nurturing Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Mobile firm Brightika to invest $3m in PC and console titles

Brightika is investing a substantial amount over the next two years to enter the PC and console gaming market, aiming to support indie game development with financial backing, marketing, and publishing assistance. The company has nearly 200 million installations of its mobile games and plans to replicate this success in the new markets. Discussions are ongoing with various development teams, and some titles may be showcased at the Steam Next Fest from June 9th to 16th. Founder Alexander Rodichev highlights the goal of providing marketing and distribution support to developers in these sectors.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Cosy board game Flamecraft is getting a digital adaptation for PC

Flamecraft, a board game featuring artisan dragons, will be adapted into a digital version for PC by Monster Couch, known for their work on Wingspan and Calico. The game allows 1-5 players to take on the role of a "Flamekeeper," interacting with dragons to enhance shops and develop a village. The digital adaptation will maintain the original gameplay while featuring vibrant visuals and lively dragon icons. Players will strategically position dragons, gather resources, cast enchantments, and aim to accumulate reputation points to become the Master of Flamecraft. A release date has not been announced, but players can wishlist the game on Steam.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Gardening and tech don’t always go hand-in-hand, but these solutions help make it more fun and less work

Tertill is a compact robotic weeder priced at 9 that helps busy gardeners by taking care of weeding tasks. It has sold out this season due to its popularity. The Seedtime app serves as a digital companion for gardeners, offering a free version and a premium subscription starting at approximately .55 per month. Users can input their garden details, and the app calculates optimal planting times and schedules. It allows manual input for crops not in its database and features a layout section for garden design. Recent updates include an AI-powered companion planting feature that suggests beneficial plant pairings and provides planting dates for crops not in the app's database. The app aims to streamline gardening tasks and enhance the overall gardening experience.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Stainless promotes Ben Gunstone to CEO

Ben Gunstone has been promoted to chief executive officer of Stainless Games, succeeding Patrick Buckland, who has led the company since 1994. Gunstone joined Stainless in 2022 as a game director and became operations director before this promotion. Buckland will transition to the role of Executive Chairman. Gunstone expressed pride in his new role and emphasized the company's commitment to creating exceptional games. Buckland, who is 62, decided to step back from the daily stresses of being CEO while still nurturing the company's legacy as the majority shareholder.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

App Developer Magazine may 2025

Google's Play Store has undergone a significant overhaul, resulting in a 47% reduction in app listings due to stricter enforcement, enhanced developer verification, and AI-driven moderation. This change aligns Google more closely with Apple's curated ecosystem. New tools in the Play Console Insights are designed to improve app performance for developers. Apple has achieved a milestone in emissions reduction and is preparing for WWDC 2025 on June 9. Blizzard's Diablo 4 has introduced a new mechanic called Piranhado, and SEMO has launched a game development degree program. Nutrient is expanding its cloud services, and student-led initiatives are addressing cybersecurity threats in universities. AI developments include a smart builder for converting spreadsheets into applications and AutonomyAI's autonomous agent platform.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Nike and Logitech vet Darling joins Riot as president

Hoby Darling has been appointed as the president of Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends and Valorant. He has a background in significant roles at companies like Nike and Logitech. Darling expressed a strong connection to Riot's ethos and emphasized the importance of risk-taking and challenging the status quo. Dylan Jadeja, the CEO of Riot Games, welcomed Darling, noting his experience in engaging passionate communities and his potential to inspire the team. Jadeja highlighted the importance of nurturing creativity within the company as they look forward to innovative developments under Darling's leadership.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

A Problem With A Minecraft Movie

A Minecraft Movie was released in theaters on April 4th and has a score of 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows Henry, played by Sebastian Hansen, who opens a portal to the "overworld" and embarks on a quest with Steve, voiced by Jack Black. Key female characters include Henry's sister Natalie, played by Emma Myers, and real estate agent Dawn, portrayed by Danielle Brooks. The film has faced criticism for its portrayal of female characters, who are depicted as struggling and reliant on male characters. It reinforces stereotypes that women are inept at video games and does not pass the Bechdel test, as conversations between female characters primarily focus on a male character, Henry.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Tequila Works selling off games and IP after going bust

Spanish developer Tequila Works is auctioning its games and intellectual properties on Escrapalia due to financial challenges, having filed for insolvency in November 2024 after layoffs. The auction includes publishing rights for titles like Deadlight, Rime, Gylt, and The Invisible Hours, upcoming projects such as Brawler Crawler, Dungeon Tour, and The Ancient Mariner, additional creative concepts, and corporate identity assets. The trademark and IP for Rime and Gylt are particularly sought after. Tequila Works was founded in 2009 and is known for its game-development philosophy.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

A Minecraft Movie (Christian Movie Review)

A Minecraft Movie is a family adventure film that emphasizes creativity and features over 300 million copies sold of the Minecraft video game, making it the best-selling game of all time. The film includes human characters, diverging from the game's core appeal, and takes inspiration from Jumanji. The narrative improves once characters enter The Overworld, with Jason Momoa's performance being entertaining and Jack Black contributing three songs. However, the film lacks significant building moments, which are central to Minecraft's essence. Directed by Jared Hess, it maintains a lighthearted tone with mild profanity and some quasi-sexual humor. The film's central theme is about nurturing individual creativity and its positive impact on the world, with characters seeking to reignite their creative sparks in a vibrant world.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

When is the Happy Ghast Minecraft Update Coming? Minecraft Ghastling Guide

Mojang has introduced a new creature called the ghastling in Minecraft, which can be captured and ridden in the Overworld. The update featuring the dried ghast, along with the ghastling and happy ghast, is expected to arrive in 2025, with testing available soon. To transform a dried ghast into a ghastling, players must transport it from the Nether to the Overworld and submerge it in water for a few days. The ghastling can evolve into a happy ghast, and players can maintain its happiness by using snowballs and water. Further details will be provided in official announcements.