islands Archives

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Everwind devs are testing their ambitious Minecraft-like RPG on Steam Deck as it “makes sense for everyone to be this available”

Everwind is set to launch in late 2026 as an alternative to Minecraft and alongside Hytale. Players will explore floating islands and navigate the skies in airships. The development team is testing the game on Valve’s Steam Deck and other handheld devices, with early builds showing promising performance. They aim to support both handhelds and desktops, emphasizing the importance of PC handhelds in gaming. The team is also testing on the MSI Claw. The Steam Deck is becoming a benchmark for performance standards in the industry, with developers recognizing the benefits of optimizing for it.

AppWizard

January 2, 2026

Steam’s most popular survival game is now bigger than ever, and its developer has major plans for the year ahead

In 2025, Rust reached a peak player count of over 250,000 active users on Steam and logged 700 million hours by 5.8 million players in the past year. Facepunch Studios plans to introduce new features in 2026, including an expanded ecosystem, enhanced load times, and a potential battle pass system. The Naval update, set to launch on February 5, will introduce player-crafted boats for navigation and exploration. Other planned content includes new monuments, updates to player models and animations, and the introduction of new animals like cows and sheep with a breeding system. Facepunch aims to combat cheating, enhance performance, and explore DLC options, with a new anti-cheat layer in development. Performance improvements have reduced load and server connection times by approximately 65%. The team plans to continue releasing new DLC items monthly and is considering a battle pass system that aligns with the game's ethos. Test servers for upcoming features are available on the Rust staging branch.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

Designing a more magical survival game: a first look at Witchspire

Witchspire is a co-op open-world survival game developed by the Swedish team Envar, targeting Early Access in 2026. Players assume the roles of witches or wizards who reactivate an ancient monument, the Witchspire, and embark on a quest to return home. The game features an expansive environment with floating islands and diverse biomes, utilizing witchcraft as a gameplay mechanic. Players can build structures through astral projection, gather resources with magical tools, and use collectible familiars for combat and crafting. The game emphasizes a non-punitive progression system, allowing players to explore various biomes and engage in combat with spells and upgradeable gear. The world includes "corruption events" with darker elements, and the narrative unfolds through exploration of ruins and dungeons. Witchspire marks Envar's shift from outsourcing to developing original IPs, with plans to self-publish the game.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Here’s how you can get your payout in Google’s $700 million settlement

A 0 million antitrust settlement involving Google is set to benefit millions of consumers in the U.S. The lawsuit accused Google of unlawfully maintaining a monopoly over mobile app distribution and in-app payment processing for Android devices, charging fees up to 30% for app purchases and in-app transactions. Consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023, are eligible for payouts, which will be automatically deposited into their PayPal or Venmo accounts. A supplemental claims process will be available for those who do not receive automatic payments. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on November 20, with a final approval hearing scheduled for April 30, 2026. The settlement was reached with the involvement of 53 attorneys general from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

This week in PC games: warriors, painters, roguelikes, sailors, shotguns, subs and metroidvanias

The gaming industry is currently experiencing a wave of creativity and innovation, with a potential revival of third-person cover shooters on the horizon. Several new PC games are being highlighted: 1. Nientum - Op.ZERO (early access): A 2D platforming and rhythm-action game featuring amnesiac anime girls restoring a creepy theatre. 2. Constance: A 2D metroidvania where players control a painter navigating worlds influenced by mental health struggles. 3. Primal Fray: A turn-based, creature-collecting strategy roguelike set on floating hexagonal islands. 4. A.I.L.A: A narrative-driven game where players act as a game tester against a malicious AI level designer. 5. Captain Wayne - Vacation Desperation: A cartoon FPS featuring a sailor on a mission to challenge wealth. 6. Red Rogue Sea: A turn-based combat and deck-building game with a pirate theme. 7. Holder Of Place: An autobattling roguelite deckbuilder confronting a dragon that has cast the world into eternal night. 8. Kings Of Hell (early access): A nostalgic beat 'em up set in a chaotic world with upwardly mobile demons. 9. Veterum: A turn-based fantasy strategy game focused on battlefield manipulation. 10. Death In Abyss: A 3D underwater combat game where players battle massive leviathans. 11. Ayasa: Shadows Of Silence: A platforming adventure through six themed worlds. The gaming landscape remains unpredictable, with these titles adding to the excitement and anticipation for the future of the industry.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

Livly Island – Adopt Cute Pets For Android

Livly Island is a mobile game developed by cocone ONE corporation where users can adopt and nurture creatures called Livlies. There are over 70 species of Livlies, which can change color based on their diet and produce jewels for in-game purchases. Players can customize their avatars and decorate their islands. The game includes features like nurturing magical trees to transform Livlies using a potion called Neobelmin. Additionally, players can work part-time at the Livly Reboot Laboratory to earn rewards.

BetaBeacon

November 16, 2025

Top 20 Offline Android Games in 2025: Best RPG, Action, Puzzle Titles and More

Dead Cells is a high-speed roguelike action-platformer available on Android as a premium game currently priced at Rs. 413.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Legendary city-building series arrives in the Roman Empire for a new start, but one roadblock is keeping players out

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a simulation game set in Ancient Rome, featuring detailed representations of iconic monuments and structures. Players can construct cities in various regions, including Latium and the Celtic wetlands of Albion. The game has received a graphics upgrade and expanded building options, with enhanced military systems allowing for ground and naval combat. Players can choose a patron deity to influence their settlements, and monuments like the Colosseum require multiple building stages and culminate in festivals. However, the game requires Denuvo Anti-tamper technology and an Ubisoft Connect account, which has caused frustration among players due to account creation issues and multiplayer connection errors. The game is available on Steam for .99 / £49.99 and has a 72% positive rating based on reviews.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Here’s how Old School Runescape’s Sailing skill came to be, as Jagex’s 18-year odyssey finally arrives in port

Old School Runescape has fully illuminated its world map, marking the end of an era with the introduction of the Sailing skill set to launch on November 19, 2023. This skill allows players to navigate uncharted waters and commandeer their own vessels, a concept that has been discussed in the community since 2007. The game has expanded its landmass over the years, notably with the continent of Zeah in 2016, and the Sailing update will introduce diverse biomes and activities at sea. The new mechanics will allow for faster movement across the ocean, fundamentally altering gameplay. Sailing will integrate with over ten other skills, ensuring continuity within the game while maintaining balance so it does not overshadow existing skills. The narrative integration has been facilitated by prior groundwork, allowing for a smooth transition into the new content. Community feedback has been positive, with growing excitement for the upcoming update.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Beloved PS2 Classic Could Finally Be Making Its Way to PC

Scarface: The World Is Yours, originally released on October 10, 2006, is being listed on the Epic Games Store, suggesting a potential revival for modern platforms. The game is now associated with developer Radical Entertainment and publisher EC Digital. It features Tony Montana as the protagonist in an open-world action-adventure setting, focusing on combat, business expansion, and revenge. The anticipated re-release aims to adapt the game for contemporary Windows systems, with minimum requirements including an Intel Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, and a release date indicated as October 22, 2025. No pricing information has been provided, and EC Digital has not yet commented on the listing.