joy Archives

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: ‘I’m a bit obsessed with learning the market’

Bryce Clark is the game director of Poppy Playtime and has a history in gaming that began with DOS games. His childhood favorite was the 1994 RTS Dominus, which had technical difficulties that required troubleshooting. He has worked for studios like 343 Industries and Blizzard and became the lead technical artist at Mob Entertainment in 2023 before directing Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5, released in February. Clark enjoys games like Aethus, Strange Antiquities, and Prosperous Universe, and recently played Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library and Forza Horizon 6. The oldest games on his PC are No Man's Sky and The Hunter: Call of The Wild. He has logged over 23,000 hours on Steam, with Rocket League and Ark: Survival Evolved among his top titles. Clark finds comfort in The Hunter: Call of the Wild and Subnautica. He uses Snagit for screenshots and video recording and WinDirStat for disk space management. He has shifted to a minimalist desktop organization style, using the taskbar and search bar instead of desktop shortcuts.

BetaBeacon

June 17, 2026

Pokémon Champions Available Now on iOS and Android Devices

The Pokémon Company International has released Pokémon Champions for mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Players can participate in a special in-game campaign featuring Raichu until September 2, 2026, to receive Raichu and Mega Stones. The game is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all players, with free downloads and cross-play compatibility.

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

New Steam Free Game Brings Back A PC Classic From Your Childhood

Steam has launched a new free game called Better Minesweeper, a modern revival of the classic PC game Minesweeper. This updated version includes quality-of-life enhancements, deeper customization options, and varied playstyles. Features include sharable seeds, daily runs for high score competitions, the ability to draw on the game board, import and share custom skins, and replays that can be shared and viewed in a browser. Better Minesweeper offers various game modes such as Custom 3BV, Aim Trainer, and Worse Minesweeper. The game is available for download on Steam.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Finding a great new Discord hangout game that’s not a roguelike still feels like striking gold

The gaming landscape is shifting with a rise in 'friendslop' games following Peak's success, while indie developers are creating small, affordable co-op games that emphasize camaraderie. The market is crowded with various co-op experiences on platforms like Steam, including lo-fi 3D games, survival crafting adventures, and roguelikes. Traditional co-op first-person shooters, characterized by a certain charm, offer a refreshing alternative. Turok: Origins exemplifies this by providing a satisfying gameplay experience without complex narratives or pressure for endless playthroughs. Games like Space Marine 2 and Turok: Origins allow for casual interaction among players, balancing intensity with light-hearted conversation.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a breath of fresh air after the horrors of Diablo 4

The author, a long-time fan of action role-playing games (ARPGs), took a break from the genre after spending extensive time on Diablo 4 and Path of Exile 2. This hiatus was interrupted by the announcement of Minecraft Dungeons 2, which is designed to be an accessible introduction to dungeon crawling for newcomers while allowing experienced players to share their love for ARPGs. The game is set to launch on Xbox Series X, PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with more information to be revealed during the GamesRadar+ Summer Preview. Minecraft Dungeons 2 aims to provide a more enjoyable journey in gaming, contrasting with the complexity of other titles in the genre.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Steam Adds 11 New Free Games You Can Keep Forever

Steam has added a variety of free games to its library, including: - The Blackwood Project: A horror game where players investigate Blackwood Manor. - Bladefall: A hack-and-slash game with fast-paced melee combat. - 0.5%: A visual novel about two college students uncovering secrets. - Hexpand: A real-time multiplayer strategy game focused on territory expansion. - Pixel Rain: A sandbox game allowing players to create and experiment with interactive materials. - IOSoccer: An online multiplayer soccer game emphasizing ball control. - Hyper Glee Semik: A first-person shooter where players battle candies. - Jolly and Whimsy: An experimental visual novel about a character's quest to retrieve a friend. - Pantomime Horse Obstacle Course: A co-op platformer filled with humor and teamwork challenges. - Card Night at Gigi's: A card game collection featuring classic games in a cozy setting. - The Sphere: A point-and-click adventure exploring themes of loss and mystery.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Final Fantasy 11 is one of the greatest MMOs of our time

Revisiting Final Fantasy 11 after nearly two decades evokes nostalgia but highlights a diminished community. The game approaches its 20th anniversary, and while familiar landscapes remain, the sense of belonging has faded. The introduction of NPC party members allows solo players to progress more quickly, altering the gameplay that once emphasized teamwork. This change raises concerns about the value of achievements earned without shared experiences, as the vibrant social dynamics have been replaced by messages from players selling items. The author grapples with the desire to reach max level while questioning the worth of solitary accomplishments.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2: Expanding Exploration and Co-op Action

Minecraft Dungeons 2 was showcased at a private Xbox event in Los Angeles. The game features an interconnected world for exploration, allowing players to pursue objectives in larger environments. It introduces verticality, enabling players to jump and execute jump attacks. The art style has been refined, with concept art used during loading screens. Multiplayer gameplay supports solo play or teaming up with up to three others, both online and locally. The combat system retains exhilarating action while introducing new items and effects, with no distinct character classes. Players can equip four armor slots and utilize new equipment types like artifacts and talismans. A mini-inventory system has been implemented for quick equipment management. The demo took place in the Deep Dark biome, featuring familiar and new mobs, and included a challenging boss fight that emphasized teamwork. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to launch on September 29 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Woman Says Crush on Brother’s Best Friend Became Real After Late-Night Minecraft Sessions

A 21-year-old woman shared her story on Reddit about developing a relationship with her brother's best friend after bonding over Minecraft. Initially, she thought her feelings were unreciprocated, but their gaming sessions led to increased communication and a coffee date, where they both expressed mutual feelings. They have been dating for three months, and her brother supports their relationship. The post received over 22,000 upvotes and sparked more than 900 comments from the Reddit community, celebrating their connection.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Derelict Star review

A momentum-based 2D platformer titled "Derelict Star" will be released on April 3, 2026. It is developed by gate and published by Luminous Tree Games. The game emphasizes exploration and skillful navigation over traditional power-ups, encouraging players to master movement mechanics. It features a jetpack mechanic with a speed meter, and the environment consists of various rooms with unique challenges. Checkpoints and fast travel options enhance the exploration experience. The game is verified for Steam Deck and was reviewed on an RTX 3060 laptop with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM.