Creative Archives

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

‘The curse of MIXED is broken:’ Suda51 & Swery65’s Hotel Barcelona claws its way to ‘Mostly Positive’ on Steam after Hail Mary patch and scrubbing AI assets

Hotel Barcelona has changed its user review status on Steam from "Mixed" to "Mostly Positive" following updates from developer White Owls Inc. that addressed concerns about the game's use of generative AI. The game features a collaboration between Japanese creators Goichi "Suda51" Suda and Hidetaka "Swery65" Suehiro. Players initially criticized the game for "trying too hard," especially after discovering AI-generated assets. CULT Games issued an apology for this. The positive shift in reviews is attributed to the "Under New Management" patch released in March, which included significant changes such as enemy balance adjustments and the addition of five free skins. Hotel Barcelona is available on Steam, with a demo for players to try the new balance changes.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

5 Of The Best Android Apps For Making A Podcast

The accessibility of recording and production tools for podcasting has increased, allowing aspiring podcasters to use mobile devices for high-quality content creation. Wireless microphones, like the DJI Mic 2, enhance the recording experience. Various recording and production apps are available for Android users, including: - FL Studio Mobile: A digital audio workstation app that allows users to add tracks, record, and apply mixing and effects plugins, featuring multi-track recording and an intuitive interface. - Riverside: An app that simplifies the recording process by allowing users to invite guests via links, recording up to 4K video and 48 kHz audio, and saving files in WAV format while uploading high-quality files to the cloud. - MasteringBOX: An AI-driven app that enhances audio quality by assessing and improving the sound characteristics of uploaded recordings with a single-button solution. - Koala Sampler: An app that enables users to record sounds and create music directly on their phones, allowing for the incorporation of unique melodies and sound effects into podcasts. - Google Recorder: A built-in app for Android that captures audio and transcribes it in real-time, facilitating easy editing of audio files through text modification. The selection of these apps was based on their active support, usability across various Android devices, and positive user feedback.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Paris Hilton is Android’s first icon in residence

The author has a passion for technology and a history of transforming creative ideas into reality, but faced challenges in executing those ideas due to a disconnect between imagination and technical skills. Traditionally, technology has been dominated by engineers, creating a divide between creators and consumers. The author became Android's first icon in residence, which allowed them to explore new tools and innovations, leading to a realization that technology can be accessible to a wider audience. Their role aims to empower more people to see themselves as creators of technology rather than just users.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Kingdom Hearts 4 shows first signs of life after 4 years of radio silence

Square Enix released a new 90-second trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4 during the latest Nintendo Direct, marking the first update since its announcement in 2022. The trailer features Sora in a scene with a gigantic Heartless in Quadratum, reminiscent of Tokyo's Shibuya district, showcasing his signature moves with a keyblade. Tetsuya Nomura shared artwork of Sora in the same attire earlier this year for the franchise's 24th anniversary. The game will be multiplatform at launch, available on Steam, Epic Games, Xbox, and consoles.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Google teams up with Paris Hilton to showcase Android and AI app building

Google has appointed Paris Hilton as an “Icon in Residence” for Android to explore the potential of Android’s AI tools in app development. Hilton, a Motorola enthusiast, previously collaborated with the brand and now focuses on the synergy between creativity and technology. The first initiative from this partnership is “Iconic Ideas,” a project within the Gemini Canvas framework that allows users to create personalized applications. The collaboration highlights features such as the Android-powered Razr Fold and various creative tools.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

After 3,000 hours spent in Total War: Warhammer, 40k’s gameplay reveal has me convinced this one might genuinely end me

The author recalls their first encounter with Morrowind and Rome: Total War, which sparked a love for RPGs and strategy games, respectively. They have spent over 6,000 hours in Rome: Total War, which has maintained consistency over 25 years. The gaming community is looking forward to Total War: Warhammer 40k, with recent gameplay footage and a closed beta announcement. The game will focus on Armageddon, featuring iconic characters and diverse campaigns for different factions. Tactical dynamics will involve the Astra Militarum, Orks, Space Marines, and Eldar, with an emphasis on strategic use of cover and new units. Impressive bombardment mechanics have also been revealed. The author initially expected a release in 2028, but now anticipates a launch next year.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Derelict Star review

A momentum-based 2D platformer titled "Derelict Star" will be released on April 3, 2026. It is developed by gate and published by Luminous Tree Games. The game emphasizes exploration and skillful navigation over traditional power-ups, encouraging players to master movement mechanics. It features a jetpack mechanic with a speed meter, and the environment consists of various rooms with unique challenges. Checkpoints and fast travel options enhance the exploration experience. The game is verified for Steam Deck and was reviewed on an RTX 3060 laptop with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Marketplace Content: June 2026

Hourglass Studios has released the Ocean Expansion Add-on 3.0, featuring 84 marine creatures and an underwater vehicle. Tools by Misfits offers gadgets like night vision goggles and jetpacks. TNTgames' Living Dead add-on introduces undead mobs and a miniboss, the Skeleton King. Glowfischdesigns' Combat Utilities enhances combat with enemy health bars and off-hand weapons. SandBlock Studios' Stitched Monsters Add-on presents marionette-like creatures and crafting options. Ascent's Ultimate City Mash-up features a 2,000 by 2,000 urban world with over 30 vehicles. Logdotzip's Biome Weapons [DX] includes over 20 elemental weapons. 5 Frame Studios' Combine Mace allows weapon merging. Lifeboat's RVs offer outdoor exploration options. Dodo Studios' High School Roleplay provides interactive academic experiences. Blocky's Skyblock Lucky Block 2 adds random surprises to the skyblock format. Lifeboat's The Sky is Falling! challenges players with falling blocks. Honeyfrost's Ultimate PvP Texture Pack enhances visuals and user interface. Heropixel Games' Pastel Paradise features pastel-themed environments. 57 Digital's Wardens add-on offers ten unique skins, while ManaLabs' Strawberry Trends provides strawberry-themed skins. CupcakeBrianna's Cozy Cats HD Skin Pack includes ten cat skins. The Marketplace Pass includes 21 new add-ons, skin packs, texture packs, mini-games, and mash-ups.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Fumito Ueda on why Gen Atlas has shooting but isn’t a shooter, cool robots, and generative AI

Fumito Ueda, the creator of Gen Atlas, shared insights about the game during a recent meeting. The game features a silent protagonist navigating a vast desert, encountering colossal robots, and engaging in combat. Ueda emphasized the importance of uniqueness in game design and the balance within the overall experience. He aims to refine familiar mechanics while introducing innovative elements, such as a shooting mechanic that enhances player agency without dominating gameplay. Ueda's narrative is influenced by personal experiences and cultural themes, particularly the relevance of robots and AI in today's society. Gen Atlas will be Ueda's first release on PC, allowing him to reach a broader audience. The game will also feature dynamic environmental interactions, contributing to its storytelling.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

METABORA GAMES Launches ‘Puzzle & Guardians’ as a LINE MINI App in Japan

On June 8, 2026, METABORA GAMES launched 'Puzzle & Guardians', a collaborative game with Baligames, available as a MINI App on LINE Messenger. The game combines casual three-match puzzle battles and RPG elements, allowing players to collect Guardians and participate in 1v1 PvP duels and dungeon explorations for BORA token rewards. It is accessible to over 100 million LINE users without additional downloads, enhancing user experience. 'Puzzle & Guardians' is integrated with BORA DEEPS, offering customized missions and rewards usable across various BORA DEEPS features. METABORA GAMES plans to expand localized content for the Japanese market and host events to increase the utility of the BORA token.