player experience Archives

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Developer of Burnout spiritual successor Wreckreation has formed a new studio working on a sequel

The Burnout series is influential in the arcade racing genre, inspiring many imitators. Wreckreation, a successor developed by Three Fields Entertainment and released in 2025, received mixed reviews. The team announced a sequel, Wreckreation 2, focusing on player feedback to enhance the experience. The initial trailer features unique vehicles and gameplay reminiscent of Burnout. The developers have formed a new studio, When Tides Turn, to continue the project while maintaining the original team. They plan to engage the community through updates and playtesting opportunities.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Gears of War’s creator is considering returning to game development, but whatever he makes won’t be PvP like his last efforts: “Good look to anyone in that space.”

Cliff Bleszinski, known for creating the Gears of War franchise, is considering a return to game development after an eight-year break following the closure of his studio, Boss Key Productions, in 2018. During his time away, he wrote an autobiography, produced a Tony Award-winning musical, and addressed his alcoholism, which included a hospitalization earlier this year. He expressed a desire to create characters and worlds again, focusing on player-versus-environment (PvE) experiences rather than PvP multiplayer games. Although he has not disclosed specific projects, he indicated that he is inspired and open to new creative endeavors in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Blizzard finally caved on Diablo 4’s disastrous new season with a patch that reverts almost everything players hated: ‘Not every idea lands exactly as intended’

Blizzard Entertainment has released an emergency patch (3.1.1a) for Diablo 4 in response to player criticism about the game's Season of Death Awakening. The patch improves Mythic drop rates and removes the crafted Mythic limit, addressing player frustrations regarding the grind to acquire Mythic items. Players have reported an increase in Mythic Uniques from the new seasonal boss and the ability to craft and use multiple Mythics. Blizzard plans to release another patch to further enhance drop rates and is considering reinstating the crafted limit for Mythics created in the Horadric Cube in the next season.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Bethesda confirms Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, makes Obsidian collaboration official, and says Fallout 5 is in ‘pre-production’

Bethesda Softworks has announced a new Fallout game in collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment, with Fallout 5 identified as a long-term goal and multiple projects in active development. Remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are also planned, although release dates are not yet available. Additionally, a new expansion for Fallout 76, titled Raven Rock, is set to launch in 2027 as a prequel to Fallout 3. Bethesda is committed to ongoing updates for Starfield and hinted at future developments for The Elder Scrolls Online.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Fallout 5: Everything Todd Howard Has Said About Bethesda’s New Game

Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that Fallout 5 has officially entered pre-production. Todd Howard, the director of Bethesda, hinted at the game's existence in 2021 and stated that Fallout 5 will be released after The Elder Scrolls 6. The Fallout show on Prime Video's crew is aware of Fallout 5's development, and Howard has ensured that the show's narrative will not interfere with the game's storyline. The game is expected to remain set in the United States, in line with the franchise's tradition. Howard has expressed a desire not to rush the development of Fallout 5, emphasizing the importance of creating a meaningful single-player experience. He reassured fans that Bethesda is actively developing new content, even as the timeline for Fallout 5 remains uncertain. The events of the Fallout show will influence the game's narrative. Fallout 5 is being developed on the Creation Engine 3, and it is too early to determine if it will be an Xbox exclusive.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

College Football 27 to remove microtransactions after player backlash, though EA maintains they were only added to ‘give players more choice’

The EA Sports College Football game has returned, but it has faced criticism for its microtransaction model, which players consider excessive. In response to community backlash, EA announced on X that it would remove the controversial microtransactions, particularly in the Road to Glory mode, which is a single-player experience. Fans expressed satisfaction with this decision, highlighting the impact of collective feedback on corporate actions.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Buckshot Roulette: The Viral Horror Phenomenon Joins XBOX Game Pass Today

Buckshot Roulette has officially launched today on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX on PC, and cloud services. It is available at no additional cost for XBOX Game Pass subscribers. The game replaces the traditional revolver of Russian Roulette with a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, where players alternate turns with The Dealer, drawing items and deciding whether to aim at their opponent or themselves. It offers a single-player experience and has integrated multiplayer support for up to four players as a post-launch update. The game has evolved from an experiment on Itch.io to a celebrated title with a vibrant community, featuring fan art and enthusiasm. Today marks its first availability on console.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Echoes of Aincrad (PC) Review

Echoes of Aincrad is an original game set in the world of Sword Art Online, allowing players to assume the role of a background character who starts as a beta tester. The game features a prologue where players form an alliance with a solo player named Ito to combat player killers. The main storyline, which takes about three hours to complete, involves navigating the dangers of a game where death in-game results in real-life consequences. Players create their own character and experience familiar story elements while uncovering new narratives. The gameplay includes a mix of quests and environmental puzzles, though it suffers from repetitiveness and underutilized expansive worlds. Combat is satisfactory, with various melee weapons and coordinated attacks with party characters. The game is compatible with VR for an immersive experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

After nearly 15 years, Minecraft finally lets us camp anywhere in its ever-generating worlds without resetting our spawn

The latest update for Minecraft, version 26.40.30, introduces Cushions and Straw Beds to enhance player comfort in the Bedrock Edition. Straw Beds provide a more effective resting option, while Cushions add aesthetic appeal to player-built spaces. Mojang's lead developer emphasizes that smaller updates are intended to feel sustainable, with a commitment to continuously enrich the player experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

How do you reconcile your lore-heavy, dark sci-fi MMO with mod tools that might let people get way too goofy? ‘Everything’s canon,’ say the developers of EVE Frontier

EVE Frontier is an early access space survival MMO that features a contrast between its dystopian narrative and a vibrant modding ecosystem. Players inhabit cloned bodies known as "shells," which can be traded, upgraded, or sacrificed, adding strategic layers to gameplay. The origins of these consciousnesses are mysterious, possibly containing remnants of human culture. The game embraces player creativity, with everything created by players considered canon within the universe. The latest cycle of EVE Frontier launched on June 25, introducing fully modular ship building, an enhanced new player experience, a five-day free trial, and innovative gamepad controls.