design Archives

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Open-world crime game Samson beats up a bunch of bugs in a new patch, as developer admits it ‘released a game with flaws’

Liquid Swords is developing an open-world crime game called Samson, which incorporates a roguelike element similar to Grand Theft Auto. The studio, led by Christofer Sundberg, faced significant changes last year, resulting in the layoff of half its team and a shift in the game's design to a more streamlined experience. Samson currently has a 53% Mixed rating on Steam, with many negative reviews citing bugs and technical issues.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Steam Giving Away PC Game From 2024 for Free for Few Days Only

GGTech Studios will transition their 2024 3D platformer, eWorlds, from a free-to-play model to a paid option on April 16, 2024, with a price set at .99. Players can add eWorlds to their Steam libraries for free until that date. The decision to charge is aimed at maintaining the game's multiplayer servers. eWorlds has received Steam Deck Verified status, ensuring smooth gameplay on the device, and currently holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with 87% of 325 user reviews being favorable. The game is compared to Super Mario Odyssey and has a runtime of a few hours, with mixed feedback on its latter half.

Winsage

April 12, 2026

How the Steam Deck became an unlikely Windows 11 handheld — and the community making it work

The Steam Deck was released on February 25, 2022, and received a five-star review for its design. It initially ran on SteamOS, a custom Linux version, which introduced many gamers to Linux. The device faced competition from the Nintendo Switch, but as its popularity grew, other manufacturers began releasing their own PC handhelds with Windows 11. Windows 11 offers better game compatibility and access to various platforms, leading some Steam Deck users to seek ways to install it on their devices. Although not originally designed for Windows, early adopters found methods to install it, prompting Valve to release an official Windows driver package. With Windows 11, users gained access to features like anti-cheat support and compatibility with multiple game launchers, though challenges remained. A community on Reddit, r/WindowsOnDeck, emerged to support users dual-booting Windows and SteamOS, providing guides and troubleshooting assistance. Despite the challenges, the Steam Deck has become a notable option for Windows gaming handhelds, aided by community efforts.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Hytale devs hire Minecraft modders behind incredible Create mod, teasing that it “opens the door to automation and a whole lot more” in their sandbox RPG

Mojang is focusing on smaller updates for Minecraft, including the Tiny Takeover drop and the upcoming Chaos Cubed. The developers of the Create mod are collaborating with Hypixel Studios on Hytale, an expansive sandbox RPG inspired by Minecraft that has been in development for nearly a decade and entered early access in January. Simon Collins-Laflamme from Hypixel Studios confirmed that the Create mod team is now part of Hytale's core design team, which may lead to innovative gameplay features. The community has responded positively to this collaboration, expressing hope for its potential impact on the game.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Hytale Hires the Creators of Minecraft’s Create Mod

Hypixel Studios has integrated the creators of the Create mod into its core design team for Hytale. Studio lead Simon Collins-Laflamme confirmed this, indicating that their focus is on enhancing the game's core systems, which may lead to automation features in the future. The Create team stated they will continue to support the Create mod for Minecraft, but it will not be ported to Hytale. The inclusion of the Create team suggests a commitment to expanding Hytale's mechanical complexity, although animated mechanical systems are not expected in the immediate future. Community response to this development has been positive.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

They finally made an action figure of Star Wars’ most evil and nasty grandma but it’s already sold out

Hasbro has launched preorders for an exclusive action figure two-pack on Amazon featuring Darth Nihilus and Kreia from Star Wars RPG, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. The set sold out almost immediately. The Darth Nihilus figure includes a blend of cloth and plastic elements, while the Kreia figure showcases her character's essence with a disdainful expression and three displayable lightsabers. Despite Kreia losing a hand in the game, the figure features both hands for customization. There is potential for additional figures if demand continues.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Dead or Alive creator was once held at gunpoint by LAPD, says former colleague: ‘It was a real Dead or Alive situation’

Tomonobu Itagaki is known for creating the Dead or Alive series and Ninja Gaiden games. He had a bold approach to game design and famously stated, "Gamers who think that Ninja Gaiden is too hard are losers … just fight your best fight!" His personality was characterized by a flamboyant reputation and a fierce dedication to his work. Following his passing in October 2025, he reflected on his life as a series of battles, stating, "My life has been a series of battles. We stayed winning. I've caused a lot of trouble. I stand by my beliefs and I own them. No regrets." His contributions to gaming continue to inspire players and developers.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Revisiting Redfall after its final update reveals the ghost of the game it wanted to be

Redfall, developed by Arkane Austin, was released in May 2023 and faced criticism for its open world, AI, and shooting mechanics. Following its launch, Arkane attempted to address these issues but was ultimately closed by Microsoft a year later. Before its closure, the studio released patch 1.4, which introduced a Community Standing system that allows players to enhance their skills through community tasks. This patch aimed to improve gameplay by encouraging exploration and interaction with the environment, offering rewards like fortified safehouse defenses and new abilities. Despite these improvements, core issues such as unsatisfactory combat and shallow NPC interactions persisted, limiting the game's narrative depth and player engagement.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

League of Legends lead Phroxzon says “frustrating” counters like Mel are part of the MOBA’s “secret sauce”

Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison, lead gameplay designer for League of Legends, engaged with a group of 20 players to discuss champion balance, focusing on Mel, whose abilities can disrupt opponents. He described Mel as "a balanced champion," though players expressed frustration over her matchups. Phroxzon acknowledged that there are moments where Mel can feel overwhelmingly powerful and emphasized the importance of diverse gameplay experiences. He noted that navigating difficult matchups is integral to the game and encouraged players to develop strategies against challenging champions. He also discussed the concept of 'loser's queue' and the psychological aspects of player perceptions in competitive environments. Additionally, he addressed the balance between introducing changes through patches and maintaining game stability, suggesting that new champion releases contribute to player growth and understanding. Riot Games is committed to evaluating champion dynamics and player experiences in the evolving landscape of League of Legends.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

If you love Diablo 4’s Necromancer, the next Titan Quest 2 update is made for you

Titan Quest 2 is an action role-playing game developed by Grimlore Games, focusing on core elements from the original game while avoiding the live-service model. The game is currently in early access, with an update scheduled for April that will introduce two major features: summons and talismans. Each mastery will include a summon skill with new passive abilities, allowing for diverse playstyles. Summons will function similarly to auras, requiring energy management, and the game will automatically re-summon fallen minions. The five current masteries and their summons include: - Storm: Wisps that unleash lightning strikes. - Warfare: War Banner that heals and buffs allies or debuffs foes. - Forge: Automaton, a customizable mechanical ally. - Earth: Core Dweller, a rock golem that deals damage. - Rogue: Shadow Clone that mirrors the player’s gear. The update will also introduce talismans for mages, replacing traditional shields and enhancing energy reserves. Additionally, there will be an overhaul of epic items, with significant buffs and reworks to improve their effects. Other enhancements include new affixes on gear and revamped implicits on staves for casters. The exact release date of the update is not specified, but it is described as "nearly ready for release."