director Archives

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

After planning 2 more paid acts, narrative scifi power-washer Ambrosia Sky is instead finishing its story in one free update to ‘maximize’ its focus on what players loved: ‘People got in on that sapphic yearning right away’

Ambrosia Sky: Act One was released in November 2025, featuring Dalia, a researcher in a decaying space station. Developer Soft Rains initially planned a trilogy but will now conclude Dalia's story in a free update, Ambrosia Sky: Act Two, set for release later this year. Act Two will resolve the mysteries from Act One and introduce new mission locations, exo-fungus to harvest, and an updated progression system. The decision to streamline the narrative was influenced by player feedback. Act One is available on Steam, and owners will receive Act Two for free. After Act Two's release, the game's price will increase for new players. A 15% discount on Act One is available until March 13.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

The devs on Deus Ex: Invisible War knew its most-hated part was a ‘terrible idea,’ and they give the director ‘sh*t about it all the time’

The author bio on the website stated that Deus Ex: Invisible War was considered good, despite criticism, particularly regarding its universal ammo system. This system allowed all weapons to draw from a single pool of ammunition, which frustrated players. Lead designer Ricardo Bare criticized the decision, while director Harvey Smith explained that the intention was to address players' tendency to use only a few weapons. Smith acknowledged the backlash and expressed a sense of acceptance regarding the game's reception over time.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Pokemon Pokopia features a riff on Minecraft’s iconic Redstone system, and fans are already dreaming up the possibilities: “This is like super advanced”

Pokopia features innovative gameplay mechanics that allow for complex building tasks similar to Minecraft's Redstone system. The game's director, Takuto Edagawa, demonstrated a mechanism that activates lights, waterfalls, and neon LEDs through a motion-sensing system. This has led to comparisons with Minecraft among fans, who note the advanced level of customization in Pokopia. Additionally, a developer tour showcased a moving minecart that activated note blocks to create melodies, further emphasizing the game's Minecraft-inspired elements. Pokopia is highly anticipated, tying for the highest-rated title in the Pokémon series on Metacritic.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Sony reportedly scaling back PC ports for PlayStation exclusives

Sony is scaling back its plans for releasing PlayStation 5 exclusives on the PC platform due to underwhelming sales performance of PS5 games on PC and concerns about brand dilution. While certain online games will still launch on multiple platforms, upcoming titles like Ghost of Yōtei and Saros will remain exclusive to the PS5. However, Death Stranding 2 and Kena: Scars of Kosmora are expected to receive PC ports. The PC version of Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut was notable for incorporating PSN features, but the PC port of Helldivers 2 faced criticism over PSN connectivity requirements. Additionally, Sony may delay the launch of its next-generation console until 2028 or 2029 due to an ongoing AI-driven memory shortage crisis.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Cyberpunk 2077 Headlines Xbox Game Pass March 2026 Lineup

Microsoft announced the Xbox Game Pass lineup for March 2026, featuring the following titles: - March 4: - to a T (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) - Game Pass Premium - EA Sports F1 25 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass - March 5: - Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass - March 10: - Construction Simulator (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass - Cyberpunk 2077 (Cloud and Console) - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium - March 12: - Hollow Knight: Silksong (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) - Game Pass Premium, also available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass - March 17: - DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC) - Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass Games leaving Xbox Game Pass on March 15, 2026, include: - Bratz Rhythm & Style (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Enter the Gungeon (Cloud, Console, and PC) - F1 23 (Cloud, Console, and PC) - He is Coming (PC) - Lightyear Frontier (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island (Cloud, Console, and PC)

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Call of Duty’s Black Ops Royale is the kind of rulebook-burning experience Warzone needs

Activision has announced Black Ops Royale, a new mode that shifts away from the traditional loadout system seen in Call of Duty Warzone. Unlike previous games, Black Ops Royale will not feature custom loadouts; instead, players will find weapons with specific attachments, known as 'Build Archetypes,' throughout the environment. The game will also include four upgradeable tiers and a rare fifth tier called Ultra, which contains a fully maxed-out weapon with eight attachments. All equipment, perks, and killstreaks will be loot-based, requiring players to adapt and search for gear rather than relying on pre-set loadouts. Treyarch's associate creative director, Miles Leslie, indicated that discussions about moving away from the loadout system are ongoing, with potential for limited-time modes in the future.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Pokémon Pokopia Review: Minecraft and Animal Crossing combine in Pokémon’s best spin-off

Pokémon Pokopia features a storyline centered around Ditto, a Pokémon searching for its lost trainer in a desolate Kanto landscape. The game involves constructing habitats to attract various Pokémon, with gameplay lasting approximately 40 to 50 hours. Players engage in farming, mining, and running shops while interacting with Pokémon. The writing is sharp and filled with references to previous Pokémon games, appealing to both younger and nostalgic players. Technically, it runs at 60 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch 2, with a vibrant pop-art style and a nostalgic soundtrack featuring remixes of classic Kanto themes. The game includes major requests to guide players and introduces time-gated activities to encourage return play. It offers a multiplayer feature for up to four players, fostering community interaction.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

PCs under $500 to “disappear by 2028” predicts analyst. Apparently water’s wet, too.

Gartner predicts that the sub-0 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028 due to a 130% increase in memory and SSD costs, contributing to a 17% rise in PC prices by 2025. This situation is expected to result in a 10.4% decline in PC shipments this year, the first contraction in over a decade. Consumers are anticipated to keep their devices longer, with business users holding onto PCs for 15% longer and consumers for 20% longer by the end of 2026. The report indicates that elevated RAM and SSD prices will persist longer than expected, influenced by broader inflation trends. Additionally, the anticipated 50% market penetration of AI PCs is now expected to be delayed until 2028.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Meta makes changes following a Solon man’s $1 million loss in scheme police say started on Facebook Messenger

A 63-year-old resident in Solon, Ohio, lost over a million dollars to a scammer posing as a cryptocurrency investment guru. The scam began with a friendly outreach on Facebook, which transitioned to WhatsApp for private conversations. Over several months, the victim was convinced to invest in what he thought was a legitimate opportunity. This incident reflects a broader trend, as the FBI reported that Ohioans aged 60 and older lost over a million to fraud in 2024. Meta Platforms is enhancing tools to detect and disrupt fraudulent activities on its platforms, including new warnings for screen sharing requests on WhatsApp. In the first half of 2025, Meta removed eight million accounts suspected of scams and shut down 21,000 pages impersonating legitimate businesses. Warning signs in the Solon case included initial contact from a stranger, a quick shift to cryptocurrency discussions, and unusually high promised returns.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.