New Zealand Archives

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.

BetaBeacon

August 3, 2026

Roblox says new ‘Slim’ tech will let complex avatars run on low-end Android as it pushes mobile-first game creation

Roblox has introduced Slim, a new avatar compositing technology aimed at enabling more complex avatars to operate smoothly on low-end Android devices.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Pavel Durov’s Telegram messaging app faces new terror charges. Now in Australia.

Australian authorities have initiated legal proceedings against Telegram for alleged negligence in removing content linked to terrorism, including footage from the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting that resulted in 51 deaths. Australia’s Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, stated that Telegram could face penalties of up to 0,000 for violating the Online Safety Act. Telegram has rejected the allegations and plans to contest them in court, emphasizing its commitment to combating extremist content by blocking thousands of extremist communities in 2026. The platform also hosts various crypto-related discussions but has not commented further on the legal situation.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content

Australia's eSafety watchdog has initiated legal proceedings against the messaging platform Telegram for allegedly failing to adequately remove extremist content, including footage related to mass shootings in Buffalo and Christchurch, as well as material linked to the Islamic State. The platform, with a user base of approximately 1 billion, could face fines of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (around 38 million USD) if found guilty. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized that the content in question is tied to severe acts of extremist violence and remained accessible despite Telegram being notified of its existence. Following recent tragedies, Telegram channels have surfaced that celebrate attackers and circulate videos of their acts. Telegram has denied the allegations, claiming to block terrorist-related content and reporting the removal of over 150,000 terrorist-related communities this year. However, Inman Grant raised concerns about the platform's compliance and responsiveness to regulatory actions.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Here’s the Black Flag Resynced release time for your region

Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the pirate-themed Assassin's Creed game, will be released on July 9. Console versions will launch at midnight local time, while PC release times are as follows: West Coast US at 7 am PDT, East Coast US at 10 am EDT, UK at 3 pm BST, Europe at 4 pm CEST, Australia at 12 am AEST (July 10), and New Zealand at 2 pm NZDT (July 10). The game offers a preload option that started on July 7, allowing players to download it in advance, requiring 65 GB of available space.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Sorry, Xbox fans: GTA 6 “will play best on PS5,” Sony declares, but with no PC version in sight, I can’t say I’m surprised

Sony claims that Grand Theft Auto 6 will provide its best experience on the PlayStation 5, with pre-orders starting at midnight in various time zones. Rockstar Games has released information about the game, including pricing and details about the GTA 6 Ultimate Edition, noting that physical copies will only contain a code and that GTA Online will not be available at launch. Mary Yee, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SIE, stated that "Grand Theft Auto 6 plays best on PS5" and highlighted the PS5's advanced hardware capabilities, including the DualSense controller and 3D audio technology. European retailers have suggested that the game may feature performance and quality modes, although skepticism exists regarding these claims.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

A Minecraft Movie director was ‘already talking’ about casting Kirsten Dunst before her comments

Director Jared Hess revealed that discussions about casting Kirsten Dunst for the sequel to the Minecraft movie began before she expressed interest. Dunst, known for her role in Spider-Man, officially joined the cast in March, celebrating on Instagram. She will portray the character Alex, who was hinted at in the first film's post-credits scene. The sequel is titled A Minecraft Movie Squared and will feature returning cast members including Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, and Jennifer Coolidge. Filming began in New Zealand in May, and the film is set to be released in July 2027.

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Simplify your routine with the new Google Home Speaker

The Google Home Speaker features a sustainable design with a custom 3D-knit textile and is available in Hazel and Porcelain colors. It includes a light ring underglow to indicate its status and a microphone mute toggle for privacy. The device assists with planning trips, providing kitchen help, and recommending entertainment. It is available for pre-order in Australia and New Zealand through various retailers. A purchase includes a 6-month trial of the Google Home Premium subscription, which is required for certain features. The device requires a Google Home app, Wi-Fi, and an internet connection.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Double the Fun? ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Sequel ‘Squared’ Unveiled

'A Minecraft Movie Squared' is set to be released in theaters on July 23, 2027. The announcement was made during the Minecraft Live broadcast by Warner Bros. and Legendary, confirming the title and release date. Jason Momoa and Jack Black will reprise their roles, with Kirsten Dunst joining the cast as Alex. Director Jared Hess and screenwriters Hess and Chris Galletta will return for the sequel. Filming is currently taking place in New Zealand. The original film, released in 2025, grossed approximately 0 million worldwide and set a record for the highest-grossing opening for a video game adaptation.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Minecraft Live 2026 May: Timings for all regions, where to watch, and what to expect

Mojang will host Minecraft Live 2026 on May 30, 2026, at 9:30 AM PT / 11:30 AM ET / 4:30 PM BST in Rotterdam, Netherlands, broadcasting live from TwitchCon Europe 2026. The event will be available for viewing on Minecraft's official YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as TikTok. Significant announcements are expected, including the release date for the Chaos Cubed drop and possibly Minecraft Dungeons 2. Attendees will receive a Crafter cape, while online viewers can obtain a complimentary Builder cape.