Developer Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Terraria devs reveal the game’s average playtime on PC is over 100 hours as it passes 70 million copies sold

The average PC player has logged 101 hours and 18 minutes in Terraria, according to a blog post by developer Re-Logic. The game has been captivating audiences for 15 years and has received praise from critics, including an 83% rating from Luke Winkie in 2018. Terraria currently has over 35,000 concurrent players, as reported by SteamDB. Its success is attributed to engaging gameplay, regular updates, and a dedicated player base, allowing it to remain relevant in a competitive market.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

Running Windows CE On The Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64 is being used as a platform to run Windows CE, a versatile operating system that can function on devices with minimal resources. The N64, equipped with a MIPS CPU and 1 MB of RAM, meets the basic requirements for this project initiated by developer Throaty Mumbo, who was inspired by an IBM Workpad Z50 laptop that also runs Windows CE. Throaty is creating a board-specific configuration for Windows CE 2.11 using the Microsoft Windows CE 2.11 Platform Builder SDK. The project is available on GitHub, allowing users to load applications onto an SD card and run them within the Windows GUI on the N64, demonstrating a smooth experience despite the console's limitations.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Path of Exile 2 just shattered its biggest barrier to entry, even leapfrogging Diablo 4

Grinding Gear Games is making Path of Exile 2 more accessible with the 0.5 update, titled Return of the Ancients, which introduces significant changes to the game. The update includes enhanced in-game guidance, allowing players to access build guides, prioritize skill gems, and receive tailored tips on item stats directly within the game. This feature aims to reduce the intimidation factor for newcomers and streamline the experience for players creating their own builds. The developers of Path of Building are also planning to update their tool to enhance compatibility with the new in-game integration. Additionally, the update simplifies crafting mechanics by linking specific materials to each mechanic, making planning easier for players. Game Director Jonathan Rogers expressed optimism about the new quests improving endgame accessibility and stated that Grinding Gear Games aims to incorporate functionalities that players need for the 0.5 update, with plans for a 1.0 launch by the end of 2026.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

PC Game From 2025 Free Less Than 24 Hours via Epic Games Store

Apex Game Studios has made their horror game Spirit Catcher 93' available for free on the Epic Games Store until May 16 at 6:00 PM ET. The game, released on November 12, 2025, has received four user reviews on Steam, all of which are positive. It offers a single-player, first-person experience set in a retro-futuristic digital nightmare, where players navigate as a fragmented echo of consciousness. User playtimes vary significantly, with reports ranging from 2.6 to 29.8 hours. Creating an Epic Games Store account is free, allowing access to the game without subscription barriers.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Total War Medieval 3 aims for emergent character growth: “We have no plans for skill trees”

Total War Medieval 3 is in development by Creative Assembly, with Creative Director Leif Walter actively communicating with the community. The team has decided against including skill trees in the game due to concerns about repetitiveness, instead opting for emergent gameplay elements like traits and ancillaries. The focus will be on dynasties rather than individual characters, allowing players to cultivate distinct identities over a long time span. Walter acknowledged the influence of the modding community, specifically citing Europa Barbarorum 2 and the Stainless Steel megapack as inspirations. He emphasized the need to balance accessibility and depth in the game, ensuring it remains engaging for both experienced and less experienced players while maintaining historical authenticity.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Final Fantasy 11 takes cues from FF14 as Square Enix plans a dramatic free trial expansion

Final Fantasy 11 is set to enhance its free trial experience by removing the current two-week limit and raising the level cap for trial players from 50 to 75. The changes aim to allow players unrestricted playtime and greater engagement with the game, similar to the successful free trial model of Final Fantasy 14. Certain restrictions will remain to prevent farming bots and scammers, including limitations on using the auction house, party invitations, earning more than 100,000 gil at a time, and communication methods. Director Yoji Fujito acknowledged that the existing trial limitations feel outdated and expressed a desire to implement these changes before the game's 25th anniversary in May 2027.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

MMOs are better if classes are imbalanced—you just need to do it on purpose

Hikaru Tamaki, during the Final Fantasy 14: Evercold presentation, revealed that the design team is considering a 90% damage reduction buff for the new Dragoon class while using its Sky High action. The game has maintained a strong job balance, partly due to the lack of a traditional talent tree system, which is currently under review. The developers are introducing a feature that allows players to sync their highest item level across different jobs, facilitating easier role adaptation without excessive grinding. The article suggests that MMO developers should enhance existing systems rather than reinvent them, advocating for a "purposefully imbalanced" framework where classes excel in specific areas while relying on others for support.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

The Talos Principle 3: The Trilogy Will Be Realized on PC and Console

Developer Croteam and publisher Devolver Digital have announced The Talos Principle 3 for PC and consoles, concluding the trilogy. A specific release date has not been provided, but more details are expected during gaming events like Summer Game Fest or Gamescom. The game takes place in the Anomaly, a world with altered physics, where players will solve puzzles and explore themes of existence and mortality. It features a mix of familiar and new puzzle mechanics, a narrative crafted by Jonas Kyratzes, Verena Kyratzes, and Tom Jubert, and an original soundtrack by Damjan Mravunac.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Steampunk colony sim Steel Artery is here, and it’s “emergent chaos” aboard a giant train

Steel Artery is a train city-building simulation game set in a moving city called Steelpolis, developed by SoulAge23. It combines elements from colony simulation games and features fully autonomous citizens with their own needs and desires. Players manage the population, production chains, and resources while navigating challenges and social tensions. The game has stunning pixel artwork and offers a unique experience with each playthrough. It is available on Steam with an 89% positivity rate from initial reviews, highlighting its complexity and management challenges. The game is priced at .24 during a promotional period, with a 10% discount until May 22.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Destruction sandbox Besiege’s new space DLC gets far bigger than anything you’ve seen before

Besiege: The Broken Beyond is the next expansion for the sandbox game Besiege, set to release in the second quarter of 2026. This expansion introduces a universe with varying gravitational forces and features larger, immersive environments compared to previous versions. Players will encounter celestial bodies like asteroids and planets, each affecting gameplay through unique gravitational fields. The game aims to balance realistic physics with whimsical gameplay, adhering to the inverse square law for gravitational pull. Different celestial shapes will provide varied gravitational experiences, and players will face challenges such as space debris and obstacles. Further insights into the game’s mechanics, including planetary atmospheres, will be revealed as the release date approaches.