player expectations Archives

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Phasmophobia devs say all that live service malarkey can do one: they focus on making ‘a fun game that people want to play because it’s fun’

Phasmophobia, developed by Kinetic Games, has become a popular ghost-hunting game on PC since its early access launch, earning around 340,000 "overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam. The developers emphasize that they do not consider it a live service game, offering only seasonal content without microtransactions or DLCs. They prioritize a healthy work environment and the freedom to release content when it is ready, focusing on player enjoyment rather than constant updates. The game aims to evoke nostalgia for childhood gaming experiences, encouraging players to engage for fun rather than feeling pressured by progression.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Civilization 7’s new initiative lets you test features before they go live, including the one you’ve all been asking for

Firaxis is launching the Firaxis Feature Workshop to enhance player engagement and satisfaction for Civilization 7 by incorporating community feedback. The studio is developing a mode that allows players to guide a single civilization through all three ages, responding to player criticism of the current gameplay. Creative Director Ed Beach mentioned that they are playtesting this feature and inviting community members to help refine it. Following the recent patch 1.3.0, which included a naval rework and new civilizations, the team will focus on larger features like the single-civ mode and the Workshop, with plans for smaller, less frequent updates. Early participants in the Workshop will test upcoming changes to Legacy Paths and Victories. Applications to join the Workshop are currently open, and successful applicants will have access to a private Discord server for feedback.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

Pillars of Eternity’s 10-year anniversary turn-based mode will sidestep the biggest issues I was worried it would have, and you can try it this week

Obsidian Entertainment announced that the open beta for the turn-based mode of Pillars of Eternity will begin on Wednesday, November 5. Director Josh Sawyer discussed the evolution of gameplay mechanics, noting the initial use of real-time with pause (RTWP) in the original game and the challenges posed by introducing a turn-based mode in Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire. The gaming landscape has shifted, with modern players expecting faster-paced action and greater tactical depth, prompting Obsidian to adapt its approach to meet these expectations.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The proof is undeniable: People will still pay for great shooters

The resurgence of paid multiplayer games, exemplified by titles like Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6, indicates that players are willing to invest in quality experiences. These games have quickly risen to the top of sales charts and received positive reviews, highlighting a shift in player expectations towards valuing complete packages over free-to-play models. Free games often come with pressure to spend, while paid titles provide a sense of completeness with rich content from the outset. Historically, free-to-play games launch with minimal content, leading to frustration among players. Purchasing a game typically ensures access to a comprehensive package without additional costs. However, there are complexities, as seen with Battlefield 6's introduction of pop-up ads for a battle pass, which has led to community dissatisfaction. In contrast, Arc Raiders offers a free battle pass with optional premium skins, easing the pressure on players. The revival of paid multiplayer games is enriching the shooter genre, suggesting a promising future for developers and players.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

KCD2 publisher’s stunning, troubled Norse RPG gets a whole new version just two months after launch, and it changes everything

The original Baldur's Gate was released in 1998, with its enhanced edition launched in 2012, 14 years later. The remastered version of Neverwinter Nights came out in 2018, 16 years after the original, while Aspyr Media's sequel enhancement was released 19 years post-launch. Echoes of the End was launched on August 12, 2023, and is set to receive an enhanced edition after only two months, despite having only 425 lifetime reviews and a mixed reception on Steam, with 68% positive reviews. The game features a cinematic, third-person action-adventure format inspired by Iceland. The enhanced edition will include significant changes such as updated animations, a revamped combat system, a new equipment system with 13 outfits and over 20 relics, and reduced puzzle complexity. These enhancements will be available at no extra cost to existing owners of the game.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Minecraft creator Notch says the Creeper was “anti-fun,” backs Mojang lead who thinks it “probably” wouldn’t be added today: “I tried to fix the Creeper”

Jens "Jeb" Bergensten, chief creative officer at Mojang, stated that if Minecraft were being developed today, the team "probably would not add" the Creeper character. Markus "Notch" Persson, the original creator of Minecraft, supported this sentiment in a Twitter post. This revelation surprised many long-time fans, as the Creeper has become a defining aspect of the game, adding tension and excitement. While some fans agree with Jeb and Notch's critique, others appreciate the Creeper's role in the game's success. Developers noted that player expectations for challenge and difficulty have evolved, influencing the design choices in Minecraft.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

‘Something needs to be done about this’: Battlefield 6 players are fed up with ‘absolutely disgusting’ Call of Duty-like mobility

A recent video shared on Reddit by user OkParamedic4770 shows a player in Battlefield 6 performing impressive agility maneuvers, dodging bullets and eliminating OkParamedic4770, which has sparked significant discussion among fans. Many long-time players feel uneasy about the new level of mobility, with some expressing concerns about the gameplay mechanics. The player in the video has reached level 105, indicating a significant time investment in the game. Additionally, the introduction of sparkly skins in Battlefield 6 has faced criticism, with some players ridiculing those who wear them. The game is navigating challenges in balancing player expectations with profitability.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Starbreeze hands off Payday 2 to another developer as it goes all-in on trying to salvage the beleaguered Payday 3

Payday 3 is struggling to attract players, with only about 500 concurrent players reported on SteamDB, while its predecessor, Payday 2, has around 27,000 players even after 12 years. Starbreeze has introduced a subscription service for Payday 2's DLC, which has been generally well-received despite some player concerns. The studio has partnered with Sidetrack, known for their work in the Payday modding community, to enhance Payday 2, with the first update expected on October 23. Starbreeze acknowledges the initial criticism of Payday 3 as a "bad experience" and is committed to improving it, including plans to double the team size dedicated to the game.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Minecraft devs “want to avoid treating players in a way that feels unfair,” so Mojang’s guiding principle is that “bad things happen, but they’re technically the player’s fault”

Mojang continues to innovate Minecraft with updates guided by a philosophy of balance in game design. Lead designer Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten emphasized the importance of finding the right balance to avoid unfair treatment of players, stating that challenges should be the player's responsibility. He explained that balancing risk versus reward is crucial for making the game enjoyable. Challenges are placed later in the game and are opt-in, allowing players to choose their level of difficulty. This player-centric design contributes to Minecraft's appeal by enabling players to engage with either challenging gameplay or creative building without threats. Mojang's CEO noted that player expectations and game design have evolved, suggesting that if the Creeper were introduced today, it might face controversy.

AppWizard

October 16, 2025

Ben Brinkman returns to 2K to head up 31st Union

2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman as the new studio head of 31st Union, following the departure of Michael Condrey in February 2025. Brinkman has a background with EA, Activision, and Respawn Entertainment, and previously worked at 2K from 2006 to 2008. The studio is currently developing Project Ethos, with community feedback from a playtest last fall influencing its direction. Company president David Ismailer expressed optimism about the project and noted that confidence in it is growing.