player feedback Archives

AppWizard

September 17, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker sequel may not have the divisive time mechanic that so many players dislike: ‘We will not force it,’ game director says

The Blood of Dawnwalker features a time mechanic that serves as a limited resource, creating a sense of urgency that some players find restrictive. Shaun Prescott expressed a desire for a more leisurely gameplay experience, which has led to the creation of the "Better Story Timer" mod, the most popular modification for the game. Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the studio CEO, acknowledged player feedback regarding the time mechanic and indicated that it may be adjusted in the sequel, aiming to enhance urgency without compromising the overall experience. He noted that players can complete around 80 percent of the content despite the time constraint and observed a decline in complaints as more players finished the game, discovering they had more time than expected. The studio is also seeking a lead writer for the next installment in the Dawnwalker series.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

Arc Raiders Expeditions may not come back: ‘Maybe we’ll scrap the whole system’

Embark Studios has announced a "pause" on the Expeditions feature in Arc Raiders, with plans to revisit it until early 2027 due to persistent player feedback. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal indicated that the feature may be overhauled or eliminated entirely. Expeditions serve as a prestige system where players reset their progress for unique benefits, but many have criticized the extensive grind for minimal rewards. The fifth Expedition, ending in September, will be the last until the feature is reworked or potentially scrapped. The studio aims to make significant changes based on community concerns regarding departure windows, reward structure, and accessibility. A major update, Frozen Trails, is set to launch in October.

AppWizard

September 13, 2026

Diablo 5 gameplay details from BlizzCon: More classes than ever before, procedurally-generated dungeons, and Diablo 2-style loot

At BlizzCon 2026, it was announced that Diablo 5 will be set a century after Diablo 4, exploring the aftermath of the demon's impact on Sanctuary. The game is projected for release in spring 2029 and aims to address player feedback from Diablo 4. The narrative will feature Diablo as a central character rather than just a final boss, and players will work to restore Westmarch. Key features include procedurally-generated dungeons, a caravan of NPCs instead of traditional towns, returning classes like the demon hunter and monk, and new classes such as the plague knight. The game will launch with more classes than any previous installment, and items will have a tiered system and occupy multiple inventory slots. Blizzard plans to provide regular updates on the game's development starting next year.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Microsoft announces cap on Xbox Cloud Gaming hours for Game Pass subscribers, admits most aren’t using it much anyway

Microsoft's gaming division is facing challenges due to layoffs, industry consolidation issues, and controversial partnerships. Xbox is increasing service costs for its cloud gaming service, introducing a monthly cap for Game Pass subscribers starting in November, after which additional playtime must be purchased. This change follows a decline in Xbox revenue, which fell by .7 billion over the past year. Xbox also tested an ad-supported game streaming model to boost revenue. The effectiveness of the new pricing strategy is uncertain, especially after a previous price hike led to a loss of "millions" of Game Pass subscribers. Xbox plans to engage with its player base for feedback on these changes.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

New Realms features in Java snapshot

The latest update includes a new pixel art feature that highlights the benefits of Realms. Players can install snapshots by opening the Minecraft Launcher, navigating to the "Installations" tab, and enabling snapshots. The developers are seeking player feedback to improve features and encourage submissions through a dedicated feedback site.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Blizzard doing ‘a thorough scrub’ of illegitimate World of Warcraft Mythic-Plus dungeon rankings, with more changes to come

Blizzard Entertainment is reviewing World of Warcraft Mythic Plus Dungeon rankings due to concerns over players purchasing carries, following the introduction of rewards for the top 1% during the Midnight expansion. Game director Ion Hazzikostas confirmed that the team is thoroughly examining this issue and will provide updates soon. The competitive rankings have led to discussions about the rapid increase in cutoff scores and the prevalence of paid invitations for +21 level groups. Players have faced penalties for obtaining Mythic raiding mounts through real-money transactions, causing confusion over legitimate practices. The percentage-based ranking system has increased participation in Mythic Plus dungeons but resulted in lower retention rates compared to the previous season. Community feedback on the new rewards has been mixed, with some players feeling stressed by the uncertainty of the cutoff. Class balance has also become a concern, as successful teams tend to favor specific "meta" specs, potentially limiting accessibility for other players. Blizzard aims to keep dungeons accessible for all classes while considering specialization-specific cutoffs for future seasons.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after ‘negative player feedback’

Guerilla Games is rethinking their live service co-op game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, due to negative feedback from playtests. The game will shift from a live service model to a more traditional co-op format focused on storytelling. Sony has set a deadline for the team to present a milestone by December, or the project may be canceled. Many developers have been reassigned to other projects, with a smaller group working on the next single-player Horizon installment. Sony is moving away from live service games, with only Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show performing well. The future of another live service game, Fairgames, is uncertain due to development challenges.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days Launches March 2027 for Console and PC

PikPok has announced that Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days will transition from Early Access to its full 1.0 release in March 2027. The game will be available on multiple platforms, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and GeForce NOW. A new gameplay trailer has been released, showcasing expanded gameplay systems and moral dilemmas. The game has evolved significantly since its Early Access debut, incorporating player feedback and updates to enhance survival mechanics and gameplay. Players will scavenge for resources, manage shelters, and face moral choices in a desolate 1980s Texas. Mario Wynands, CEO of PikPok, expressed excitement for the launch and acknowledged the community's role in shaping the game. Additional information is available on the official website and social media platforms.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Sword & Shield Simulator Now Available on PC

Sword & Shield Simulator is a PC game currently in Early Access, developed by Wildlands Interactive and co-published with Ultimate Games S.A. Players assume the role of a medieval blacksmith, forging weapons and armor while gathering resources from battlefields. The game features advanced blacksmithing mechanics, including modular sword and shield assembly, and incorporates resource gathering activities like tree felling, hunting, and mining. It includes mini-games such as lockpicking and crossbow shooting, and players can manage their smithy and engage in trading. The game world consists of three regions—Danburg, Bloodlands, and Grainmill—offering over 140 story missions and side quests. Future updates will add the Talstein region and new content. The game is expected to remain in Early Access for about six months, with plans to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026/2027. Minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-10400F or equivalent CPU, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 1070 8GB or equivalent GPU, and 8 GB of available SSD space.

AppWizard

August 14, 2026

What’s new in Minecraft? Third Drop 2026 features and more details

Mojang is preparing to release the Third Drop of 2026 for Minecraft, which will introduce several new features, including: - A new biome called the Dappled Forest, characterized by poplar trees with vibrant orange, yellow, and red leaves, and a forest floor with dirt blocks, leaf litter, red shrubs, and brown mushrooms. - A new wood set featuring poplar trees that produce planks and slabs with a warm grey hue. - Abandoned camps scattered throughout the Dappled Forest, constructed from wool stairs, containing lootable chests or barrels, and sometimes hidden maps leading to other structures. - New furniture and building blocks, including wool stairs, wool slabs, wool cushions, and straw beds, which can be used for sleeping without changing spawn points but are single-use and cannot be placed in the Nether or the End. - Concrete slabs and stairs as additional building materials. Mojang is currently testing these features through snapshots for player feedback.