character development Archives

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Nioh 3 stars the first Tokugawa Shogun, and it’s coming in 2026—for PlayStation, at least

Koei Tecmo announced Nioh 3 during Sony's State of Play showcase, set in feudal Japan and featuring Tokugawa Ieyasu as the main character. The game introduces new gameplay elements, including weapon stances, randomized loot, and specialization skill trees. Players can switch between samurai and ninja combat styles. Nioh 3 will be available on PC and PS5 from day one, with a launch scheduled for early 2026. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Threepeats Atop Weekly Fandango at Home Chart Through June 1

The Minecraft Movie is being developed to adapt the popular block-building game into a cinematic experience, aiming to appeal to both gamers and newcomers. The film will explore the game's lore and creativity while introducing new characters and plotlines, and it is being produced in collaboration with Mojang Studios to maintain the game's core principles. It is expected to feature stunning visuals that reflect the game's blocky aesthetic and target a wider audience, including families. The success of the film could influence future adaptations of video games into movies.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ sucks, I love it

“A Minecraft Movie” is a 100-minute film that debuted on April 4, featuring a disjointed plot, lackluster script, and minimal character development. The film takes viewers into the “overworld” of Minecraft, where characters attempt to return to reality but face a rushed narrative that prioritizes action and comedy over coherent storytelling. Jack Black stars as Steve, with Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, showcasing strong chemistry. Supporting characters, including siblings Henry and Natalie, lack depth, and Jennifer Coolidge’s subplot feels inconsequential. Despite critical reception, the film has grossed over half a billion dollars, driven by the popularity of Minecraft and viral snippets of dialogue. Audience members engaged with the film during screenings, indicating a level of enjoyment despite its flaws.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Digital Domain vs. the Nether Horde: Behind the VFX of Minecraft

VFX Supervisor Piotr Karwas and Animation Supervisor Liz Bernard discussed the visual effects of Minecraft: The Movie, which includes 187 shots completed in 25 weeks. Karwas, with experience from films like World War Z, served as Cinematic Director, merging CG storytelling with Minecraft's aesthetic. Bernard, with a background from The Lion King, was the Previs Supervisor, focusing on visual planning and comedic tone. Digital Domain assisted with the final battle sequence, and Karwas learned about Minecraft lore from his children. The team worked to balance humor and visuals, ensuring consistency across departments. They faced technical challenges in creating custom VFX shots and animating characters like Piglins and Iron Golems, navigating the constraints of their blocky designs. Karwas is also exploring generative AI to enhance creativity in visual effects workflows.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

F1 25 review

Sebastian Vettel's reminder about cherishing current moments resonates within the context of the F1 gaming franchise, particularly with the release of F1 25 on May 30, 2025, developed by Codemasters and published by Electronic Arts. The game is priced at £50 and is the 17th annual edition of the official F1 game. F1 25 features a nine-hour story in Braking Point 3, concluding the saga with character development for Aiden Jackson and introducing California Mayer as a rival. The game includes an email system for team management, allowing players to connect with staff achievements. However, it has faced criticism for its handling model, particularly for pad control, and contains bugs like incorrect radio messages. The game showcases modern advancements such as path-traced lighting but may struggle with performance on lower-end graphics cards. Overall, while F1 25 offers a high-quality racing experience, it lacks significant innovation compared to its predecessors.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Again Tops Weekly Fandango at Home Chart Through May 25

Minecraft is set to make its cinematic debut with a film adaptation that aims to capture the essence of the game while introducing a narrative appealing to both fans and newcomers. The film will explore themes of adventure, friendship, and imagination, featuring iconic elements from the game such as crafting, building, and exploring unique landscapes. A talented cast has been assembled, and visionary directors known for their work in animation and live-action films are involved in the project. The film seeks to set a new standard for video game adaptations by prioritizing narrative depth and character development. The release date of the film has not been disclosed.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

EA is reportedly cracking down on a Sims 4 mod. What it changes has fans furious

The Sims 4, developed by Electronic Arts, has maintained its popularity for over ten years, supported by a dedicated fan base and compatibility with modern hardware. The game recently released the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack in March, allowing players to start their own small businesses. The community has also created numerous fan-made mods, some of which enhance gameplay, while others have sparked controversy, such as a mod aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) elements. This led to backlash and accusations of censorship when EA requested the mod's removal. Additionally, the conversation about diversity in video games has grown, with criticism directed at Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting firm, for its influence on narrative choices in games like Alan Wake 2 and God of War Ragnarok, resulting in organized boycotts against games associated with the firm.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Analyst claims Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling twice as fast as any other recent JRPG has on Steam—and it’s got me wondering what the secret sauce is

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive, is a strong contender for Game of the Year in 2025, resonating with RPG fans and achieving significant sales success. It outsold major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Persona at a 2:1 ratio, selling over 785,000 copies on Steam in its first week and reaching a peak concurrent player count of 145,063. The game has garnered attention for its engaging opening hours, innovative parry-based combat system, and relatable characters, appealing to PC gamers. It combines elements of JRPGs with Western aesthetics, distinguishing itself from other titles in the genre.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Top Explosive Upcoming PC Games You Can’t Miss in 2025

- Game of Thrones: Kingsroad (TBA) will blend strategic gameplay with narrative depth in the lore of Westeros. - The Last Voyage is set to launch in Q4 2023, featuring a mysterious journey across uncharted waters. - Echoes of the Past is scheduled for early 2024 and will include a gripping narrative with intricate puzzles. - Cybernetic Dawn (TBA) offers a mix of action and strategy in a technology-dominated future. - Whispering Shadows is set for mid-2024 and is a horror adventure with atmospheric graphics. - Legends of the Forgotten Realm (TBA) is a fantasy RPG featuring vast landscapes and mythical creatures. - Galactic Conquest will launch in late 2023, focusing on empire-building and diplomacy in an interstellar setting. - The Enigma Files is set for release in Q1 2024, where players will act as detectives unraveling mysteries. - Realm of Shadows (TBA) features a dark fantasy setting with unique art style and engaging combat mechanics. - Timekeeper’s Legacy is set to debut in late 2023, combining time manipulation with puzzle-solving.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

REVIEW: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ calls for a first watch, but not much more

The film "A Minecraft Movie" follows siblings Henry and Natalie as they navigate their mother's loss and relocate to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. They embark on an adventure with Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison and realtor Dawn, leading them to the Overworld. The plot is coherent, with whimsical moments, but struggles to incorporate nostalgic elements due to its runtime of one hour and 40 minutes. Creative liberties, such as Henry's "tot launcher," may alienate some fans. The film balances humor and deeper character development, though juvenile humor often overshadows serious themes. Jack Black's performance is noted for its commitment but can be exaggerated. The visual design opts for a realistic style, which contrasts with the game's blocky aesthetic. Overall, the film celebrates creativity and offers an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers.