player experience Archives

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

After accidentally clobbering my friends in grimdark action-RPG No Rest for the Wicked, now I can do it on purpose

No Rest for the Wicked Together has received a significant update from Moon Studios, introducing new features based on community feedback. The update includes PvP duels, text chat, callouts, a Realm Diary, and a comfort system for home-building. The player duel feature allows structured competition among friends, restoring health and gear durability after matches. The Realm Diary chronicles significant events in multiplayer, enhancing communication with quick callouts and a full text chat system. The comfort system improves home aesthetics and provides stat bonuses based on comfort ratings. Gameplay adjustments include a rework of bows for strategic combat, enchantment balance changes, and increased enemy health for endgame progression. Additional updates feature a rearranged crafting menu, a redesigned gesture wheel, new aspect ratio settings, and various bug fixes. The game is currently available at a 30% discount on Steam until March 26, priced at .49 / £24.49.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Death Stranding 2 PC and PS5 major update details revealed including new difficulty mode, live-action cutscenes and more

Hideo Kojima has announced new features for the upcoming PC port of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which will also launch on PlayStation 5 on March 19. The PC version will support unlocked frame rates, ultra widescreen formats, and full compatibility with the DualSense controller, along with advanced upscaling and frame generation technologies. A new difficulty mode called To the Wilder will be introduced, alongside new live-action cutscenes, additional scenes with new nightmares for the protagonist Sam, new items, replayable boss fights, a 21:9 ultrawide mode for PS5, a Chiral Cat in Sam’s room, and various gameplay adjustments based on player data. Critics have praised Death Stranding 2, with VGC naming it their Game of the Year for 2025, highlighting its stronger narrative and refined mechanics compared to its predecessor.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Asset reuse in videogames is essential, and we need to embrace it, says Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry director: ‘We redo too much stuff’

Ubisoft's Far Cry Primal is set in the Mesolithic period, allowing players to navigate the Carpathian mountains and face prehistoric creatures. The game faced criticism for reusing elements from Far Cry 4, leading to frustration from Alex Hutchinson, the director of Far Cry 4, who suggested that Ubisoft should have acknowledged the connection. Similarly, Activision's Call of Duty: Ghosts was criticized for reusing animations from Modern Warfare 2, raising concerns about creativity in game development. Hutchinson noted that asset reuse is common in large studios, citing examples from the Assassin's Creed series. He observed a shift in perspectives regarding asset reuse, with some now advocating for its creative merits, particularly in successful Japanese titles like Dark Souls and Yakuza. Hutchinson also speculated on the potential role of AI in game development but expressed skepticism about its ability to significantly change the industry.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

It’s hard to equal Resident Evil 4’s quality, but Capcom did that for me with Resident Evil Requiem — it just needs one more thing for perfection

Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has sold over five million copies in its first week, making it the fastest-selling title in the Resident Evil series. The game has been praised by critics and players, being compared to Resident Evil 4 as a pinnacle of the franchise. It balances fear and exhilaration effectively, unlike its action-heavy predecessors. There is speculation about a new mini-game mode, potentially including a co-op mercenaries mode, which could enhance gameplay and replay value. Game director Koshi Nakanishi has stated that details about the mini-game mode are expected by May 2026.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Crimson Desert adds confirmation of Denuvo DRM to its Steam page a week out from launch

Fans of Crimson Desert, particularly those who enjoyed its predecessor Black Desert Online, are excited about the game's impressive scale, visuals, and combat mechanics. It is positioned as a massive MMORPG-lite single-player experience. However, a week before its launch, it was announced that Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo DRM on Steam, which has sparked mixed reactions among the PC gaming community. Denuvo is known as a leading anti-tamper solution, and its inclusion is intended to protect revenue from piracy. A study indicates that games can lose up to 20% in revenue if cracked within the first week. The reputation of Denuvo is contentious, with some arguing that it complicates user experience and does not effectively combat piracy. Discussions on platforms like Reddit show a split among players regarding pre-orders and refunds due to the Denuvo decision. Additionally, there will be no mod support for PC at launch, but the game's system requirements are accessible.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

‘We are definitely not doing QTEs’, said Dispatch’s creative director before doing QTEs: ‘We just needed it to not suck’

Nick Herman and Dennis Lenart from AdHoc Studio discussed the development of the game Dispatch at GDC, focusing on its innovative gameplay mechanics. The team initially aimed to create engaging gameplay beyond traditional narrative-driven experiences, starting with light puzzle elements related to the protagonist's role. They moved away from a dispatching minigame concept and drew inspiration from the game This is the Police, leading to the creation of the Z Team, a group of ex-villains managed by players. The team considered incorporating quick time events (QTEs) but aimed to improve their execution. They established guiding principles to enhance player experience, such as avoiding jumpscares with prompts, not imposing unfair penalties for missed prompts, and limiting QTEs to two types: a timed prompt and a directional swipe. They found that players felt good about the experience if they hit 80% or more of the prompts and allowed button mashing without penalties for premature presses. To accommodate players who dislike QTEs, they made them optional. Ultimately, the team discovered that well-designed QTEs could be enjoyable, and the overall balance of Dispatch has been positively received by players.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

As Stardew Valley turns ten, ConcernedApe’s life game still holds a personally important record

Stardew Valley is a game known for its engaging mechanics and emotional connections, particularly through its co-op play. The introduction of multiplayer support in update 1.3 transformed the game into a shared experience, enhancing its appeal. Players can collaborate and explore together, which adds depth beyond single-player gameplay. The game features charming simplicity, supernatural elements, and ongoing updates, including the anticipated 1.7 update with new romance options. The personal connection to the game is often tied to shared experiences with loved ones.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

After topping Steam in 2022, “Thief with guns” FPS shouted out by Cyberpunk 2077 devs is back with a map-focused update that’s reigniting fans’ love: “Here goes my sleep schedule again”

Gloomwood, a dark survival first-person shooter, was released in Early Access on Steam in 2022 and has received "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews. The recent Cartographer's Update introduced a mirror dimension connection to Hightown and a portal to the market district. Players have shown enthusiasm for the updates, with comments reflecting their excitement. The game is nearing its fourth year in Early Access, and while no specific timelines for future updates have been provided, developers have indicated that controller support is forthcoming.

AppWizard

February 22, 2026

Don’t get too used to all of Hytale’s helpful changes: “The way you play today is going to look very different a year from now”

Early access for Hytale is progressing well, with updates focusing on user experience and quality-of-life improvements. Simon Collins-Laflamme, founder of Hypixel, warns that some new features, like infinite water, are temporary solutions to current gameplay frustrations. He emphasizes that while these features provide immediate relief, they may not be permanent as the game evolves. Collins-Laflamme assures players that the gameplay experience will significantly change over the next year, with a focus on addressing pain points and aligning enhancements with the long-term vision for the game. He acknowledges player frustrations with existing mechanics and states that temporary quality-of-life changes will be communicated clearly, with the intention of replacing them with more engaging gameplay elements as the game matures.