family-friendly Archives

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

A Japanese visual novel where you’re a pet hamster doted on by three sisters is back on Steam

The game "I got reincarnated… as a hamster!" is set to launch in the third quarter of this year after facing a postponed release originally planned for winter 2025. It was pulled from Steam due to unforeseen circumstances. The game is also expected to be available on the Epic Games Store and DLsite. It features adult themes and is not a family-friendly title, contrasting with games like Baldur's Gate 3. The romantic elements in the game have generated mixed reactions among players.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

4J Studios talks about its ambitions for Reforj and how its isn’t very good at turning down new ideas

Joe "Stampy" Garrett, known for his content in the Minecraft universe, has transitioned to a role as a producer at 4J Studios, working on the game Reforj. The development approach emphasizes creativity and community engagement, allowing for flexibility in incorporating player feedback. Key features planned for the game include vehicles and gateways, with the team actively seeking community suggestions to shape development. They share early concepts with the community to gather feedback before committing extensive resources to features. The development of Reforj is ongoing, with a focus on refining the game based on community input.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

New PAW Patrol land opens May 3 at Chessington ahead of Minecraft World

Chessington World of Adventures will open a new PAW Patrol-themed land on May 3, 2026, marking the UK's first PAW Patrol area. The attraction will include four main rides: Chase’s Mountain Mission (a junior roller coaster), Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue (a rocking ride), Skye’s Helicopter Heroes (an aerial spinning ride), and Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure (the UK’s first “Drifter” ride). Additionally, there will be three themed play areas, including Rubble & Rocky’s Play Zone and the Flounder Boat. The £50 million investment in this area is part of a broader initiative by Merlin Entertainments, which includes the upcoming Minecraft World set to debut in 2027. Chessington aims to attract young families and enhance its appeal as a family-friendly destination.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Petit Planet is exactly the Animal Crossing clone it looked like, but after 15 hours of it I’m shocked by how many new ideas it has too

HoYoverse's new title, Petit Planet, is facing comparisons to Animal Crossing: New Horizons due to its similar gameplay mechanics and charming characters. The game features a protagonist named Nalo and a diverse cast of anthropomorphic animal neighbors, including a squirrel shopkeeper named Glenn. The art style is vibrant and colorful, creating an inviting atmosphere. There are concerns about the game's monetization strategy, including the potential for gacha mechanics and the impact of multiplayer features on user privacy, especially for younger players. Despite these issues, Petit Planet offers a unique experience that may appeal to fans of the cozy gaming genre.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Yes, Minecraft Is Getting a Real Theme Park Land in 2027

The first Minecraft theme park, named Minecraft World, is set to open in 2025 at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London. The park will feature attractions such as a roller coaster, block-built playscapes, interactive adventures, and themed retail and dining experiences. It is a collaborative project between Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments, with a budget of millions. Concept art includes designs of wooden houses, TNT blocks, and Creepers. The park aims to be a family-friendly destination, located just a 35-minute train ride from London Waterloo. A live-action Minecraft film featuring Jack Black was released in 2025, with a sequel planned for 2027, starring Kirsten Dunst.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dune Imperium, Forager, Bloons TD 6, more

Today, there are notable Android game and app deals, including Bloons TD 6, Unreal Life, Candleman, Wings of Glory, and Raiders of the North Sea. Additional games on sale are Doom & Destiny Worlds, The Isle of Cats, Dune: Imperium Digital, and Forager. Hardware discounts include the Pixel Watch 4 and open-box deals for the Google Pixel 10 Pro/XL, with savings reaching up to 0.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

A Blockbuster Video Simulator Takes Over PC Gaming Charts

Samuel Gauthier is an independent video game developer and co-founder of Blood Pact Studios, known for creating Retro Rewind, a video-rental-store simulator that debuted at number one on Steam's top 10 list. The game allows players to manage a movie rental shop set in the early '90s, featuring 14,000 fictitious movie titles generated through AI prompts and 21 films inspired by popular hits of the era. The development of Retro Rewind took 15 months, with Gauthier and his team working over 60 hours a week. The game is priced at .92 and aims for greater replayability and wider appeal compared to their previous game, Bonesaw, which sold around 10,000 copies. Blood Pact Studios plans to provide ongoing support for Retro Rewind across various platforms and is considering future projects, potentially focusing on multiplayer or co-op gaming. Gauthier envisions evolving the game alongside technological advancements, possibly transitioning from VHS to DVDs.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Disco Elysium, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Final Fantasy IV and More

- Available Today: - DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 17 - South of Midnight (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 18 - The Alters (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 18 - Disco Elysium (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 19 - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – March 24 - Absolum (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – March 25 - Nova Roma (Game Preview) (PC) – March 26 - The Long Dark (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 30 - Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (Cloud, Console, PC) – March 31 - Barbie Horse Trails (Cloud, Console, Handheld, PC) – April 2 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, Handheld, PC) – April 2 - Final Fantasy IV (Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, PC) – April 7 - In Case You Missed It: - Minishoot’ Adventures (Console, Cloud, Handheld, PC) – March 3 - Game Updates: - Valorant (PC, Console) – March 18 - Sea of Thieves: Season 19 (Console, PC) – March 19 - In-Game Benefits: - Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 (Console) – Available now - Skate. (Console, Game Pass Ultimate only) – Available now - Leaving March 31: - Peppa Pig World Adventures (Cloud, Console, PC) - Mad Streets (Cloud, Console, PC)

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Cyberpunk 2077, Planet of Lana II, and More

Final Fantasy III is available on Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is also available on the same platforms under the same subscriptions. Upcoming games include to a T on March 4, EA Sports F1 25 on March 4, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf on March 5, Construction Simulator on March 10, Cyberpunk 2077 on March 10, Hollow Knight: Silksong on March 12, and DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party on March 17. Diablo II: Resurrected became available on February 11 for Cloud, Console, and PC. Call of Duty: Warzone Black Ops Royale will be updated on March 13. Game Pass members can claim a complimentary in-game bundle for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone. Titles leaving the Game Pass library on March 15 include Bratz Rhythm & Style, Enter the Gungeon, F1 23, He is Coming, Lightyear Frontier, and Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

A Minecraft Movie Producer Teases a Potential Addition to the Sequel

The sequel to A Minecraft Movie is in development, with producer Roy Lee hinting at the inclusion of the Ender Dragon. Actor Jason Momoa has praised the script as strong and engaging. The first film successfully captured the essence of the game, featuring a diverse cast including Jack Black and Emma Myers, and performed well at the box office. The sequel is projected to be released in summer 2027.