playtesting Archives

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

‘Hello Sunshine’ Shines at the PC Gaming Show With a Stunning New Trailer

The PC Gaming Show featured the debut trailer for the game Hello Sunshine, developed by Red Thread Games, known for titles like Dustborn, Dreamfall, and Draugen. UK publisher Megabit will oversee its release, scheduled for 2026. The game's Steam page is open for playtesting sign-ups. The narrative is set in a sun-scorched wasteland where players are the last employee of a corporate empire, journeying toward a tower that symbolizes hope. Players will interact with a robot companion, making choices that affect their bond and survival.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

WW2 strategy game transforms your battlefield tactics with new DLC, a massive free update, and a huge discount

Relic Entertainment has launched the Endure and Defy DLC for Company of Heroes 3 alongside update version 2.2, which includes gameplay enhancements, balance adjustments, and over 2,000 new voice lines. The DLC introduces four new battlegroups for the USA, Britain, and Germany, with unique tactical options. The US forces can deploy Italian Partisans, while the British gain Polish Cavalry. Germany's new battlegroups include the Wehrmacht's Last Stand and the Dutsches Afrikakorps. The DLC is available on Steam with a 10% launch discount until December 11. The Scarlet Bison update brings significant gameplay improvements, including better enemy AI, four new maps, and multiplayer balance changes. The base game is currently offered at a 60% discount on Steam, priced at .19 until December 5.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Hytale is “coming together at last” according to dev, who says 60 playtesters have just given the Minecraft-inspired game their stamp of approval: “Long way to go but momentum is key”

Hytale has returned to its original creators at Hypixel after a period of cancellation and studio closure. CEO Simon Collins-Laflamme reported positive feedback from a recent playtest involving over 60 participants, which included valuable bug reports. The team is planning large-scale server tests and PvP events. Hypixel will also release a blog post featuring gameplay footage and screenshots from playtesters. The transition back to Hypixel is seen as a rescue mission for the game, with a commitment to a decade of support and a focus on the original vision. An Early Access date is anticipated.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Marvel Contest of Champions Makes the Jump to PC Gaming

The game "Contest of Champions" has consistently aligned its roster and events with developments in the Marvel universe across various media. The game's success is significantly attributed to its vibrant community, which the developers view as integral to the game's longevity. Community members, including those who have transitioned to the development team, provide valuable insights that influence game updates and expansions. Events like Summoners Fest allow developers to gain a deeper understanding of player experiences, which informs the creation of new Champions and the enhancement of existing ones. The community's feedback has led to formalized game rules and improved engagement with Champions.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Concord’s surprise return might be short-lived as dev suspends invites after “worrying legal action”‘

A group of fans has initiated a project called Concord Delta to reverse-engineer Concord, a hero shooter from Firewalk Studios that Sony had declared "permanently sunsetting." They have developed matchmaking capabilities and planned private playtesting, but faced DMCA takedowns shortly after announcing their efforts. Following Concord's closure, refunds were issued to players, stripping them of legal entitlement to the game, complicating the reverse-engineering efforts. While boxed copies of Concord exist, the situation highlights the contrast between physical ownership and digital rights. The dissolution of Firewalk Studios raises doubts about a formal return for Concord, despite community enthusiasm for a potential free-to-play PC version.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Civilization 7’s new initiative lets you test features before they go live, including the one you’ve all been asking for

Firaxis is launching the Firaxis Feature Workshop to enhance player engagement and satisfaction for Civilization 7 by incorporating community feedback. The studio is developing a mode that allows players to guide a single civilization through all three ages, responding to player criticism of the current gameplay. Creative Director Ed Beach mentioned that they are playtesting this feature and inviting community members to help refine it. Following the recent patch 1.3.0, which included a naval rework and new civilizations, the team will focus on larger features like the single-civ mode and the Workshop, with plans for smaller, less frequent updates. Early participants in the Workshop will test upcoming changes to Legacy Paths and Victories. Applications to join the Workshop are currently open, and successful applicants will have access to a private Discord server for feedback.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 won’t be cut down following Rebirth criticism, trilogy’s director confirms

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, addressed concerns about the pacing and content of the series, particularly in relation to FF7 Rebirth. He assured fans that the upcoming third installment will maintain content quality despite feedback about the game's length. Hamaguchi emphasized that his goal is to enhance pacing rather than reduce content and stated that he is committed to delivering a polished experience through extensive playtesting. He is receptive to player feedback and aims to improve pacing for the third installment to ensure story developments progress smoothly. Hamaguchi expressed confidence in the current state of the project, indicating that it is progressing well.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

“Our job is to be the studio’s advocate”: Eden Chen on why marketing is the biggest challenge in PC games

Pragma, a Los Angeles-based backend infrastructure platform, acquired FirstLook in February to enhance its discoverability and marketing tools for game studios. At Gamescom, FirstLook showcased seven studios at its inaugural consumer-facing booth, marking a shift from a strictly B2B focus. CEO Eden Chen emphasized the importance of visibility in the gaming industry, stating that Pragma aims to support studios by improving matchmaking with players through a newly launched player network. The booth featured games such as "Gods, Death & Reapers," "The Holdouts," "Cloudheim," "Last Flag," "Starlight Revolver," "The Signal," and "Dead as Disco." FirstLook plans to expand its presence at future events, aiming for a larger booth with more studios. Pragma collaborates with over 100 studios, including major companies like Bungie, Sony, and EA, to address challenges in a saturated gaming market.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

Arc Raiders designer says Marathon’s reception’was a great A/B test’: ‘They made decisions that we didn’t, and vice versa … we could compare and contrast how some of those things shook out’

The extraction shooter genre is evolving, with Bungie's reboot of Marathon and Embark's Arc Raiders nearing release after recent playtesting phases. Virgil Watkins, design director for Arc Raiders, noted the coincidental timing of the playtests, allowing both studios to compare decisions and learn from each other. He expressed cautious optimism about the future of extraction shooters, acknowledging challenges in sustaining multiple titles in this niche. Watkins highlighted the playtesting phase's insights into player preferences and reactions, and while he hasn't extensively analyzed Marathon's gameplay, he admires its artistic direction.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Ghostrunner dev’s new soulslike is playable now, and it’s looking good so far

Valor Mortis is a game with a full release scheduled for 2026, currently available for playtesting as of October 7. The playtest can be downloaded from the official website or will be available on Steam starting October 8. The game features a visually striking design and elements reminiscent of soulslike games, including challenging gameplay without a pause option. The author expresses excitement about the game, particularly after seeing a trailer showcasing a masked Napoleonic soldier transforming into a grotesque creature. The playtest experience has been positively received, with satisfaction reported in combat mechanics.