celebration Archives

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

If you’ve got a spare 200 hours, the massively ambitious sci-fi grand strategy from the creators of X-COM: The Long War just launched out of early access

Video games, particularly Terra Invicta, are proposed as simulations to prepare humanity for potential extraterrestrial threats. Terra Invicta combines elements of X-COM and grand strategy games, challenging players to prepare Earth for an alien invasion while managing global politics. Players can adopt various strategies, including resisting or submitting to the aliens. The recent 1.0 update introduces a new starting condition set in 2026, text localization in five languages, and significant content additions such as new regions and a realistic combat mode. The game’s developers, Pavonis Interactive, indicate ongoing development with plans for new scenarios and mechanics. Terra Invicta is currently available at a 35% discount, reducing its price from £35 to £23.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

‘Not bad for a dead game’: Palworld managed to get four nominations in Steam’s Best of 2025 Awards, including 2nd place for most played game

Hollow Knight: Silksong won the title of Best Game at the Steam Awards, while Palworld received four nominations and won four medals: Silver for Most Played and Most Played (Steam Deck), and Bronze for Top Seller and Controller Game. Palworld is still in early access after two years. The Palworld team expressed gratitude to their community and announced they are working on the official release of Palworld 1.0 this year, with a promise of upcoming news. A winter update in 2024 will introduce a new island, fresh resources, and innovative mechanics. Palworld is currently facing a copyright dispute with Nintendo over gameplay mechanics similar to Pokémon, leading to changes such as a patch that altered gliding mechanics. The development team remains grateful for community support despite the challenges.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Over 1000 Classic PC Games Are Dirt Cheap On GOG Right Now

GOG has launched its Winter Classics Promo, offering over 1,000 vintage PC games at discounts of up to 95%. The promotion started on January 6 and will run until January 20. Games are free of digital rights management (DRM), allowing for easy download and play. Notable titles included in the sale are Theme Hospital, Fallout 3 GOTY Edition, Fallout New Vegas, Dungeon Keeper GOLD, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Sim City 2000, Thief Gold, and many others.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Valve announced the 2025 Steam Awards winners (and shockingly Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 didn’t win everything)

Valve announced the winners of the 2025 Steam Awards, highlighting user preferences on the gaming platform. Hollow Knight: Silksong was the only title to win multiple awards, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the Best Soundtrack Award. The Steam Awards, held annually since 2016, are determined by user votes, with this year's selections showcasing a diverse range of titles, including smaller games like The Midnight Walk and RV There Yet?.

Tech Optimizer

January 6, 2026

MENXTT NG to pre-install Bitdefender Antivirus on all laptops from 2026

MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with ONErpm and Ultima Studios, announced Ayodeji Benson, known as Ayo Benzi, as the winner of the Next Afrobeats Star reality show during the grand finale on December 13, 2025, at Ultima Studios in Lekki, Lagos. The competition began in September and attracted over 15,000 participants. Ayo Benzi received a ₦150 million music deal, while the first runner-up, Dave Cash, won ₦100 million. Other finalists, Kaeko, Somto O’Laker, and Lucky Yay, received ₦75 million, ₦50 million, and ₦25 million, respectively. The contestants were mentored by notable Afrobeats producers, including Puffy Tee. The event featured guest performances from Iyanya and Bella Shmurda.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

The year of Minecraft: How Jack Black’s block-tastic video game adaptation started the most chaotic cinema trend of 2025

A Minecraft Movie was released on April 4, 2025, featuring Jack Black as Steve and other characters navigating the Minecraft world. The film generated significant fan engagement, with audiences cheering and celebrating during screenings, leading to some theaters requiring law enforcement to maintain order. A UK cinema banned children to curb disturbances. The film's success is attributed to Minecraft's large player base, with 1.4 million active players daily and over 50 million annual logins. The landscape of video game adaptations has improved, with successful examples like HBO's The Last of Us and Prime Video's Fallout. A sequel to A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for release on July 23, 2027, alongside other adaptations like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and a Street Fighter reboot.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

Counterfeit Monkey is so magnificent a text adventure that I’m convinced the puzzle genre went wrong when it added graphics

Counterfeit Monkey is a text adventure game that emphasizes creative problem-solving through linguistic manipulation. Players solve puzzles by altering words, such as transforming "chard" into "card" by removing the "h," or creating a "car" from "garbage." It is categorized as a parser game, where players input commands to navigate the game world. Released for free on New Year's Eve in 2012 by Emily Short, the game is celebrated for its narrative innovation and intellectual depth. Another related game, Fallen London, is an expanding choose-your-own-adventure novel, and in 2023, its creator directed Mask of the Rose, a visual novel that allows players to craft narratives.

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

The RPS 100: Reader Edition (2025) – your favourite games of all time

The RPS 100: Readers Edition allows readers to vote on the best PC games of all time, consolidating entries from the same series for broader representation. - X4: Foundations: Praised for its unconventional gameplay and immersive economic simulation. - Hardspace: Shipbreaker: Noted for its zen-like gameplay and masterful design that intertwines narrative and mechanics. - Horizon Zero Dawn: Appreciated for its beautiful world, intriguing storyline, and emotional depth. - Oxygen Not Included: Recognized for fostering resilience and problem-solving skills, with engaging gameplay. - What Remains of Edith Finch: Described as a perfect game blending sadness with exuberance. - Alan Wake 2: Lauded for intricate lore, masterful storytelling, and stunning visuals. - Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition: Reflects philosophical depth and memorable experiences despite challenging gameplay. - Terraria: Celebrated as a quintessential indie game with endless possibilities. - Overwatch 2: Reminisced for its balance of accessibility and depth, fostering a positive community. - Baba Is You: Considered one of the best puzzle games with delightful mechanics. - Heaven's Vault: Described as a profound exploration of history and memory with rich storytelling. - Jagged Alliance 2 Rally Point: Highlights memorable mercenaries and strategic challenges. - Star Control 2: Remembered as an ideal space adventure with brilliant dialogue. - The Long Dark: Known for providing countless emergent experiences as a survival simulator. - The Stanley Parable: Described as silly and mind-bending with a unique player engagement approach. - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth: Celebrated for emotional storytelling and engaging gameplay. - Football Manager: Shares nostalgic stories that create personal connections. - Call of Duty: Reminisced for its cinematic experience and revolutionary impact on online multiplayer.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

The best Minecraft Christmas ideas in 2025

This Christmas season, players can enhance their Minecraft experience with various festive ideas. Notable snowy seeds include 5613582850711657248 and 757067671151835873, which feature snow-capped peaks and charming villages, respectively. Players can gather snowballs for playful snowball fights and construct Christmas trees using giant spruce trees adorned with colorful wool and glowstones. Custom maps such as Winter Wonderland, Winter Puzzleland 2, and Parkour Wonderland offer different challenges and experiences for players. Texture packs like the Default-Style Christmas Pack and the Christmas Spirit Pack, along with the Minecraft Christmas Music Sound Pack, can add festive elements to the game. For server setup, options include local servers or using hosting services like Shockbyte for a hassle-free experience.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Silent Hill f didn’t just give us a superb SH game in the year of our lord 2025, but it offered up one of the best in the series

Silent Hill f has been well-received by fans, emerging as a standout game in 2025. It reimagines the classic series by introducing a modern narrative while maintaining its psychological horror roots and signature eerie atmosphere. The game features straightforward combat mechanics that require players to balance confrontation and evasion. Players navigate desolate landscapes filled with tension, suspense, and exploration, staying true to the franchise's legacy. Konami's dedication to enhancing the series while honoring its past has resulted in a rich and immersive experience for both new and seasoned players.