holiday Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

RedOctane’s ‘next evolution in rhythm gaming’ sure looks a lot like 2007’s Rock Band

RedOctane became a significant player in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, peaking in 2005 with the release of Guitar Hero. Activision acquired RedOctane in 2006, but by 2010, the company was closed due to declining interest in rhythm games. In 2025, Embracer Group revived the brand as RedOctane Games, announcing a new title called Stage Tour, which resembles Guitar Hero but introduces new features and game modes. Stage Tour will function as a "band game" with solo play options, and a closed alpha test is planned ahead of its holiday season release. RedOctane Games aims to create a sustainable experience rather than a series of sequels, and there is uncertainty about the demand for a new rhythm game experience. Details on pricing and song availability are still pending.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

‘Zootopia 2’ Passes ‘Minecraft’ as Top Domestic Box Office Film of 2025

Disney’s “Zootopia 2” is the highest-grossing film at the domestic box office for 2025, earning 4 million domestically and surpassing the previous record of 3.9 million set by “A Minecraft Movie.” The film has grossed .85 billion globally, making it the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film to date and second among all animated features, behind “Ne Zha 2.” It achieved the second-largest extended opening for Thanksgiving weekend with 8.8 million and became the highest-grossing Hollywood release in China, earning RMB 4.59 billion. “Zootopia 2” has outperformed “Moana 2,” which grossed over .05 billion globally in 2024, and remains in the top 10 of the domestic box office charts after 13 weekends. Disney also has two other titles in the top four of the 2025 domestic gross list: “Lilo & Stitch” with 3 million and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” with 0 million.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Zootopia 2 becomes 2025 s highest grossing US release with 424m surpassing A Minecraft Movie

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, earning 4.2 million in the United States and Canada, surpassing A Minecraft Movie's 4.08 million. Internationally, it has grossed .425 billion, bringing its global total to .85 billion. The film debuted ahead of Thanksgiving, generating 8 million in North America and 9 million globally over the holiday period, marking the second-largest Thanksgiving launch and the biggest debut for an animated film. It became the fastest PG-rated film to reach the billion milestone worldwide in just 17 days and is now Hollywood’s highest-grossing animated film of all time. Zootopia 2 has also overtaken Avengers: Endgame as the biggest Motion Picture Association title in China and is the eighth-highest-grossing film in global box office history. The film is directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard and features characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Disney's strong box office performance has been bolstered by additional billion-dollar releases, leading to the company's strongest annual sales since before the pandemic.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

Box Office: ‘Zootopia 2’ Passes ‘Minecraft’ to Top 2025 Domestic Chart

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, surpassing A Minecraft Movie with ticket sales of 4.2 million. It is also the highest-grossing Hollywood title of the year globally and internationally. The film debuted over the Thanksgiving holiday and has become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, unadjusted for inflation, with global earnings reaching approximately .85 billion. It had a record-breaking global opening of 9.5 million during the five-day Thanksgiving period and became the fastest animated or PG film to reach the billion milestone in just 17 days. Zootopia 2 has remained in the top 10 of the domestic box office for 13 consecutive weeks and has grossed over 0 million in China, making it the top-grossing Western film of all time in that region. It ranks No. 8 among the highest-grossing Hollywood films, unadjusted for inflation, and its earnings have surpassed the entire worldwide total of the original Zootopia, which was .025 billion.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

“Zootopia 2” Becomes Highest-Grossing Domestic Film of 2025, Surpassing “A Minecraft Movie”

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, earning 4.2 million at the U.S. box office. It has also made .425 billion internationally, totaling .85 billion worldwide. Of the domestic earnings, 7.9 million were generated in 2025. The film is The Walt Disney Company’s second highest Thanksgiving opening ever, following Moana 2, and Disney holds nine of the top ten Thanksgiving openings. Zootopia 2 has a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and has received nominations from major animation awards. It reached its box office milestone in 91 days, demonstrating effective marketing and strong family appeal.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

