending data back to attackers. To protect against these threats, it is advised to download mods only from trusted sources, be skeptical of cheat tools, keep antivirus software updated, and be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education bring new Building With Dinosaurs gaming adventure

BBC Earth and Minecraft Education are launching a new gaming adventure called Building With Dinosaurs, inspired by the series Walking With Dinosaurs, which will be released on June 24th. This initiative allows students to act as palaeontologists, excavating dino-blocks to construct models of Spinosaurus, Lusotitan, and Triceratops. A downloadable fact sheet will provide information about these dinosaurs, including their height, weight, diet, and habitat. The project aims to integrate STEM skills into education and enhance students' understanding of palaeontology.