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Metro 2039 gameplay trailer looks like bad news for your aging graphics card
AppWizard
August 25, 2026

Metro 2039 gameplay trailer looks like bad news for your aging graphics card

The latest trailer for Metro 2039 showcases a visually stunning world with radiation-sickened creatures and gameplay elements like gun customization, mask wiping, and stealth kills. 4A Games has significantly advanced photorealism in this installment. The game will be developed for consoles, including the Xbox Series S, and aims for stable performance on mid-range PCs. 4A Games uses a proprietary engine, which may provide smoother performance compared to other high-fidelity engines. A playable demo will be available at Gamescom this week in Germany. A release date has not yet been announced.
Fallout dev Tim Cain says we should pay more attention to bad games: '[Publishers] often don't learn from failure because they only look at the games that sold well'
AppWizard
August 22, 2026

Fallout dev Tim Cain says we should pay more attention to bad games: ‘[Publishers] often don’t learn from failure because they only look at the games that sold well’

Tim Cain, co-creator of the Fallout series, emphasized the importance of analyzing unsuccessful video games to learn from their shortcomings. He highlighted that understanding the traits contributing to a game's failure can be as informative as studying successful games. Cain referred to this as survivorship bias, advising developers to examine features common among unsuccessful titles. He noted that many successful games have flaws such as low frame rates and poor user interfaces, suggesting that analyzing less successful games can enhance creators' understanding of what makes a game enjoyable.
The most profound objective in any Halo series was 'spiritually inspired' by the nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2
AppWizard
August 21, 2026

The most profound objective in any Halo series was ‘spiritually inspired’ by the nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2

Growing up during the golden age of first-person shooter games featured iconic titles like Modern Warfare 2, F.E.A.R., Halo: Reach, and Black Ops 2, allowing for extensive gameplay due to minimal responsibilities. Niles Sankey, the designer of Halo: Reach, revealed that the Modern Warfare series significantly influenced its campaign design, particularly in crafting inter-character relationships and narrative depth. He noted that moments in Reach were inspired by the work of Infinity Ward, including the "Objective Survive" mission, which was spiritually inspired by the Nuke sequence in Modern Warfare 2. The final mission of Reach, Lone Wolf, presented a groundbreaking narrative choice by suggesting that the protagonist might not survive, challenging traditional storytelling conventions in video games.
Aussie developer Monomyth Games announces Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure for PC
AppWizard
August 20, 2026

Aussie developer Monomyth Games announces Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure for PC

Monomyth Games has announced its new title, Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure, marking its first game since 2018's Need to Know. Players will take on the role of Peppino the Roboto, who operates a time-warp photography business on an Italian island. Key features include the Timewarp Camera for capturing images from different time periods, running a photography business, exploring the island of Pallacanezza, helping locals, experiencing a handcrafted narrative, trying new camera modes, and personalizing the shop and character. The game is set for release on PC via Steam in 2027.
Cozy photo adventure game Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure announced for PC
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

Cozy photo adventure game Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure announced for PC

Monomyth Games has announced the release of Photo Roboto: A Timesnap Adventure, a cozy photo adventure game featuring the Timewarp Camera, which allows players to capture images from different times. The game is set to launch on PC via Steam in 2027. Players will take on the role of Peppino, a robot aiming to earn a Timewarp Camera License while running a photography business on an Italian island. The gameplay involves exploring the island, engaging with over 100 unique characters, and solving a mystery related to a "Curse" imposed by the mayor. Players can collect new camera lenses for enhanced abilities and customize their shop and character. Key features include traversing a vibrant island, running a photography business, and delving into a scripted narrative.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
August 16, 2026

Chaotic Party Brawler Dino Party Out Today on PC

Dino Party, developed by Berlin-based Studio Nachtwerk, has launched on PC via Steam. It is a party brawler for 2 to 4 players, featuring a variety of minigames and fast-paced combat in a dinosaur tournament setting. Matches last approximately 15 minutes and take place in diverse arenas with dynamic challenges and random events. The game includes over 120 unlockable cosmetics for player customization and allows for custom lobbies with personalized rules. It is priced at .99 / €12.25 and supports 16 languages. Studio Nachtwerk was founded by Florian Wolf and Philipp Wagner.
The designer of Diamond City, Little Lamplight, and Starfield's Neon thinks Bethesda's galaxy was just too big: 'I would have done a handful of planets with bespoke layouts'
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

The designer of Diamond City, Little Lamplight, and Starfield’s Neon thinks Bethesda’s galaxy was just too big: ‘I would have done a handful of planets with bespoke layouts’

Nate Purkeypile, a former environment artist at Bethesda, discussed his experiences and insights from his time at the studio on The Examined Game podcast. He contributed to the design of Starfield, particularly the city of Neon, and has also worked on locations in Fallout 3 and Fallout 4. After leaving Bethesda during Starfield's development, he began independent game development and plans to release his first solo project, The Axis Unseen, in 2024. He is looking forward to the remaster of Fallout 3.
'I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance': Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.
Hit markers are an FPS crutch
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Hit markers are an FPS crutch

Hit markers are visual cues in first-person shooters that indicate the impact of a shot, often accompanied by an 'X'. Before 2007, developers used impact animations and effects like blood spurts for feedback instead of UI elements. Notable franchises like Halo and Gears of War initially provided immersive feedback through visual cues but have since adopted hit markers, which clutter the HUD and diminish the immersive experience. The trend raises questions about balancing clarity and immersion in game design, as seen in contrasting examples like Left 4 Dead 2, which uses dynamic enemy reactions, versus Back 4 Blood, which employs hit markers.
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