immersion Archives

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Is Minecraft colonial?

In a Minecraft world, approximately 50 villagers are confined in a basement, contrasting with the idyllic town above. Players manage villagers by using fishing rods to guide them into trading halls, where they can be traded with for resources. The game, launched in 2009 by Mojang Studios, allows players to explore and build in an open-world environment. The construction of villager trading halls reflects themes of exploitation, likened to chattel slavery, as players seek enchantments through trading. Critics note that the game's mechanics mirror colonial ideologies and contemporary global supply chains. Techniques like update suppression enhance farming efficiency, suggesting a deeper layer of exploitation in gameplay. The villager trading hall serves as a processing puzzle, emphasizing the functional role of villagers rather than their individuality. The game encourages innovation and manipulation of reality within its grid-based structure, reflecting broader societal trends in technology and information.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft has redesigned its baby mobs to be even cuter, and I need you to stop and look at them because they’re just too precious

Minecraft is introducing a new update that adds eight baby animals to the game, enhancing the farming experience. The new baby animals include rabbits, wolf pups, kittens, calves, piglets, chickens, ocelots, and lambs, each designed to reflect their infancy more accurately than previous scaled-down models. The update features unique sounds for each baby animal to enhance immersion. Players can access these updates through the snapshot functionality and the Bedrock beta/preview. Additionally, Microsoft is planning a Minecraft spinoff in collaboration with Activision Blizzard.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Intel: Stutters in PC Games are “Breaking Immersion”

Google's "Project Butter," introduced with Android 4.1, aimed to improve scrolling smoothness on 60Hz smartphone displays. Intel announced the Precompiled Shader Distribution to enhance gaming performance by downloading shaders directly to PCs via Arc Control software, debuting with Panther Lake review driver downloads and initially supporting select DirectX 12 titles on Steam. Intel will update offline shaders alongside game patches and driver updates, with a focus on optimal performance. Petersen expressed support for Microsoft's efforts in precompiled shaders for Windows gaming. Intel Arc employs machine learning for its XeSS image upscaler and Xe Frame Generation system, with plans to address frame-pacing issues using AI. Petersen discussed the need to distinguish between frame generation and rasterization, emphasizing that visual improvements should be viewed separately from performance metrics like frames per second.

AppWizard

January 8, 2026

What to expect from Valve in 2026: The return of the Steam Machine, a new VR headset, and more Half-Life 3 rumors

Valve is set to reintroduce the Steam Machine, aiming to provide a ready-built PC gaming experience. The company is also developing new virtual reality headsets to enhance gaming immersion. Additionally, there is speculation about the release of Half-Life 3, which could generate excitement among fans.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

This new FPS game uses your framerate as your health bar, so I’ll brb after I’ve bought a 240Hz monitor

FPS Quest is a unique meta game that uses framerate as a health bar, allowing players to navigate a low-framerate environment without the discomfort typically associated with performance issues. Players traverse dungeons armed with a shotgun, experiencing framerate dips as they take damage, but can restore it by defeating enemies or adjusting game settings. The game features mechanics such as demolishing walls and removing doors, which affect gameplay and map navigation. It includes roguelike elements, cheats, glitches, and customizable settings, encouraging multiple runs to unlock upgrades and weapons. FPS Quest is set to launch on Steam, with no announced release date yet.

BetaBeacon

December 29, 2025

Android Games Lead Mobile Gaming Revolution with 1,000+ Titles

- Developers focus on smart filtering systems to allow users to navigate libraries of over 1,000 games. - New player incentives, such as promo codes for free spins, help users explore vast game collections. - Cloud-based gaming and optimized software ensure quick loading times for data-heavy games. - Online casinos offer a variety of games beyond simple slot machines, including classic slots, progressive jackpots, and live dealer options. - Trustworthiness is key in mobile gaming, with reputable apps being licensed by recognized regulatory bodies and implementing responsible gaming tools. - The future of online casinos on Android will likely involve personalization through artificial intelligence and faster payment methods for instant withdrawals.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

A psychic baby and whacky control scheme undersell the mundane brilliance of one of my favourite games this year

Goodnight Universe is a game that utilizes webcam interaction to create an intimate connection with players, allowing them to step into the role of a six-month-old baby named Isaac, who has telekinetic abilities. The game features emotional family dynamics, where players experience tender moments and gain insight into their family's unspoken worries and dreams. Its sound design enhances the experience, and while it is not a traditional puzzle game, it offers light challenges and fosters reflection on family relationships. The gameplay encourages players to engage deeply with the narrative and the characters.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Star Citizen’s stunning single-player spinoff is “over 40 hours” long and now “fully playable from beginning to end”

Star Citizen has surpassed a budget of 5 million, according to Cloud Imperium Games' crowdfunding tracker. Squadron 42, a single-player spinoff, is now playable from start to finish with a runtime exceeding 40 hours. The game features first-person shooter combat, exploration, and space battles, and includes a cast of renowned actors such as Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Hamill, and Henry Cavill. Extended gameplay footage was unveiled at CitizenCon, and the release date is set for 2026. Chris Roberts, the studio's head, confirmed that all chapters are fully playable and emphasized the game's quality and innovative technology for seamless transitions between exploration and space travel. The beta phase may arrive unexpectedly in the coming year, and there are plans for ongoing innovations in Star Citizen, with potential funding reaching the billion mark.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Avowed didn’t rewrite the RPG rulebook in 2025, but it still gave me some of my biggest gaming ‘wow’ moments of the year

Avowed is an open-world RPG set in 2025 that emphasizes exploration and features a variety of beautifully crafted environments, including deserts, swamps, mountains, and lava lakes. The game invites players to immerse themselves in its world, despite having a narrative that may lack depth and somewhat dated quest design. One notable quest involves placing an item as a tribute to a lost love, highlighting the game's ability to evoke emotional connections. While it does not innovate the RPG genre, Avowed is praised for its visual appeal and the captivating experience it offers players.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign is a deeply flawed multiplayer game I’ve spent over 250 hours in this year

Elden Ring Nightreign is a multiplayer spinoff of the FromSoftware universe that emphasizes teamwork in a roguelike format, where players face challenges to defeat the Nightlord. The game has limited in-game communication tools, relying on tagging for interactions, which can be frustrating without external coordination. Post-launch, FromSoftware has added content such as the Everdark Sovereigns and the Deep of Night mode, which introduces new challenges and mechanics. The recent DLC, The Forsaken Hollows, adds a new map and two Nightlord bosses, along with a Scholar character that enhances item value. Future projects from FromSoftware may be on the horizon, but Nightreign offers a rich experience for fans of the franchise.