interactive storytelling Archives

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

Netflix has finally figured out how to get viewers off their phones with its newest horror game, but it doesn’t quite stick the landing

Point-and-click horror games face challenges in maintaining player agency due to predetermined paths, especially when using smartphones for interaction. Netflix's game Unhinged, created by Zach Cregger and David Fincher, allows players to use their phones as the protagonist Ava's device while she seeks help from her friend Claire and avoids a pursuer. The game lasts about 30 minutes and features immersive but occasionally frustrating gameplay due to distractions from notifications and the smartphone's role in executing quick-time events. The atmosphere is eerie, and the performances by Zoë Kravitz as Ava, Sadie Sink as Claire, and Troy Baker as the antagonist enhance the experience. Unhinged offers a glimpse into interactive storytelling, despite its limitations.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Minecraft Is Becoming Entertainment’s Most Unexpected Storytelling Tool

In Minecraft, avatars lack facial expressions, prompting players to use imagination and body language for emotional interpretation. Players utilize vocal cues for storytelling, making viewers active participants who can influence gameplay. This interactive storytelling fosters social bonds between creators and audiences, allowing real-time audience engagement. Minecraft serves as a versatile platform for gaming, filmmaking, animation, and social networking, promoting independent media consumption. As Generation Z and Alpha engage with narratives across multiple platforms, Minecraft exemplifies this trend. Community innovators, including modders and animators, have inspired Mojang Studios to create narrative content like Minecraft Story Mode and Minecraft Dungeons, with a sequel set to release in September.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Humble’s offering a nearly buck-a-game deal on some of the best reactive narratives out there, including one of my personal favourite games of all time

Inkle's adaptation of Phileas Fogg's journey in 80 Days is highly regarded, ranking among the author's top three favorite games due to its blend of adventure, intrigue, and 19th-century themes. The Complete Inkle Library bundle is available for £11 and includes titles such as TR-49, Expelled, A Highland Song, Heaven's Vault, Sorcery Parts 1-4, 80 Days, Overboard!, and Pendragon. Heaven's Vault received an 88% review score for its engaging narrative, while TR-49 has been praised for its innovative approach. Pendragon is noted as an accessible strategy game linked to a dynamic story generator.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

LIFTED launches July 22 for PC, later for PS5 and Switch 2

LIFTED, a cinematic puzzle platforming adventure game developed by Adventure Works, will debut on PC via Steam on July 22, with plans for future releases on PlayStation 5 and Switch 2. The game features characters Ari Buktu and Professor Lionel Raventhorpe on a quest to find a legendary tiara for Miss Barton. Players will explore various locations, including 1818 Egypt and ancient Mayan civilizations, while solving puzzles and engaging in humorous antics. The narrative is crafted by Nick Gambino, a winner of the Austin Film Festival.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

There’s one game Don’t Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won’t ever uninstall from her PC, because it’s banned on Steam: ‘It’s tragic, because everyone should play this game’

Nina Freeman's first gaming experience was with the 1991 game Rodent's Revenge, which she played on a friend's computer or at school. She has developed autobiographical games like Cibele and Last Call, and worked as a level designer on Tacoma and Open Roads. Currently, she is working on an undisclosed project with Don't Nod and developing an indie horror game titled Size Zero with her husband. Freeman recently played Angeline Era on her Steam Deck and completed Scarlet Hollow, which she describes as a masterpiece with a complex branching narrative. The oldest game installed on her PC is Rollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1999. She has logged over 2,101 hours in Dota 2, which she and her husband enjoy together. Freeman considers Devotion by Red Candle Games one of the best horror games and will never uninstall it from her library. She relies on OBS for her work as a game developer and Twitch streamer, and maintains a tidy desktop for streaming purposes, although her external hard drives are less organized.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

All Will Rise devs ‘definitely expect some pushback from Western audiences’ over its depiction of violent resistance and ecoterrorism

All Will Rise is a narrative-driven deckbuilder that explores themes of activism, environmental degradation, and accountability through gameplay. It draws inspiration from real-world activism and contrasts peaceful methods with more radical tactics. The game is set in the fictional city of Muziris, inspired by India, and emphasizes the struggles of Adivasis and the complexities of their movements. The creators encourage debate and dissent among players, aiming to challenge stereotypes about activists. Comparisons are made to other games like Final Fantasy 7, but All Will Rise focuses on reflection and discussion rather than direct action. A demo is currently available, although no release date has been announced.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Combing through a house full of a dead loved one’s possessions to figure out who they were feels like the anti-Unpacking

A Storied Life: Tabitha is an interactive storytelling game that allows players to explore the belongings of a deceased relative, uncovering her identity and history through personal effects in her cottage. The game begins with a letter inviting players to sort through items that reflect the life of an elderly woman, including a collection of cat accessories and other intriguing possessions. This narrative structure encourages personal interpretation and reflection on the significance of objects and memories. The game is available on Steam, with a demo option for players.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Top 5 PC games that are becoming learning tools for the new generation

Video games are recognized as valuable educational tools that enhance student engagement, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Notable educational games include: - Minecraft: Used in classrooms to teach coding, mathematics, architecture, and environmental science. - Kerbal Space Program: Teaches rocket design and orbital physics, helping students understand gravity, propulsion, and aerodynamics. - Portal 2: Aids in teaching physics, spatial reasoning, and logical thinking through puzzle-solving mechanics. - Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: Familiarizes students with world history, diplomacy, and the consequences of policy decisions. - Eco: Focuses on sustainability, environmental policy, and resource management through collaborative gameplay. These games provide immersive experiences in various subjects, suggesting that gaming could significantly influence future educational methods.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Minecraft Experience arrives in Singapore this April

From April 24 to September 13, 2026, the Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will take place at Green Canvas in Mandai Wildlife Reserve. This exhibition features a one-hour adventure where participants explore eight themed rooms, engaging in interactive gameplay to save a village. It is designed for families and players of all levels, incorporating large-scale projections and storytelling. Attendees will use a handheld device called the Orb of Interaction and can collect a keepsake and unlock a digital in-game cape at the end. The exhibition is created by Supply + Demand, Microsoft, and Mojang Studios, and Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies worldwide. Presales begin on March 10, 2026, with general sales starting the next day, and discounts are available for WildPass and Friends of Mandai members until March 23, 2026.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Cara Ellison, senior narrative designer on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 before Paradox switched developers, discusses her love of Troika’s original RPG: ‘Everyone on the team helped really make that maximum goth’

Cara Ellison is a narrative designer whose journey in gaming began with a BBC Micro and the 1987 game Acheton. She has worked as a games journalist for publications like PC Gamer and transitioned into game design, contributing narratives to titles such as Dishonored 2, Void Bastards, God of War: Ragnarok, and Ghost Town. Her latest project is Sleight of Hand, a deckbuilding stealth game inspired by Metal Gear Solid and Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines. She has a fondness for the original Vampire: The Masquerade—Bloodlines, despite its technical challenges, and has logged 103 hours in Kentucky Route Zero. Ellison keeps Sunless Sea installed on both her work and personal computers, appreciating its narrative depth. For her writing, she uses Scrivener, which she utilized for Void Bastards. Her desktop is relatively tidy, featuring a mix of business and leisure icons, with a wallpaper from Vertigo.