players Archives

BetaBeacon

October 13, 2026

Vampire Crawlers Released on iOS and Android – Mobile Version Price Unpleasantly Surprised Players

Poncle studio has launched the mobile version of Vampire Crawlers, a turn-based card roguelike game with dungeon exploration. The mobile version is priced significantly higher than the PC version on Steam, causing controversy among players.

BetaBeacon

October 12, 2026

Broken Ranks Android Launch: October 21 Release

- The upcoming release of Broken Ranks is for Android. - The global Android release is scheduled for October 21. - Pre-registration is active through Google Play. - Early registrants will receive a free skin. - Broken Ranks is a tactical, turn-based MMORPG from Whitemoon Games, offered as a free-to-play game.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Seamless Landing mod looks set to bring Starfield another step closer to No Man’s Sky

Starfield has introduced various mods to enhance gameplay, including Seamless Grav Jumps and Seamless Planet Takeoffs. A limitation of the game is the requirement to select a landing spot, which is followed by a loading screen and an animation, leading to the perception of spaceships as teleportation devices. Alanah Pearce noted that planets can feel superficial, appearing as mere textures. A new mod by Frederik Wessberg aims to eliminate loading screens during landings, potentially improving the immersive experience and player connection to spacecraft and environments. The modding community continues to play a significant role in evolving gaming experiences.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Star Wars Galactic Racer’s devs tested its roguelite progression system by turning it into a board game

Kieran Crimmins, the creative director at Fuse Games, emphasized the importance of tactile experience in game design, leading to the creation of a board game prototype for Star Wars Galactic Racer to explore gameplay mechanics. Matt Webster, the CEO of Fuse Games, noted that while modern engines are capable, traditional prototyping can be faster for capturing ideas. The board game prototype focused on simulating the progression system, where players earn rewards based on race performance, enhancing vehicle stats and acquiring parts. This system draws inspiration from roguelite games, providing continuity and growth in gameplay. Crimmins highlighted the efficiency of board game prototyping for rapid validation of emotional responses, allowing for quick adjustments using simple materials. The approach reflects a trend in game development towards flexibility and creativity in early design stages.

AppWizard

October 12, 2026

Steam Week in Review: The curious case of Wonder Boy in Monster Land’s dubious PC debut

Wonder Boy in Monster Land, originally released in Japanese arcades in 1987 and later on the Sega Master System, has been listed on Steam by Retro Maniac, a developer with a limited portfolio. The title is misspelled as "Wonderboy," raising concerns about the legitimacy of the release. The ownership of the Wonder Boy franchise is split between LAT Corp, which holds the intellectual property rights, and Sega, which retains the trademark. This dual ownership complicates any re-release under the Wonder Boy name, as seen with previous titles that successfully navigated licensing agreements. The original arcade version was released as Adventure Island in the U.S., leading to confusion about the game's lineage. Concerns about the Retro Maniac port were raised by the Wonder Boy Universe fan account and composer Shinichi Sakamoto, who noted it is not available in Japan and may be unauthorized. The port appears to be a ROM running within the MAME arcade emulator. The listing is reportedly facing a DMCA takedown process initiated by Sega or LAT Corp.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Hellraiser: Revival (PC) REVIEW – The Wettest Game of the Year

The Hellraiser franchise began with Clive Barker's literary works and transitioned into a film in 1987, followed by nine sequels and a reboot. The latest installment, Hellraiser: Revival, is a narrative-driven single-player game that incorporates elements from various gaming genres, including a grim atmosphere similar to Condemned, a merchant system like Resident Evil 4, chase sequences akin to Outlast, hide-and-seek mechanics inspired by Alien: Isolation, abilities reminiscent of BioShock, and crafting systems typical of modern gaming. The story follows Aidan Lynch, who seeks to rescue his partner Sunny from Pinhead after a traumatic encounter. Aidan, portrayed by Xalavier Nelson Jr., is a flawed character who faces internal struggles, while Doug Bradley reprises his role as Pinhead. The game features dynamic combat with a variety of weapons and enemies, requiring strategic thinking. Despite some budget constraints and minor flaws, Hellraiser: Revival is noted for its impressive art direction and atmospheric design, without any microtransactions. A deluxe edition key was provided for the review.

BetaBeacon

October 11, 2026

A classic Zelda-style adventure can be tried for free on smartphones – Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King released on Android and iOS

FDG Entertainment has released the mobile version of Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, developed by Castle Pixel studio.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

The developer of an AI-powered driving instruction simulator is spending $1,000 per month just to keep its demo running

Artificial intelligence, particularly through large language models (LLMs), is expected to significantly impact the gaming industry by enhancing non-player characters (NPCs). However, practical implementation has been limited, with few titles like Where Winds Meet exploring this technology. A case study from the developers of Teach My Little Sister How To Drive highlights the financial challenges of integrating LLMs, as daily operational costs have exceeded ,000 due to high player interactions. The developers, Easy Fox, have taken out a bank loan to sustain the demo but are uncertain about its long-term viability. They are considering alternatives like local AI models for players with powerful GPUs, though this would limit accessibility. The game’s reliance on a premium LLM raises questions about its necessity, especially given existing design challenges such as artificial dialogue and misinterpreted commands. The full release of the game is scheduled for January next year.

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

GTA 6 leaker threatens to upload a build with ‘full story mode’

Cyberleek has been sharing footage of Grand Theft Auto 6 since August, with a recent 25-minute video featuring co-protagonist Jason. The game's official release is on November 19 for console players. Cyberleek is offering to leak a playable build of the game if their memecoin reaches a million market capitalization. They claim the build will include the full story mode and are inviting requests for specific content. This situation puts Take-Two Interactive in a difficult position regarding their response. Previous Xbox streaming attempts have not met expectations, and gamers are looking forward to other releases like The Blood of Dawnwalker and Hellraiser.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Nivalis Nights might not have any combat, “but that doesn’t mean it’s a cosy game,” so says its lead writer

The game Nivalis Nights is designed to be intentionally overwhelming at the start, reflecting the stress of a cyberpunk world without traditional elements like player death or boss fights. Players navigate a chaotic environment where every app demands attention, mirroring modern life's pace. The game allows for various paths to success, including unconventional achievements, and emphasizes the complexity of relationships through its dating mechanics, aiming for authenticity and unpredictability. The game's narrative explores themes of technological advancement and societal pressures, inviting players to actively engage rather than passively receive rewards.