Pride

AppWizard
March 18, 2026
The Amazon Games team responsible for Lost Ark has experienced significant departures, including community manager Roxanne Sabo and producer 'Hardcore' Henry Stelter. Sabo expressed her pride in her work with the community, while Stelter reflected on his journey with the game. A statement on the Lost Ark global website acknowledged these departures and emphasized the importance of community feedback, citing a recent survey of over 11,000 players. The future of Lost Ark remains uncertain, especially following the Ends of the Abyss update, with plans outlined only through April. Smilegate continues to be the primary developer, and there is potential for another publisher to take over if Amazon Games withdraws.
Tech Optimizer
March 17, 2026
Microsoft is enhancing PostgreSQL to establish it as a high-performance, scalable, and enterprise-ready open database platform, addressing the limitations of legacy systems like Oracle. Many Oracle customers face rising licensing costs, performance bottlenecks, and scalability issues, prompting them to consider migration. Apollo Hospitals successfully migrated from Oracle to Azure Database for PostgreSQL, achieving a 60% reduction in operational costs and a threefold improvement in system performance. Microsoft has introduced an AI-assisted migration tool to simplify the transition from Oracle to PostgreSQL, automating the conversion of schemas and application code. Azure Database for PostgreSQL offers high performance, scalability, and security, with features like v6-series compute SKUs and SSD v2 storage. Azure HorizonDB, a new cloud-native PostgreSQL service, supports extreme performance demands and is designed for real-time analytics. Microsoft is committed to enhancing PostgreSQL as an open-source database for enterprise workloads, enabling organizations to innovate and become more agile.
AppWizard
February 26, 2026
Zootopia 2 has surpassed A Minecraft Movie at the box office, grossing 4.2 million compared to A Minecraft Movie's 4.08 million. Zootopia 2 debuted in November 2025, allowing it a longer theatrical run. It is celebrated as "Hollywood's biggest earner," with an international gross of .425 billion and a worldwide total of .85 billion. Zootopia 2 set a record for PG-rated films by reaching the billion mark globally within 17 days of its release. A Minecraft Movie has a sequel announced, while the future of Zootopia 3 is uncertain as Disney has not confirmed its production.
AppWizard
February 25, 2026
On February 25, 2026, players of Planet Brunei Reborn (PBR), the longest-running Minecraft server in Brunei Darussalam, participated in a digital homage to the nation’s National Day by reconstructing significant Bruneian landmarks. This initiative began in mid-January and aimed to blend creativity with personal storytelling. Players received in-game currency and ranks as appreciation for their contributions. Notable creations included the Menara Cendera Kenangan, crafted by player Danialhandsome, and Brunei International Airport, recreated by Sub7PewDiePie12 and his team. Since its relaunch in 2022, PBR has attracted over 2,000 registered players and hosts regular community events, serving as a cultural hub for celebrating Brunei’s heritage.
AppWizard
February 20, 2026
Jake Solomon, founder of Midsummer Studios, announced the studio's closure and shared a gameplay video of "Burbank," a life simulation game. The game aimed to empower players as storytellers and was described as a blend of "Life Sims + The Truman Show." Despite receiving an 88% review score and being a Game of the Year runner-up for "Midnight Suns," the studio struggled with sales. Midsummer Studios had secured funding from various venture capital partners and Krafton but was seeking additional funding rounds. The gameplay footage of Burbank featured a polished aesthetic, with plans to use generative AI for character voices while ensuring visual art was created by human artists.
AppWizard
February 1, 2026
Hermitcraft is a Minecraft server franchise that started in 2012 and has become a popular platform for YouTube content creators. As of November 2025, Season Eleven is underway, with members creating impressive megabases and engaging in new minigames. iJevin, a member since 2013, is building a pirate-themed base, while Welsknight, who joined in 2016, is constructing a Japanese village. Both creators aim to be more active this season, with Welsknight focusing on a feudal Japanese castle town and an industrial area for farms. They express excitement about new Minecraft updates and the community dynamics, particularly TangoTek's Decked Out 3. Jevin reflects on the growth of Hermitcraft and the collaborative experience, while Welsknight appreciates the positive atmosphere within the community. Both creators acknowledge the influence of past Minecraft figures and express pride in being part of Hermitcraft's evolution.
AppWizard
January 28, 2026
At Oakestown Intermediate School, the Minecraft Club, led by sixth-grader Nicholas Voiles as mayor, promotes collaborative creativity and community building among students. The club operates under a social behavior contract signed by all members, emphasizing shared responsibility and democratic principles. Teacher Chelsy Darby facilitates the program, which has gained popularity since its establishment last year through Grandville Community Education. Club members meet weekly to construct a virtual city, engage in battles, and participate in challenge builds, each taking on specific roles like banker or sheriff. The club fosters friendship opportunities and enhances problem-solving, strategizing, and coding skills among participants. Members vote on decisions, reinforcing the democratic aspect of the club. Darby highlights the development of interpersonal skills as students collaborate and communicate during gameplay.
AppWizard
January 14, 2026
Dwarf Fortress, released in 2026, features a six-word story: "Mothers no longer seek ghostly babies." The latest update addresses an issue where some dwarves appeared unclothed on the units screen and citizens list despite continuing their daily activities. A hotfix was released to resolve this and a freeze issue. Additionally, the update mentioned "made female peachick visible again." The game is known for its quirky updates, including instances of undead cats adopting dwarves and vampires accusing infants.
AppWizard
January 14, 2026
Sue Jacquot, an 81-year-old woman, started a YouTube channel called Gramma Crackers in 2024 to support her grandson Jack Self during his cancer treatment. The channel focuses on her gaming adventures in Minecraft and has attracted over 150,000 followers and 564,000 views on her first video. Each video includes a link to Jack's GoFundMe page, which raised significant funds for his treatment. The gaming community has shown overwhelming support, contributing to the campaign and providing encouragement. Sue's experience highlights the growing trend of elderly individuals engaging in gaming, as seen in other stories like a 92-year-old woman winning a Tekken 8 tournament in December 2025.
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