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Final Fantasy 14

They survived the MMO massacre of 2025, but 2026 is going to be a tense year for WoW and FF14: And for completely different reasons
AppWizard
December 24, 2025

They survived the MMO massacre of 2025, but 2026 is going to be a tense year for WoW and FF14: And for completely different reasons

In 2025, the MMORPG landscape faced significant turmoil with the closure of New World, withdrawal of funding for Greg Street's MMO, cancellation of a ZeniMax title, and the demise of a Warhammer MMO. Despite this, World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 have remained resilient. Final Fantasy 14 has struggled with design and content delivery, lagging behind competitors like World of Warcraft, which has benefited from Microsoft's acquisition. Creative Studio 3's rigid division between casual and hardcore content has hindered player engagement, while World of Warcraft has successfully implemented variable difficulty. Director Naoki Yoshida is addressing job design issues in an upcoming expansion expected in late 2026 or early 2027. World of Warcraft has seen a resurgence with recent expansions but faces challenges in eliminating combat mods that players rely on. Both games are at a critical juncture, with 2026 expected to be pivotal for their futures.
It's 2025's most notorious flop, but you can now try this would-be GTA rival for free, and it really can only get better
AppWizard
November 30, 2025

It’s 2025’s most notorious flop, but you can now try this would-be GTA rival for free, and it really can only get better

Mindseye, launched in June 2025 by Build a Rocket Boy, is an action game that received poor reviews and faced significant issues at launch, leading to employee layoffs. Founder Leslie Benzies attributed the game's failure to external sabotage. Despite ongoing turmoil, the team is working on updates, including a free demo released with Update 6, which offers a portion of the campaign and player-created content. The free starter pack weighs under 50GB and includes a 15-minute main quest and 14 additional challenges, although the free-roam feature has been removed. The complete game is currently available at a 50% discount, priced at .99 / £27.49.
Confession time: Which game soundtrack actually made you cry?
AppWizard
November 23, 2025

Confession time: Which game soundtrack actually made you cry?

Soundtrack Sunday explores the emotional impact of video game music, highlighting how soundtracks can evoke deep feelings and memories. The author shares personal experiences of being moved by melodies, such as "I Was Born for This" from the Journey soundtrack, which encapsulates the essence of an epic journey. Other notable tracks mentioned include "Dearly Beloved" from Kingdom Hearts and the theme from Final Fantasy 14’s Endwalker expansion, both of which amplify gameplay experiences and evoke strong emotions. The author invites readers to share their own emotional responses to video game soundtracks.
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AppWizard
November 23, 2025

Dune Awakening gives franchise fans and MMO skeptics a chance to try it for free with a generous new trial

Dune Awakening is a survival MMO set in the Dune universe, featuring a vast multiplayer environment and social dynamics. Developer Funcom is offering regular free trials, with the latest trial allowing players to explore the game for up to ten hours until November 27. The game emphasizes character progression and survival mechanics, focusing on sunlight and water management. Players can find water sources, craft items, and purify blood for drinking water. The game includes PvP combat and dedicated PvE areas, with a focus on establishing secure bases. Dune Awakening has a steady player base, achieving peak daily counts in the thousands. The game is currently available at a 25% discount until December 1, priced at .49 / £31.49.
Final Fantasy 14 7.4's tomestone changes have arrived, so make sure you spend them before they're gone
AppWizard
November 20, 2025

Final Fantasy 14 7.4’s tomestone changes have arrived, so make sure you spend them before they’re gone

Players in Final Fantasy 14 should prepare for the transition to the new Mnemonics tomestones with the release of patch 7.4 on December 16. The Aesthetics tomestones will be removed, and players are advised to exchange them for Heliometry tomestones at Auriana in Revenant's Toll. Heliometry tomestones will be convertible into Mathematics tomestones, which will replace Heliometry as rewards from certain duties. The weekly cap on Mathematics will be lifted, but players will still have a maximum inventory limit of 2,000. The new Mnemonics tomestones will be available to players at level 100, while Poetics tomestones will continue to allow exchanges for gear up to level 90. Players should clear out their Aesthetics tomestones before the update.
The Game Awards 2025 nominees are here, and—surprise—Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was nominated for every qualifying category
AppWizard
November 18, 2025

The Game Awards 2025 nominees are here, and—surprise—Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was nominated for every qualifying category

