contributions Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

“I’ve waited 15 years for this moment”: Minecraft modders behind the sandbox game’s most popular unofficial dimension unveil its sequel, flying mounts and all

Minecraft, launched in 2009, has received numerous updates and contributions from modders, resource pack creators, and shader developers. The Aether Team introduced a mod called The Aether in 2011, which adds a new dimension to the game. They are now preparing to release Aether 2.0, featuring beautiful landscapes, high winds, vast oceans of cloud, and deep caves. Aether 2 will include unique materials like Gravitite for crafting new equipment with supernatural abilities. Minecraft is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and the community remains engaged, even improving chat moderation on anarchy servers.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

‘Zootopia 2’ Passes ‘Minecraft’ as Top Domestic Box Office Film of 2025

Disney’s “Zootopia 2” is the highest-grossing film at the domestic box office for 2025, earning 4 million domestically and surpassing the previous record of 3.9 million set by “A Minecraft Movie.” The film has grossed .85 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film to date and second among all animated features, behind “Ne Zha 2.” It achieved the second-largest extended opening for Thanksgiving weekend with 8.8 million and became the highest-grossing Hollywood release in China, earning RMB 4.59 billion. “Zootopia 2” has outperformed “Moana 2,” which grossed over .05 billion globally in 2024, and remains in the top 10 of the domestic box office charts after 13 weekends. Disney also has two other titles in the top four of the 2025 domestic gross list: “Lilo & Stitch” with 3 million and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” with 0 million.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

RedOctane Games announces rhythm action game Stage Tour for consoles, PC

RedOctane Games has announced its new rhythm action game, Stage Tour, set to launch this fall for consoles and PC via Steam. The game combines traditional note-highway gameplay with modern elements and will feature partnerships with brands like Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. Stage Tour aims to enhance the rhythm game experience with new instruments, intricate charting systems, and a focus on community engagement. Players can build their bands, customize their ensembles with official designs, and compete for high scores while unlocking unique bandmates and rewards. Further details about supported platforms will be revealed later.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Proton beam therapy comes to Minecraft to help children prepare for cancer treatment at The Christie

Young cancer patients can now explore a virtual representation of the proton beam therapy centre at The Christie in Manchester through Minecraft, marking the first instance of a working NHS health facility recreated in the game. This initiative, developed by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Microsoft with input from clinical specialists, aims to familiarize children with the therapy environment to reduce anxiety before treatment. The virtual centre includes key areas such as reception, waiting areas, imaging rooms, and play preparation rooms, and features interactive elements like functioning MRI machines and hidden rooms. The Minecraft environment is scaled up to five times the actual centre for easier navigation. The project was primarily developed by Microsoft volunteers and has received positive feedback from young patients like 10-year-old Ramatulaye, who found it helpful in understanding the hospital layout.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Devs behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters are done with big shooters after getting burned by Embracer, so their next game is a Balatro-like twist on Scrabble—and you can try the demo now

Steve Ellis and David Doak, co-founders of Free Radical Design, are developing a roguelike interpretation of Scrabble titled Beyond Words. This project marks a departure from their previous work on first-person shooters, including the TimeSplitters series and Star Wars: Battlefront 3. Following the closure of Free Radical by Embracer in 2023, Ellis described the experience as "soul-crushing," leading him to prefer smaller team environments for game development. Both Ellis and Doak expressed a desire to work in more intimate settings, which influenced their collaboration on Beyond Words, initially a weekend project that gained traction among various prototypes they explored.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Minecraft players recreate Brunei landmarks for National Day

On February 25, 2026, players of Planet Brunei Reborn (PBR), the longest-running Minecraft server in Brunei Darussalam, participated in a digital homage to the nation’s National Day by reconstructing significant Bruneian landmarks. This initiative began in mid-January and aimed to blend creativity with personal storytelling. Players received in-game currency and ranks as appreciation for their contributions. Notable creations included the Menara Cendera Kenangan, crafted by player Danialhandsome, and Brunei International Airport, recreated by Sub7PewDiePie12 and his team. Since its relaunch in 2022, PBR has attracted over 2,000 registered players and hosts regular community events, serving as a cultural hub for celebrating Brunei’s heritage.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

I only needed 5 songs to know that In Falsus is going to be my go-to rhythm game when I can’t get to the arcade

Soundtrack Sunday focuses on the video game music of In Falsus, an upcoming title from British developer Lowiro, known for its immersive arcade rhythm experiences since 2017. Lowiro has drawn inspiration from Japanese rhythm games, particularly Sound Voltex, and has created a demo for In Falsus that features five tracks. Notable contributions include "Cryogenic" by Camellia, "Chobit Flavour" by Aran, "à la mode" by ak+q, "Ordirehv" by Feryquitous, and "Ghost Ray" by Qlarabelle and crayvxn. The demo showcases a high-quality soundtrack with contributions from esteemed composers, positioning In Falsus as a strong contender in the rhythm game genre. Additional composers such as BlackY, Blacklolita, and kanone are hinted at in the gameplay trailer, generating excitement for the game's full release.

AppWizard

February 22, 2026

IIJAZZGHOST’s Epic Minecraft One Block Adventure

The One Block Challenge in Minecraft begins with players on a single block of grass in the void, where they gather resources, build shelters, and aim to defeat the Ender Dragon. Each time the block is broken, a new one appears, providing various materials and creatures. Players transition through different biomes, each with unique opportunities and challenges. IIJAZZGHOST is a notable player who demonstrates effective strategies, such as resource management, building farms, and creating cobblestone generators. Essential tips for the challenge include efficient resource gathering, establishing shelter and food sources, planning base expansion, and adapting to new biomes. The One Block Challenge has evolved with community contributions, introducing different block types, customized biomes, and mods, enhancing gameplay and fostering a vibrant community.