boredom Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

How well do you know classic videogame cheats? See if you can answer these 10 tricky questions

A variety of gaming quizzes are available, covering topics such as health bars, in-game currencies, and patch notes. The author reflects on their experience as an intern at a website focused on cheat codes and tips in the mid-2000s, where they verified user submissions for genuine cheats. During that time, they relied on GameFAQs, official guides, and hearsay, occasionally contacting game publishers for hidden cheats. Although the website has become less relevant and cheat codes are not as prominent today, the author expresses nostalgia for that era and introduces a quiz about classic cheats and secrets from the '90s to the 2010s.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Life sims are in a slump and the only way out is becoming strategy games again

The life simulation genre is experiencing stagnation, with fans disappointed by the cancellation of Life By You in 2024, the postponement of Paralives, and the lackluster impact of Inzoi. The Sims 4 is facing persistent save corruption issues, leading to uncertainty about Project Rene, and many players are expressing boredom and a desire for more challenging gameplay. The shift in gameplay focus from unpredictability and drama in earlier games like The Sims 2 to a more accommodating approach in The Sims 4 has resulted in a less engaging experience. Players are seeking a return to strategic gameplay that includes meaningful consequences and unexpected events. The current state of The Sims 4 resembles a Creative Mode with low stakes, which does not align with the desires of the community for deeper, more challenging life simulations.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

There’s more to Horses than the Steam ban: The controversial horror game is a great example of how games can effectively borrow from film, and how they can also stumble

Steam rejected Santa Ragione's new art horror game, Horses, due to its unsettling content, which led to controversy and a lack of clarity from Valve regarding the ban. The game is visually striking and thematically cohesive, exploring routine through the character Anselmo's daily chores on a farm, but it struggles to engage players meaningfully. Valve's guidelines prohibit content designed to "shock or disgust," and while Horses achieves its goal of provoking thought and discomfort, it ultimately fails to fully realize its potential as an interactive experience. The game's pacing and linear progression in the latter half undermine its narrative impact, as it does not allow players time to reflect on the unsettling themes presented. The controversy has sparked discussions about the gaming industry's approach to controversial topics.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Geoff Keighley denies he’s hiding Half-Life 3 in his Steam wishlist, posts a screenshot to prove it, nobody believes him, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s just messing with us

Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, sparked speculation in the gaming community with a tweet that included a single emoji and encouraged followers to check the nominee page for #TheGameAwards on Steam. He revealed that he had only one game on his wishlist, which is called Dadlympics, a multiplayer game combining dad jokes with physics-based antics, released in September 2024. The game had a peak concurrent player count of six. Keighley added Dadlympics to his wishlist on November 18, the day after the speculation began.

BetaBeacon

October 26, 2025

Android Auto Games Are Back After Brief Disappearance

GameSnacks disappeared from Android Auto apps, causing concern that it was intentionally removed. However, it was just a temporary visibility issue. To get the games back, update Android Auto to version 15.3 or higher, reconnect to the car, and ensure GameSnacks is enabled in Customize Launcher. This is important for in-car entertainment as it provides approved mini-games for idle time. Google is focusing on car-friendly content that is safe and not distracting.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

Marketplace Content: September 2025

Subscribers of the Marketplace Pass can access a complimentary Anti-Boredom class featuring a vibrant rainbow ensemble, including items like Rainbow Pulse Wings, Rainbow Matrix Head, Rainbow Pulse Top, Jeans Rainbow Fire, Rainbow Pulse Arms, and Rainbow Pulse Legs, all by CompyCraft. An upcoming webinar on maintaining joy and fulfillment is available for a fee. Subscribing to Realms Plus or Marketplace Pass offers curated content for Minecraft, with Realms Plus providing a personal server for up to ten friends and Marketplace Pass catering to solo players. An in-game counter will inform users of item rotations, and reactivation of a lapsed Marketplace Pass membership or separate purchase of removed add-ons is required to continue using them.