pixelated Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Mojang Hired a Cow Whisperer and Real Animal Voice Actors for Minecraft

Mojang enlisted a professional cow whisperer to capture authentic cow sounds for Minecraft's Tiny Takeover update. The update features new audio recordings for various baby mobs, including kittens, wolf puppies, foals, piglets, and baby chickens, as well as updated sounds for adult animals. The audio designer shared that the cow whisperer used specific sounds to elicit responses from the cows during recording sessions. The update aims to visually and sonically differentiate baby mobs from adults, enhancing their character and personality. While there is debate among players about the overall value of the update, the new animal sounds have received widespread acclaim.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says Doom is the most influential game ever made, and now I really want to ask him whether he prefers the chainsaw or the BFG

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, identified "Doom" as the most influential video game of all time, citing its role in transforming personal computers into gaming devices for families. He noted that while flight simulation games existed before Doom, none matched its popularity or cultural significance. Huang also mentioned "Virtua Fighter" as a significant technological milestone in gaming. The legacy of Doom is recognized widely, even among those outside the gaming community, illustrating its appeal across generations.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Indika forced me to confront some of life’s toughest questions, and I think it’s made me a better person

The author attended an all-girls Catholic high school where they observed a dissonance between the teachings of compassion and the actions of some devout Catholics who bullied peers. This experience led to a questioning of faith, which has diminished over time, although an appreciation for religious imagery remains. The author discusses the indie game Indika, developed by Odd Meter, which explores dark themes of faith and violence within an Eastern Orthodox convent. The gameplay combines puzzle-solving and parkour elements, with nostalgic pixelated segments. Indika's narrative is dark, lacking happy endings or divine intervention, prompting reflection on the nature of suffering and the absence of God in times of hardship. The game illustrates that even pious individuals can harbor darkness and encourages players to embody resilience and compassion in the face of evil.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

From Stranger Things to Minecraft: Turn Your Favorite Show or Game into an Immersive Experience in Mexico City

An immersive experience in Mexico City allows fans to interact with beloved fictional stories. The Stranger Things Experience invites participants to the town of Hawkins to join characters like Eleven and Dustin on missions against the Upside Down. The Minecraft Experience offers challenges related to the game, such as chopping trees and mining gems, along with opportunities to connect with other fans and purchase merchandise. Additionally, La Casa de Bluey opens the Heeler family home for visitors to explore and solve games and missions, appealing to both children and adults.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

Where censored words find a safe haven: Inside Minecraft

The Uncensored Library is a digital space within Minecraft that promotes press freedom and houses over 300 pieces of censored work from around the world. The newly opened U.S. wing features a central Statue of Liberty, surrounded by lecterns displaying contentious texts, including a controversial Stephen Colbert interview and a report on sea-level rise that faced censorship. The library, launched in 2020, allows users from repressive regimes to access vital information without fear of reprisal, and even players in countries with restrictions can connect using virtual private networks. The library's creators, including Tobias Natterer and Reporters Without Borders, designed it as a Grecian temple, symbolizing free expression. The Press Freedom Index indicates a decline in the U.S. ranking due to covert tactics against media freedom. The library serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding press freedoms.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Fantasy heist sim Project Shadowglass is even more inspired by Thief than I had realised, as a new trailer shows off water arrows, blackjack knockouts, and authentically sloppy swordfighting

Project Shadowglass, developed by Starhelm Studios, is a stealth game inspired by Thief: The Dark Project. It features open-ended levels with guards and traps, and utilizes simulated 3D audio technology. The game showcases nostalgic pixelated graphics and offers full 360-degree freedom. Players can perform mechanics such as sliding down rooftops, shooting explosive barrels, and creating slippery surfaces with water arrows. The combat mechanics are described as "sloppy" to fit the stealth theme. Players will plan heists, conduct research for optimal strategies, and face consequences for their actions, including imprisonment and increased security. Project Shadowglass is currently in early development with no release date, but a demo is expected later this year.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

From Metal to Minecraft: Slipknot’s Shawn Crahan New Chapter

Shawn Crahan, co-founder of Slipknot, discussed his journey from Iowa to California and the creation of his Minecraft server, Vernearth, which aims to build a community reflecting the camaraderie found in his music. He introduced the concept of the "God frequency" in their music, emphasizing the emotional connection it fosters with fans. Through Vernearth, Crahan seeks to merge music and gaming, encouraging creativity and collaboration among players.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

“I’ve waited 15 years for this moment”: Minecraft modders behind the sandbox game’s most popular unofficial dimension unveil its sequel, flying mounts and all

Minecraft, launched in 2009, has received numerous updates and contributions from modders, resource pack creators, and shader developers. The Aether Team introduced a mod called The Aether in 2011, which adds a new dimension to the game. They are now preparing to release Aether 2.0, featuring beautiful landscapes, high winds, vast oceans of cloud, and deep caves. Aether 2 will include unique materials like Gravitite for crafting new equipment with supernatural abilities. Minecraft is celebrating its 15th anniversary, and the community remains engaged, even improving chat moderation on anarchy servers.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Minecraft 26.1 Snapshot 10

Players can expect several enhancements in the latest update, including new particle effects for the Golden Dandelion that indicate whether it is preserving youth or reintroducing aging to mobs. The heads of baby zombie mobs have been resized for better proportions, and various bug fixes have been implemented. Changes include: - Rectification of a pixel gap in the Snifflet texture. - Baby Striders now have animated bristles. - Striders inherit warmth from the Strider they are standing on. - Reduced head sizes for baby Zombie, Husk, and Drowned mobs. - Golden Dandelion displays green particles to indicate aging status. - Small Armor Stands now display adult armor correctly scaled down. Technical updates: - Data Pack version updated to 99.3. - Resource Pack version updated to 82. New particle effects introduced: - Pausemobgrowth particles for paused aging. - Resetmobgrowth particles for reset aging. Bug fixes include: - Resolved cross-platform CJK IME support issues. - Fixed tridents enchanted with riptide usage while riding. - Addressed visual issues with cacti in higher resolution texture packs. - Corrected behavior of worried pandas during thunderstorms. - Fixed clipping issues with baby mobs' legs and armor. - Ensured baby piglin and zombified piglin legs sync with adults. - Resolved rendering issues in Spectator mode. - Corrected armor display on small armor stands. - Adjusted farmer cookie sales from 18 to 4. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up their worlds before testing.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

New $17 PC Game Bundle Contains 7 Top Tier Boomer Shooters

A new digital charity bundle features a collection of retro-inspired first-person shooters, known as "boomer shooters," including titles like Selaco, Cultic, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. The bundle is priced at a remarkable value and will be available until March 10. The complete lineup includes: - Selaco - I Am Your Beast - Mullet Madjack - Beyond Citadel - Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - Incision - Cultic The bundle supports marine conservation efforts focused on the protection of whales and dolphins.