creative play Archives

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word ‘Immersive’ in the name

Harvey Smith, former studio director at Arkane Austin, has founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with executive producer Ben Horne. The studio aims to create imaginative first-person action RPGs with a focus on emergent game systems. The development team includes talent from companies like Arkane, Insomniac, Epic, Avalanche, and Volition. Black Pony Immersive's mission reflects a commitment to immersive storytelling and gameplay, inspired by the legacy of Looking Glass Studios. The closure of Arkane Austin in 2024 followed the poor performance of Redfall, but there is hope that some creative ideas from that period may be revived at Black Pony. Specific details about their first project are not yet disclosed, but hints are available on their website.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Minecraft and Harry Potter inspire new creative play ranges from WeCool Toys

WeCool Toys has acquired licensing agreements for Minecraft and Harry Potter, planning to launch new product collections in Fall/Winter 2026. The Minecraft collection will feature the Butter Cloudz compound platform and the Creeper Cube kit, while the Harry Potter collection will include slime-based kits, a cauldron-style slime set, potion-making experiences, and a 3D sticker and card maker inspired by Hedwig. Jeff Osnato, President of WeCool Toys, highlighted the significance of these partnerships in catering to passionate fanbases. WeCool Toys Inc. specializes in innovative toys and has launched products in over 35 countries.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

868-Back makes hacking as cool as ’90s Hollywood thought it was

868-Back is a roguelike puzzle game created by Michael Brough, set on randomly generated 6x6 grids where players navigate through eight floors filled with enemies. Players use limited resources to acquire weapons and currency while accumulating points, with each collected item spawning additional adversaries. The game features single-screen gameplay that encourages strategic thinking and adaptability, transforming the grid into a dynamic environment for creative play. It builds upon Brough's earlier title, 868-Hack, while expanding its scope and offering constant surprises.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Horizon Group USA Partners with Minecraft for New Line of Licensed Products

Horizon Group USA has entered into a licensing agreement with Minecraft to create a product line that transforms digital experiences into physical activities. The upcoming products will include tactile playsets, STEM-focused dig kits, and other interactive formats aimed at fostering community engagement and creativity. The product line is expected to debut this summer at major retailers such as Amazon and Walmart.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Excitement Builds for Horizon Group USA’s Minecraft Activity Kits

Horizon Group USA is collaborating with Mojang Studios to create a new line of licensed activity kits inspired by Minecraft, set to launch this summer. The collection will include Minecraft-themed slimes, STEM dig kits, and various hands-on crafts and activities. These products will be available at major retailers in the U.S., such as Amazon and Walmart.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

LEGO Minecraft June 2026 Sets Officially Revealed

The LEGO Minecraft universe will expand in 2026 with seven new sets releasing on June 1st. The sets include: 1. Chicken Jockey Desert Attack - Set Number: 21592 - Age Range: 9+ - Piece Count: 428 - Minifigures: 0 - Price: .99 / €24.99 / £19.99 2. First Night Adventure - Set Number: 21593 - Age Range: 8+ - Piece Count: 301 - Minifigures: 7 (Alex, Creeper, Skeleton, Wolf, Rabbit, Pig, Bee) 3. The Skeleton - Set Number: 21594 - Age Range: 10+ - Piece Count: 502 - Minifigures: 0 - Price: .99 / €44.99 / £39.99 4. The Ender Dragon - Set Number: 21595 - Age Range: 10+ - Piece Count: 710 - Minifigures: 0 5. Evoker Village Attack - Set Number: 21596 - Age Range: 9+ - Piece Count: 607 - Minifigures: 11 (Mason, Librarian, Evoker, Iron Golem, Raccoon Adventurer, Undying Protector, 3x Vexes, Sheep, Cat) 6. Ghast Station - Set Number: 21597 - Age Range: 9+ - Piece Count: 754 - Minifigures: 8 (2x Skeleton, Dried Ghast, Hydrated Ghast, Ghastling, Happy Ghast, Ghast Keeper, Aeronaut) 7. Underwater Adventure - Set Number: 21598 - Age Range: 8+ - Piece Count: 310 - Minifigures: 7 (Steve, Deep Sea Diver, Drowned, Dolphin, Fish, Guardian, Elder Guardian) - Price: .99 / €29.99 / £24.99

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Minecraft in new Partnerships, Experiences and Initiatives

Minecraft is expanding its global licensing strategy with over 200 partners, preparing for Licensing Expo 2026. Highlights include the success of the A Minecraft Movie, which grossed nearly a billion at the global box office in 2025. Key partnerships involve Cool Shirtz, adidas, and OppoSuits, along with new product launches like Actimel in Europe and Sticki Rolls globally in August 2026. STEM-focused products from Horizon Group USA and a plush partnership with Ty Inc. are also in development. The Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue debuted in Dallas in 2024, with plans for global expansion and a new attraction, Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail, launching in May. Minecraft World, a theme park land in collaboration with Merlin Entertainment, is set to open in 2027 in London. A sequel to the original movie and a new animated series for Netflix are also in development, aiming to engage fans with new stories and characters.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Minecraft Expands Experiences Ahead of Licensing Expo

Minecraft has over 200 global partners across various sectors, including apparel, food, collectibles, and creative play, as it approaches Licensing Expo 2026. Recent collaborations include an apparel line with Cool Shirtz, a partnership with Adidas, and a global fashion collection with OppoSuits. New product categories include Actimel products in Europe, Sticki Rolls, STEM-focused activity kits from Horizon Group USA, and a plush collaboration with Ty. The brand is expanding into location-based entertainment with the upcoming Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail and a themed land, Minecraft World, set to open at Chessington World of Adventures in 2027. A sequel to A Minecraft Movie is in development with Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, along with a new animated series for Netflix. Minecraft will be present at Licensing Expo at booth No. J98-J103.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

LEGO Minecraft Summer 2026 Sets Revealed

LEGO will launch a new lineup of summer 2026 LEGO Minecraft sets on June 1, featuring the following sets: - Chicken Jockey (21582) – 344 pieces - Chicken Jockey Desert Attack (21592) – 428 pieces - First Night Adventure (21593) – 301 pieces - The Skeleton (21594) – 502 pieces - The Ender Dragon (21595) – 710 pieces - Evoker Village Attack (21596) – 607 pieces - Ghast Station (21597) – 754 pieces Some sets will allow players to unlock in-game items that correspond with the physical builds.