The Game Awards has announced its 2025 nominees, highlighting a strong presence of French influence. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from Sandfall Interactive leads with ten nominations, including Game of the Year, followed by Death Stranding 2. Fans can vote on the TGA website. Nominees: Game of the Year: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach - Donkey Kong Bananza - Hades 2 - Hollow Knight: Silksong - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Best Game Direction: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Death Stranding 2: On The Beach - Ghost of Yōtei - Hades 2 - Split Fiction Innovation in Accessibility: - Assassin's Creed Shadows - Atomfall - Doom: The Dark Ages - EA Sports FC 26 - South of Midnight Best Independent Game: - Absolum - Ball x Pit - Blue Prince - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Hades 2 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Best Performance: - Ben Starr - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Charlie Cox - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Erika Ishii - Ghost of Yōtei - Jennifer English - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Konatsu Kato - Silent Hill F - Troy Baker - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Best Debut Indie Game: - Blue Prince - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Despelote - Dispatch - Megabonk Best Action Game: - Battlefield 6 - Doom: The Dark Ages - Hades 2 - Ninja Gaiden 4 - Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Best Action/Adventure Game: - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - Ghost of Yōtei - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle - Hollow Knight: Silksong - Split Fiction Best Role Playing Game: - Avowed - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - The Outer Worlds 2 - Monster Hunter Wilds Best Sim/Strategy Game: - The Alters - Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles - Jurassic World Evolution 3 - Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - Tempest Rising - Two Point Museum Best Fighting Game: - 2XKO - Capcom Fighting Collection 2 - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves - Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection - Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage Best Family Game: - Donkey Kong Bananza - LEGO Party! - Lego Voyagers - Mario Kart World - Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - Split Fiction Best Sports/Racing Game: - EA Sports FC 26 - F1 25 - Mario Kart World - Rematch - Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Best Multiplayer: - Arc Raiders - Battlefield 6 - Elden Ring Nightreign - Peak - Split Fiction Best Narrative: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - Ghost of Yōtei - Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - Silent Hill F Best Audio Design: - Battlefield 6 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - Ghost of Yōtei - Silent Hill F Best Score & Music: - Hollow Knight: Silksong - Hades 2 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Ghost of Yōtei - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Best Art Direction: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach - Ghost of Yōtei - Hades 2 - Hollow Knight: Silksong Best Adaptation: - A Minecraft Movie - Devil May Cry - The Last of Us: Season 2 - Splinter Cell: Deathwatch - Until Dawn Best Mobile Game: - Destiny: Rising - Persona 5: The Phantom X - Sonic Rumble - Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Wuthering Waves Best Ongoing Game: - Final Fantasy 14 - Fortnite - Helldivers 2 - Marvel Rivals - No Man's Sky Content Creator of the Year: - Caedrel - Kai Cenat - MoistCr1TiKal - Sakura Miko - The Burnt Peanut Best Esports Game: - Counter-Strike 2 - DOTA 2 - League of Legends - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang - Valorant Best Esports Athlete: - brawk - Chovy - f0rsakeN - Kakeru - MenaRD - Zyw0o Best Esports Team: - Gen.G - League of Legends - NRG - Valorant - Team Falcons - DOTA 2 - Team Liquid PH - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang - Team Vitality - Counter-Strike 2 Best Community Support: - Baldur's Gate 3 - Final Fantasy 14 - Fortnite - Helldivers 2 - No Man's Sky Most Anticipated Game: - 007 First Light - Grand Theft Auto 6 - Marvel's Wolverine - Resident Evil Requiem - The Witcher 4
How a former NASA employee became the world's foremost author of videogame cookbooks: 'It can't look like you're eating a Pokémon'
AppWizard
November 9, 2025

How a former NASA employee became the world’s foremost author of videogame cookbooks: ‘It can’t look like you’re eating a Pokémon’

Victoria Rosenthal is a culinary author known for her video game-themed cookbooks, starting with her blog, Pixelated Provisions. Her notable work includes the 2018 release of "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook," which established her reputation in the niche market. She creatively collaborates with lore authors to align recipes with game narratives, as seen in "God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms" and "Halo: The Official Cookbook." Her project "My Pokémon Cookbook" focused on vegetarian dishes due to a restriction against resembling Pokémon. Since becoming a full-time cookbook writer in 2021, she has two new titles planned for 2025: "Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria" and a second volume of "Final Fantasy 14" recipes. Rosenthal is interested in future projects involving franchises like "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" and "Baldur's Gate." She aims to inspire readers to embrace cooking, emphasizing that cooking can be made less intimidating, similar to leveling up skills in video games.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
November 9, 2025

How a former NASA employee became the world’s foremost author of videogame cookbooks: ‘It can’t look like you’re eating a Pokémon’

Victoria Rosenthal has created recipes inspired by video game universes for over a decade, starting with her blog, Pixelated Provisions, and leading to official cookbooks. Her first major success was "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook," released in 2018. She has worked on various titles, including "God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms" and "Halo: The Official Cookbook," where she introduced a character inspired by Anthony Bourdain. Rosenthal faced unique challenges with "My Pokémon Cookbook," which required vegetarian recipes that did not resemble Pokémon. Since 2021, she has focused on her blog and cookbooks, with two new books planned for 2025: "Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria" and a second volume for "Final Fantasy 14." She aims to explore more gaming franchises, including the "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" series and titles from Larian Studios. Rosenthal has received positive feedback from parents whose children have been inspired to cook through her work.
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