community connection Archives

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Colossal Order and Square Enix vets form new studio Day Off Interactive

A new gaming studio named Day Off Interactive has been established by former employees from Colossal Order and Square Enix, led by Karoliina Korppoo. The team includes Des Gayle as head of production, Colman Humphrey as Technical Director, Jayne Robinson as Marketing Veteran, Ethan Grant as Studio Director, and Karl Rabbitt as Deputy Studio Director. The studio is based in Ireland with a global team of 14 staff members. Day Off Interactive emphasizes innovation through simulation, sustainable business growth, and community connection, operating remotely with a four-day work week.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Minecraft will not go free-to-play: Mojang defends one-time purchase and core game values

Mojang has confirmed that Minecraft will remain a one-time purchase and will not adopt a free-to-play model. Ingela Garneij, the executive producer, emphasized that changing the business model would deviate from the game's foundational vision and highlighted the importance of accessibility. The company aims to preserve the integrity of the Minecraft experience, contrasting its approach with the monetization strategies of other studios. Agnes Larsson, Game Director of Minecraft Vanilla, supported this view, stating that maintaining these values is crucial to the game's culture and community connection.

AppWizard

February 24, 2025

A Minecraft Movie: Is the Bar Below the Bedrock?

The official Minecraft movie began development in 2014 and is set to be released on April 4th, 2025. The first trailer was released on September 4th, 2024, and a second trailer followed on November 19th, 2024. The film's narrative features a diverse group of live-action actors who enter the Minecraft universe and are guided by the character Steve in a quest to return to the real world. The film incorporates realistic graphics and live-action elements, which may alienate its core audience. High-profile actors such as Jack Black, Jason Momoa, and Jennifer Coolidge are cast, overshadowing appearances by popular Minecraft content creators. The film's approach appears formulaic, focusing on mass appeal rather than enriching the narrative. Minecraft has expanded into various marketing avenues, but these expansions have not surpassed the original game's popularity. The film risks being perceived as a cash grab rather than a meaningful contribution to the franchise.

AppWizard

December 26, 2024

Devoted Dad Quit His Job to Run First Minecraft Server for Autistic Kids

In 2013, Stuart Duncan, known as AutismFather, created Autcraft, a dedicated Minecraft server for children with autism and their families, to provide a safe and inclusive online environment. This initiative was inspired by his son's love for Minecraft and the bullying faced by many children on the autism spectrum in traditional gaming spaces. Duncan left his job as a web developer to focus on Autcraft full-time, which now serves over 17,000 players. The server includes supportive features like the "Bully Board" for sharing experiences of bullying and emphasizes community connection and mutual support.

AppWizard

November 4, 2024

Island based author writes new Minecraft novel

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