exciting announcements Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

We Demand a Translucent Xbox – Unlocked 686

Hosts Miranda and Michael discuss announcements from Minecraft Live 2025, focusing on new mobs and their potential to enhance gameplay and community engagement. They also talk about the Backbone One Xbox Edition, highlighting its innovative design and potential impact on user experience. Lastly, they mention two upcoming games from Nintendo Direct that will be available on Xbox, speculating on their impact on the Xbox ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

When is Vibrant Visuals Coming to Minecraft? Release Date Tracker

Mojang has announced the Vibrant Visuals update for Minecraft, which will enhance the game's visual elements such as reflections, sunlight, water, and draw distances. The update is expected to significantly change the game's appearance while preserving its core essence. The release date is currently unconfirmed, but players on select devices in beta programs can experience it early. Key features of the update include improved shadows, volumetric fog, directional lighting, infinite clouds, thousands of crafted elements, accurate light rays, enhanced glow effects, and more realistic water visuals. The update will follow the upcoming Minecraft Spring to Life update, and players can also expect a new dried ghast that evolves into a happy ghast.

BetaBeacon

March 14, 2025

This move will add millions of Android games to PC

All Android games can now be played on PC without developers needing to opt in, making millions of games available with a mouse and keyboard. Google has introduced a badge system to indicate how optimized a game is for PC. The platform is set to exit beta later this year, potentially becoming a major competitor in the gaming market.

Winsage

March 11, 2025

Microsoft is holding a special consumer AI event to celebrate 50 years

Microsoft is hosting a media event on April 4 at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The event will feature announcements related to new consumer AI innovations and enhancements to its Copilot technology. Key figures, including CEO Satya Nadella, will present at the event, which will also serve as a celebration for Microsoft employees. The company has been developing its generative AI technology and refining Copilot features for Windows. Reports indicate that Microsoft is exploring in-house AI solutions and evaluating other generative AI technologies for integration into Copilot. Last year, Microsoft reintroduced Copilot with a new interface, aiming to make it a central feature across its products. Significant changes to Copilot's integration within Windows are expected in the coming years, with plans to enhance its capabilities as an omnipresent assistant.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

The next Minecraft Live show is coming with new game updates, the Minecraft movie, and more

Mojang Studios is shifting its strategy for community engagement by moving from major Minecraft Live events to smaller, more frequent showcases to enhance transparency and keep players informed. The next Minecraft Live is scheduled for March 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT. It will be streamed on Minecraft.net/Live, YouTube, and Twitch. The event will include three segments: insights into the Minecraft franchise, announcements for future content updates for Minecraft: Java Edition and Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, and details about 'A Minecraft Movie' featuring Jack Black, set to premiere on April 4, 2025. Speculation suggests potential updates may include enhancements to Minecraft's ecosystems and the introduction of regional variants for mobs. The community welcomes the shift towards more frequent updates but hopes they will remain significant and exciting.

AppWizard

March 3, 2025

Sumo sells Secret Mode to Emona Capital

UK-based gaming company Sumo Group has divested its publishing label, Secret Mode, to Emona Capital, with the leadership team continuing to guide the label's creative direction. The financial details of the transaction are undisclosed, and Secret Mode will remain an independent publisher. Ed Blincoe and James Schall expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and the opportunity to focus on indie game publishing. Emona Capital's managing partner, Dominik Dolenec, noted the potential for supporting Secret Mode's mission in the independent games sector. Secret Mode was founded in 2020 by Sumo Group, which is shifting towards a work-for-hire business model.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

The Game Awards was stacked with even more big reveals than we expected this year

The Game Awards celebrated its 10th anniversary with numerous announcements and reveals. Highlights included: - Elden Ring: Nightreign: A standalone spin-off set for release in 2025, featuring preset characters with unique abilities and a roguelike format. - Helldivers 2: Omens of Tyranny: Introduced a new alien faction, the Illuminates, and is available now. - Split Fiction: A co-op adventure game by Hazelight Studios, launching on March 6, 2025. - Borderlands 4: Introduced a new planet, four Vault Hunters, and a focus on high-tech gameplay. - Thick as Thieves: A PvPvE stealth game set in an early 20th-century city, scheduled for a 2026 release. - The Witcher 4: Confirmed featuring Ciri, with a cinematic trailer showcasing a dark narrative. - Stage Fright: A co-op escape room game from the creators of Overcooked. - Project Century: An action-oriented game set in 1915 Japan, details are limited. - Untitled gen Design game: A project by Fumito Ueda, in development for over four years. - The Long Dark 2: Blackfrost: A sequel set for early access in 2026, introducing cooperative gameplay. - Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: A new sci-fi adventure by Naughty Dog featuring a bounty hunter.

AppWizard

December 6, 2024

The PC Gaming Show’s best trailers: creepy aliens, strategic turtles, and desktop platformers

The recent PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased several upcoming indie games. 1. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault - A sequel to Moonlighter, blending action RPG elements with shopkeeping, set for release in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. 2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown - A turn-based strategy game from Strange Scaffold, launching on PC in 2025. 3. Cairn - A rock-climbing adventure and survival game with a free demo available on Steam, focusing on co-op gameplay, with early access expected next year. 4. The Legend of Baboo - An adventure game inspired by Middle Eastern fables, releasing in 2025 on PC and Xbox. 5. Abyssus - A co-op shooter set in a "brinepunk" world, entering alpha on December 6th, with a full release planned for next year. 6. MainFrames - A platformer set within a desktop PC interface, launching on PC and Nintendo Switch on March 6th. 7. Deepest Fear - A sci-fi horror game combining Metroidvania and FPS elements, with a release date yet to be announced for PC. 8. Blue Prince - A reimagining of Myst, inviting players to explore Mt. Holly manor, with a potential launch in the upcoming spring.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

How to watch the PC Gaming Show Most Wanted 2024 for another look at Avowed, The Thing: Remastered, and more

The PC Gaming Show Most Wanted is scheduled for December 5 at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 8pm GMT / 9pm CET. It will be streamed on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, featuring localized subtitles in Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic. Highlights include a Q&A with Avowed game director Carrie Patel, insights into Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, a look at Killing Floor 3, details on The Thing: Remastered, and information about Mike Laidlaw's title, Eternal Strands. A group called "The Council," consisting of over 80 industry figures, will vote on 25 PC games to spotlight for the upcoming year. Notable members include John Romero and Brian Fargo.

AppWizard

September 29, 2024

Minecraft’s Bundles Of Bravery update will add hardcore mode and carrier bags

Minecraft's annual showcase stream announced the Bundles Of Bravery update for the Bedrock Edition, introducing a hardcore mode with permadeath mechanics and innovative inventory management features. The hardcore mode allows players to navigate the game with only one life, automatically generating a new world upon death. The update also includes bundles, craftable bags that optimize inventory space by allowing players to store multiple items in a single slot. Although bundles were previously tested and scrapped in 2020, they are now set for a successful launch. A specific release date for the update has not been provided, but Mojang plans to release smaller, more frequent updates for Minecraft.