‘Zootopia 2’ Just Passed ‘A Minecraft Movie’ for 2025’s Domestic Crown. It Took 91 Days and Less Than $200,000

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, surpassing A Minecraft Movie with 4.2 million in North American ticket sales. It is the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film ever and ranks as the eighth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, with a global total of .85 billion. The film's international earnings reached .425 billion, making it the second highest among animated films. Zootopia 2 debuted on November 26, 2025, with an opening of 8.8 million over five days, marking the second-largest Thanksgiving opening in history. It became the fastest PG-rated film to reach billion globally in just 17 days and grossed over 0 million in China, making it the highest-grossing Western film in Chinese box office history. The film received a 91% critics score and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and won Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs. Disney holds three of the top four domestic releases of 2025, with Zootopia 2 leading the pack. A Blu-ray release is scheduled for March 3, and the film is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Box Office: As ‘Zootopia 2’ Tops ‘Minecraft,’ Why Disney and Pixar’s Original Animated Movies Can Afford To Fail

Zootopia 2 has achieved significant box office success in 2025, grossing 4.2 million domestically and 0.85 billion globally, including 0 million from China. The film's release during Thanksgiving has made it Disney's most successful holiday offering since Coco in 2017. Its performance suggests a shift in Disney's focus towards nostalgia-driven sequels, as it has resonated deeply with audiences and set new records for animated features.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is this week’s headline PC game but don’t forget the Witchers, pirates and pinballs

Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, showcasing a variety of game demos. This year, the focus is on highlighting exciting demos rather than creating a wishlist. Some notable games featured include: - A game inspired by hiding spiders under cups at holiday parties, which includes power-up cards that are not microtransactions. - Rise Of Piracy, an early access RTS by MicroProse, where players command a fleet of corsairs and can engage in diplomacy and trading. - Emberbane, a 2D metroidvania with elemental martial arts elements. - Reigns: The Witcher, a deck-building narrative game set in the Witcher universe, where players control Dandelion. - Utawarerumono: ZAN 2, an anime-style hack-and-slash game with base management and humorous elements. - Spellcasters Chronicles, a 3v3 wizard MOBA from Quantic Dream. - Tales of Berseria Remastered, a revamped action-RPG from Bamco. - Snägäri Pinball, a pinball game themed around Finland’s late-night snack kiosks. - Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom's latest horror installment featuring both third-person and first-person gameplay. - Arrow World, a sokoban-style game with conveyor belt mechanics. The RPS team is actively playing Resident Evil Requiem and sharing their experiences.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

This new Android feature is amazing, but I’m scared for its future

Android 16 introduced Live Updates, a feature that prioritizes important notifications like transit directions and Uber progress, making them easily accessible without needing to open the app. Live Updates display information in a bubble or chip in the status bar, allowing users to glance at their screens for essential updates. This feature is particularly useful for public transport users and drivers, as it integrates seamlessly into the Android interface, appearing in the notification drop-down, on the lock screen, and on the always-on display. However, the adoption of Live Updates among developers has been low, with only a few apps like Uber, byAir, and Flud utilizing it effectively. Many Google applications, such as the Clock app and the Google app, have not integrated Live Updates, raising concerns about the feature's future viability.

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Windows 8 had a 30-second ad with more creativity than all of Microsoft’s Copilot-heavy Windows 11 marketing

In 2025, users reported over 20 issues with Windows 11, leading to dissatisfaction reminiscent of past criticisms of Windows Vista and Windows 8. The original Windows 8 promotional campaign effectively highlighted its features through engaging marketing, contrasting with recent Copilot ads that faced backlash for showcasing the AI's limitations. Microsoft has shifted its focus towards AI integration, particularly with Copilot, despite negative feedback from users and developers regarding its effectiveness. Historically, Microsoft responded to Windows 8's challenges by releasing Windows 8.1, which addressed user concerns and improved functionality. A similar update, Windows 11.1, could help restore user confidence and improve the overall experience with Windows 11.