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AppWizard
June 26, 2026
Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone has been developing Haunted Chocolatier for five years, focusing on refining every aspect of the game. He aims for it to be larger and more complex than Stardew Valley, with a bigger map, more characters, and intricate systems. Barone has dedicated significant time to the chocolate-making mechanics and is committed to creating an engaging user interface that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He emphasizes the importance of balancing information presentation to avoid overwhelming players and aims to replicate and enhance the intuitive design of Stardew Valley. Barone prioritizes quality over speed, indicating that the game may take additional years to complete.
BetaBeacon
June 25, 2026
Marie Android is a 3D action-adventure game developed by Jinbey Aoyama, set to be released this summer. Players control a small robot named Marie with unique powers, such as transforming into a tank or flattening herself. The game involves solving puzzles and combat, with each section of the map presenting different challenges that players must master to progress. Aoyama, who has been active as a VTuber since 2018 under the name Marie Android, is working on the game solo, with virtual singer Pochi Korone lending her voice talents to the project.
AppWizard
June 24, 2026
Age of Empires Mobile is now available on Steam and the Microsoft Store for PCs, allowing players to transition seamlessly between mobile devices and PCs while retaining their progress. The PC Edition has been optimized for enhanced gameplay, featuring mouse control and full keyboard navigation for improved strategic maneuvers and resource management. Further details and updates about the game are available for interested players.
AppWizard
June 24, 2026
Disney has shifted its Star Wars video game strategy to allow a wider range of developers to create games, moving away from reliance on a limited internal team. The upcoming title, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, is developed by Fuse Games and features players as Shade, who participates in an underground racing circuit in the Outer Rim. The game includes various vehicles, a roguelite structure, and character customization. Players face challenges from AI competitors and can explore planets between races, upgrading vehicles and interacting with characters. The game also features an Arcade mode for podracing, emphasizing quick reflexes and control.
AppWizard
June 24, 2026
The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Barcelona 2026, sponsored by Xsolla, showcased indie game development through a speed-dating style competition where developers presented their games to industry experts for feedback. The event included both mobile and PC/console segments, featuring a variety of innovative projects. It served as a networking opportunity for developers and highlighted work-in-progress titles. The pitching sessions are a staple of PG Connects conferences, offering insights into regional development scenes and connecting indie developers with industry professionals.
AppWizard
June 23, 2026
Arkane Lyon's stability has been questioned following Xbox's recent restructuring, particularly after its absence from the Xbox Games Showcase and concerns about potential studio closures. Todd Howard, head of Bethesda Softworks, provided reassurance about Arkane's progress on Marvel's Blade, stating he saw promising work as recently as May. However, skepticism remains regarding Arkane's long-term viability due to Microsoft's history of project announcements coinciding with studio cuts, such as the closure of Arkane's Austin studio in 2024.
AppWizard
June 23, 2026
Marathon has introduced a new mode called Vault Breaker, allowing players to explore the raid map Cryo Archive solo or in groups of two or three. This mode features a unique progression system where players enhance their power across multiple matches with the goal of reaching the final vault. To participate, players need a "Sponsored Kit," a free loadout designed for balanced gameplay. Unlike traditional extraction shooters, players will not keep gear or items found during runs; instead, they collect Vault Data, a currency for upgrading the Sponsored Kit or purchasing gear for other modes. The mode is set to launch on July 21 as part of a mid-season update, which will also introduce the Cradle Evolution system and various quality-of-life improvements. Community reactions are mixed, with some players criticizing the inability to retain items, while others see it as an opportunity to learn the map without high stakes.
AppWizard
June 23, 2026
Skillwood is a newly released free game on Steam, described as a "relaxing woodcutter simulator" with straightforward mechanics that have earned it a 100% rating from players. Developed by sshulin, the game involves chopping wood, mining stone, and trading with NPCs while managing stamina, which can be replenished by upgrading the campfire or foraging for berries. Players can explore and construct bridges and ladders to access new areas, enhancing resource-gathering. The game is designed for casual play and offers a mental escape, with players able to complete all objectives in approximately 40 minutes. Skillwood is free-to-play, as the developer chose not to implement a pay-to-play model or cosmetic DLC.
Tech Optimizer
June 22, 2026
Postgres, originally developed by Michael Stonebraker in the early 1980s, is an open-source database system that evolved from Ingres. It was designed to handle complex data types and introduced user-defined data types, operators, and functions, leading to the support for abstract data types (ADTs). The initial commercialization of Postgres occurred through a startup named Illustra, later acquired by Informix. In 1995, graduate students Andrew Yu and Jolly Chen revived Postgres, transitioning it from QUEL to SQL, resulting in Postgre95, which evolved into PostgreSQL. Today, Postgres is one of the most popular database systems globally, known for its extensibility and high code quality. However, it currently lacks features like file-level encryption (TDE), which are standard in commercial systems, relying instead on the operating system for encryption. Efforts to implement TDE have faced challenges due to the complexity of required code changes.
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