original game Archives

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 8, 2025

Weirdly, one of our favorite board games works even better in Minecraft

The British YouTube group, The Yogscast, has adapted the social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower within Minecraft, introducing unique characters such as the Wizard, who can transform players into sheep, and the Amnesiac, who must discover their power by finding hidden items in the game world. This adaptation features a collaborative map developed with the Lonely Yogs Discord, including detailed town buildings and houses for players. The community continues to innovate and preserve the essence of the original game through creative adaptations and shared experiences.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Everyone is a boat in this ‘MOBA meets Vampire Survivors’ game inspired by a Warcraft 3 mod

The mod Battleships for Warcraft 3 features players controlling upgradable warships that autonomously fire weapons, allowing for strategic gameplay focused on maneuvering and managing cooldowns. Players can engage in harassment tactics and creep farming while their ships handle offensive actions, creating a dynamic environment that encourages tactical decision-making. The mod exemplifies the thriving modding scene and community-driven projects in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ breaks box office records despite controversy

Fans of Minecraft attended the release of "A Minecraft Movie" on April 4, featuring the character Steve, voiced by Jack Black. The film's production began in 2014 but faced delays, resuming in 2022 under director Jared Hess. The trailer released in September 2024 received criticism for its animation style and use of live-action actors. Despite this, the film has grossed 3 million globally, making it the highest-grossing film of the year and setting a record for game-to-film adaptations. Audience reactions varied, with some, like FSU junior Grace Martin, changing their initial negative views after watching the film. Siblings Jacqueline and Savanna Paré found it nostalgic, connecting it to their childhood experiences with the game. The film also included references to popular Minecraft YouTubers, enhancing its cultural impact.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

BetaBeacon

April 30, 2025

Flappy Bird Added To Epic Games Store For Android

Flappy Bird has teamed up with Epic Games to bring the modern version of the game to the Epic Games Store on Android. The Flappy Bird Foundation is spearheading the game's return and has acquired the official trademark rights. Planned future releases include desktop and mobile web browsers and native app versions on iOS and Android in 2025. The game features Classic mode and Quest mode with new worlds and challenges. The app on Epic Games Store will not have Web3 elements and is supported by ads and in-app purchases.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

How ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Sinners’ went viral in completely different ways

Two films, “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” have achieved notable box office success, largely due to their viral presence on social media. “Minecraft” has grossed 6 million globally with a production budget of approximately million, while “Sinners” has earned 2 million with a budget of million. “Sinners” experienced a 6% drop in domestic earnings in its second weekend, indicating growing popularity. The interactive atmosphere of “Minecraft” screenings has drawn comparisons to the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” with audience engagement being a significant factor in its success. Warner Bros. has responded to audience feedback by adapting marketing strategies for both films, including collaborations with influencers and in-game activations with Mojang Studios. Influencers played a key role in promoting both films, with a focus on engaging diverse demographics. The successes highlight a shift in audience expectations towards interactive and emotionally resonant theater experiences.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The Secret Weapon Behind the VFX of ‘A Minecraft Movie’

Director Jared Hess helmed "A Minecraft Movie," which emphasizes creativity and the struggle between freedom and oppression. The film features a villain named Malgosha, a Piglin ruler from the Nether, voiced by Rachel House, with motion capture by Allan Henry. Production VFX supervisor Dan Lemmon discussed the challenges of integrating live-action actors like Jason Momoa and Jack Black with animated characters while maintaining the game's aesthetic. The team developed a tool called "Bloktz" for achieving the distinctive "Minecraft" look, and twelve variants of the Piglin army were designed. The Creeper character, initially a coding error, underwent numerous design iterations to maintain its pixelated essence. Malgosha's design was inspired by characters like Emperor Palpatine and Mama Fratelli, with adjustments made for expressiveness. The film's conclusion features an improvised moment between Jack Black's character and Malgosha, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the production.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The end of The Long Dark is in sight after over a decade in development, culminating in a fifth and final story episode that is ‘3 to 4 times as big’ as episode 4

The Long Dark, developed by Hinterland, was released in early access in 2014 and officially launched in 2017, completing its survival mode. The episodic story mode, "Wintermute," is nearing its conclusion with episode five expected later this year. Creative director Raphael van Lierop highlighted the importance of this final episode, stating it must be great due to the long wait from fans. Hinterland is also developing a sequel, Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2, while continuing to support the original game. Van Lierop mentioned that completing the story mode has been a significant focus for the company, and finishing it will allow them to explore future developments without the pressure of unfinished commitments.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The adventure game that kicked off the Syberia series just got a shiny Myst-like makeover

French publisher Microids has released a polished remake of its 1999 classic, Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy, originally created by Benoît Sokal. The game features a nameless journalist on a quest to return the last egg of a rare giant bird to its habitat. The remake includes significant visual upgrades and aims to provide a new experience while honoring the original. However, the future of the Syberia series is uncertain following Sokal's death and the recent layoffs of Microids' Paris team, which was responsible for both the Syberia: The World Before and the Amerzone remake. Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy is priced at £35, with a demo available on its Steam page.