creative collaboration Archives

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Android 17 QPR1: What Pixel Gets

Android 17 QPR1 began its stable rollout in the United States on September 15, 2026, coinciding with Google’s September Pixel Drop. This update introduces the Pause Point feature, which temporarily halts access to a selected app for 10 seconds, allowing users to reconsider their choice. The update is compatible with Pixel phones from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 10a generations, as well as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold models. The rollout is staged, leading to varying delivery times for users. Pause Point imposes a 10-second delay when accessing a configured app, offering options like breathing exercises and alternative app suggestions. Disabling Pause Point requires a phone restart. Scam protection features vary by region, with Gboard scam warnings initially exclusive to the U.S. for Pixel 6 and newer devices, while notification-based Scam Detection has expanded to nine additional regions, excluding Spain. Android 17 QPR1 also includes a refresh of the Pixel interface, adding a new Keyboard tile to Quick Settings and improving visual aesthetics with enhanced translucent and blurred backgrounds. Screen recording defaults to capturing a single app, and the VIPs widget has been upgraded for easier calling and messaging. Google and Audible have collaborated to provide Harry Potter-themed packs for Pixel users, featuring customized wallpapers and icons, along with a two-month Audible trial, though eligibility conditions are unspecified.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

DOOM runs inside Paint on Windows, built by a Microsoft executive: “The spreadsheet-tier framerate is part of the charm.”

Mark Russinovich, the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft Azure, has created a project called DoomPaint that allows the classic 1993 game DOOM to run within Microsoft Paint. The application works by placing each game frame on the Windows clipboard and pasting it into Paint, which acts as a display medium rather than a game engine. Users need to install Python to run DoomPaint, and there is also a demonstration video available. The project involves contributions from entities like Anthropic's Claude and Microsoft's GitHub Copilot. DoomPaint features working sound and music, but it is primarily a visual trick rather than a complete game engine conversion. To enhance the experience, players need a legitimate copy of DOOM's internal ".WAD" file.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Don’t expect the Death Stranding movie to retell the story of the games, as its director says the film will be set in his ‘own corner of the world’

The cinematic adaptation of the video game Death Stranding has been in development since its announcement in 2022. Director Michael Sarnoski is currently writing the script and is collaborating with A24, which has expressed excitement about the project. Hideo Kojima has reacted positively to Sarnoski's script, recognizing film references within it. Additionally, a film adaptation of Elden Ring is in progress, with an expected release in 2028, and recent leaks suggest that Conwy Castle in North Wales may be used as a stand-in for Stormveil Castle from the game.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Your dad’s favorite show might become a videogame

Taylor Sheridan is writing the script for the upcoming Call of Duty movie, directed by Peter Berg and likely featuring Mark Wahlberg. Paramount Games Studio, led by Shawn Kittelsen, plans to transform Yellowstone into a video game, alongside exploring other Paramount properties like Star Trek and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Kittelsen emphasized the importance of honoring the narratives and characters associated with these titles.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Kingston kids to compete in Ontario’s top Minecraft championships

More than 100 students will participate in the largest Minecraft esports competition in Ontario at Humber Polytechnic on Saturday. Two teams from King’s Town School, the Pixelites and the TerrorBytes, will compete in the Ontario Scholastic Esports Association (OSEA) Minecraft Provincial Championship against 16 other teams. The competition is for students in Grades 5 to 8 and involves collaborative building challenges using Minecraft Education. The Pixelites include Oliver Armstrong, Ralph Bobrow, and Harlo Garwood, while the TerrorBytes consist of Kieran McCabe, Charlie Neary, and Jackson Geen. This year's qualifying task required teams to create an Olympic-themed parkour course. The event aims to connect gaming with curriculum-based learning and skills development. Teams will have 30 to 40 minutes to complete each of the four build challenges, with one scenario remaining a mystery. Medals will be awarded to top teams, but the focus is on skill development and confidence-building. The event will be livestreamed for families and school communities.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: ‘It’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds’

Developer Ivy Road has announced the closure of its studio, set for March 31. The studio expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought their game, Wanderstop, to life, which received an 84% review score. The narrative was created by Davey Wrenden and Karla Zimonja, with music composed by C418. The closure follows layoffs due to the studio's inability to secure funding for a new project called Engine Angel. Despite the closure, Wanderstop will remain available on current platforms, and Ivy Road hinted at a future surprise related to the game, with more news to come from Annapurna Interactive.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

Arc Raiders got a surprise cameo in South Park, and the devs learned about it just two days before the episode aired

The RPGs The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole are based on the television series South Park. In a recent episode, a character made a cameo playing the extraction shooter Arc Raiders. Ashley St. Germain, the marketing lead at Embark, detailed the rapid production process for this cameo, stating that South Park inquired about it on a Monday, footage was provided on Tuesday, and it aired in the 'Turkey Trot' episode on Wednesday. The collaboration reflects South Park's commitment to engaging with contemporary gaming culture.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Live-action Far Cry TV series starring It’s Always Sunny’s Rob Mac will mimic the games’ standalone format, with each season given ‘a new setting following a new cast of characters’

Ubisoft has confirmed the development of a live-action Far Cry television series, co-created by Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney. The series will follow the structure of the games, with each season set in a different location and featuring a new cast of characters. Hawley describes the Far Cry franchise as an anthology, while McElhenney will serve as an executive producer and star in the series. The creative team has a variety of locations to draw inspiration from, including Micronesia, Central Africa, Southeast Asia, and Montana. This adaptation follows a previous film attempt in 2008 and a recent Netflix animated series that received positive feedback.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Warner Bros’ A Minecraft Movie targets Best Picture, Director and Actor after impressive $957M box office haul

Warner Bros. is developing a highly anticipated Minecraft movie, aiming for awards consideration. The film features a collaboration of experienced filmmakers and writers focused on creating an authentic narrative that appeals to both gamers and a wider audience. It will utilize advanced animation techniques to replicate the game's blocky aesthetic, providing a vibrant visual experience. The story will explore themes of creativity, adventure, and teamwork, reflecting the core elements of the Minecraft game. Warner Bros. is engaging with the Minecraft community during development and is positioning the film for recognition during award season, highlighting its artistic and storytelling merits.

AppWizard

October 11, 2025

How a Schedule 1 “investigation” kicked off a battle over Drug Dealer Simulator

Byterunners, the developer of the Drug Dealer Simulator series, is in a dispute with its publisher, Movie Games, regarding withheld profits from console sales and contractual obligations. Byterunners claims that Movie Games has not paid them profits from the console versions of Drug Dealer Simulator 1 and 2, while Movie Games argues that Byterunners is not entitled to these profits based on their contract. The disagreement intensified after Byterunners alleged that profits were contingent upon compliance with new production plans, which they believe deviated from their original contract. Byterunners has made attempts to resolve the dispute, including a settlement proposal and a formal demand for compensation, but communication has broken down. Additionally, Movie Games fined Byterunners 4.5 million Polish złoty for alleged failures to address bugs in Drug Dealer Simulator 2. Both parties acknowledge that clearer communication could have potentially alleviated tensions, but neither has taken steps to re-establish dialogue since the public statements were made. Legal confrontation appears likely as the situation remains unresolved.