Next Fest Archives

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Echo Generation 2 First Demo Available Now on PC and Xbox

Cococucumber has released the first playable demo of Echo Generation 2, available for download on PC and Xbox consoles. In the demo, players control Sister M, who must escape the FST organization using her supernatural abilities and a new tactical combat system that allows for personalized deck building. Echo Generation 2 is scheduled for launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox for PC, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Game Pass, and PC (Steam). Players can wishlist the game on Steam and Xbox, and follow Cococucumber on social media for updates. Cococucumber is an indie studio based in Toronto, co-led by Martin Gauvreau and Vanessa Chia, known for developing games like Planet of the Eyes, Riverbond, Ravenlok, and the original Echo Generation.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Spy Drops Gaiden Demo Launches On Steam Next Fest With New Gameplay Trailer

A demo for Spy Drops Gaiden has launched on PC via Steam during the Steam Next Fest. The game, developed by Dadako and published by Rainy Frog, is a 2D stealth action title set in the Spy Drops universe. Players take on the role of special agent Ripley, tasked with infiltrating enemy bases on an island off the coast of Japan. The gameplay emphasizes stealth, with missions involving rescuing prisoners, gathering intelligence, and executing drone strikes. The demo features eight missions with rank-based performance goals, weather effects, and mission-specific gadgets. The game has a Game Boy-inspired aesthetic, with monochrome visuals and chiptune soundtracks.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Minecraft-style indie returns to Steam after Microsoft DMCA scare, creator criticizes “guilty until proven innocent” system

Allumeria, a Minecraft-inspired sandbox game, was temporarily removed from Valve's Steam platform due to a DMCA takedown initiated by Microsoft, claiming copyright infringement based on screenshots. The situation was resolved after community support and intervention from Mojang's chief creative officer, allowing Allumeria's creator, Unomelon, to reinstate the game on Steam. The DMCA notice, attributed to Judith Woodward on behalf of Microsoft, alleged that Allumeria's content infringed upon Minecraft's rights, but the similarities were questioned by many. A lawyer offered to help Unomelon file a counter notice, and Jens Bergensten from Mojang expressed interest in the matter. Ultimately, Microsoft withdrew the claim, and Allumeria was reinstated, with Unomelon reflecting on the challenges faced by smaller developers and the need for reform in the DMCA process.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

February is surprisingly light on cozy game launches but we’re looking forward to these chill picks you shouldn’t miss

Cozy gaming is gaining popularity within the PC gaming community, characterized by charming aesthetics and relaxing gameplay. A special section is dedicated to cozy games, highlighting smaller titles. The Steam Next Fest on February 23 will feature many cozy game demos. Notable cozy game picks for February include: - Reigns: The Witcher: A game that parodies Tinder's swiping mechanics with moral dilemmas faced by Geralt. - Creature Kitchen: A puzzle game where players cater to whimsical characters through cooking and problem-solving. - Bento Blocks: A puzzle game focused on slicing and arranging sushi ingredients into lunchboxes, evoking nostalgia. - Reanimal: A game with horror elements that offers a captivating experience, diverging from typical cozy aesthetics.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Here are the top 20 most wishlisted games on Steam as we charge headfirst into 2026

The 20 most wishlisted games on Steam include: 20. Vindictus: Defying Fate - A spinoff of the 2012 MMO, set to attract Souls enthusiasts with its focus on dodges and counterattacks. 18. Reanimal - A co-op horror adventure from the creators of Little Nightmares, releasing on February 13, 2026. 17. Mouse: PI for Hire - A visually captivating title combining boomer shooter energy with rubberhose animation, set to release on March 19, 2026. 14. Chrono Odyssey - A photorealistic MMORPG featuring time manipulation mechanics, expected to launch in Q4 2026. 13. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check - A base management simulator set in a zombie apocalypse, releasing in 2025 with a demo available on Steam. 12. Witchbrook - A cooperative life simulation game with pixel art, anticipated to release in 2026. 11. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - A tactical RPG aiming to return to the franchise's roots, expected in 2026 with a demo available. 10. Half Sword - A physics-based swordfighting dueling simulator entering early access in Q1 2026. 9. Unrecord - A police officer simulation game with realistic visuals and moral dilemmas, with no announced release date. 8. Ark 2 - A sequel featuring survival crafting mechanics, currently without a clear release date. 7. Blight: Survival - A co-op survival horror game set in a medieval landscape, with no release window yet. 6. Slay the Spire 2 - A sequel to the acclaimed deckbuilding game, expected to launch in March 2026. 5. Kingmakers - A game where players use modern weaponry in medieval England, delayed indefinitely. 4. Resident Evil Requiem - The latest installment in the Resident Evil franchise, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. 3. Light No Fire - A fantasy survival adventure from Hello Games, with no release date announced after seven years of development. 2. Deadlock - A MOBA in invite-only testing, with no clear release date available. 1. Subnautica 2 - Set to enter early access in 2026, continuing the underwater exploration theme of its predecessors.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Fortnite Chapter 7 launches with apparent “AI slop,” days after Epic CEO Tim Sweeney suggested Steam should bin AI disclosures

