portal Archives

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Nintendo should have cribbed from Valve on how to make a good handheld tech demo

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct introduced a feature called Welcome Tour, which is priced at 990 yen (approximately £5), though there are speculations it may cost more. The feature has been described as a "glorified tech demo" or a "digital manual." In contrast, Valve's Aperture Desk Job is a free tech demo for the Steam Deck that effectively showcases its functionalities while incorporating humor and narrative elements from the Portal universe. It takes about half an hour to complete and has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and clever references. Many players find it both entertaining and educational. In comparison, the Welcome Tour has been criticized for its generic presentation and lack of creativity, highlighting a disparity between Nintendo's past successes and its current offerings.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Danielle Brooks shares the secret meaning behind her ‘Minecraft’ costume

Danielle Brooks plays the character Dawn in "A Minecraft Movie," set to be released on April 4. Her costume, designed by Amanda Neale, features a blend of orange and purple, symbolizing significant colors in Brooks' career. Co-star Jason Momoa admired the jumpsuit and requested a similar one for a film premiere, but it did not arrive in time. Brooks expressed excitement for the film and plans to take her 5-year-old daughter, Freeya, to a private screening in Georgia with family and friends. The movie also stars Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, and Emma Myers.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

The history of the video game that inspired ‘A Minecraft Movie’

On April 4, "A Minecraft Movie" will be released, featuring a cast that includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film follows four misfits who are transported to a block-based realm and must unite with Steve, played by Black, to protect their world. "Minecraft" is a sandbox game that allows players to explore and create in a limitless environment, rated Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. It has two main modes: Creative, which offers unlimited resources and immortality, and Survival, which involves resource gathering and managing health. Markus "Notch" Persson created "Minecraft" in 2009, launching it officially in November 2011 after successful testing. He sold the game to Microsoft in 2014 for .5 billion, after which Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took over as lead designer. As of 2023, "Minecraft" is the second highest-selling video game, behind Tetris, and has received numerous updates, with the latest being the "Trials and Tales Update."

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Xbox fans lose it as new console is teased in mysterious trailer

A new Xbox-branded handheld console is set to launch later this year, developed in collaboration with ASUS. This device will not be a fully in-house creation but a partnership product. Recent trailers have hinted at Xbox branding on the ASUS ROG Ally gaming handheld, suggesting a fusion of technologies. The official Xbox Twitter account responded to ASUS's teaser trailer, indicating their collaboration. An official release date has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Jack Black, Jason Momoa square off in ‘Minecraft’ movie

Actors Jack Black and Jason Momoa are promoting their upcoming film adaptation of the video game 'Minecraft,' set to be released by Warner Bros on March 18, 2025. Black plays the character Steve and has a strong connection to the game, having immersed himself in it before the film. Momoa portrays Garrett, and the film includes iconic elements from the game such as creepers, zombies, and villagers. The plot involves four characters discovering Steve's belongings in the real world, leading to their transport to the Overworld through a magic cube. Black was familiar with the game, while Momoa had not played it prior to filming.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

A Minecraft Movie and Stranger Things star’s new album: What’s coming up this week

The highly anticipated Minecraft Movie will debut on Friday, featuring a cast that includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film follows four misfits transported into the Overworld, the iconic realm of the Minecraft game. Joe Keery, known for his role in Stranger Things, has released his latest album, The Crux, under the musical alias Djo, with the single End of Beginning gaining viral success. SIX The Musical, featuring the original West End cast, will be released in cinemas on Sunday as a filmed stage production. Anticipation is building for the announcement of the Switch 2, the successor to the Nintendo Switch, expected to reveal its price and launch date on Wednesday. Other highlights include Eid Live and Celebrity Eid on BBC One on Monday, the creator of Minecraft appearing on a podcast on Monday, the London Games Festival 2025 starting on Wednesday, South of Midnight's early access on Thursday, and new album releases from Elton John and Brandi Carlile, and Black Country, New Road on Friday.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Momoa and Black create comedy in game adaptation ‘A Minecraft Movie’

Jason Momoa and Jack Black are starring in "A Minecraft Movie," directed by Jared Hess. Black plays Steve, a character trapped in the Overworld, while real-world characters Garett, Dawn, Natalie, and Henry discover his belongings and activate a portal to Minecraft. The film has been in development for over a decade, with Momoa also serving as a producer. This marks Momoa's first comedy role. The narrative focuses on a single scenario, making it easier to complete the project. The film features Jennifer Coolidge and is set for global release this Wednesday.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

Pixel to Reality: Director Jared Hess’s Challenge Brining ‘Minecraft’ To The Big Screen

A Minecraft Movie is an upcoming film featuring stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa, directed by Jared Hess. The story follows four individuals who are transported through a portal into a creative realm, guided by a master crafter. The film aims to transform Minecraft's 16-bit aesthetic into a live-action experience and is set to be released in theaters on April 4th.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Hear Jack Black, Dave Grohl and more on epic new Minecraft single I…

Jack Black and Dave Grohl collaborated on a new song titled "I Feel Alive" for the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, set to be released on April 4. Black voices the character Steve, while Grohl plays drums on the track. Other musicians involved include Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, Roger Manning on keys, Mark Ronson on bass and rhythm guitar, and Danielle Brooks providing background vocals. The film, directed by Jared Hess, follows four misfits who are transported to the Overworld and must navigate challenges to return home.