holiday Archives

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Join the circus and swing an election in Moves of the Diamond Hand, the RPG follow-up to Betrayal at Club Low, which hits PC early access in April

Moves Of The Diamond Hand will debut on Steam Early Access on April 13th. It is the successor to Betrayal At Club Low and will feature the first two chapters. The game introduces a "one city block RPG" concept, focusing on infiltrating the Circus X, a renowned circus and artist collective. Players will navigate challenges to secure membership while interacting with colorful characters and facing a mayoral election involving a clone of a deceased mayor. Dice mechanics will influence character stats and gameplay. A demo of the game was previously explored by Nic Reuben, who described it as hectic and disorientating. An update for the demo will be released alongside the early access announcement.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Microsoft adding Xbox mode to Windows 11

Organizations using consumer-grade PCs or allowing employees to bring their own devices now face concerns due to the introduction of a virtual Xbox within Windows 11, announced by Microsoft. This initiative aims to create a seamless gaming experience across devices, allowing developers to reach a larger audience while reducing development costs. Microsoft has begun merging Xbox and PC experiences with devices like ASUS’s ROG Ally, a handheld PC that can switch between Windows and gaming operations. In April, Xbox mode will roll out to select markets on all Windows 11 PC form factors, offering a controller-optimized interface. However, it may not be included in the Windows Professional edition, which is preferred by businesses. Features may still enter organizations through bring-your-own-device policies or consumer-grade equipment. The announcements are part of "Project Helix," a new gaming platform designed to enhance Xbox console and PC game play, featuring a custom System on Chip from AMD, with alpha versions expected to be shipped to developers by 2027. This timeline may impact revenue opportunities for AMD, as it suggests no new console will be available for the holiday season of 2026.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google Announces Registered App Stores For Android

Google is launching a Registered App Stores program for Android, allowing third-party app stores to officially register if they meet specific quality and safety criteria. This program aims to provide a better installation experience for users and will be rolled out in a major Android release later this year, initially targeting markets outside the US. Registration is optional, and stores can continue using the existing sideloading process. Alongside this, Google is unbundling its fee structure, reducing service fees for developers to between 15% and 20%, with an additional 5% fee for using Google Play billing in certain regions. The rollout of the new billing structure is expected by the end of June in the US, UK, and Europe, with global completion by September 30, 2027. The initiative is part of a broader settlement with Epic Games and reflects ongoing legal pressures for greater competition in app distribution.

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.