management simulation Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Running Factorio from over 1,000 floppy disks is a masochistically manual process that surely sets a new record for game load times

YouTuber DocJade is running the game Factorio on 1,000 3.5-inch floppy disks instead of a conventional hard drive. He developed a custom file system called Fluster using the RUST programming language, which divides each floppy disk into 512-byte blocks, allowing for a total of 2,880 blocks per disk and approximately 90 GB of storage. Fluster is open-sourced and available on DocJade's GitHub. Factorio's design allows it to load most content before the title screen, making it suitable for this unconventional method.

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

Manor Lords’ dev is experimenting with a new trading system that allows for ‘deliberate economic strategies’, including establishing monopolies on resources

Manor Lords, developed by Slavic Magic, had a quiet 2025 as the team recalibrated after its successful early access launch in 2024. Activity increased in December with a significant patch that reworked core systems and castle construction mechanics. Tim Bender, CEO of publisher Hooded Horse, announced a new trade route system that connects locations to the import and export of items, allowing up to three merchants per route. Players must hire at least one merchant to engage in trade, and can attempt to buy out merchants on a route, creating contested economic territory. This system enables players to develop economic strategies, such as monopolizing Iron Slabs. Hooded Horse and Slavic Magic are seeking feedback from the Manor Lords community on these features. Additionally, Hooded Horse launched the 1.0 version of Terra Invicta, a sci-fi grand strategy game, and Bender opposed the use of AI-generated assets in their games.

AppWizard

December 18, 2025

Best PC Games to Play During the Holidays

The winter holiday break offers PC gamers a chance to enjoy various games, whether solo or with others. Cooperative games for two players include Split Fiction, where players navigate dual worlds, Henry Halfhead, which features a puzzle-solving character, and LEGO Voyagers, which uses LEGO bricks for teamwork. Family-oriented games like Popucom, LEGO Fortnite Odyssey, and Nicktoons & The Dice of Destiny emphasize accessible mechanics and cooperative play. For local multiplayer competition, EA SPORTS FC 26, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Mortal Kombat 1 are popular choices. Online co-op games such as Satisfactory, Out of Time, and PowerWash Simulator 2 allow players to connect remotely. Free-to-play options include Where Winds Meet, skate., and Infinity Nikki, which provide engaging experiences without cost. Immersive games like Escape from Duckov, Promise Mascot Agency, and Football Manager 26 offer deep gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Bethesda remembers its free-to-play Fallout game exists on Steam, tosses in “years of content” and a Prime show season pass

Fallout Shelter, a free-to-play base builder launched on PC in 2017, has received its largest update yet, introducing a new season pass system. This update includes content previously exclusive to the mobile version, such as new questlines, characters, weapons, and themes. The first season pass, titled 'Viva New Vegas,' features limited-time 'experimental vaults,' familiar characters, outfits, and rewards to enhance vault dwellers' morale. Players can also engage in the 'Power Struggle' questline with eight missions and new characters. The update celebrates the 25th anniversary of Fallout with a six-quest chain 'Searching in the Dark' and introduces new vault dwellers and adversaries. The base season pass is priced at £10, with additional premium content available for another £10. The update is now live on Steam, allowing players to enjoy the game for free.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Cozy thrift shop management simulation game Thrifty Business announced for PC

Spellgarden Games is releasing a thrift shop management simulation game called Thrifty Business, which will be available on PC via Steam in 2026. Players will manage a vintage shop, curate items, and create displays while engaging with customers and hosting events. The game features vibrant 90s-inspired graphics, over 500 unique items, extensive customization options, and a focus on community interaction without the stress of profit maximization or haggling.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Dispatch being ‘basically a live-service game for a month’ did gangbusters, but leads say don’t expect to copy it and get the same result

AdHoc's management simulation game, Dispatch, has gained popularity through its episodic release strategy, which has been praised for maintaining player engagement over time. Executive producer Michael Choung noted that while episodic releases can enhance success, they are not the sole factor; the strength of the game's narrative is crucial. He suggested that a compelling story can make any release format effective, whereas a weak narrative could lead to disappointment, regardless of the episodic structure. The game features a relatively short wait time between episodes, with a weekly release schedule that has helped sustain player enthusiasm.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Tavern Keeper: It’s Good

Tavern Keeper is a fantasy barkeeping video game that combines management simulation with creative customization. Players manage taverns by designing layouts, hiring staff, and ensuring operations run smoothly. The game features a creation suite that allows players to craft items like bookshelves and paintings, fostering a community for sharing designs. Challenges include hiring staff with questionable skills and managing customer satisfaction amidst chaotic scenarios. Players can adjust difficulty settings to suit their preferences. The game incorporates humor throughout, enhancing player engagement. Currently in Early Access, it has received positive feedback for its depth and personalization options.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

The dispatching minigame in Dispatch is good enough to be a standalone game

The Superhero Dispatch Network receives a variety of calls, ranging from mundane issues like cats in trees to intense situations such as hostage negotiations and supernatural activity. The game "Dispatch," created by former Telltale employees, features interactive storytelling with choices that affect the narrative, including character selection and team management. Each character has unique stats based on their backgrounds as reformed villains, and players must analyze job descriptions to choose heroes with the right attributes for missions. The game includes a percentage chance of success for missions and incorporates a choose-your-own-adventure style for certain scenarios. The narrative unfolds over six episodes, with two remaining, and the player manages the dispatch office while engaging with the story arcs.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

‘I briefly burst into tears’: After 11 years of work, the dev of this fantasy sim is ‘elated and grateful’ to reach Overwhelmingly Positive reviews on Steam only 3 days after launch

Tavern Keeper, a fantasy management simulation developed by Greenheart Games, has launched on Steam in early access on November 3 and received an "Overwhelmingly Positive" review score. The game is available at a 20% discount on Steam until November 17.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Dwarf Fortress’ Siege Update is out now, renewing Bay 12 Games’ quest to create a simulation more complex than life itself

The Siege Update for Dwarf Fortress has been launched, enhancing the Steam version of the game. It introduces dynamic siege mechanics where invaders, organized into various roles, actively lay siege to fortresses using sophisticated tactics. Goblin siege engineers can construct structures and launch surprise attacks. New defensive tools, including a rapid-fire bolt thrower and improved catapults and ballistae, have been added. Players can still use traditional defense tactics, but invaders can now free captured allies from traps. Existing saves are compatible with the update, although some features may not carry over. Players can also disable new enemy behaviors if desired.