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Designing a more magical survival game: a first look at Witchspire
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.
Millennium Whisper and the case for ethical, on-device AI in games
AppWizard
December 30, 2025

Millennium Whisper and the case for ethical, on-device AI in games

A recent survey by Google Cloud found that 90% of game developers are exploring generative AI. Millennium Whisper, a dating sim by Parable Studios, is the first game on Steam to run a large language model entirely on-device, avoiding cloud-based inference. This approach allows for unique in-game conversations and addresses ethical data usage, as actors retain ownership of their data and receive royalties. The game uses actor-led role-play sessions for character behavior, ensuring high-quality data. Running AI locally enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, contrasting with traditional server-based models that incur ongoing costs. Millennium Whisper received grant funding from Innovate UK and is currently in Early Access. Ambrose Robinson, the founder of Parable Studios, emphasizes the importance of energy savings and the sustainability of their AI approach.
xAI Hires Android Engineers to Build Mobile Apps for Grok AI Chatbot
AppWizard
December 30, 2025

xAI Hires Android Engineers to Build Mobile Apps for Grok AI Chatbot

Elon Musk's xAI is hiring Android engineers in London, New York, Palo Alto, and San Francisco to enhance mobile experiences for its Grok AI chatbot and the X platform. Candidates should have expertise in Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and reactive programming. Applications can be submitted by messaging Attila on X or visiting xAI's jobs portal, with a focus on practical experience. The hiring process includes a 15-minute phone interview, two technical rounds involving live coding and hands-on exercises, and a final meeting with the xAI team. The positions offer competitive salaries, equity compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package. Musk aims for xAI to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) within two years, with Grok 5 expected in early 2026 having a 10 percent chance of reaching AGI. The roles aim to integrate AI capabilities into mobile devices for widespread use.
Counterfeit Monkey is so magnificent a text adventure that I'm convinced the puzzle genre went wrong when it added graphics
AppWizard
December 28, 2025

Counterfeit Monkey is so magnificent a text adventure that I’m convinced the puzzle genre went wrong when it added graphics

Counterfeit Monkey is a text adventure game that emphasizes creative problem-solving through linguistic manipulation. Players solve puzzles by altering words, such as transforming "chard" into "card" by removing the "h," or creating a "car" from "garbage." It is categorized as a parser game, where players input commands to navigate the game world. Released for free on New Year's Eve in 2012 by Emily Short, the game is celebrated for its narrative innovation and intellectual depth. Another related game, Fallen London, is an expanding choose-your-own-adventure novel, and in 2023, its creator directed Mask of the Rose, a visual novel that allows players to craft narratives.
Inspired by classic RPGs like Undertale and Zelda, this new Steam Deck game is my latest obsession
AppWizard
December 15, 2025

Inspired by classic RPGs like Undertale and Zelda, this new Steam Deck game is my latest obsession

Tactical Breach Wizards begins with defenestration, combining strategy and whimsy. Scrabdackle features a defenestrative attack as part of its charming, hand-drawn RPG, reminiscent of classic 2D Zelda games. The game includes screen-by-screen exploration, environmental puzzles, and various items to discover. Its aesthetic reflects the dedication of its developer, jakefriend, and incorporates clever mechanics and surprises. The first chapter of Scrabdackle offers a complete experience, blending narrative and exploration with an old-school vibe and modern mechanics, making it particularly enjoyable on the Steam Deck.
As Windows 11 turns into an AI OS, Microsoft Copilot boss does not understand how AI is underwhelming
Winsage
December 1, 2025

As Windows 11 turns into an AI OS, Microsoft Copilot boss does not understand how AI is underwhelming

Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's AI CEO, noted user frustration with the aggressive integration of AI into Windows 11, despite the company's efforts to enhance user experience with features like Copilot, which operates on models similar to ChatGPT. Windows 11 includes various AI functionalities, such as Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision, and aims to transform the OS into an "agentic OS" with features like Copilot Actions in Microsoft Edge. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with AI being present in applications like Notepad and File Explorer, perceiving it as intrusive rather than beneficial. Microsoft 365 applications have also integrated Copilot functionalities, but concerns about safety and privacy persist. User feedback indicates a desire for more thoughtful AI integration, as many feel that AI is being applied to problems that do not exist, leading to stress and uncertainty regarding the operating system's control.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
November 21, 2025

Minecraft and Pokemon Go among winners at Golden Joystick Awards

The Golden Joystick Awards, celebrating its 43rd year, recognized standout games through public votes and an expert panel. Minecraft won the Still Playing Award for console and PC games, marking its 15th anniversary and maintaining a monthly player base of around 160 million. In the mobile gaming category, Pokemon Go received the Still Playing Award, having transformed player interaction since its 2016 launch. Donkey Kong Bonanza won the Critics' Choice Award, highlighting the character's lasting influence in gaming.
Black Ops 7's finest "sickos" dreamed up a truly terrifying new Zombies enemy, but things will get even "crazier" in Season 1
AppWizard
November 16, 2025

Black Ops 7’s finest “sickos” dreamed up a truly terrifying new Zombies enemy, but things will get even “crazier” in Season 1

Black Ops 7 features a Zombies experience with the debut round-based map, Ashes of the Damned, which is the largest in the series and pays tribute to the Tranzit map. It reunites iconic characters from Black Ops 6 with their Dark Aether counterparts, including Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo, and Richtofen. Players can engage in four modes: Standard, Directed, Survival, and Cursed, with the return of Dead Ops Arcade. A new enemy, the Zursa, a zombified bear, introduces a fresh challenge, while Ol' Tessie, an upgradable pickup truck, serves as a significant navigational tool. The Cursed mode offers a greater challenge for dedicated fans. A new round-based map is expected to debut in Black Ops 7 Season 1, launching in early December.
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