New World Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?

A new bi-weekly column called Terminally Online from PC Gamer explores the world of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), featuring insights, interviews, and guest writers. The design of contemporary MMORPGs has shifted towards seasonal structures to cater to "midcore" players who have limited time for gameplay. Popular MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV have been around for over 20 years and a decade, respectively, while newer games like Amazon's New World have struggled with player retention. The column encourages readers to share their experiences and reminisce about the MMO community.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

‘I’m in this whole new world’: Here’s what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew Valley 10 years ago this month

Eric Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, faced significant challenges during the game's development, including multiple reworks and a near cancellation due to a catastrophic computer crash. Despite these obstacles, he completed the game over four years, driven by a desire to be a game developer and the absence of similar titles on PC. Stardew Valley was inspired by Barone's childhood memories and aimed to fill a gap in the market for PC players. The game's release exceeded Barone's expectations, receiving overwhelming positive feedback and transforming his life and career. He plans to introduce multiplayer support, console ports, and attend gaming expos, marking a new phase in his journey as a game developer.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Former Elder Scrolls Online designer laments the destruction of layoffs: ‘There’s really no one left and no changing it now’

Yesterday, layoffs at Xbox affected ZeniMax Online Studios, with reports indicating that half of its workforce was impacted. This has raised concerns about the studio's future and morale among remaining employees. Game director Matt Firor left the studio following the layoffs, which also resulted in the cancellation of a new MMO project called Project Blackbird. The situation has drawn comparisons to Amazon's New World, which was shelved due to a reassessment of its gaming strategy. A former developer expressed deep sadness over the loss of team camaraderie and creativity.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Preview 26.40.30

Players can find abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes, which include a one-time use Straw Bed crafted from three hay bales. Cushions, available in 16 colors and crafted from three wool slabs, allow players to sit comfortably but are not currently spawning in abandoned camps. Various gameplay and graphical improvements have been made, including fixes for crafting recipes, ambient sounds, and rendering issues. Additionally, there are updates to the user interface, technical features, and stability enhancements, such as improved server self-repair capabilities and bug fixes related to commands and entity behavior.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft

Microsoft is undergoing a restructuring that includes layoffs across its game studios and further job cuts and studio closures as part of the "Xbox reset" initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma. This initiative has resulted in the cancellation of several game projects, including: - Odyssey: Shelved in 2024 after challenges in development, including a switch from Unreal Engine to an internal engine. - Everwild: Canceled in 2025 after years of development and at least one reboot. - Perfect Dark: The reboot was canceled in 2025 despite a positive gameplay reveal, with reports of interest from Take-Two Interactive. - Contraband: Development ceased in 2025, leaving the future of the co-op smuggling game uncertain. - Project Blackbird: Canceled in 2025 after over six years of development due to financial concerns regarding the investment required for an MMO. Following the cancellation of Project Blackbird, some team members formed a new studio named Sackbird.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

I thought text-only Grand Theft Auto roleplay sounded too intimidating—but GTA World is showing me why players are slowing things down

A man in Los Santos announces that someone has overdosed, leading to a scene in an infirmary where a family is present. The interaction highlights the importance of privacy in distressing situations. The text contrasts different roleplay experiences, noting that voice-driven servers like FiveM allow for spontaneous and varied interactions, while text-only servers offer a more serious and narrative-rich environment. The author reflects on their preference for the quieter, more grounded experiences of text-based roleplay compared to the chaotic nature of GTA Online. In FiveM, players can take on various roles, while text-based roleplay emphasizes character development and storytelling.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

I thought text-only Grand Theft Auto roleplay sounded too intimidating—but GTA World is showing me why players are slowing things down

A man announces that someone has overdosed, prompting a visit to an infirmary where a distressed family is present. The importance of respecting their privacy is acknowledged. The text contrasts the spontaneous and dynamic nature of roleplaying in FiveM with the serious atmosphere of text-only servers. Players in FiveM engage in varied scenarios, allowing for casual participation, while text-only environments focus on deliberate storytelling and gradual plot development. The author reflects on their experiences in different gaming settings, noting a shift from chaotic gameplay in GTA Online to a more subdued existence in Los Santos, where they explore everyday roles and aspirations.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

‘We have a great relationship with IO Interactive,’ Amazon says, but it won’t commit to bringing the studio back for future Bond games

Jeff Gattis, the general manager of Amazon Gaming, indicated a potential shift in the development of future James Bond games, suggesting that sequels might be produced by MGM and possibly Amazon Game Studios, which could mean IO Interactive may step back from its Bond responsibilities. An Amazon spokesperson clarified that the company is not entirely moving away from IO Interactive, though future plans remain unclear. Amazon's gaming division has faced challenges, including significant layoffs and project cancellations. Gattis expressed a belief in the convergence of television and video games, suggesting that major intellectual properties will need to integrate video game narratives. He did not confirm IO Interactive's involvement in future Bond games, stating that decisions regarding the next Bond game are still being considered. IO Interactive has not publicly responded to these developments.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Minecraft’s next update is revealed, bringing with it wool stairs, straw beds, and a brand new biome

Mojang has confirmed that the update "Chaos Cubed" will be released on June 16, 2026, introducing Sulfur Cubes, new Sulfur Cave biomes, and geysers. The unnamed latest update features the Dappled Forest biome, inspired by autumn colors, with Poplar wood and Poplar doors that have diamond-shaped windows. An Abandoned Camp structure will be included, designed to evoke curiosity rather than provide loot. Wool stairs and wool slabs are being added, along with the potential for straw beds, which may offer temporary sleeping options without resetting spawn points. More features will be revealed before testing begins later this summer.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Minecraft 26.2 Pre-Release 2

Pre-Release 2 has been released, featuring an updated Data Pack version of 107.0. Bug fixes include resolving issues with tripwires triggering twice, graphics backend support for new line characters, desynchronization with sulfur cubes, adjustments to shield blocking animation speed, correct loading of large core shader files with Vulkan, enabling players to swap sulfur cubes while igniting TNT, fixing an OpenGL MultiDraw crash, addressing igloo generation freezing servers, correcting bed model display issues with the "Programmer Art" resource pack, preventing player kicks when switching beacon effects, resolving startup crashes for Mac users and systems lacking Vulkan support, and preventing crashes when creating new worlds if the saves folder is absent. Pre-Releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up their data when testing.