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AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Atom Zombie Smasher, a 15-year-old game, just got updated out of the blue on Steam

Atom Zombie Smasher has received a recent patch to celebrate its 15th anniversary, enhancing the gameplay experience. The game is currently available on Steam with a 50% discount. Blendo Games, the developer, has also created other acclaimed titles such as Gravity Bone, Thirty Flights of Loving, and Skin Deep, which won the Best Immersive Sim award in 2025.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

The magic and majesty of British Minecraft YouTubers

In the early 2010s, British YouTuber Stampylonghead gained popularity among young gamers for his Minecraft series "Stampy’s Lovely World." His videos featured imaginative adventures, whimsical constructions, and a positive atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and creativity. Viewers, including the author, found joy and inspiration in his content, which included interactions with characters like his dog Barnaby and friends IBallisticSquid and Sqaishey Quack. As the author grew older, they drifted away from Stampy's world but recognized the lasting impact of his optimism and creativity on their life. Andy Robinson is a member of the Class of 2027.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Bluey is joining Minecraft with a new DLC that lets you explore the Heeler home

Bluey will debut in Minecraft on February 5, 2026, as a marketplace add-on titled "Bluey's House." This downloadable content allows players to explore the Heeler residence and interact with characters like Bingo, Mum, and Dad while playing mini-games inspired by the show. The DLC will be compatible with the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft and available across consoles, mobile devices, and PCs. Players visiting the Marketplace before March 6 can claim a free Chattermax Mask. The price for the Bluey DLC has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

January 26, 2026

Jason Momoa Offers an Update on the Status of A Minecraft Movie Sequel

Jason Momoa announced that filming for the sequel to A Minecraft Movie will begin in late April 2026. The original film, released in April 2025, grossed approximately 8 million globally against a budget of 0 million and set records for the largest domestic opening weekend for a video game adaptation. Warner Bros. confirmed the sequel, titled Minecraft 2, for a summer 2027 release, with director Jared Hess returning. Momoa expressed enthusiasm for the new script, stating it is sharper and more engaging than the first. Specific plot details are not yet revealed, but Hess has indicated a desire to explore new biomes and creatures. Momoa will reprise his role as Garrett "The Garbage Man" Garrison, though a complete cast list for the sequel has not been announced.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Slipknot’s Clown built fantasy ‘Minecraft’ realm to help him grieve

Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has been a key figure in Slipknot for three decades and recently launched his first fully playable game, Vernearth, inspired by Minecraft. The game allows players to build structures, engage in battles, and embark on quests, and it officially launched on December 1. Clown's passion for gaming began in his youth, and he faced challenges in game development due to financial barriers. He developed Vernearth over four years with his daughter and a drum tech, creating a unique version of Minecraft with new gameplay elements and a darker atmosphere. The game serves as a personal outlet for Clown, helping him cope with grief related to family losses. He is also exploring online therapy integration within the game and has launched The Auction House for players to trade items. Additionally, he is working on an original soundtrack for Vernearth while taking a break from new material with Slipknot.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Is Minecraft colonial?

In a Minecraft world, approximately 50 villagers are confined in a basement, contrasting with the idyllic town above. Players manage villagers by using fishing rods to guide them into trading halls, where they can be traded with for resources. The game, launched in 2009 by Mojang Studios, allows players to explore and build in an open-world environment. The construction of villager trading halls reflects themes of exploitation, likened to chattel slavery, as players seek enchantments through trading. Critics note that the game's mechanics mirror colonial ideologies and contemporary global supply chains. Techniques like update suppression enhance farming efficiency, suggesting a deeper layer of exploitation in gameplay. The villager trading hall serves as a processing puzzle, emphasizing the functional role of villagers rather than their individuality. The game encourages innovation and manipulation of reality within its grid-based structure, reflecting broader societal trends in technology and information.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Minecraft has redesigned its baby mobs to be even cuter, and I need you to stop and look at them because they’re just too precious

Minecraft is introducing a new update that adds eight baby animals to the game, enhancing the farming experience. The new baby animals include rabbits, wolf pups, kittens, calves, piglets, chickens, ocelots, and lambs, each designed to reflect their infancy more accurately than previous scaled-down models. The update features unique sounds for each baby animal to enhance immersion. Players can access these updates through the snapshot functionality and the Bedrock beta/preview. Additionally, Microsoft is planning a Minecraft spinoff in collaboration with Activision Blizzard.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

New Minecraft Update Buffs Characters’… Cuteness

The latest Minecraft update introduces eight new baby farm mobs, enhancing their cuteness with unique sound effects and animations. The new mobs include: - Wolf pup: Nine variants of chunkier wolf pups. - Kitten: Eleven squishy variants found in villages and swamp huts, tamable with raw cod or salmon. - Baby chicken: Three variants adapted to different climates: chilly, temperate, and warm. - Rabbit: Puffier tails and fluffier fur for both baby and adult rabbits. - Piglet: Smaller, stockier piglets in chilly, warm, and temperate regions. - Lambs: Eleven colored variants resembling tiny puffs of wool. - Calf: Five distinct variants with doe-eyed expressions and soft noses. - Baby ocelot: Jungle-dwelling ocelots with big green eyes and blocky paws, loyal to players who feed them raw salmon or cod.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

If you’re looking for a way to fill the Stranger Things-shaped hole in your heart, the new Minecraft DLC has you covered

The downloadable content (DLC) pack for Minecraft based on Stranger Things allows players to explore iconic locations such as Mirkwood Forest and the Starcourt Mall, and includes the option to enter the Upside Down. The DLC features various levels with clues and puzzles, and players can use characters like Eleven, Suzie, Eddie, and Vecna, each with unique abilities. The DLC is priced at 1510 Minecoins, approximately .99, and includes new skins for avatar customization.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

It doesn’t matter that there are no big new games in January because you can just play 744 hours of Ball x Pit instead

Ball x Pit is an indie roguelike game that launched in October 2025 and sold 300,000 copies within five days. The gameplay involves shooting bouncing balls at waves of enemies while incorporating city-building mechanics. Players can unlock various balls with unique characteristics and combine them for powerful effects. There are 16 distinct characters, each with unique traits that affect gameplay. Players engage in resource management and city-building between rounds, which enhances the overall experience. The game combines vibrant aesthetics with innovative mechanics, making it a notable title in the gaming landscape.