COVID-19 pandemic Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Minecraft’s Jack Black and Jason Momoa Reveal Which Video Games They’ve Played the Most

Jack Black and Jason Momoa discussed their different experiences with video games in an interview. Black shared his immersive experience with Red Dead Redemption Part Two, playing it for 400 hours during the pandemic, while Momoa expressed caution about gaming due to his addictive personality. He reminisced about playing Street Fighter, favoring characters Ryu and Blanka. The development of A Minecraft Movie has been lengthy, initially announced in February 2014, facing production delays and changes in directors. Originally set for a May 2019 release with a budget of 0 million, the film's progress was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography began in January 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand, after delays from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film aims to combine live-action with advanced visual effects to create a realistic representation of Minecraft. Black and Momoa have developed a strong friendship during production, with both actors promoting the film together. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2025.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

11 Bit Studios makes layoffs

Poland's 11 Bit Studios announced a restructuring that resulted in an undisclosed number of layoffs and the cancellation of Project 8, its first console-focused game, which began development in 2018 with a team of 37 staff members. The company invested approximately PLN 48.4 million (around .8 million) into Project 8. The decision to cancel the project was based on a comprehensive evaluation that identified several challenges, including disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The president of the board, Przemysław Marszał, indicated that changing market conditions and revised sales forecasts raised doubts about the project's profitability, leading to the conclusion that further extensions of the production timeline and budget increases would be necessary.

BetaBeacon

December 13, 2024

Your O2 Android phone will now come with Epic Games Store preinstalled

Epic Games Store will be pre-installed on Android devices on the O2 network, offering popular titles like Fortnite and creating a more competitive ecosystem for Android gamers.

BetaBeacon

November 28, 2024

What happened after Plague Inc.? The dev’s next game looks to find out

After Inc. is a 4X strategy game that takes place after a worldwide zombie pandemic.

AppWizard

November 23, 2024

Minecraft trailer blue cube decoded: The mysterious symbols explained

MINECRAFT is set to have a film adaptation featuring Jack Black, with the trailer released on November 19, 2024. The movie, titled A Minecraft Movie, has a cast that includes Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa, and Danielle Brooks. The plot follows Jason's character and his friends as they enter the Overworld, a key setting in the Minecraft universe. Jack Black plays the character Steve, who is connected to mysterious blue cubes featured in the trailer. A Reddit user claims to have deciphered symbols on these cubes, revealing a message: “Iron, Gold, Stone, Gate, Head, Home,” which fans speculate may relate to instructions for Jack Black’s character. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on April 4, 2025, after several delays from its original date of May 24, 2019.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

Minecraft enters real world with $110m global theme park deal

Minecraft is partnering with Merlin Entertainments to create physical attractions, including themed rides, hotels, and retail experiences, starting in the UK and the US. Merlin will invest over £85 million in the initial phase, with two attractions set to open in 2026 and 2027. The partnership, named “Adventures Made Real,” aims to expand to additional countries in the future. Minecraft has 140 million monthly players and is the best-selling video game of all time, having sold over 300 million copies since its launch in 2011. The game is also set to have a film release next April and an animated series on Netflix. In 2022, Merlin partnered with Sony Pictures to integrate the Jumanji franchise into its parks and expanded its collaboration with Peppa Pig. In 2019, a consortium led by the Lego family acquired Merlin for £6 billion.

AppWizard

November 14, 2024

NatWest blocks bevy of messenger apps on staff devices

NatWest Group has formally banned a range of messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Meta's Messenger, Skype, Telegram, Signal, Viber, Snapchat, Discord, WeChat, and Line, to enhance regulatory compliance and communication oversight. This ban, effective from November 6, applies only to company-issued devices and is aimed at protecting the bank and its stakeholders from regulatory complications. The prohibited apps are seen as lacking proper record recovery options, which could hinder compliance documentation. Employees are discouraged from using personal devices for business communication on these platforms. The decision comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of banks' recordkeeping practices, highlighted by significant fines imposed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority is also looking into financial institutions' usage of encrypted messaging apps. Approved communication channels at NatWest include Microsoft Teams, Viva Engage, Zoom, Outlook, Symphony Chat, and SMS, all of which allow for record retrieval.

AppWizard

September 22, 2024

OPINION: Give the Minecraft movie a chance

“Minecraft” is an open-world game that allows players to engage in survival adventures and creative building. The game has a significant following, with players creating intricate structures and engaging with a vibrant YouTube community. A “Minecraft” movie was announced nearly a decade ago, generating excitement among fans, but faced production delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trailer for the movie was released on September 4, receiving mixed reactions regarding its narrative and animation style. Some fans felt the CGI and character designs did not align with the game's aesthetic, while others appreciated the realistic portrayal of characters. The film's storyline may need refinement, but there is optimism about its potential as a cinematic experience.

AppWizard

August 31, 2024

WhatsApp novelists use messaging app to write and sell books in Zimbabwe

Kingston Dhewa is a fruit and vegetable vendor in Budiriro 5, Zimbabwe, who has published 43 novels, primarily in Shona, inspired by African rural life. He began writing in high school but pursued it seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic after joining a WhatsApp community of writers. Dhewa releases his stories in serialized form. Pamela Ngirazi, another author, has over 21,000 followers and uses WhatsApp Channels to broadcast her romance novels. The trend of digital publishing in Zimbabwe has been driven by economic challenges, making WhatsApp a crucial platform for authors to reach readers. The e-books market in Africa is expected to grow, but data costs pose a barrier. Traditional publishing faces challenges, including piracy and declining sales. Concerns about copyright and intellectual property rights are prevalent, with emphasis on the importance of registering works. Despite the limitations of self-publishing, Dhewa remains hopeful for literary recognition.

AppWizard

August 30, 2024

Report: Tencent and NetEase reconsidering Japanese bets

Chinese gaming companies Tencent and NetEase are reassessing their investment strategies in Japan due to dissatisfaction with returns from their ventures. They initially sought blockbuster titles but found that supported developers focus on smaller-scale games. The companies are looking for opportunities outside China due to potential stricter regulations at home, but recent successes in the Chinese market have renewed interest domestically. Analyst Robin Zhu suggests that Tencent and NetEase may start scrutinizing their returns more closely. The global gaming industry is facing a retrenchment, leading to workforce reductions and scaled-back investments. Additionally, Japanese developers' desire to maintain control over intellectual property may complicate partnerships. Future investments in Japan may require a more nuanced approach.