culture Archives

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

The Game Informer archive just got upgraded with its entire backlog, so go experience the eye-melting world of ’90s game advertising

Game Informer has made a comeback after its closure last fall, supported by financial backing from Gunzilla. The publication announced a return to print and has made its complete archive of physical issues available online, spanning from 1991 to the present. Users can access the archive by creating an account on the Game Informer website. Editor-in-chief Matt Miller mentioned plans to highlight specific legacy articles in the future.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Tops DEG Digital Transactions Chart for Week of May 18

The Minecraft Movie is being produced by a collaboration of renowned studios, focusing on storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages. The film aims to reflect the core themes of exploration and creativity from the Minecraft experience, utilizing innovative animation techniques to represent the game's iconic pixelated style. The casting process includes a mix of established stars and emerging talent, supported by a creative team of experienced directors and writers passionate about gaming culture. The production team has initiated outreach programs to engage the Minecraft community, allowing fans to contribute ideas and feedback.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Fantasy co-op roguelite action game LORT announced for PC

Big Distraction, a new studio formed by veterans of the AAA gaming industry, has announced its first project, LORT, a cooperative roguelite action game for up to eight players set in a cursed fantasy realm. The game is scheduled for release on PC via Steam in the fourth quarter of 2025. LORT allows players to engage in battles, loot treasures, and accumulate power-ups while working together or playing solo. Key features include customizable weapons, over 100 unique power-ups, challenging bosses, and the ability to shape gameplay experiences through selected ingredients and quests. An announcement trailer and screenshots are available for viewing.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Ubisoft CEO Guillemot to be summoned for trial involving former execs

The trial involving three former high-ranking executives at Ubisoft, including Serge Hascoët, Tommy François, and Guillaume Patrux, has been rescheduled to June 2nd due to delayed information from Ubisoft. CEO Yves Guillemot and HR director Marie Derain will testify, though they are not accused of direct involvement in the alleged sexual harassment and bullying. The trial aims to explore Ubisoft's broader responsibility in creating a workplace culture that allowed such behaviors to persist.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

New on Max in June 2025: Gilded Age Season 3, Looney Tunes, and Minecraft Movie

Max will release several new titles in June 2025, including: - June 1: The documentary series The Mortician, which explores the unethical practices of a family-owned funeral home in the 1980s. - June 22: The third season of The Gilded Age, focusing on the social and economic upheaval of the American Gilded Age. - June 28: The documentary My Mom Jayne, featuring Mariska Hargitay's exploration of her relationship with her late mother, actress Jayne Mansfield. - Streaming debuts of A Minecraft Movie and The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (release dates to be announced). Additional programming includes various seasons of shows and films scheduled throughout the month.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Over 25 Years Ago, This Lemmings-Esque Puzzler Was Sent Out To Die – Its Fans Had Other Plans

Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov launches $50K viral video contest to expose WhatsApp’s ‘cheap copycat’ moves | – The Times of India

Telegram has launched a contest with a prize pool of 0,000 inviting participants to create a viral video that showcases Telegram's technological innovations compared to WhatsApp. The contest was announced on May 19, 2025, and submissions are due by May 26, 2025. It is open to global participants, with videos required to be in English and suitable for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The contest allows the use of AI tools and evaluates entries based on clarity, visual impact, meme potential, and virality. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly accused WhatsApp of smear campaigns and emphasizes Telegram's commitment to privacy and political neutrality, rejecting government requests to censor political content. The contest aims to expand Telegram's user base and engage content creators by promoting its unique features, which include end-to-end encrypted chats, large group chats, bots, and advanced privacy controls. Winners will be announced in June 2025.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master review

Japanese Drift Master (JDM) is an open-world racing game set to be released on May 21, 2025, priced at in the U.S. and £29 in the U.K. Developed and published by Gaming Factory, it combines drifting mechanics with life simulation elements and explores Japanese drift culture through a narrative involving an outsider, a failing sushi delivery business, and an unsolved murder, presented in anime comic panels. The game features a variety of licensed vehicles, visual and performance upgrades, and event types such as drag races and delivery missions. While the drift physics are strong, the handling model may feel awkward for conventional driving. Players may face translation issues, optimization challenges, and performance hiccups, but the game offers inventive mission types and a rewarding progression system, encouraging exploration and vehicle customization.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Doritos and Minecraft Movie Mixed Reality Campaign Ends with a Golden Chip

A mixed reality campaign called ‘The Nether Lands’ promoted ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and positioned Doritos as the ultimate movie snack. The campaign was initiated by United Playgrounds, with creative direction from Fitzroy and real-time activation by Livewall, while immersive tech was developed by Beyond. It launched on March 28 with a full-scale Minecraft portal in Amsterdam’s Museumplein, allowing players to collect resources and battle Piglins using their phones for a chance to win an 18-karat gold Dorito chip worth €1,000. The activation expanded to cinemas, train stations, and over 135 DOOH screens in the Netherlands and Belgium, enabling anyone with a bag of Doritos to access an AR-powered Minecraft adventure. The campaign gained global attention, particularly in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, and was covered by international media. Key results included 400,000 unique interactions, 42.5 million impressions, a 185% lift in association with “movie nights,” and a 27% increase in brand preference.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

What’s driving growth in the Chinese video game industry?

The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.