family-friendly Archives

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Minecraft-themed drive-in movie night set for July 19 in Ottawa

The Starved Rock Regional Center in Ottawa will host a drive-in movie night featuring Minecraft: The Movie on Saturday, July 19, starting at 7 p.m. The film will begin at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to create their own “cars” using cardboard or other materials. Tickets are available for purchase via a barcode on the promotional flyer, but are limited. For more information, contact the Starved Rock Regional Center at (815) 434-0857 or visit their Facebook page.

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

I played 10 free Steam demos this week: here are the 5 games that made it onto my wishlist

The author explored various free game demos on Steam after playing Dune: Awakening. They highlighted several games: 1. Star Birds: A resource management game where players explore asteroids, establish factories, and unlock technologies. The demo impressed the author enough to add it to their wishlist. 2. Watchword: A wordplay and strategy game where players connect words on a grid and use magical tomes. The author found it captivating and recommended it for word game enthusiasts. 3. Discounty: A life simulation game where players run a discount grocery store and uncover town mysteries. The author expressed eagerness to explore it further. 4. Herdling: A game where players guide large creatures across a countryside, featuring minimalistic instructions and an immersive atmosphere. 5. Ball X Pit: A mashup of Vampire Survivors and Super Breakout, combining base-building and farming mechanics with monster-fighting gameplay. Additionally, the author mentioned other games that caught their attention, including: - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: A management sim in a zombie apocalypse with engaging scanning mechanics but lackluster base management. - City of Voices: A narrative-driven adventure from a developer known for The Rise of The Golden Idol. - Morsels: A creature-collecting roguelite with a challenging color palette. - Scale the Depths: A casual fishing game lacking complexity. - Half Sword: A physics-based medieval brawler more entertaining to watch than to play.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ on HBO Max, a baffling…

A Minecraft Movie is now available for streaming on HBO Max and various VOD platforms, including Amazon Prime Video. The film, inspired by the best-selling video game, has become a cultural phenomenon in 2025, grossing an impressive 0 million globally. Jack Black stars as Steve, a former doorknob salesman who discovers a cube-shaped orb that transports him to the Overworld of Minecraft. He creates a sanctuary but is captured by Piglins, prompting him to send his wolf companion, Dennis, back to protect the orb. The orb eventually reaches Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa, who is trying to revive his vintage video game shop. The plot also involves siblings Henry and Natalie, who arrive in Chuglass, Idaho, and get caught up in Garrett's quest while learning about mining and crafting. The film features quirky humor and offbeat character interactions reminiscent of director Jared Hess's previous works. Jennifer Coolidge plays a spacey school vice principal, adding comedic value to the film. Audience reactions vary, with younger viewers enjoying its chaotic energy and meme-inspired humor, while some find it perplexing. Despite visual shortcomings and a sometimes haphazard plot, the film elicits laughter and joy, contributing to its cultural impact.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Best deals for PC gamers today: boutique rigs and game bundles

Today's technology offerings include high-end and budget-friendly gaming systems. The MAINGEAR RUSH Mk. IV is priced at ,774 and features an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 48GB T-Force Xtreem RGB Memory, 2TB T-Force A440 NVMe SSD, ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi Motherboard, MAINGEAR Epic 360 RGB Cooling, 850W MSI MAG A850GL PSU, and Windows 11 Home. It is designed for serious gamers and delivers exceptional performance within five days of ordering, though GPU availability may vary. The Skytech King 95 is a budget option priced at ,099.99, with an additional 5% coupon available. It includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RGB Memory, 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD, 850W Gold PSU, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home, and a free RGB keyboard and mouse. The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard is available for .99, featuring a 96% compact layout, tri-mode connection, hot-swappable NX Snow pre-lubed switches, sound-dampening foam, and durable PBT double-shot keycaps. The ASUS ROG Azoth 75 Wireless Keyboard has an OLED screen and hot-swappable switches, combining high performance with aesthetics. The ASUS ROG Keris II Ace Wireless Gaming Mouse weighs 54g and features ASUS's AimPoint Pro sensor. The Logitech G502 X Plus Wireless Gaming Mouse includes hybrid switches and a 25K HERO sensor. The ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse offers customization options, swappable switches, and wireless charging. The Keychron K6 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard supports wired and wireless use with customizable features. The Crucial T500 2TB NVMe SSD is a fast and affordable storage solution. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Processor is budget-friendly and suitable for 1080p gaming and multitasking. The PNY 256GB PRO Elite Prime microSDXC Card is priced under , offering speed and affordability for game storage. The Fanatical NSPCC Charity Bundle 2025 provides 0 worth of family-friendly and indie games for under , supporting the NSPCC. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the latest installment in the Warriors franchise. The Fanatical Summer Mystery Bundle 2025 offers a gamble for gamers, potentially yielding great titles or quirky indie games at an affordable price.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Lilo & Stitch Box Office Surges Past Minecraft’s Global Earnings

