crafting Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Altera is a hardcore, realistic, unforgiving military survival sandbox, so of course it features penguin soldiers with reflex sights on their heads

Altera is a military survival sandbox game set in a Central European landscape, focusing on base-building, crafting, and missions from NPCs. It features ranged combat against lifeless enemies and lacks zombies or competitive elements. The game has introduced "weaponized penguins," where players can equip penguins with military helmets and gun sights to engage in combat. Altera has been in development since 2022, originally conceived as a sci-fi game but evolving to a more realistic aesthetic while retaining the concept of humans and animals fighting together. The game has over 2,000 sign-ups for an upcoming playtest, and while a specific release date is not announced, it will debut in early access on Steam.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

New Crimson Desert update makes everything feel better and adds five magnificent mounts

A significant update for Crimson Desert has been released, introducing five new mounts: the White Bear, Silver Fang, Snowwhite Deer, Rock Tusk Warthog, and Icicle Edge Alpine Ibex. The update includes enhancements to gameplay, such as improved movement controls, optimized stamina consumption, and adjustments to aerial abilities. Accessibility features have been added, including expanded interaction ranges, smoother object interactions, and a more intuitive inventory system. Quality of life improvements include changes to criminal actions affecting contribution scores, better pet behavior, efficiency upgrades to buildings and tools, and enhancements to fast travel and respawn loading times. The patch is available on Steam for PC and Mac, with plans for release on the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Everwind (Early Access)

Everwind is currently available in Early Access and is still in development. The game features a unique world generation and begins with players on a tutorial tower that introduces game mechanics. Players are tasked with building an airship by gathering resources and crafting while facing minor threats like skeletons. Combat includes parrying mechanics and an RPG-style upgrade tree, although the enemy AI is lacking. The game includes whimsical inhabitants like capybaras, wild boars, and pheasants. Players can explore various islands, including sky islands, and must upgrade their airship to access them. The game allows item recovery after death, adding strategic elements. While it offers freedom in gameplay, the overarching narrative may feel lacking. Visually, Everwind has a blocky aesthetic similar to Minecraft but suffers from a dull color palette and character designs. It includes some graphical enhancements, though these may cause lag. Despite its limitations, Everwind shows potential for growth in the survival genre.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer’s indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because “it’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds”

Ivy Road, an independent game studio, announced its closure effective March 31, 2026. The studio was developing a new title called Engine Angel but faced funding challenges. They are finalizing a tea-brewing simulation game called Wanderstop, which explores themes of burnout and trauma. Wanderstop is currently playable and available for purchase on all platforms, and a special code for a chapter select feature has been shared. Analysts predict that the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at a price point 50% higher than their predecessors.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Pokemon Pokopia Players Use Minecraft Trick to Farm Pokemetal

Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Soren Johnson on keeping his game studio small: ‘You get better games if you take longer to make games’

Mohawk Games, established in 2013 by former Firaxis developers, is preparing to launch new downloadable content (DLC) for their 2021 grand strategy game, Old World. The studio, which employs 15 individuals, has sustained its operations through revenue from Old World. The upcoming expansion, titled Empires of the Indus, will introduce three new civilizations and is scheduled for release on March 30. Co-founder Soren Johnson expressed a desire to explore creative avenues beyond grand strategy and has ambitions to develop a light tactical RPG. While there are no immediate announcements for new projects, Johnson has a list of game ideas he finds exciting.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Zero Parades devs knew they didn’t want to make another cop game after Disco Elysium: ‘How people think of the police these days, it’s a bit different’

Zero Parades, developed by ZA/UM, is a successor to Disco Elysium, featuring a distinct narrative path that diverges from its predecessor. Initially, the storyline was centered around a fictional counterpart to the International Monetary Fund, influenced by classic police dramas. However, the creative team shifted their approach to reflect contemporary political urgency, with writer Honey Watson emphasizing the global sense of political urgency. This new perspective enriches the spy narrative, portraying spies as individuals shaping the world ideologically from behind the scenes. The team aims to deliver a narrative that resonates with players and reflects current complexities.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Guardian source messaging tech bringing in ‘much higher quality’ of tips

The Guardian's secure messaging technology, launched in June, has significantly improved the quality of tips from sources, utilizing advanced encryption techniques to ensure confidentiality. The app allows messages to vanish after 14 days and is designed to protect sources' anonymity better than many other encrypted services. It has been recognized as a finalist for a major award and has led to a notable increase in story tips, particularly from the U.S. and Australia, despite its primary user base being in the UK and Europe. The app operates independently of The Guardian's paywall, enabling non-paying users to submit tips freely. The platform encourages contributions from users who may have felt intimidated by other secure methods. The technology enhances communication quality and allows sources to provide context to existing stories. As of September, the app has one million daily active users, with features that obscure genuine communications among automated messages, contributing to source protection. The Guardian has invested in guiding sources on crafting effective tips and has made the secure messaging technology open source for other newsrooms to adopt, aiming to improve source protection across the industry. Collaborations with organizations like The Signals Network and the University of Cambridge are ongoing to gather feedback and enhance the technology further.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Grab 2 Free PC Games Worth Over $30 to Keep Forever, No Strings Attached

The Epic Games Store is offering two free games this week: Havendock, a colony simulation game priced at .99, and Hyper Echelon, a top-down shooter typically priced at .99. Both games are available globally and can be claimed permanently. Havendock allows players to build a settlement on the open sea and has received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. Hyper Echelon features a retro-inspired pixel art style and also holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. The free game lineup refreshes every Thursday, with the next update scheduled for April 2, which will feature Clone Drone in the Danger Zone.

Winsage

March 27, 2026

A legendary Windows dev is assembling a team to rebuild Windows 11 apps

Microsoft is mobilizing a team of seasoned professionals to enhance Windows 11 in response to user frustrations, as indicated by the trending term "Microslop" on social media. Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices, leads this effort, supported by notable figures such as Scott Hanselman, a Microsoft Vice President, and Clint Rutkas, a product manager for Windows Terminal and PowerToys. Rudy Huyn is also forming a new team focused on Windows applications, inviting developers to connect and share their portfolios. Huyn emphasized the importance of strong product thinking and customer focus in building this team.