game concept Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

This week in PC games: a trio of surreal shooters, a big Stellaris expansion, and a new RPG from Octopath Traveller devs

This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

2026 PC Game Released Today Is 100% Free for Limited Time

A new game titled Linebound was released on May 31, 2026, on the Steam platform, available for free download and ownership for the first month. After this period, it will switch to a paid model, with pricing details not yet disclosed. The game has received a 100% approval rating on Steam. Developed by a team including Samuel Luecke, Oliver Svensson, and others, Linebound is a 2D asymmetric co-op puzzle platformer published by FutureBound. It features two-player local cooperative gameplay, where one player, the Artist, draws platforms in real time, while the other player, Sketch, navigates through the created puzzles. User reviews indicate gameplay lasts about one to two hours, and the game is noted for its unique concept and quality, distinguishing it from typical free offerings on Steam.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

True permadeath: You can never play this game again if you let its immortal snail assassin touch your mouse pointer

The "snail assassin" meme originated from a 2014 Rooster Teeth podcast episode, where the concept of an immortal snail pursuing a person for a million dollars was discussed. The game "Don't Touch The Snail" features a snail that moves toward the player's mouse pointer, resulting in game over if it makes contact. Players face permanent death with no retries and can earn achievements to customize the snail's appearance. The game includes a global leaderboard for tracking survival times. Strategies for survival may involve using an ultrawide monitor, but maintaining a still mouse pointer can be challenging. The game is set to launch on Steam later this month.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

Can you identify these iconic PC games from just a piece of concept art?

A new quiz featuring 20 pieces of video game concept art challenges participants to identify the games for which the artworks were created. Testers report that scoring above 5 out of 20 is commendable, while a perfect score of 20 is considered exceptional. The quiz encourages a deeper appreciation for game design and invites participants to share their scores in the comments.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Newly announced action game Become lets you play as a sentient sperm trying to reach the egg, and yes I am just writing about it because of the name

Become is a new video game where players control a sperm cell navigating the human reproductive system, racing against other sperm to reach an egg. Players face obstacles like acidic baths and antibody attacks while collecting resources to enhance their abilities. The game aims for scientific accuracy and features a sperm cell with glasses. It is scheduled for release in 2026.

BetaBeacon

January 6, 2026

Someone made ‘Foldy Bird’ and it’s a glorious way to destroy your foldable

Foldy Bird is a Flappy Bird clone that uses a folding phone's hinge as a mobile game controller.

AppWizard

July 29, 2025

A ‘slavish clone’: Sony is suing Tencent over a game that looks startlingly similar to Horizon Zero Dawn

Sony has filed a lawsuit against Tencent over its game Light of Motiram, claiming it resembles Sony's Horizon Zero Dawn in setting, themes, and gameplay mechanics. Sony describes Light of Motiram as a "slavish clone" and is seeking monetary damages and an injunction against further infringement. The lawsuit follows a previous collaboration where Tencent promoted the game on PlayStation's Weibo account and a past meeting where Tencent pitched a game concept within the Horizon universe without disclosing its development of Light of Motiram. The game is set to launch on multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5 and Steam.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Gloomy Eyes, a Tim Burton-esque Cozy Horror Adventure Game, Announced for PC and Consoles

Gloomy Eyes is a cozy horror game developed by Fishing Cactus, featuring two main characters: Gloomy, a gentle zombie boy, and Nena, a playful human girl. The game is set in a dark world where the living and undead are in conflict, and the characters embark on a quest to restore daylight. Players alternate between controlling Gloomy and Nena, solving puzzles that test creativity and problem-solving skills. The game features intricately designed diorama levels and a unique soundtrack. Gloomy Eyes will be released on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch later this year, and is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

PlayStation spins out new studio TeamLFG out from Bungie

TeamLFG is a new studio formed by former Bungie employees, located in Bellevue, Washington. The studio is developing a multiplayer action game and aims to incorporate player feedback through early access playtests. They also hinted at a "frog-type" game concept in a recent PlayStation Blog post.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

IO and Square Enix vet Flösser unveils new studio Wombo Games

Janos Flösser has founded a new game studio called Wombo Games in 2023, which is developing a strategy roguelike game titled Raiders of Blackveil, set to enter Early Access this summer. Flösser has a background in the gaming industry, having previously worked at IO Interactive and Square Enix. Wombo Games aims to remain small and agile, and has successfully raised funds three times since its inception. A playable version of the game was created within the first month and a half, garnering positive feedback from investors.