Experiment Archives

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Mirror’s Edge review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the evolution of the Mirror's Edge franchise, noting that only six years separated the original game from its sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Despite Catalyst's mixed reception, Fenlon maintains nostalgia for the original, particularly its vibrant cityscape and the iconic cloth physics supported by Nvidia's PhysX. A review by Graham Smith highlights the early levels of Mirror's Edge for their embodiment of free-running, with a design that emphasizes evasion over traditional combat, which can lead to frustration. The game's physicality and attention to detail enhance immersion, while the sensation of speed adds excitement to gameplay. Players navigate through jumping puzzles and environments that blend challenge and satisfaction, although the story mode is brief, taking about six hours to complete. Additional modes like Speed Run and Time Trial offer further challenges focused on movement. Overall, Mirror's Edge is recognized as a bold experiment in merging first-person platforming with traditional gameplay elements.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Marathon’s most popular shotgun is getting nerfed a second time, as Bungie worries it is ‘eclipsing a lot of the other short range options that exist in the game’

The WSTR shotgun is a popular weapon in the game Marathon, known for its effectiveness in close-quarters combat despite a recent nerf that reduced its range. A forthcoming update will change its capabilities, ensuring players with blue shields can no longer be taken down in two shots, while it will still down players with green shields in two shots. This aims to encourage more tactical gameplay. The game is also experimenting with sponsored kits that limit players to a free loadout and has introduced Mercy Kits, which players often use to eliminate opponents instead of reviving them.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

The Best Mobile Games on Google Play Are Becoming Harder to Put in One Box

Developers in the mobile gaming industry are now comfortable borrowing elements from various genres, resulting in games that are harder to define by a single genre. The best mobile games cater to different levels of commitment simultaneously, offering a surface loop for beginners and deeper systems for serious players. Mobile games now borrow structure from various sources, including console design, tabletop mechanics, and social media behavior. The diversity in mobile gaming has increased, with games offering a variety of tones and tempos within genres. The best mobile games are less predictable and offer a combination of different elements, making the platform more expansive and appealing to a wider audience.

BetaBeacon

April 16, 2026

The Best Mobile Games on Google Play Are Becoming Harder to Put in One Box

Developers in mobile gaming are now more comfortable borrowing from different genres across the industry, resulting in games that offer a variety of experiences within a single title. Mobile games are designed to cater to different levels of commitment simultaneously, with simple mechanics for beginners and deeper systems for more serious players. The Play Store landscape is becoming less predictable as games borrow concepts from console design, PC live-service loops, tabletop mechanics, and social media behavior. The best mobile games are those that can accommodate multiple habits and playstyles, providing players with a diverse and versatile gaming experience.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Players have already found exploits for the Sulfur Cube in Minecraft, including using it as a mode of transportation

The Sulfur Cube, introduced in the Chaos Cubed update, is currently in testing and has generated excitement among players. A Reddit user demonstrated a creative use of the Sulfur Cube as a mode of transportation by attaching it to a boat with a lead, along with a potion of slow falling and a spear, allowing for high-speed travel. This method offers a new way to navigate the game, surpassing traditional transport options like elytra, horses, or minecarts. There are concerns that this exploit may be patched soon, but it presents an opportunity for players to explore the Sulfur Cube's capabilities.

Winsage

April 14, 2026

Veteran Windows dev shows off AI running on 47-year-old PDP11 with 6 MHz CPU and 64KB of RAM — ‘gloriously absurd’ project runs transformer model written in PDP-11 assembly language

Veteran Windows developer Dave Plummer is using a 47-year-old PDP-11 system with a 6 MHz CPU and 64KB of RAM to train a neural network called ‘Attention 11,’ developed in PDP-11 assembly language. The model is tasked with reversing a sequence of eight digits, requiring it to understand structural rules similar to those used in contemporary large language models like ChatGPT. Plummer emphasizes the importance of optimizing for the system's constraints, stating that constraints drive creative engineering. The model operates with 1,216 parameters and uses fixed-point math with 8-bit precision. After approximately 350 training steps, the model achieved 100% accuracy in the number-reversing task in about 3.5 minutes. Plummer argues that modern AI operates on the same mechanical principles as this vintage machine, just at a much larger scale, and suggests that companies focusing on efficiency and optimization may gain an advantage in the AI landscape.

Winsage

April 12, 2026

“What else were Steam Deck users to do but create their own solutions?”: I watched Valve’s Linux-first handheld turn into a Windows 11 experiment in its community

Valve's Steam Deck was released on February 25, 2022, and received positive reviews for its custom Linux operating system, SteamOS. Initially competing with the Nintendo Switch, it now faces competition from new handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go, which run Windows 11. Although not originally designed for Windows 11, users found ways to install it, leading Valve to release official drivers for easier installation. Running Windows 11 on the Steam Deck allows access to Xbox Game Pass and other game launchers, but it introduces challenges like performance issues due to additional telemetry and bloat. A community on Reddit, r/WindowsOnDeck, has formed to support users dual-booting Windows and SteamOS, providing resources and guides. Despite the challenges, the Steam Deck has become an unexpected Windows gaming handheld, sustained by community enthusiasm.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

This developer squeezed a full Minecraft server onto an ESP32, and it actually works

A developer named angelthebox has created a Minecraft server called Macerun that runs on the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, using Minecraft version 1.16.5 rewritten in C. Key features include the ability for players to join the server, explore the world, place and break blocks, procedural world chunk generation, basic crafting mechanics with 2x2 recipes, in-game chat, and tracking of basic physics, health, and hunger. Changes to blocks are saved to the chip's flash memory. However, the server lacks mobs, 3x3 crafting recipes, and the ability to retain player inventories and positions after exiting. The source code is available on the Macerun GitHub page.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Minecraft Theme Park Aims to Bring Digital Creativity to Life

A Minecraft theme park is set to open at Chessington World of Adventures in 2027, with a million-dollar investment announced in early 2026. The project is a collaboration between Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments, aiming to capture the essence of Minecraft through rides, interactive adventures, and retail experiences. Iconic Minecraft creators are involved in the design process to ensure the park reflects the game's spirit.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Review: Forza Horizon 6 Is a Racing Game That’s Fun without a Sim Rig

Forza Horizon 6 is set to launch on Xbox and PC on May 19, 2026, with a later release for PlayStation 5. The game emphasizes enjoyment over complexity, allowing players to engage in casual racing without intricate setups. It features a garage customization option that rivals city-building games, extensive vehicle aesthetic upgrades, and an immersive representation of Japan with diverse biomes and seasonal changes. Players can drive various impressive cars, including the 641-hp Toyota GR GT and a widebody Nissan Silvia. The game is available for preorder through the Microsoft Store, Steam, or for wishlisting on PlayStation, with early access for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers starting May 15.