Development Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Transport Fever 3 brings modders in early to start the new city builder on the right foundations

Urban Games is preparing for the launch of Transport Fever 3 by inviting creators to participate in early access through a closed beta initiative called the 'Curated Mods Program.' The game, set to launch in late 2026, will enhance features from its predecessor, Transport Fever 2, and will include expanded infrastructure tools and financial systems. Transport Fever 2 has over 15,000 mods available on the Steam Workshop, and Transport Fever 3 aims to offer an even more robust toolset for modders, with cross-platform mods accessible through an in-game Mod Hub. The developer is particularly interested in collaborating with experienced modders and plans to expand the Curated Mods Program post-launch, providing resources and financial grants to support ongoing content creation.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Ubisoft have reportedly cancelled Alterra, a life sim blending Animal Crossing with Minecraft, after almost three years of dev work

Ubisoft has canceled an unannounced life simulation game called Alterra, which had been in development for nearly three years. The development team was informed of the cancellation on April 21st and has the option to transition to other projects within the company. The cancellation is part of a broader restructuring at Ubisoft, which has included project discontinuations and layoffs, including the closure of the Tom Clancy studio, Red Storm, resulting in 105 job losses. Earlier in January, Ubisoft also canceled the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake and five other titles.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Workspace Intelligence is Google’s agentic AI era for true assistance with Gemini

Google unveiled Workspace Intelligence at the Cloud Next 2026 event, integrating advanced AI capabilities into its applications like Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Chat. This feature aims to enhance productivity through automation and real-time insights tailored to user needs. The updates include the Gemini AI engine, which can create infographics, manage images, enhance data visualization, and generate visually appealing presentations. Google Chat now includes an "Ask Gemini in Chat" feature for direct AI engagement, while Gmail has introduced an AI Inbox to prioritize important emails for Google AI Ultra subscribers.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

I’m sick of breaking the bank buying AAA games, so I’ve hunted down overlooked alternatives to 2026’s biggest games

Rockstar Games has invested over a billion dollars into the development of Grand Theft Auto 6. Alternatives to this game include Sleeping Dogs, which offers an open-world crime experience. Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem celebrates three decades of survival horror, while Cozy Pal Games provides a budget-friendly horror adventure. Pokémon Pokopia has gained recent success, with alternatives like Before the Green Moon offering a nostalgic farming sim experience. Forza Horizon 6 promises stunning visuals, and Wreckreation serves as a budget-friendly racing alternative. Death Stranding 2 is noted for its innovative gameplay, with Clone Escape providing a unique survival experience.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Google executive responsible for AI has a solution for the game industry’s problems, and you’re not going to believe this but it’s AI

Jack Buser, the global director for games at Google Cloud, is focusing on using AI and cloud solutions to tackle challenges in the gaming industry. He noted a rebound in revenue growth but highlighted issues such as declining profits, project cancellations, and layoffs, with only Roblox and the Chinese market thriving. Buser advocates for AI as a potential solution, despite concerns about "rightsizing" strategies that may prioritize profits over employee welfare. His previous role at Stadia ended with mixed results, raising doubts about the feasibility of AI-driven game development. The industry is still awaiting a groundbreaking AI-generated game. Buser emphasizes the need for clearer discussions about AI and suggests that embracing it could lead to easier revenue generation, similar to trends in reality television.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

I just found out the creator of Windows Task Manager accidentally left his phone number inside the app

Dave Plummer, the creator of the original Task Manager at Microsoft in the 1990s, encountered an issue where CPU utilization readings occasionally exceeded 100%, which he suspected was a bug in the kernel. Despite being a user interface designer and facing skepticism from the kernel team, he implemented 'asserts' in the code to diagnose the problem. One assertion specified that CPU usage should not exceed 100%, and he embedded his name and home phone number in the code for anyone who might encounter the issue. No one ever contacted him about the bug, and it remained unresolved until the kernel developers identified and fixed it later.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Google Wallet now lets you track flights from your lock screen

Google has introduced a new lock screen widget for Android 16 that provides real-time updates on flight progress, including departing and destination airports, estimated arrival time, and a visual progress bar. Users can access this feature by adding their boarding pass to Google Wallet, which will automatically display the widget shortly before takeoff. Google Wallet, which transitioned from Google Pay in 2024, is the primary platform for managing credit cards and digital documents on Android devices.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Ubisoft cancels Animal Crossing and Minecraft-inspired cosy life sim game Alterra

Ubisoft has canceled Project Alterra, an original game described as an "Animal Crossing-inspired social sim" with Minecraft-like elements. The decision was communicated to the development team on April 21st, resulting in an early dismissal for staff, although no layoffs were reported. The project had been in development by Ubisoft Montréal for nearly three years, led by creative director Patrick Redding and lead producer Fabien Lhéraud. Employees involved in Alterra have been reassigned to other projects within the company. Ubisoft stated that it continuously assesses projects to ensure they align with strategic priorities and quality standards, leading to the discontinuation of those that do not meet expectations.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Tired Of Google Messages? These 4 Texting Apps Might Be Better For You

Samsung plans to retire its proprietary messaging app by July 2026, leading many Android users to rely on Google Messages. Major carriers like AT&T have stopped supporting their own messaging apps, potentially creating a monopoly. Alternative SMS-enabled apps include: - Pulse SMS: Syncs across devices, offers password-protected cloud backups, and has end-to-end encryption for stored conversations. It has a 3.6-star rating on Google Play. - Chomp SMS: Highly customizable with features like scheduled messages and block lists. It remains free with ads, but some users find the customization options complex. - Handcent Next SMS: Incorporates AI for features like text extraction and grammar checks. It has over one million downloads and a 4.4-star rating, but requests a high number of permissions. - Textra SMS: Offers faster performance and extensive customization, aiming to replace default messaging apps. It follows a "free forever" model but lacks cross-device functionality and encryption. The selection of these alternatives was based on Google Play ratings above 3.5 stars, a minimum of 50,000 user reviews, and recent updates.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Xbox Announces Price Reductions For Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass

Microsoft has announced a reduction in the pricing of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. In the United States, the monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass will decrease from .99 to .99, and PC Game Pass will drop from .99 to .99. Adjustments in pricing for other regions are being implemented. Additionally, future installments of the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on their launch day, but will be accessible approximately one year after their initial release.