humor Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Paralives players are getting jumpscared by a naked chap called Charlie glitching into their games and now I too have been Charlie’d

Players of the early access life simulation game Paralives are experiencing various bugs in Live Mode, including glitched menus and failed interactions. A notable glitch involves a character named Charlie, who first appeared on the game's launch day and has since been reported by players to have infiltrated their save files. Players have shared experiences of Charlie appearing in their households, often in strange contexts, such as replacing adopted children or occupying spaces left by other characters. Charlie is speculated to be a debug character that appears when the game encounters errors. The community is engaged in discussions about Charlie, and some players are considering integrating this character into their gameplay.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

The new game from the makers of Botanicula and Chuchel is like 1984 meets the Keystone Kops, but in a way that actually works

Phonopolis, developed by Amanita Design, was released last week and has received positive early impressions. The game features straightforward puzzles that resemble interactive toys, with a notable sequence involving evasion during a parade. It is inspired by the works of Karel Čapek and George Orwell, showcasing themes of class division, surveillance, and punishment. The soundtrack by Tomáš Dvořák contrasts the game's harsh environment with a gentle, dreamy lullaby. The game is described as having overt thematic elements, making it feel heavier and less joyful than previous titles like Machinarium and Botanicula. Phonopolis is available for purchase on Steam, Epic, and GOG for .49/£18/€19.79, with a collector's edition and a demo also offered on Steam.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Top 11 Most Anticipated Upcoming PC Games in 2026 You Should Keep on Your Radar

In 2026, PC gamers can expect a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles across various genres, including action RPGs, strategic games, and open-world adventures. Notable upcoming games include: 1. "Light No Fire" - A large-scale exploration title with ambitious world design. 2. "Phantom Blade Zero" - An action game known for fast-paced combat and stylish visuals. 3. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" - A continuation of the franchise focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving. 4. "007 First Light" - A cinematic spy adventure blending action with storytelling. 5. "Atomic Heart 2" - A sequel expanding on its surreal setting and action gameplay. 6. "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" - A revival of a classic series focusing on sword-based combat. 7. "Fable" - A fantasy RPG known for humor and choice-driven gameplay. 8. "Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000" - A strategy title combining large-scale warfare with sci-fi lore. 9. "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2" - A fast-paced sequel with retro-style shooting gameplay. 10. "Kingmakers" - A unique concept mixing modern weaponry with historical battlefields. 11. "Tides of Annihilation" - A fantasy action title with a focus on cinematic combat in a dark fantasy world. The variety of these anticipated titles ensures that players will have experiences tailored to their preferences, whether they enjoy story-driven adventures or strategic battles. Players can track upcoming releases by focusing on preferred genres, following official trailers, and utilizing release calendars and wishlists.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King was a die-hard adventure gamer until he discovered Morrowind: ‘The first time I loaded it up, I walked straight into a little pond and was killed by a fish’

Alasdair Beckett-King began his gaming journey with a second-hand ZX Spectrum and the game Dizzy. He has transitioned to PC gaming and explored titles like The Secret of Monkey Island and Full Throttle. Beckett-King is a YouTube sketch creator, actor, writer, podcaster, and adventure game designer, currently on a UK comedy tour called King of Crumbs. He has a nostalgic preference for classic games, recently revisiting the remaster of Broken Sword, and has completed Myst and Riven. He enjoys modern indie titles such as Obra Dinn and The Case of the Golden Idol. His highest playtime on Steam is 266 hours for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where he prefers normal difficulty for narrative enjoyment but found hard mode enhanced his engagement. He is hesitant to uninstall Silksong due to his mixed feelings about finishing it. Beckett-King relies on Blender 3D for his creative video production but admits to having a chaotic desktop filled with disorganized icons and folders.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Peak boss doesn’t mind us calling it friendslop: ‘Why not make a game where the point is to hang out with your friends?’

In 2025, a new gaming genre called friendslop emerged, characterized by bite-sized, affordable games that emphasize cooperative play and proximity voice chat. Notable titles include Peak, which exemplifies the genre despite mixed perceptions of its label. Nick Kaman, head of Aggro Crab studio, discussed the term friendslop at the Game Developers Conference, encouraging players and developers to embrace it despite its derogatory connotation. He described friendslop games as frameworks for social interaction, designed to enhance the experience of hanging out with friends. Kaman noted that the success of Peak is linked to its social dynamics and the rekindling of friendships through gaming. He identified a cultural shift towards this genre during the COVID-19 pandemic, with games like Among Us paving the way for friendslop. Kaman believes there is still unexplored design space in friendslop and highlighted the recent success of Gamble With Your Friends as evidence of the genre's ongoing appeal.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Jackbox’s first externally published game looks like the shot in the arm the stealth genre needs, and it’ll be out this year

My Arms Are Longer Now is a game that combines stealth mechanics with comedy, featuring a unique control system that allows players to manipulate a wiggly arm. Players engage in stealthy maneuvers while avoiding detection by witnesses and interacting with various characters, including a detective. The game emphasizes humor through its gameplay and narrative, creating a distinctive experience.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

‘Minecraft’ Streamer GrammaCrackers Targeted in Swatting Incident During Charity Livestream

An 81-year-old "Minecraft" content creator known as GrammaCrackers experienced a swatting attack during a livestream, leading to a significant police response at her home. The false emergency report resulted in police vehicles, SWAT teams, and aerial surveillance units arriving at her residence. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and GrammaCrackers humorously reflected on the incident afterward. The online community has since rallied to support her fundraising efforts for her grandson's cancer treatment.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

It’s time for Garfield’s official Magic: The Gathering crossover now

The Magic: The Gathering franchise is releasing a "Cats are the Best" set, which includes 15 Garfield-themed cards in three drops of five cards each. The set reimagines classic cards like Swords to Plowshares and Counterspell with humorous Garfield-themed artwork. Collectors and players are encouraged to purchase these limited-run reprints from the Secret Lair website.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2026

Kaspersky Achieves 40% Reach Rate and Store Visits with AnyMind’s Data-Led Influencer Marketing

Kaspersky partnered with AnyMind Group in March 2026 to launch an influencer marketing campaign in Singapore aimed at changing consumer perceptions that Kaspersky only offers antivirus protection. The campaign focused on building trust through relatable narratives, increasing urgency around scam prevention, and driving traffic to the Kaspersky Shopee Store. It utilized Instagram for engagement, featuring relatable stories and humor to simplify complex cybersecurity topics. The campaign achieved significant reach and engagement, with total reach exceeding 160,000, total views at 223,000, and total engagements of 7,500. The engagement rate was 4.73%, and the reach rate was 40.56%. Influencer Faris Samri had the highest engagement rate at 17.20%. The campaign led to a 2,900% increase in store page views and over 6,000 combined saves and shares, indicating high user value in the content. Interactive Instagram Stories were identified as the key driver for direct link clicks.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Your Steam Controller screams when you drop it

Valve's new Steam Controller emits the iconic Wilhelm scream when dropped, adding a humorous touch to the device. A review by Ed rated the controller 9 out of 10, highlighting its potential to enhance the gaming experience. The scream feature activates only in Steam Big Picture mode and is best experienced in a quiet environment on a soft surface. Valve has also introduced a reservation system limiting purchases to one unit per person to prevent scalping.