building systems Archives

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

“The hardest game in the world to make” – How Darkhaven hopes to rebottle Diablo 2’s lightning by channelling Minecraft

The "Necropolis" event in Darkhaven introduces a wave of undead that obstructs player waypoints and populates the environment with skeletal minions. Players can transfer characters to new worlds, facing challenges like volcanic eruptions, rising floodwaters, or ice ages. The game features modular gameplay events that can be procedurally integrated into the world. Players can interact with each other's worlds and utilize terrain deformation and building systems for strategic gameplay. Darkhaven aims to rejuvenate the action-RPG genre by focusing on organic experiences and player agency, moving away from rigid progression systems. The game emphasizes diverse loot systems and player impact on the environment, creating a living world that reflects players' actions. The development team includes veterans from the original Diablo, and they are preparing for a Kickstarter campaign.

AppWizard

August 27, 2025

Minecraft meets Portal 2 in ambitious new mod featuring full level editor

Portal: Java Edition is a free remake of Portal 2 within Minecraft, developed by a team of over 20 modders and fan developers. Released on August 22, it features 50 puzzles and a custom level editor, functioning entirely within the vanilla version of Minecraft using resource and data packs. Development began in 2020 and took approximately five years. The remake includes core mechanics from Portal 2, such as portals, lasers, and propulsion gels. Players need to own Minecraft: Java Edition on PC and may need to download files from GitHub and revert to an older version of Minecraft.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Runaway city-building success Manor Lords is getting a major overhaul to its systems: ‘It’s not just a new feature or two. It’s a full rework’

Manor Lords has experienced a slowdown in updates since early 2025 as developer Slavic Magic is overhauling the game's underlying systems, including building mechanics, production chains, and environmental interactions. The affinity system, which determines how structures relate to their surroundings, is being redesigned to create a more in-depth relational system between buildings and their environments. The game will feature diverse environments, with unique affinities for each building, such as apiaries thriving in woodlands and enhancing nearby orchards. Additional features in development include new shopfronts, artisan workstations, a new map titled "divided," and a camera feature that allows players to see inside fortifications. The frequency of smaller patches has decreased due to the focus on these larger changes, but updates will continue as development progresses.