building mechanics Archives

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

‘There wasn’t really a game or team’ when Undead Labs made the now-5-year-old State of Decay 3 reveal trailer: ‘The game was in a Word document’

Philip Holt of Undead Labs discussed the early development of State of Decay 3, revealing that the project was initially just a concept documented in a Word file when the trailer featuring a zombified deer was created. The announcement was not planned, as the studio was still determining the game's direction, influenced by Microsoft's strategy to promote the Xbox Series X/S. After six years of silence, Undead Labs has opened sign-ups for an alpha playtest. The game will feature four-player co-op gameplay, innovative base-building mechanics, enhanced resource management strategies, and intense combat scenarios.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

A State of Decay 3 playtest is finally happening, after almost two years of radio silence

Undead Labs has announced a technical alpha playtest for State of Decay 3, set to begin in May. This marks the first step toward the game's full release, following its initial unveiling in 2020. The playtest will feature four-player co-op gameplay, base-building mechanics, resource management, and combat scenarios. Players can sign up on the official website, but slots are limited, and participants must connect their email and Discord accounts and complete a questionnaire to qualify. The playtest will have multiple testing windows, allowing additional chances for players to join if not selected initially.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Smaller Minecraft updates like Tiny Takeover and Chaos Cubed “feel more sustainable” for Mojang, says lead: “There’s always another one right around the corner”

Mojang is shifting its focus to smaller, more frequent updates for Minecraft, such as the Tiny Takeover and the upcoming Chaos Cubed, while still considering the possibility of larger updates in the future. Product manager Anna Lundgren stated that this new approach feels "more sustainable" and allows for diverse content, catering to different player preferences. Although the community desires larger updates reminiscent of earlier versions, Lundgren assured that the team is flexible and can produce updates of varying sizes. Additionally, Mojang has incorporated real animal voice actors for new sounds in the game.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Bargain PC Bundle Drops 15 Games to $1 Each, Including 98% Classic

Humble Bundle is celebrating its 15th anniversary by offering a collection of 15 curated games for a total price of £7.41, with a retail value of £118.46. The games have positive ratings between 72% and 98% on Steam and support Comic Relief, a UK charity. Notable titles include: - Rocket Rat: A whimsical game priced at £4.99. - Necroking: A turn-based tactics game with an 84% positive rating. - Kingsgrave: A dark fantasy RPG with a 72% positive rating. - Janosik: A retro-style action platformer with a 96% positive rating. - Pile Up! Box by Box: A 3D puzzle platformer with a 95% positive rating. - Lunark: A cinematic platformer with an 86% positive rating. - Distraint Deluxe Edition: A psychological horror game with a 93% positive rating. - Distraint 2: A sequel to Distraint Deluxe Edition with a 96% positive rating. - Orten Was The Case: A puzzle/adventure game with a 98% positive rating. - The Invisible Hand: A game about stock market manipulation, normally priced at £9.99. - Technotopia: A city-building and deck-building game. - Dropsy: Warm Damp Hug Edition: A point-and-click adventure game. - ION Shift: A first-person shooter. - Undead West: A bullet-hell game with a supernatural narrative. - Janosik 2: A sequel to Janosik with enhanced gameplay. - Glitchhikers: The Spaces Between: A meditative journey game. The bundle is available until April 15, and all game keys must be redeemed before April 15, 2027.

AppWizard

March 6, 2026

The best Pokémon game in a decade is a perfect crossover between Animal Crossing and Minecraft

Pokémon continues to thrive despite criticism, with strong sales attributed to its broad appeal among both loyal fans and younger players. The upcoming title, Pokopia, diverges from traditional mainline games, targeting children while also appealing to a wider audience. In Pokopia, players assume the role of a Ditto in a devastated Kanto region, where they must rally Pokémon to aid in reconstruction. The game incorporates gameplay mechanics reminiscent of Animal Crossing and Minecraft, focusing on forging friendships with Pokémon and building projects. Pokopia is set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026, developed by Omega Force, which has assembled its largest team for this project. The game promises hundreds of Pokémon and dozens of hours of gameplay, contributing significantly to the Pokémon franchise's legacy as it approaches its 30th anniversary.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is this week’s headline PC game but don’t forget the Witchers, pirates and pinballs

Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, showcasing a variety of game demos. This year, the focus is on highlighting exciting demos rather than creating a wishlist. Some notable games featured include: - A game inspired by hiding spiders under cups at holiday parties, which includes power-up cards that are not microtransactions. - Rise Of Piracy, an early access RTS by MicroProse, where players command a fleet of corsairs and can engage in diplomacy and trading. - Emberbane, a 2D metroidvania with elemental martial arts elements. - Reigns: The Witcher, a deck-building narrative game set in the Witcher universe, where players control Dandelion. - Utawarerumono: ZAN 2, an anime-style hack-and-slash game with base management and humorous elements. - Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 wizard MOBA from Quantic Dream. - Tales of Berseria Remastered, a revamped action-RPG from Bamco. - Snägäri Pinball, a pinball game themed around Finland’s late-night snack kiosks. - Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom's latest horror installment featuring both third-person and first-person gameplay. - Arrow World, a sokoban-style game with conveyor belt mechanics. The RPS team is actively playing Resident Evil Requiem and sharing their experiences.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New Pokémon Game is Minecraft, and That Isn’t a Bad Thing

Pokémon Pokopia is a new addition to the Pokémon franchise that may draw inspiration from Minecraft, featuring building mechanics that allow for creative construction. Leaked images show structures that can reach considerable heights, with pre-made houses having up to two floors, while block-built constructions can exceed this limit. The game aims to enhance player creativity, a feature that has been lacking in recent Pokémon titles. Early images were shared during a demo at the 2026 Europe Internation Championships.