originality Archives

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets “slurped up by AI”

Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Owlcat is using generative AI for The Expanse Osiris Reborn, but the final game will be “100% human made”

Owlcat has admitted to using generative AI in the development of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, specifically for prototyping and placeholders, which will be replaced before final assets are created. PR manager Katharina Popp clarified that this approach is intended to streamline development, allowing for rapid iteration. However, this decision has sparked debate among fans, many of whom prefer human creativity over AI-generated content. Owlcat previously stated that generative AI was not used in their other titles, raising questions about their commitment to originality. The community has expressed resistance to the technology, with some players stating they do not want to play games that incorporate generative AI.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Windows XP “Bliss” has been remixed for 2026 — here’s how to download it.

Windows XP's "Bliss" wallpaper, photographed by Charles O'Rear, was made the default wallpaper for Windows XP after Microsoft secured the rights in 2000. The default wallpaper for Windows 11, called Bloom, was created by the design studio Six N. Five. A Reddit user, Left_Hovercraft451, combined the Bliss image with the Windows 11 wallpaper, reflecting a desire for more personalized desktop aesthetics as we approach 2026. The rise of AI tools has sparked debates about ownership and originality in art, particularly regarding AI-generated content inspired by specific photographs.

AppWizard

February 19, 2026

The new game from Disco Elysium’s studio feels like the first Christmas after your parents’ divorce

Commodity fetishism refers to the transformation of human relationships into transactions between commodities, obscuring the labor behind everyday products. In the context of the game "Zero Parades," players control Hershel Wilks, a spy for the communist "Superbloc," who has a troubled past involving the loss of her team. The game features a skill and check system similar to "Disco Elysium," with three ability pools and a unique narrative style. The dialogue includes memorable characters and sharp writing, but the game often feels like an imitation of its predecessor, lacking originality and innovation.

AppWizard

December 8, 2025

Android Malware FvncBot, SeedSnatcher, and ClayRat Gain Stronger Data Theft Features

Cybersecurity researchers have identified two new families of Android malware, FvncBot and SeedSnatcher, as well as an upgraded version of ClayRat. FvncBot is designed to target mobile banking users in Poland, masquerading as a security application from mBank. It is built from scratch and includes features such as keylogging, web-inject attacks, screen streaming, and hidden virtual network computing (HVNC). It uses a crypting service called apk0day and communicates with a remote server at naleymilva.it.com. FvncBot requests accessibility permissions to operate with elevated privileges and can perform various malicious activities, including exfiltrating data and delivering overlays on targeted applications. SeedSnatcher is disguised as a cryptocurrency wallet app called Coin and is distributed via Telegram. It focuses on stealing cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases and can intercept SMS messages to capture two-factor authentication codes. It employs techniques like dynamic class loading and WebView content injection to evade detection and initially requests minimal permissions before escalating its access. The upgraded ClayRat malware now exploits accessibility services and default SMS permissions, allowing it to record keystrokes, capture screen content, and present deceptive overlays. It has been distributed through fraudulent phishing domains and dropper apps that impersonate legitimate services. The enhanced capabilities of ClayRat enable complete device takeovers and persistent overlays, making it a more significant threat than its previous version.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

“Joke’s on you,” says No Man’s Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it’s replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic

Developer Starry Studio has introduced significant updates to the survival game Once Human, including a new class system, a PvP-centric Raid Zone, and a crossover with Palworld. A new decorative item in the game’s loot crates, specifically an exercise bike, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. Hello Games' Sean Murray responded humorously to the criticism, while Starry Studio confirmed it would remove the contentious item. The Thunder Overload cosmetic lineup features outfits and a weapon skin that transforms the SKS into a mechanical dragon. Earlier this year, Once Human was also accused of borrowing design elements from Rainbow Six Siege. Starry Studio has pledged to replace the disputed asset and review their art and design policies, emphasizing the importance of originality and community feedback.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

While Slay the Spire 2 is still brewing, grab eight great deckbuilders for a huge 88% off

Slay the Spire is anticipated to have a sequel released in late 2026. The Decious Deckbuilders 2 Humble Bundle features several games that incorporate roguelike and deck-building mechanics, including Demonic Mahjong and Breach Wanderers. Demonic Mahjong combines tile-matching with roguelike elements and has a unique aesthetic, while Breach Wanderers shares core gameplay elements with Slay the Spire. The bundle includes titles such as Vault of the Void, Ring of Pain, Roguebook, Deepest Chamber: Resurrection, Heretic's Fork, and Evolings. The bundle offers customization options, starting at £3.58 for two games or £13.48 for all eight games. It is available until December 12.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

My favorite game of 2025 won’t get a sequel, says its developer: ‘Each of my projects will be completely standalone’

Tonda Ros, the creator of the puzzle game Blue Prince, has been approached for a cinematic adaptation but is not considering it, stating that he views the game as a standalone piece of art. He has no plans for a sequel to Blue Prince, emphasizing that each of his projects will be unconnected. However, he hinted at the possibility of exploring different narratives within the broader universe of Blue Prince, without a direct connection to the game itself. Ros acknowledged the appeal of sequels due to the game's success but prefers to avoid that path. He has conceived several ideas for future projects, including a multiplayer puzzle game and a metroidvania concept, but has not decided which direction to take next.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Take-Two’s Zelnick thinks AI would make a bad GTA game

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, stated that AI's influence on game development is limited, particularly in creating complex gaming experiences like the Grand Theft Auto series. He believes that relying solely on AI would produce subpar and derivative results, as creativity cannot be replicated by AI systems. Zelnick emphasized that AI is effective with backward-looking data but falls short in forward-thinking creativity. He also raised concerns about intellectual property rights, noting that content created with AI is not protectable, highlighting potential legal and ethical issues in the industry.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

2022 Survival-Horror PC Game Now Free on Steam for 24 Hours

A 2022 survival-horror game, Golden Light, is available for free on Steam for the next 24 hours, coinciding with Halloween. It has a 91% approval rating from nearly 2,000 user reviews and a score of 78 on Metacritic. The offer is provided through Fanatical and will end on early October 17. Golden Light combines survival-horror, first-person shooter, and roguelike elements, featuring gameplay where props hunt players. It is available for download on the Steam Deck, though its compatibility is marked as "Playable." The game offers approximately seven hours of gameplay.