creative process Archives

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Slipknot’s Clown built fantasy ‘Minecraft’ realm to help him grieve

Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has been a key figure in Slipknot for three decades and recently launched his first fully playable game, Vernearth, inspired by Minecraft. The game allows players to build structures, engage in battles, and embark on quests, and it officially launched on December 1. Clown's passion for gaming began in his youth, and he faced challenges in game development due to financial barriers. He developed Vernearth over four years with his daughter and a drum tech, creating a unique version of Minecraft with new gameplay elements and a darker atmosphere. The game serves as a personal outlet for Clown, helping him cope with grief related to family losses. He is also exploring online therapy integration within the game and has launched The Auction House for players to trade items. Additionally, he is working on an original soundtrack for Vernearth while taking a break from new material with Slipknot.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft has redesigned its baby mobs to be even cuter, and I need you to stop and look at them because they’re just too precious

Minecraft is introducing a new update that adds eight baby animals to the game, enhancing the farming experience. The new baby animals include rabbits, wolf pups, kittens, calves, piglets, chickens, ocelots, and lambs, each designed to reflect their infancy more accurately than previous scaled-down models. The update features unique sounds for each baby animal to enhance immersion. Players can access these updates through the snapshot functionality and the Bedrock beta/preview. Additionally, Microsoft is planning a Minecraft spinoff in collaboration with Activision Blizzard.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

It’s not weird to want a generative AI disclosure on games

The rising costs of RAM have delayed a PC upgrade for the author, who reflects on the implications of technology in gaming. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Steam's generative AI disclosure requirement, comparing it to revealing haircare routines. The author supports Valve's perspective, viewing the disclosure as a safeguard against issues related to generative AI, which has been accused of automating plagiarism and using copyrighted material. The energy demands of AI data centers are also a concern, drawing parallels to collective environmental damage. Transparency in AI usage in gaming is deemed essential, with Activision's vague statement about generative AI in Call of Duty raising questions. The author believes that if AI enhances games, developers should explain their creative processes. As AI-generated content becomes more common, there may be a trend for developers to announce their lack of AI involvement, though the prospect of creativity driven by algorithms is seen as disheartening.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

‘Stranger Things’ has arrived in ‘Minecraft’

Minecraft has collaborated with Stranger Things, introducing 49 unique skins and a new map. The game allows players to experience the 1980s ambiance and embark on quests in Hawkins, encountering iconic moments from the series. Players can choose from characters like Eleven, Dr. Brenner, Vecna, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Suzie, each with unique abilities. The Stranger Things Minecraft DLC is available for .99 but is not accessible to Nintendo Switch users. The Duffer Brothers have drawn inspiration from classic video games for the fifth season of Stranger Things, and there are speculations about a secret ninth episode following the finale.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

I thought I was crazy for thinking Fallout 4 feels like a perfectly crisp fall day, but that’s exactly what Bethesda was aiming for after a ‘field trip’ to a national park: ‘I was like, this is what our world needs to look like’

Fallout 4 features a more vibrant and cheerful atmosphere compared to its predecessor, set in a post-apocalyptic world. The Commonwealth is designed to evoke a sense of hope and the possibility of rebuilding, contrasting with the grim Capital Wasteland. The game's autumnal aesthetic, characterized by a bright sun against a clear blue sky and grey landscapes, was a deliberate choice by art director Istvan Pely. He emphasized themes of hope and rebuilding while maintaining a sense of melancholy, stating that the world should still feel lifeless despite humanity's efforts to recover. The design team drew inspiration from the late fall season, reflecting the devastation of the nuclear fallout on nature. Pely and studio design director Emil Pagliarulo found the creative process of reimagining cities transformed by catastrophe enjoyable.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

I Just Rewatched ‘MyStreet,’ and Now I’m Telling You: Watch Minecraft Roleplay

Minecraft roleplay has evolved significantly since its early days, with notable examples including Aphmau's "MyStreet," which has accumulated 28 billion views over six seasons. On January 6, 2021, a TNT showdown in the DreamSMP attracted over half a million live viewers. By June 2025, the finale of "Minecraft PvP Civilization" garnered over a million views. The genre consists of scripted roleplay, which involves collaborative storytelling, and improvised roleplay, characterized by spontaneous narratives. Recent successes like Evbo’s "Parkour Civilization" and "PVP Civilization," which received over 46 million views, demonstrate the genre's resilience. Nostalgia plays a crucial role in its popularity, particularly among Gen Z, who grew up during Minecraft's golden era. The accessibility of Minecraft roleplay allows anyone to engage with or create content, contributing to its ongoing appeal.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Blocks Magazine #135: LEGO Iron Man, Minecraft, City and more – Fantha Tracks | Daily Star Wars News

The 134th edition of Blocks magazine will be available in UK stores on January 2, 2026. It features insights into the 76344 Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors’ Edition, highlights from the Minecraft series, and new sets launching in January 2026. Subscribers can win the 75419 Death Star by subscribing before December 23, 2025. The issue includes exclusive Quick Build instructions for four projects and reviews of various LEGO sets. Subscriptions in the UK are priced at £64.90 annually, offering a savings of £52.10. Each month, subscribers have the chance to win prizes, and existing subscribers are automatically entered into the prize draw.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

Roy Lee Grossed $9B From Movies Like ‘Weapons’ and ‘Minecraft’ But What He Really Wants to Do Is Make ‘Calvin & Hobbes’

Roy Lee, a 56-year-old mega-producer in the film industry, has produced or executive produced eleven films in 2025, including New Line’s sci-fi thriller Companion and Warner Bros.’ The Minecraft Movie, which nearly reached a billion at the box office. He is known for his subdued approach to filmmaking, preferring to empower the creative talents he collaborates with rather than seeking the spotlight. Lee began his career in the 1990s as an assistant at Alphaville Films and pioneered one of Hollywood’s first online script tracking services. He has successfully adapted works from literary icons like Stephen King, securing the rights to The Long Walk after adapting It. Lee emphasizes his focus on the creative process over awards and expresses optimism about the future of Hollywood, particularly regarding new technologies like artificial intelligence.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Finji announces arcade game collection CorgiSpace for PC, now available

Finji has released CorgiSpace, a collection of small arcade video games for PC and Mac on platforms like Steam and itch.io, priced at .99 / £4.29 / €4.99. The games are created using the PICO-8 game engine and are designed for quick play sessions under an hour. CorgiSpace includes over a dozen games, such as Kuiper Cargo, Cave of Cards, Mole Mole, Dino Sort, and Rat Dreams, each with unique gameplay mechanics. To celebrate the launch, Finji is hosting CorgiJam, a game jam from December 10, 2025, to January 11, 2026, culminating in a live-streamed event on January 19, 2026, where submitted games will be played and commented on by the Finji team and special guests.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

Google tipped to bring an annotation feature to Gemini’s images

Google is developing an annotation feature for its Gemini platform that will allow users to write or draw on generated images before downloading them. This feature is expected to enable users to annotate images with text and drawings, providing a personalized touch. Additionally, there may be a "resubmission" option that allows users to make specific adjustments to the AI's output without rephrasing their requests. Earlier this year, Google integrated native image editing capabilities into Gemini, enabling users to modify AI-generated images and their own photographs. The anticipated annotation feature is designed to enhance user interaction with AI outputs. Google also recently unveiled the Nano Banana Pro model, which improves accuracy and content richness in image generation, potentially supporting the upcoming annotation capabilities.