immersive experiences Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Minecraft and Hytale’s devs agreed their games needed to feel “more different.” Now it’s finally happening.

Hypixel Studios has revealed a new vision for Hytale, distinguishing it from Minecraft. Game Director Simon Collins-Laflamme noted a conversation with Minecraft's Chief Creative Officer, Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten, who expressed a desire for Hytale to develop its own identity. Bergensten acknowledged Hytale's polish but preferred playing Minecraft, prompting Collins-Laflamme to emphasize the importance of Hytale's unique features, which were not yet present in the game. The recent Chapter 1 preview showcases significant differences, including handcrafted dungeons with multi-phase boss fights, enhanced combat abilities, runeforging for customization, immersive world events, and companions in the crafting loop. Collins-Laflamme aims for Hytale to evolve into a deeper RPG experience, stating it is only at the beginning of its journey. The differentiation benefits both Hytale and Minecraft, allowing them to thrive in their respective niches. Other voxel-based games, like Everwind and Vintage Story, further demonstrate the variety of gameplay experiences possible within the voxel style.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

McDonald’s | A Minecraft Movie Meal

tms developed two campaigns featuring exclusive toys and packaging for McDonald's, including six Movie Meal collectibles inspired by McDonald’s characters and six toys from the Minecraft Movie. The campaigns transformed McDonald's restaurants into immersive experiences and included a retail kit for over 100 global markets. Packaging design included a golden treasure chest for the Minecraft Movie Meal and three variations of Happy Meal boxes. Customers could scan toys to unlock in-game skins for Minecraft and participate in a digital treasure chest quest related to the movie.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 team reminds you it’s got another Kingdom Come and a Middle-earth game on the way as it tops 6,000,000 sales

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has sold over 6 million copies in a year and a half since its release, compared to the original's six years to reach the same milestone. Deep Silver, the game's publisher, expressed gratitude to the community and announced plans for two new open-world RPGs, including one set in the Kingdom Come universe and another in Middle-earth.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

PlayStation wants to win back PC users with PS6 handheld and exclusive games

SIE held a recent investor Q&A session, addressing various inquiries from stakeholders about its strategic vision and operational updates. Key points included: - Commitment to innovation in gaming technology, focusing on immersive experiences and user engagement. - Exploration of new markets and partnerships to enhance global presence. - Discussion on upcoming game releases and expansion of exclusive titles to maintain competitive advantage. - Dedication to fostering a vibrant gaming community and improving communication channels and support for developers. - Initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting diversity within the gaming industry.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time PC Fan Remake Officially Stopped

CryZENx has announced the conclusion of his Unreal Engine 5 fan remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which will no longer receive updates or new versions. All previous demos of the project remain available for download. The decision to halt development was made because an official remake of the game is underway, and CryZENx did not receive a cease-and-desist letter from Nintendo. He is exploring new project possibilities, with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess currently leading a poll. CryZENx plans to release a final video showcasing gameplay of Chapters 2 and 3 of Ocarina of Time. Additionally, there are various free fan-made demos in Unreal Engine 5 available for exploration, including titles like Superman UE5 Demo and Halo 3: ODST Remake.

BetaBeacon

June 14, 2026

Arm Shows Off Its Answer to DLSS on Android – and a Whole-Ass Game by Sumo Digital with Unreal Engine 5 MegaLights

MegaLights is a revolutionary lighting solution that allows developers to incorporate an unlimited number of light sources at a fixed cost.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park ‘assembly line’ MMO just isn’t viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: ‘We hit the wall’

Raph Koster, known for his work on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, is developing a new MMO called Stars Reach, which aims to recapture the sandbox experience of earlier games. Koster believes the current MMO industry is stagnating, with many players feeling bored and frustrated due to a lack of innovation and over-monetization. He acknowledges the challenge of revitalizing the genre but hopes that Stars Reach will offer a fresh and novel experience for players. The game is set to enter early access this summer.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

‘Minecraft’ pop-up event coming to Alton Towers this summer

Merlin Entertainments is enhancing its partnership with Minecraft by launching the 'Minecraft Meet the Mobs' pop-up experience at Alton Towers from July 18 to August 28. This event allows guests to interact with baby mobs in six Minecraft-themed scenes and includes activities like a mob trail for exclusive in-game rewards. Guests can also take photos with characters such as Iron Golem and Creeper, and enjoy themed snacks and merchandise. The experience is included with standard park admission. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with over 350 million copies sold, and is set to become the first-ever theme park land at Chessington World of Adventures in a £50 million project opening in 2027. Merlin's collaboration with Mojang Studios was announced in 2024, with plans to invest over £85 million in new attractions in the UK and US.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Ball State IDIA Lab Launches Mesa Verde Virtual Companion App for Apple and Android Devices

Ball State University’s Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts (IDIA Lab) has launched the Mesa Verde Virtual Companion, an augmented reality mobile app designed to enhance public engagement with Mesa Verde National Park. The app is available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play and includes features such as augmented reality experiences, 3D visualizations of ancestral structures, narrated interpretations, animated figures, and interactive learning content about the Ancestral Pueblo people. The app aims to facilitate both on-site and off-site exploration of the park, which contains nearly 5,000 archaeological sites and is recognized as a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It targets park visitors, educators, families, and remote users, incorporating accessibility features like a welcome tutorial and voiceover options. The project emphasizes immersive learning and cultural preservation, using advanced digital media to connect users with Indigenous history. The IDIA Lab, supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.’s Digital Media Initiative, develops projects that explore virtual and augmented reality and collaborates with various organizations to enhance educational experiences.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Wardens of Avalon is knightly ARPG with an intriguing touch of… wait, city repair?

An individual has drawn inspiration for home decor from a goblet of blood to enhance the ambiance of a flat and make a memorable impression during social gatherings. The Wardens of Avalon, a game that combines action and restoration, was recently unveiled at the PC Gaming Show. Players will engage in slaying monsters and revitalizing the ruins of Tristram. Steam is offering playtests for those interested in experiencing the game before its official release.