drifting Archives

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

The magic and majesty of British Minecraft YouTubers

In the early 2010s, British YouTuber Stampylonghead gained popularity among young gamers for his Minecraft series "Stampy’s Lovely World." His videos featured imaginative adventures, whimsical constructions, and a positive atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and creativity. Viewers, including the author, found joy and inspiration in his content, which included interactions with characters like his dog Barnaby and friends IBallisticSquid and Sqaishey Quack. As the author grew older, they drifted away from Stampy's world but recognized the lasting impact of his optimism and creativity on their life. Andy Robinson is a member of the Class of 2027.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hytale Feels Like Little More Than A Neat Minecraft Texture Pack

Hytale is an early access game that has been in development for a decade, facing a cancellation by Riot Games before its revival in November. The game features mechanics such as jumping two blocks high and a combat system that requires timing for attacks, which are similar to potential mods in Minecraft. Hytale includes familiar mobs like skeletons, spiders, zombies, and golems, alongside new creatures like goblins and Kweebecs, and a mysterious area known as the Void. Crafting in Hytale is more complex than in Minecraft, requiring multiple workstations, and workbenches can recognize adjacent chest contents. Despite its unique elements, Hytale often feels derivative of Minecraft, with similar sounds and inventory mechanics. Future updates, including an anticipated Adventure Mode, aim to introduce RPG-like storylines and quests. The game currently faces balancing issues but remains visually appealing, though it has not surpassed Minecraft's foundational elements.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

How I Fell Back In Love With Minecraft After 10 Years Away

The author first played Minecraft in 2010 and was captivated by its charm, comparing it to a digital Lego set. Over time, they drifted away from the game due to burnout and political controversies surrounding its creator, Markus “Notch” Persson. The author visited Mojang in March 2011 when Minecraft had sold over a million copies, a figure that has since grown to over 350 million. Persson's demeanor changed after the game's acquisition by Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014 and the emergence of GamerGate, leading to the author's negative feelings towards the game. The Donut SMP server, created by YouTuber DrDonut, peaked at nearly 46,000 players in a single day and features an in-game economy where players can buy and sell resources. The author's son initially sought a Minecraft Realm for his classmates but later requested to join the Donut SMP server after tensions arose in the Realm. The author, initially hesitant, found common ground with their son on the server, leading to collaborative gameplay that involved resource gathering and crafting. They created a secret base and automated systems, learning about supply and demand in the game's market. This experience rekindled the author's joy in Minecraft and strengthened their bond with their son.

BetaBeacon

January 3, 2026

What’s Next for Augmented Reality and Casino Games on Android?

- AR in casino gaming refers to digital elements appearing in a real environment, not replacing it - AR casino games on Android rely on ARCore and engines like Unity or Unreal for stability - Early AR casino experiences on Android are about curiosity and low commitment - Most AR casino projects on Android focus on adjusting existing games rather than introducing new concepts - Benefits for players include familiar games feeling different and enhanced social features - Challenges for AR casino gaming on Android include device performance variations and legal considerations - Tips for developers include prioritizing reliability over visual ambition and testing across a broad range of hardware - Tips for players include preparing their environment with good lighting and keeping ARCore and system software up to date - Progress in Android-based AR casino games is expected to come from slow improvements rather than sudden leaps - Wearable AR devices and hands-free interaction through movement and voice capabilities are expected to be the future of AR casino gaming on Android

AppWizard

December 26, 2025

Mark’s most anticipated PC games for 2026

- First Light is an upcoming game from IO Interactive that reimagines the Bond formula, combining stealth mechanics with action-oriented narratives, featuring high-speed chases and shootouts. - The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves, is a vampire RPG inspired by The Witcher series, focusing on a character named Coen who must reclaim his family from a bloodsucker, with dynamic quest mechanics influenced by the time of day. - Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan and aims to replicate diverse biomes and dynamic weather, offering an open-world car collecting experience with urban landscapes and mountain passes. - Star Wars: Galactic Racer features racing mechanics set in the Star Wars universe, allowing players to pilot hovering crafts through off-road trails while experiencing high-speed races.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

YouTube revives in-app direct messaging in surprise test

YouTube is testing a built-in direct messaging feature for users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland. Users can initiate chats by tapping the notification bell on videos and inviting others to share content. Invite links expire after seven days, and users can also use the Share button to send messages. This is YouTube's second attempt at direct messaging, having previously tested it from 2017 to 2019 before discontinuing it. The new feature aims to facilitate communication without leaving the platform, allowing creators and brands to build communities and share content. User feedback will determine the future of this feature, and there is currently no commitment to a global rollout.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

Star Citizen and Elite Dangerous have a new rival as ultra-realistic space combat sim gets a free demo, and I love how bad I am at it

Impeller Studios rebranded its project from Starfighter Inc. to In The Black in May 2022, focusing on creating a realistic interstellar combat simulation. The game aims to provide an authentic experience of a 23rd-century intergalactic combat pilot, blending elements of Counterstrike and World of Warships. The demo features flight and combat tutorials, emphasizing momentum management in gameplay. The development team includes veterans from titles like X-Wing, TIE Fighter, and Crysis. The demo has received updates, including a new cooperative 'drone sweep' mission and improvements to flight mechanics. The demo is available for free on Steam, with plans for early access of the full game by the end of 2025.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

It’s been so long since I played a 30 fps console game, it took me a week to realize Death Stranding 2 was literally giving me headaches

The author experienced persistent headaches after playing Death Stranding 2, initially attributing them to various factors like dehydration and hunger. The headaches intensified after playing the game at its default 30 frames per second setting, which contrasted with the author's usual gaming experience on PC at 60 fps. After discovering the performance mode that locks the framerate at 60 fps, the author switched to it and noticed an immediate improvement in gameplay responsiveness and a reduction in headaches. The author reflects on how accustomed they have become to higher frame rates, noting that the camera movement at 30 fps contributed to feelings of queasiness. After adjusting to the performance mode, the author was headache-free after over 20 hours of gameplay. The author appreciates that Death Stranding 2 offers a performance mode and anticipates that the eventual PC port will provide an even better experience.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Mio: Memories in Orbit has all the wonder of playing Inside for the first time and its devs are working hard to make it even better

Players assume the role of Mio, who awakens aboard a vast technological ark drifting through the cosmos. The game involves exploration and encounters with various enemies and powerful guardians that hold pieces of the spaceship's past. Gameplay mechanics include platforming and combat, with players acquiring abilities like a grappling hook and a glider. Mio is currently in its demo phase, generating excitement among players, with positive feedback on the art direction, boss fights, and soundtrack. Some minor bugs have been reported, but most players are enjoying the demo and expressing enthusiasm on the game's Discord server.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

This week in PC games: Elden Ring Nightreign and a giantess dating sim

The author woke up at 6 AM on a bank holiday and observed a squirrel in a treehouse. A wave of new PC games is set to launch this week, including: - May 27: - Sol Cesto: A caffeinated roguelike in Steam early access with a unique art style. - Small Spaces: An interior design toolkit for small apartments. - May 28: - To A T: An adventure game featuring a boy in a T-pose and a sandwich-making giraffe. - Kabuto Park: A creature collector inspired by beetle battles. - May 29: - Islands & Trains: A sandbox city builder. - May 30: - Debugging Hero: An ARPG with a magical sword that allows players to manipulate enemy stats. - Deadly Quiet: An immersive sim and 4-player co-op horror game. - Doodle Empires: A strategy game where players draw their own territories. The author also mentioned needing to attend to a squirrel funeral and clean up a mess caused by the Snickers bar.