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Finding a great new Discord hangout game that's not a roguelike still feels like striking gold
AppWizard
June 15, 2026

Finding a great new Discord hangout game that’s not a roguelike still feels like striking gold

The gaming landscape is shifting with a rise in 'friendslop' games following Peak's success, while indie developers are creating small, affordable co-op games that emphasize camaraderie. The market is crowded with various co-op experiences on platforms like Steam, including lo-fi 3D games, survival crafting adventures, and roguelikes. Traditional co-op first-person shooters, characterized by a certain charm, offer a refreshing alternative. Turok: Origins exemplifies this by providing a satisfying gameplay experience without complex narratives or pressure for endless playthroughs. Games like Space Marine 2 and Turok: Origins allow for casual interaction among players, balancing intensity with light-hearted conversation.
Steam's second most-played game right now is reportedly a bot-filled marketplace that can get you banned
AppWizard
June 15, 2026

Steam’s second most-played game right now is reportedly a bot-filled marketplace that can get you banned

Steam's player population data shows that idle games are popular, with Bongo Cat remaining prominent and Banana achieving the tenth-highest peak for concurrent players. Task Bar Hero, launched at the end of May, reached approximately 450,000 concurrent players overnight and set a new record of 526,596 concurrent players, ranking just below Counter-Strike 2. The game's success is attributed to its passive item earning mechanic, allowing players to sell items on the Steam marketplace, where some items are valued between £50 and £150, and a legendary bow is listed for £1,183.16. Concerns have arisen about market manipulation by a bot farm, leading developers to enhance data collection on private servers to identify unauthorized program users. The data tracked includes user ID, game version, and device information.
Spore devs say the evolution game's previews were more ambitious than what they were actually making, and they 'built a fantasy in people's minds that was unachievable'
AppWizard
June 14, 2026

Spore devs say the evolution game’s previews were more ambitious than what they were actually making, and they ‘built a fantasy in people’s minds that was unachievable’

Spore was initially envisioned as an expansive simulation game that allowed players to evolve from a unicellular organism to a spacefaring alien, but the final product turned out to be a collection of sci-fi minigames with a cartoonish character creation engine. The game's creator, Will Wright, introduced concepts like "procedural verbs" for evolving societies, but many of these ideas were not fully realized in the final version. Features such as an aquatic stage were cut from the game, which has led to ongoing interest and documentation by fans. Despite mixed reviews, Spore has influenced contemporary games, including the roguelike Everything Is Crab.
Alongside its new expansion, Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader got a massive patch buffing its weakest classes and companion
AppWizard
June 13, 2026

Alongside its new expansion, Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader got a massive patch buffing its weakest classes and companion

Owlcat Games is developing multiple RPG projects, including The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy, while expanding its 2023 release, Rogue Trader. The latest update for Rogue Trader, titled The Infinite Museion, includes a significant patch that balances gameplay, particularly for the Operatives and Assassins classes, which have been underperforming compared to the Soldier and Executioner classes. Owlcat Games has a history of providing post-launch support, enhancing the longevity and player engagement of its titles, such as Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.
Palworld 1.0 won't wipe your data, 'but you should' says Pocketpair's publishing boss
AppWizard
June 13, 2026

Palworld 1.0 won’t wipe your data, ‘but you should’ says Pocketpair’s publishing boss

Palworld 1.0 is set to launch on July 10, with players able to retain their existing progress, although they may be encouraged to start anew. A significant new feature is the World Tree, located in the northwest corner of the map, which is tied to the game's narrative climax. The update will introduce more new Pals than any previous update, including a new character named Dupin.
Tracing blueprints in Paralives is so easy it freed me from 25 years of The Sims' grid-based tyranny
AppWizard
June 12, 2026

Tracing blueprints in Paralives is so easy it freed me from 25 years of The Sims’ grid-based tyranny

Players of life simulation games have traditionally recreated their real-life homes in virtual worlds, often facing frustration with grid-based building systems. The launch of Paralives offers a gridless design and real-world measurements, allowing for a more authentic building experience. Players can import real-life blueprints and trace them in the game, with a mod that enables uploading a blueprint image onto a customizable rug to guide wall construction. To use this feature, players must download Bunny's Customizable Rug, save a floor plan image, and adjust the rug in Build Mode to match the blueprint's scale. While Paralives allows for accurate translations of blueprints, some scaling issues exist, such as showers being inaccurately represented as occupying 4 square feet, which complicates creating realistic bathroom layouts.
Google VP John Maletis confirms Googlebooks will run Android apps far better than Chromebooks
AppWizard
June 12, 2026

Google VP John Maletis confirms Googlebooks will run Android apps far better than Chromebooks

Chrome Unboxed offers a membership called Chrome Unboxed Plus, which provides an ad-free experience, access to a private Discord, and additional perks. Google is developing the Googlebook category directly on the Android tech stack, allowing apps to run natively without an emulation layer, significantly improving performance. This change enables applications to utilize hardware capabilities fully, resulting in a smoother user experience. The unified foundation of Googlebooks encourages developers to optimize their apps for various devices, facilitating a "Build Once, Deploy Anywhere" approach. This shift has led to increased enthusiasm among developers, with many creating integrations specifically for Googlebooks. The success of Googlebooks will depend on effective software execution, as it aims to provide high-speed performance without the limitations of traditional operating systems.
Running your own store is just the tip of the iceberg in Saleblazers
AppWizard
June 12, 2026

Running your own store is just the tip of the iceberg in Saleblazers

Saleblazers is a multiplayer open-world game where players can choose from three distinct classes and interact with dynamic, voiced NPCs while customizing their storefronts. The game recently launched the Immersive Update, which enhances NPC behaviors, introduces a random daily event system, and improves visuals and audio. The update includes vigilant border police in Kazai Village, revamped combat mechanics, and a character development system that allows players to invest in stats and craft items. The game blends elements of survival, simulation, and adventure, offering a rich experience for exploration and interaction.
Witchspire is a charming Palworld-esque survival crafting game that replaces the unpaid monster labour with magic and whimsy
AppWizard
June 12, 2026

Witchspire is a charming Palworld-esque survival crafting game that replaces the unpaid monster labour with magic and whimsy

Witchspire is a survival crafting game released into early access, where players take on the role of a witch in a whimsical world filled with magical tools and familiars. Players can track down fellow witches, build a base, and engage in tree chopping using wands and spells. Familiars can be captured and serve as combat companions or enhance productivity at the player's base. The game features a fluid combat system with a dodge mechanic and multiple double-jumps, as well as gridless building mechanics. Exploration rewards players with chests, mini-puzzles, and experience points for a skill tree. Some quality-of-life features are still in development, such as viewing crafting recipes and switching consumables during combat. The game is developed by Envar Games.
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