player interaction Archives

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Baby mobs are coming to Minecraft in next update

Minecraft will introduce new baby mobs in its upcoming update, featuring miniature versions of beloved animals. The update also includes new mobs like the Nautilus and Sniffer, as well as adjustments to existing entities such as the Happy Ghast and Zombie Horse. The focus on cuteness in this update aims to enhance player interaction and exploration within the game.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

3 Free PC Games Includes Tetris Dupe, Steam to Thank

The gaming industry is experiencing significant developments, with key trends emerging such as cross-platform play, cloud gaming, and the use of virtual and augmented reality. These trends are enhancing user experiences and fostering a more inclusive community. Additionally, the integration of social features within games is encouraging player interaction. The market is characterized by competition among established companies and newcomers, with players increasingly valuing quality content, community engagement, and accessibility. Businesses must adapt to these shifting consumer preferences and leverage data analytics to stay competitive. The industry is expected to continue growing, with companies that focus on user experience and technological advancements likely to succeed.

AppWizard

December 12, 2025

Ten years in the making, Jonathan Blow’s new game breaks all the rules of gaming’s greatest puzzle

Jonathan Blow is developing a new game titled Order of the Sinking Star, which has evolved from a modest engine test for his programming language, Jai, into a full-fledged Sokoban-style puzzle game. The game combines elements from four lesser-known freeware puzzle games and features multiple worlds, each with distinct realms and mechanics. Players will navigate challenges involving various characters, each with unique abilities that enhance gameplay. The narrative follows a deposed queen in a fantastical setting, with gameplay focused on exploration and puzzle-solving. Blow's design philosophy emphasizes the interaction of game mechanics and player agency, diverging from traditional storytelling methods. He is collaborating with a publisher for the first time to address the challenges of a saturated market.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

Despite a disaster launch, Blair Witch inspired horror game sells over 100,000 copies as dev commits “to face everything head on”

Multiplayer horror games have gained popularity due to platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Recent successful titles include R.E.P.O, Phasmophobia, and Lethal Company, inspiring indie developers to create multiplayer experiences. Digital Cybercherries is developing a game called Don't Scream Together, which combines cooperative gameplay with a found footage horror aesthetic. The game faced challenges at launch, receiving negative reviews primarily due to microphone calibration issues and player confusion about mechanics. Despite this, it sold 100,000 copies within days, with 60,000 on the first day. The developers engaged with the community and addressed feedback, leading to updated reviews from some players. They released a patch to fix audio problems linked to Windows 11 Audio Enhancements and committed to improving microphone calibration. Don't Scream Together is currently available at a 38% discount on Steam until December 10.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Minecraft 1.21.11 Pre-Release 3

The third pre-release for the Mounts of Mayhem drop has been unveiled, featuring enhancements such as bug fixes and spear weapon adjustments. New features include: - Spear weapon hit animation and sound effects are now synchronized. - In first-person view, the spear head rotates to a vertical position over time. Changes made: - The "See-Through Leaves" video setting is disabled in the "Fast" graphics preset. - Tamed horses avoid running into cacti or sweet berry bushes. Fixed bugs: - MC-302900: Resolved spear reach overriding player interaction range. - MC-303036: Fixed zombie nautilus hitbox size issue. - MC-303709: Addressed crash when dumping large dynamic textures. - MC-304045: Corrected spear hit sounds. - MC-304362: Resolved RGSS break when toggling hardware anisotropic filtering. - MC-304363: Fixed rendering position of copper golem statues on shelves. - MC-304407: Charge attacks now functional for mobs 3 to 4.5 blocks away. - MC-304440: Mouse cursor changes to pointing hand over inventory slots in crafter UI. - MC-304441: Mouse cursor changes shape over creative inventory scroll bar bounds. - MC-304452: Non-see-through leaves in Programmer Art display correctly. Pre-releases are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and users can install the latest pre-release through the Minecraft Launcher. An unobfuscated version for cross-platform server capabilities is also available for download.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

My new RPG obsession has a toxic player problem, but its dev refuses to “whack on a leavers penalty” and call it a day

Fellowship, a multiplayer online dungeon adventure from Chief Rebel, has a daily peak user base of approximately 9,000 to 11,000 on Steam. Players have expressed frustrations regarding player behavior, particularly the lack of penalties for those who leave groups or queues, which affects match wait times. Community director Hamish Bode discussed plans to address these issues, including the development of an Eternal matchmaking system and improved communication tools. The team is also considering rewarding players who complete dungeons together to encourage positive interactions. Bode emphasized the need for a balanced approach to managing player behavior, acknowledging the complexities of implementing punishment systems alongside communication improvements.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

With elements of Fallout and Escape From Tarkov, this brutal FPS is about to signal the end of my MMO hiatus

Pioner is a post-apocalyptic MMOFPS set on a 50km² island that combines PvP and PvE combat, developed by GFA Games. It features social hubs and allows player choices to influence the game's world. The game has over half a million wishlists on Steam and is set to release in Early Access on December 16. A deluxe edition will include exclusive rewards such as a unique character skin, weapon skins, a weapon charm, a Japanese watch, premium currency, and an exclusive player title.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

A huge anime action game is stripping out its gacha loot boxes to be reborn as a full-fledged MMORPG, and I can’t wait

Tower of Fantasy, a free-to-play shared-world anime game, is set to undergo a significant rework with the release of version 5.5 on November 25. This update aims to align the game more closely with its original MMORPG vision, moving away from traditional gacha mechanics. Key features include a 'Crew Base' for player interaction, 'GvE Crew events', team-triggered Combo Attack animations, and six new life classes. The gacha system will be removed, allowing players to obtain and upgrade weapons and characters through regular gameplay. Additionally, stat rolls on gear have been refined, and stamina requirements have been lifted to enhance character progression and encourage teamwork.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Minecraft and Pokemon Go among winners at Golden Joystick Awards

The Golden Joystick Awards, celebrating its 43rd year, recognized standout games through public votes and an expert panel. Minecraft won the Still Playing Award for console and PC games, marking its 15th anniversary and maintaining a monthly player base of around 160 million. In the mobile gaming category, Pokemon Go received the Still Playing Award, having transformed player interaction since its 2016 launch. Donkey Kong Bonanza won the Critics' Choice Award, highlighting the character's lasting influence in gaming.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Minecraft Snapshot 25w45a

The Mounts of Mayhem update introduces several new features, including the availability of Netherite horse armor, which can be crafted by upgrading Diamond Horse Armor using a Smithing Table. A new variant of the Zombie Nautilus, called the Coral Zombie Nautilus, has been added, spawning in warm ocean biomes. Camel Husks drop 2-3 Rotten Flesh upon defeat, with additional drops based on Looting levels. The "Mob Kabob" advancement rewards players for spearing five enemies with a charge attack. Changes include persistent Zombie Horses, Camel Husks, and Nautili with player interaction, reduced video memory impact of anisotropic filtering, and atmospheric changes during sunrises and sunsets. The Data Pack version is updated to 93.0, and the Resource Pack version is revised to 73.0. New data-driven features for Zombie Nautilus variants and spawn conditions based on biomes, moon brightness, and structures have been introduced. The minecraft:maxentitycramming game rule limit has been adjusted to a minimum of 0. Timelines, a new experimental feature, allow modifications in game behavior based on in-game day time. Item textures have been organized into a new items atlas, and various bugs have been fixed to improve gameplay stability. Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition, and players are advised to back up worlds before testing.