Fortnite Chapter 7 debuted with themes including references to The Simpsons, Quentin Tarantino, and Marty McFly. Concerns have arisen about the potential use of generative AI in the game's advertising content, although Epic Games has not confirmed this. CEO Tim Sweeney suggested that AI will play a significant role in future production, prompting debate in the gaming community. Players have noted peculiarities in the new chapter, such as an advertisement with an "AI smudge look" and inconsistencies in a creature's anatomy, which they believe indicate AI influence. A Marty McFly spray initially thought to be AI-generated was confirmed to be hand-drawn. The lack of clarity from Epic has led to backlash and discussions about supporting genuine artists. The conversation around generative AI in gaming has increased, with concerns that monetizing AI-generated content could lead to player dissatisfaction.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Epic CEO says AI disclosures like Steam’s make “no sense” because AI will be involved in “nearly all” future game development

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, believes that AI disclosure tags in gaming marketplaces like Steam should be removed, arguing that AI will be involved in nearly all future game production. He expressed optimism about AI empowering smaller development teams to create expansive game worlds. However, he acknowledged that AI's reputation is often negative due to its use as a means of creative replacement rather than enhancement, leading to layoffs in the industry. Major companies like King and Ubisoft have reduced their workforce in part due to AI advancements. Steam had previously introduced guidelines requiring developers to disclose AI usage, with nearly 8,000 games reported to have incorporated generative AI. The actual number is likely higher, as seen in the disappointment over the number of demos using the technology during Steam Next Fest.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

New Viking RPG fusing Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat with KCD2’s bawdy charm sets a launch date, and you can try a demo now

Norse: Oath of Blood is a turn-based RPG featuring twins Gunnar Gripsson and Sigrid Gripdottir on a quest for vengeance after their father is betrayed and murdered. The game combines tactical battle systems with a rich narrative and character interactions. It utilizes advanced motion capture technology and aims to capture the human aspects of Viking culture. The release date is set for February 3, 2026, on PC via Steam, with a free demo currently available.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

PUBG creator’s roguelike survival game with machine learning-generated worlds hits Steam early access next month – the first step toward “realistic Minecraft” for “millions of players”

PlayerUnknown Productions, an independent studio, will launch its first title, Prologue: Go WayBack, on November 20, entering early access on Steam. This single-player survival game features roguelike elements and is the first part of a trilogy envisioned by Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene, who aims to create a dynamic survival ecosystem called Project Artemis. Prologue: Go WayBack includes challenging first-person survival mechanics and a free roam mode. The development of this game is part of a larger initiative to create a technology platform for large-scale emergent play, utilizing a proprietary engine called Melba.

AppWizard

October 27, 2025

With the survival feel of Valheim and daunting dungeons, this medieval city builder finally has a release date

Dungeons and Kingdoms is a medieval city-building adventure game that combines settlement management with action RPG gameplay. Players manage a group of refugee settlers on a mysterious island, facing challenges such as predators and ancient ruins while building their settlement. The game features survival mechanics, including foraging, crafting, and resource harvesting, with over 500 unique building pieces available for creative expression. Players can terraform the environment and engage in combat reminiscent of soulslike games. The game has generated nearly 200,000 wishlists after its demo at Steam Next Fest and is set to launch in early access on November 17, priced at .99.