game mechanics Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hopes for an eventual Anthem private server resurrection ignited as former executive producer says code for running the game locally ‘is there to be salvaged and recovered’

Anthem has officially ended as of approximately 2:05 PM EST on Monday. Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah suggested that the technology to run Anthem locally could potentially be revived, depending on third-party developers or EA's involvement. Anthem's architecture relied on a client-server model, requiring players to connect to centralized servers. Reviving the game through private servers would necessitate a deep understanding of its network traffic and mechanics.

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 3

In the latest Snapshot release, players can access game rules directly from the in-game pause screen via a new World Options button. The Data Pack version has been updated to 97, introducing new block and fluid tags, as well as modifications to the time command to integrate with new World Clocks. World Clocks maintain an internal time that progresses with each tick and can be paused or resumed. A new clock field links timelines to specific World Clock IDs, and Time Markers now assign names to designated points in time within a World Clock context. The time command is now based on World Clocks, and a new required field has been added to Game Test Environments for specifying World Clock IDs. New tags for blocks and fluids have been introduced, and the Tripwire texture has been updated for better visual clarity. Several bugs have been fixed in this release.

AppWizard

January 13, 2026

Get a lifetime of PC game cheat codes for $49.99 instead of $99.99

Cheat Happens Premium Lifetime Subscription is currently priced at .99, reduced from its regular price of .99. It provides unlimited access to over 27,000 game trainers for more than 6,000 PC games, allowing players to modify health, resources, and progression in real time. The subscription includes additional tools like the Trainer Manager and CoSMOS Memory Scanner/Hacker, with approximately 170 new or updated trainers added each month. The library features popular titles such as Battlefield 1 and Cris Tales, catering to various gaming styles and accessibility needs. Cheat Happens also has an active community forum for discussions and support.

AppWizard

January 4, 2026

Why Server Customization Should Be More Common In Gaming

Server customization allows players to enhance their gaming experience by creating and managing their own servers, particularly in games like Minecraft. This approach provides freedom to modify game mechanics, introduce new game modes, environments, and plotlines. However, successful server customization requires knowledge of server management and networking, as well as ensuring compatibility between servers and mods to avoid glitches and crashes. Resources for learning about server mods are widely available online.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

There’s a Bloodlines story you haven’t played, and it’s one of my favorite VTM games ever made

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, released by Troika in 2004, is a significant title in the RPG genre. Santa Monica By Night is a flash game developed during the 'Vampire Jam' by Martyna 'Outstar' Zych and 'Memoriesin8bit' in just seven days. It features a pixelated reimagining of Los Angeles where players assume the role of a Thinblood searching for Vincent Lenz. The game includes branching narratives, multiple endings, and easter eggs, designed as a fan fiction project inspired by Bloodlines. Outstar aimed to create a narrative that connects newcomers with the setting while highlighting differences for returning fans. The game captures familiar locations and mechanics from Bloodlines, and players can experience various endings that reflect themes of hopelessness and loss. A secret ending was added post-jam, providing closure to the game's love story.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Tavern Keeper is the management sim of my dreams, and the best thing I’ve played in early access in 2025

Tavern Keeper is an early access simulation game where players manage a pub called The Half Pint in a whimsical setting. Players can offer a variety of drinks and snacks, including wines, ales, and ethically sourced meats. The game encourages creativity by allowing players to manipulate the environment and design unique taverns. Players can share their creations with the community and engage in quests and narratives with various visitors, including a halfling aspiring to be a stand-up comedian and a guild representative. The game features a humorous narrative and allows players to experience agency in their choices.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Great moments in PC gaming: Dark Messiah of Might and Magic’s rooftop chase

Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, developed by Arkane in 2006, features a blend of linear and open-world gameplay set in a town besieged by the undead. Players engage in encounters such as using a ballista against a zombie cyclops and chasing a ghoul across rooftops. The game includes a succubus character who provides guidance, enhancing the immersive experience. It also incorporates strategic stealth gameplay with a sandbox environment filled with guards and allows players to craft weapons. The game is noted for its creativity and distinct sequences that keep players engaged without repetitive gameplay.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

Jonathan Blow’s new game has the most ‘Jonathan Blow’s new game’ pitch imaginable: A ‘game design supercollider’ that takes 4 puzzle games and jams them together into a 500-hour saga

Jonathan Blow announced his new game, Order of the Sinking Star, at The Game Awards, which has been in development for a decade and features over 1,000 puzzles and more than 500 hours of gameplay. The game includes an expansive overworld with six unique realms, each offering distinct puzzles and mechanics. Players will encounter various characters with unique abilities that influence puzzle-solving, such as a thief who pulls blocks and a wizard who can teleport. The game allows unlimited undos and encourages exploration while providing a philosophical experience for players.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Ten years in the making, Jonathan Blow’s new game breaks all the rules of gaming’s greatest puzzle

Jonathan Blow is developing a new game titled Order of the Sinking Star, which has evolved from a modest engine test for his programming language, Jai, into a full-fledged Sokoban-style puzzle game. The game combines elements from four lesser-known freeware puzzle games and features multiple worlds, each with distinct realms and mechanics. Players will navigate challenges involving various characters, each with unique abilities that enhance gameplay. The narrative follows a deposed queen in a fantastical setting, with gameplay focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Blow's design philosophy emphasizes the interaction of game mechanics and player agency, diverging from traditional storytelling methods. He is collaborating with a publisher for the first time to address the challenges of a saturated market.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

League of Legends is giving every role a transformative rework as part of the best slate of changes I’ve seen in years

League of Legends will introduce a battle pass system and dynamic seasonal Rifts in 2026, with a focus on enhancing balance, game duration, and introducing new formidable monsters. The season will feature a Demacia theme, with champions receiving new skins and Morgana getting a cosmetic upgrade. Role rebalancing will include Role Quests for top laners and ADCs, with improvements such as a longer-cooldown Teleport spell for top laners and increased gold acquisition for ADCs. Mid lane players will receive new tier three boots, while junglers will have enhanced movement speed and rewards. Supports will gain a dedicated control ward spot and improved gold generation. Atakhan, the Bringer of Ruin, will be retired, replaced by the new mechanic Crystalline Overgrowth. Game time will accelerate with minions spawning sooner, and Ranked play will see reinstated Solo/Duo queues and adjusted MMR calculations. Eleven new items will be introduced, including Hextech Gunblade and Stormrazor. The season launches on January 7, with changes appearing on the PBE on December 3.