Disney's live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch has surpassed 8 million in global earnings, with 6 million from domestic markets and 2 million internationally. The film's opening weekend generated 6 million, and 57.3% of its total revenue comes from international markets. It has a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Meanwhile, the Minecraft movie leads the box office with 1 million in earnings, appealing to a wide fanbase, especially in Asia and Europe. The competition between the two films is notable, with Lilo & Stitch speculated to potentially reach the billion-dollar milestone. Both Disney and Warner Bros. are considering sequels for their respective films.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Warner’s ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Secures Third Consecutive No. 1 on Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart

The Minecraft movie is in development, aiming to adapt the popular game into a film that explores creativity, adventure, friendship, resilience, and collaboration. It will blend animation and live-action to create a visually stunning experience, potentially introducing a new genre of family-friendly entertainment. The film is expected to utilize cutting-edge technology, feature a diverse cast of characters with unique backstories, and may include interactive elements to engage audiences.

BetaBeacon

June 10, 2025

Download Candy Crush Saga (free) for Windows, Android, APK, iOS and Web App | Gizmodo

Candy Crush Saga is a popular game that can be downloaded for free and played without spending any money. It is available on major platforms such as Android, iOS, and Facebook. The game is convenient, provides specific tasks for each level, and offers a rhythm of gameplay. It also has level building, little pushes on what to do, and can be soothing with its music, animations, and colors. There are alternatives to Candy Crush Saga such as Matchington Mansion, Homescapes, and Disney POP TOWN for those who enjoy puzzle games with nice graphics and smooth mechanics.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for May 30: Steam Zombies vs. Vampires Fest

Steam has launched its Zombies vs. Vampires Fest, featuring popular titles from both genres, including DayZ and Vampire Survivors. Other sales on Steam include the Cerebral Puzzle Showcase and the Cozy & Family-Friendly Games Celebration, along with discounts on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Diablo 4, and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. A limited-time sale on Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is also available. The Epic Games Store is concluding its MEGA Sale, while Humble Bundle is starting a new bundle for Pride Month. Gamebillet is offering the lowest price on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Ubisoft has reduced prices on Tom Clancy's The Division 2. Fanatical is offering customizable bundles, and various other platforms like Gamersgate, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, and Green Man Gaming are providing deals and discounts. Humble Bundle offers a subscription service for .99 monthly with a lineup of games.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

A MINECRAFT MOVIE Levels Up to Another Major Milestone

A MINECRAFT MOVIE has become one of the top 75 highest-grossing films of all time, currently ranking 75th with a global total of 0,696,673, surpassing BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY. It is also the highest-grossing domestic release of the year and the second highest-grossing film worldwide. The film has received praise for its uplifting worldview and themes of friendship, courage, and redemption, though it includes action violence, mild foul language, and frightening imagery. It has been nominated for the Kid’s Choice Awards, with stars Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Emma Myers receiving individual nominations. The success of A MINECRAFT MOVIE indicates a growing trend in Hollywood towards video game adaptations, potentially leading to films based on franchises like Grand Theft Auto, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Roblox.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Over 25 Years Ago, This Lemmings-Esque Puzzler Was Sent Out To Die – Its Fans Had Other Plans

Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.