creative community Archives

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Dying Light 2 is a platform now, as the Breach update opens up Techland’s zombie survival game ‘even more to UGC content’

Techland has been enhancing Dying Light 2 since its launch in 2022, reworking the parkour system, introducing Volatiles, and improving combat mechanics. The game now features New Game+ and replayable bounties. The latest update, "The Breach," aims to enhance modding and user-generated content (UGC) capabilities, allowing players to create and share their own content. After completing the Prologue, players meet characters Tolga and Fatin, who provide tools for UGC experiences. Official mods include a third-person mode and a low-gravity mode, with community-created content like "The Atomborne" and "Dead Circuit." Dying Light 2 has a daily concurrent player count in the low thousands, which is respectable for a four-year-old single-player game but lower than other successful titles. The potential for a vibrant UGC community exists, especially as it may appeal to younger players compared to other platforms facing scrutiny.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

‘Eventually the slop will just fall to the bottom’: Garry’s Mod sequel launches to ‘mixed’ reviews, but Garry himself isn’t worried about AI games on the main page

s&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, has been unveiled as an open-source platform aimed at a mature audience, similar to Roblox. It has received a mixed reception on Steam, with many negative reviews citing issues related to AI-generated content. The platform features hastily assembled games, including one titled Terry's Granny (Now with Co-op!). Newman from Facepunch stated that while the studio does not encourage using AI for game creation, they recognize its value as a learning and productivity tool. He emphasized the importance of human creativity and a balanced approach to AI use, suggesting a 50/50 method. Newman mentioned that Facepunch uses AI mainly in early pre-production phases and views it as a tool for learning rather than a replacement for creative processes. He believes that low-quality AI-generated content will eventually be disregarded by users. S&box is now available on Steam for users to explore and contribute to its community.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

“Joke’s on you,” says No Man’s Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it’s replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic

Developer Starry Studio has introduced significant updates to the survival game Once Human, including a new class system, a PvP-centric Raid Zone, and a crossover with Palworld. A new decorative item in the game’s loot crates, specifically an exercise bike, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. Hello Games' Sean Murray responded humorously to the criticism, while Starry Studio confirmed it would remove the contentious item. The Thunder Overload cosmetic lineup features outfits and a weapon skin that transforms the SKS into a mechanical dragon. Earlier this year, Once Human was also accused of borrowing design elements from Rainbow Six Siege. Starry Studio has pledged to replace the disputed asset and review their art and design policies, emphasizing the importance of originality and community feedback.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

A ‘Minecraft’ Inspired Action RPG Just Returned From The Dead

Riot Games canceled the game Hytale in June, leading to the closure of developer Hypixel. Nearly five months later, Hypixel co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme acquired the rights to Hytale and released a 16-minute gameplay video. The footage, described as "raw and broken," showcases a combat-oriented world reminiscent of Minecraft, with intricate combat mechanics and creation tools for player customization. Collins-Laflamme has shifted the game's vision to include robust support for mods and player-generated content. Although the game has been in development since 2015 and lacks a specific release date, there are indications that an early access launch date will be announced soon. Over 30 developers from the previous Riot Games team have been rehired, and Collins-Laflamme is looking to expand the team to expedite the early access version of Hytale.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Bad Brain is the latest NetEase studio to close

Sean Crooks, head of Bad Brain Game Studios, announced that the Canadian game development company will cease operations on November 17th due to an unsuccessful search for a new publishing partner after NetEase discontinued its support. The intellectual property associated with the project is available for acquisition, and both Crooks and NetEase are open to discussions with potential publishers or studios interested in continuing development. Bad Brain plans to release a sizzle reel to showcase the project and assist the team during the transition. Crooks encouraged interested parties to reach out for top-tier talent from the studio.