Blizzard Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit

Minecraft's latest update introduces cushions, allowing players to sit in the game for the first time since its launch 17 years ago. Cushions can be crafted using three Wool Slabs of the same color and are available in 16 color variants. The update also features straw beds, which are single-use and allow players to sleep without setting a spawn point, crafted from three Hay Bales to make four beds. The update, version 26.40.30, includes new abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes and improvements to the Dappled Forest. Additionally, Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting over 3,200 jobs across various Xbox-owned studios, marking a major restructuring in the industry.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

Overwatch’s Steam reviews creep up to “mixed” as playercount surges

Overwatch is experiencing a resurgence on Steam, currently holding a "mixed" rating in recent reviews after previously being in the "mostly negative" range. It has over 136,000 English reviews and recently peaked at just over 74,000 players in a 24-hour period, though this number has since decreased to around 66,000. The game has faced criticism for aggressive microtransactions, with some items priced excessively high. Player engagement has improved compared to earlier months, where numbers hovered between 45,000 and 50,000.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

After upsetting everyone by threatening to ruin Diablo 4’s most powerful loot in its next season, Blizzard has decided that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all

Blizzard Entertainment has updated the loot system for Diablo 4 in response to community feedback, aiming to preserve the uniqueness of items while allowing for more flexible random attributes. The changes include a broader utility for items, such as allowing a fire damage-enhancing item for a sorceress to also roll stats that complement cold skills. Additionally, the classification of Mythic Uniques will now extend to any Unique item with a purple tooltip, indicating items with maxed-out stats upon drop or crafting. These adjustments are set to enhance the loot experience and will be implemented in season 14, launching on June 30.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: ‘I’m a bit obsessed with learning the market’

Bryce Clark is the game director of Poppy Playtime and has a history in gaming that began with DOS games. His childhood favorite was the 1994 RTS Dominus, which had technical difficulties that required troubleshooting. He has worked for studios like 343 Industries and Blizzard and became the lead technical artist at Mob Entertainment in 2023 before directing Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5, released in February. Clark enjoys games like Aethus, Strange Antiquities, and Prosperous Universe, and recently played Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library and Forza Horizon 6. The oldest games on his PC are No Man's Sky and The Hunter: Call of The Wild. He has logged over 23,000 hours on Steam, with Rocket League and Ark: Survival Evolved among his top titles. Clark finds comfort in The Hunter: Call of the Wild and Subnautica. He uses Snagit for screenshots and video recording and WinDirStat for disk space management. He has shifted to a minimalist desktop organization style, using the taskbar and search bar instead of desktop shortcuts.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft

Microsoft is undergoing a restructuring that includes layoffs across its game studios and further job cuts and studio closures as part of the "Xbox reset" initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma. This initiative has resulted in the cancellation of several game projects, including: - Odyssey: Shelved in 2024 after challenges in development, including a switch from Unreal Engine to an internal engine. - Everwild: Canceled in 2025 after years of development and at least one reboot. - Perfect Dark: The reboot was canceled in 2025 despite a positive gameplay reveal, with reports of interest from Take-Two Interactive. - Contraband: Development ceased in 2025, leaving the future of the co-op smuggling game uncertain. - Project Blackbird: Canceled in 2025 after over six years of development due to financial concerns regarding the investment required for an MMO. Following the cancellation of Project Blackbird, some team members formed a new studio named Sackbird.

BetaBeacon

June 20, 2026

Epic Games Store 2026: $400M Record, 317M Users [AU]

Total revenue from the Epic Games Store reached .16 billion in 2025, up 6 per cent from .09 billion in 2024 and 22 per cent from 0 million in 2023.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Blizzard sues to kill another World of Warcraft private server for ‘large scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of [its] intellectual property’

Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a private World of Warcraft server, claiming it operates a substantial business model based on significant infringement of Blizzard's intellectual property. Project Ascension reportedly attracts over a million players and allows in-game item purchases through Donation Points, generating millions for its operators. The server is allegedly hosted on "bulletproof" servers linked to the Russia-based Aeza Group, which has been targeted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for cybercrime. The Turtle WoW server previously faced similar legal action from Blizzard, and there has been no public response from Project Ascension regarding the lawsuit. Community sentiment appears to be one of resignation towards the situation.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

You can download Planescape: Torment’s unofficial DLC mod right now

Blizzard in Baator is a fan-driven project aimed at expanding the CRPG Planescape: Torment, featuring new narratives, cinematics, music, characters, and locations like the Frozen Wastes of Cania. The first act has launched, and the project is described as significantly larger than Siege of Dragonspear, with plans for multiple parts. Players are advised to download the mod from Github and can engage with new quests tailored for a Nameless One character around level 16. The expansion offers a less combat-focused gameplay experience and allows players to replay the game to reach the appropriate level before accessing new content.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

You can download Planescape: Torment’s unofficial DLC mod right now

Blizzard in Baator is a fan-driven initiative aimed at expanding Planescape: Torment, featuring new narratives, cinematics, music, and characters, including recruitable companions. Players can explore new locations like the Frozen Wastes of Cania, with the first act now available. The project is described as "significantly bigger than Siege of Dragonspear" and will be released in multiple parts. The mod is recommended to be downloaded from Github for easier installation, and new quests are designed for players controlling a Nameless One at around level 16. Players can load an existing save or start anew to prepare for the challenges. The unique design of Sigil enhances the game's allure, though some players are frustrated by limitations in gameplay mechanics. The unofficial expansion provides an opportunity to revisit the world of Planescape: Torment.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Nintendo’s legal battle with Palworld looks shakier than ever: It may only get ‘$30,000 chump change’ if it wins at all

Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, faced a lawsuit from Nintendo in 2024 over alleged infringements on Pokémon patents, with an initial claim for around ,000 in damages. As of nearly two years later, Palworld remains popular on Steam, and legal insights suggest that Nintendo may receive less than half of its original demand if it prevails in court. Pocketpair continues to develop Palworld despite the lawsuit, highlighting its commitment to innovation in the gaming industry. The case may influence the balance of power between indie developers and large corporations regarding intellectual property rights in video games.