player experience Archives

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Subnautica 2 multiplayer explained – crossplay and four-player co-op

Subnautica 2 introduces multiplayer functionality, allowing players to explore underwater landscapes with up to three friends. The game maintains a design that ensures all single-player features are available in multiplayer without exclusive elements. Players can switch between single-player and multiplayer modes, converting existing saves or creating new ones. Friends can join a player's world but may be able to take resources. The game is fundamentally designed as a single-player experience, preserving moments of solitude. Subnautica 2 supports cross-play between Xbox and PC users, with a friends list system for connecting across platforms. Future expansions to other platforms are expected to maintain this cross-play capability. Players should check system requirements for compatibility.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

After his city builder flopped in early access, Firewatch’s Nels Anderson didn’t give up: ‘Smarter people than me … probably would’ve pulled the plug’

Nels Anderson, the game designer behind Generation Exile, faced a challenging situation after its early access launch on Steam, where despite having over 35,000 wishlists and being one of the top 70 most played demos during Next Fest, the game sold only a few hundred copies. In response to disappointing early access feedback, Anderson and his team at Sonderlust Studios spent six months refining the game, completing its final two story chapters, introducing a new biome, fixing bugs, and overhauling the user interface. Currently, Generation Exile has 31 user reviews on Steam with an overall positive average. Anderson critiques the gaming industry's focus on immediate results, expressing concern over the implications of prioritizing retention over genuine player satisfaction. Generation Exile is set for full release on April 17.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Todd Howard says Starfield’s NG+ was misunderstood and defends Bethesda’s new U-turn on how it works: ‘You can tell us if we’re done our job right’

Starfield's Free Lanes update enhances the New Game Plus (NG+) mode by allowing players to retain up to 50 items when entering The Unity, a multiverse nexus that resets the game while keeping character skills and abilities. This change addresses player concerns about losing hard-earned possessions, which was previously seen as a daunting sacrifice. The update also introduces X-Tech for further upgrades to existing gear, aiming to reward players without frustrating them by losing progress. Bethesda's director, Todd Howard, and creative producer, Tim Lamb, emphasize the importance of evolving the gameplay experience and encouraging players to engage with the game's NG+ features.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

Fan World of Warcraft servers face shut down as Blizzard wins Turtle WoW case

Activision Blizzard won a copyright infringement lawsuit against the private gaming server Turtle WoW, which was filed in August 2025. The court ordered Turtle WoW to cease all activities related to private servers and modded client software. The ruling prohibits the defendants from transferring any Turtle WoW client software, source code, or promotional materials to third parties. A settlement has been reached between Blizzard and the Turtle WoW defendants, with plans for Blizzard to file for a dismissal of the case by June 8, 2026. Donations on the Turtle WoW website have been suspended, and the community is reacting to the court's decision.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

League of Legends lead Phroxzon says “frustrating” counters like Mel are part of the MOBA’s “secret sauce”

Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison, lead gameplay designer for League of Legends, engaged with a group of 20 players to discuss champion balance, focusing on Mel, whose abilities can disrupt opponents. He described Mel as "a balanced champion," though players expressed frustration over her matchups. Phroxzon acknowledged that there are moments where Mel can feel overwhelmingly powerful and emphasized the importance of diverse gameplay experiences. He noted that navigating difficult matchups is integral to the game and encouraged players to develop strategies against challenging champions. He also discussed the concept of 'loser's queue' and the psychological aspects of player perceptions in competitive environments. Additionally, he addressed the balance between introducing changes through patches and maintaining game stability, suggesting that new champion releases contribute to player growth and understanding. Riot Games is committed to evaluating champion dynamics and player experiences in the evolving landscape of League of Legends.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

EA just cut Apex Legends map without warning, but there is a good reason

Apex Legends has removed Storm Point from the map rotation due to crashes occurring on certain devices. This decision was made just two weeks after Storm Point's reintroduction. In its place, E-District (daytime) has been added to the rotation. EA stated that they are working on a permanent fix for the crashes and will provide updates as they become available. E-District has been well-received by players for its competitive environments and design.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Arc Raiders crafting just got much faster: “Your time matters, we don’t want you spending it clicking through menus”

Crafting is essential in Arc Raiders, where players gather resources to create weapons, gear, and consumables. Embark Studios is working to improve the crafting experience by addressing the time-consuming nature of resource gathering. They have introduced a new 'Acquire Resources' button in the crafting screen, which provides a list of available sources for required materials, including recyclable items from the player's inventory and options from traders. This feature aims to reduce interruptions and streamline the crafting process, although it does not guarantee immediate access to all materials. The studio acknowledges that further improvements are needed and is committed to addressing additional player concerns in future updates. They also encourage ongoing community feedback to shape their development priorities.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

A new Crimson Desert patch adds the only RPG feature that matters: A hide helmet button

Crimson Desert has introduced an update that allows players to hide their helmets, offering customization options in the settings menu. Players can choose to make their headgear visible during cutscenes, throughout the game, only in combat, or not at all. The update also includes a new whimsical armor set and helmet for cats, improved movement controls with a "classic" option, and has been positively received, with PC Gamer awarding it a score of 80.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Crimson Desert’s commitment to cleaning up its clunky controls shines the brightest in how satisfying it feels to fly around Pywel now

Crimson Desert has undergone significant improvements since its initial release in March, with developers at Pearl Abyss addressing various concerns. Enhancements include streamlined fast travel points, the introduction of private storage for inventory management, and the resolution of issues related to breaking into locked doors. The flying mechanic has also been improved, allowing for easier and more enjoyable exploration, with Kliff now able to ascend effortlessly. Additionally, the reduction of loading cutscenes has made the world feel more inviting. Overall, these changes reflect Pearl Abyss' commitment to enhancing the gameplay experience.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Slay the Spire 2’s team is already cooking on 3 ideas for new game modes, each offering ‘ways to interact with Slay the Spire that don’t exist right now’

Casey Yano, co-founder of Mega Crit, revealed that Slay the Spire 2 will enter early access in the next year or two and will feature three new modes, including a co-op mode. This addition aims to attract both seasoned players and newcomers. The team is exploring new gameplay dynamics, which may include collaborative gameplay, dynamic challenges, and experimental features that could surprise players.