hint Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Movie Theaters Are Making A Comeback. Here’s Why.

In April, two major film releases revitalized interest in theaters: “A Minecraft Movie” grossed 3 million globally during its opening weekend, while Ryan Coogler’s horror film “Sinners” debuted with a solid million and has surpassed the 0 million mark worldwide. The success of “Sinners” has been supported by IMAX screenings and a limited re-release in select theaters. Despite competition from streaming services and inflation affecting consumer spending, studios like Warner Bros. are optimistic about maintaining momentum, with upcoming releases such as Marvel’s “Thunderbolts,” “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” and Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” AMC CEO Adam Aron expressed cautious optimism for recovery, noting a promising second half of the year and projections for a stronger 2026. Cinema United President Michael O’Leary advocates for a 45-day baseline window for films in theaters, while AMC plans to open 40 new Dolby Cinema auditoriums by 2027. The recent successes indicate that innovative storytelling and compelling cinematic experiences are crucial for attracting audiences back to theaters.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay makes me think we won’t be playing this thing on PC until 2027, or god forbid even 2028

Rockstar has announced a delay for Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for release in May 2026, extending the timeline by approximately six months. The game is currently confirmed only for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with no announcement regarding a PC version. Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, noted the growing importance of PC gaming. Historical patterns suggest that previous Rockstar titles have had significant delays for PC releases, potentially pushing the PC version of GTA 6 into early 2028.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

AppWizard

April 28, 2025

Five new Steam games you probably missed (April 28, 2025)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily, creating a diverse gaming landscape. Navicula Meatus - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Torgomind - Description: A game focused on immersive discomfort, lacking traditional fun but featuring dark humor. Replicube - Release Date: April 24 - Developers: Walaber Entertainment LLC - Description: A programming game where players replicate voxel-based objects using code, featuring a 3D voxel editor and a 2D image editor. GeckoShop - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Reptoid - Description: A retail simulator where players sell geckos in an open world filled with quirky NPCs and quests. Dishventory - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Final Offer - Description: A strategy card game centered on doing dishes, where players use cards to manage dishwashing tasks; it is free to play.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

REVIEW: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ calls for a first watch, but not much more

The film "A Minecraft Movie" follows siblings Henry and Natalie as they navigate their mother's loss and relocate to the fictional town of Chuglass, Idaho. They embark on an adventure with Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison and realtor Dawn, leading them to the Overworld. The plot is coherent, with whimsical moments, but struggles to incorporate nostalgic elements due to its runtime of one hour and 40 minutes. Creative liberties, such as Henry's "tot launcher," may alienate some fans. The film balances humor and deeper character development, though juvenile humor often overshadows serious themes. Jack Black's performance is noted for its commitment but can be exaggerated. The visual design opts for a realistic style, which contrasts with the game's blocky aesthetic. Overall, the film celebrates creativity and offers an enjoyable experience for both fans and newcomers.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Peter Bart: Big B.O. Bets Wagered On Video Games And Vampires As Hollywood Tries To Banish Bitter Woes

Two films, A Minecraft Movie and Sinners, are currently successful at the box office, appealing to Gen Z audiences and nearing 0 million in global earnings. A Minecraft Movie had a production cost of 0 million, while Sinners had a budget of million, with stars Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler negotiating a deal for a share of the gross receipts and ownership rights after 25 years. Hollywood has faced challenges in recent years, including postponed releases and a shift towards streaming. The dual release of Oppenheimer and Barbie, endorsed by industry figures, gained significant attention, overshadowing other films like Coyote vs Acme. Tech companies like Apple and Amazon are investing in original storytelling, with Apple’s F1 project featuring Brad Pitt. Warner Bros. is also set to release a film by Paul Thomas Anderson, known for original content. Historically, studios have invested in original works, with notable examples like The Best Years of Our Lives and It’s a Wonderful Life.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

‘We want you to be a part of it’: Subnautica 2’s Early Access is about to begin, and the devs want players to experience all the new vehicles, craftables, and leviathans first-hand

Subnautica 2 is set to enter Early Access in 2025, offering players a new underwater survival adventure in an alien world. Design lead Anthony Gallegos welcomes both newcomers and returning players, highlighting that the game will be the team's most ambitious project to date, incorporating lessons learned from previous games. The sequel will feature beloved elements such as rich environments and extensive crafting options, while also introducing cooperative gameplay for shared exploration. Players will have the opportunity to provide feedback on various aspects of the game as it evolves.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Rebellion’s CEO says ‘it looks like we want to do more Atomfall’ but it will depend on whether the studio can ‘find the resources to do it’

Rebellion's open-world shooter, Atomfall, launched in March and has attracted two million players, exceeding initial estimates. CEO Jason Kingsley noted that the game's success has led to discussions about expanding it into a series. Atomfall's availability on Microsoft's Game Pass significantly contributed to its success by enhancing discoverability and providing financial assurance. Kingsley mentioned that while the performance is encouraging, the decision for a sequel depends on resource availability. He emphasized the importance of aligning creative ambitions with budgetary constraints, stating that they cannot afford to spend 200 million on game development. Kingsley acknowledged that Atomfall has superficial similarities to other titles, particularly Fallout, and struggles to differentiate itself.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Painkiller’s new weapons trailer gives us a good look at the reboot’s guns, and I’m delighted to see that its iconic stake launcher still skewers enemies to walls

The Painkiller reboot was officially unveiled in March by Anshar Studios, reviving People Can Fly's 2004 shooter with a modern interpretation and introducing co-operative gameplay. A new trailer from the Galaxies Gaming Showcase showcased the game's aesthetic and featured the stake gun, a nod to the original game, with Adrian Chmielarz, the original director, leading the project. A specific release date has not been announced, but the reboot is expected to launch sometime this year.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

‘It’s about to get even darker, more disturbed, and violent’: Barotrauma’s Calm Before the Storm update introduces new PVP outpost and alien ruins

The "Calm Before the Storm" update for the 2D co-op horror game Barotrauma introduces several new features, including a mission to explore alien ruins, a themed outpost for player-versus-player encounters, additional modules for abandoned outposts, updated level backgrounds, and a reserve bench option for bots. The update also improves AI for bots and rebalances the radiation mechanic while introducing new creatures that thrive in radioactive environments. The new modules were created by a fan of the game, NotWendy. Barotrauma is currently available at a 50% discount on Steam until April 26.