Relaxation Archives

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says ‘Quake ruined id Software,’ and for once John Romero doesn’t tell Sandy he’s wrong

The 30th anniversary of Quake on June 22, 2026, led to reflections from its creators, particularly Sandy Petersen and John Carmack. Petersen stated, "Quake ruined id Software," acknowledging the game's achievements but highlighting the intense workload that drained the team. Carmack described the project as "overly ambitious technically" and admitted to pushing the team too hard, recognizing the need for a more balanced approach to ownership and work environment. He noted that the original corporate stock arrangement created poor incentives. Petersen mentioned that working in a large room eliminated spaces for relaxation, contributing to team stress. John Romero echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the culture at id Software and praising designer American McGee's contributions. The founders recognized their past mistakes while appreciating the legacy of their work, with id Software continuing to thrive with franchises like Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Blows the Doors of the ARPG Wide Open

Minecraft Dungeons II features a new narrative and an expansive Overworld map, adding new gear slots and various gameplay enhancements. It is designed for co-op play, appealing to both casual gamers and ARPG enthusiasts. The game will launch on September 29 and be available on multiple platforms, including XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, cloud services, Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, with no additional cost for Game Pass subscribers. The sequel offers a contiguous, interconnected world with dungeons and includes a jumping mechanic for enhanced exploration.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Final Fantasy Meets Minecraft In Massive New Open-World RPG

Steam serves as a vibrant hub for indie game developers, showcasing unique titles that often stand out against mainstream AAA releases. The cozy gaming genre, highlighted by games like Stardew Valley, has gained popularity, leading to dedicated conferences and livestreams. One of the latest indie games, Crystal Project 2, is an ambitious RPG that aims to redefine exploration with a seamless open world experience, combining elements of Minecraft and Final Fantasy. Developer Andrew Willman emphasizes the game's vision of allowing players to explore and personalize their environment. The indie scene on Steam continues to thrive, offering innovative titles that challenge traditional gaming conventions.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Valve Just Made Some Big Changes to Steam Tags, And The New Additions Shed Light on Recent Trends

Valve updated Steam's tagging system on May 18th, removing 28 outdated tags, introducing 17 new ones, and adjusting existing categories. The new tags include Bullet Heaven, Desktop Companion, Organizing, Cleaning, Decorating, Wuxia, Xianxia, Falling Blocks, Espionage, Samurai, Zoo, Wolves, Capybaras, Animals, Cult, Poker, and Language Learning. The retired tags include 3D Vision, Ambient, America, Blood, Crowdfunded, Cult Classic, Documentary, Drama, Dungeons & Dragons, Electronic, Experience, Feature Film, Foreign, GameMaker, Games Workshop, Illuminati, Kickstarter, LEGO, Masterpiece, Mature, Movie, Narration, NSFW, Roguevania, RPGMaker, Warhammer 40K, Web Publishing, and Well-Written. Existing tags like Clicker and Conversation were rebranded to Incremental and Dialogue Heavy, respectively. The updates aim to improve user navigation and reflect current gaming trends.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Marathon’s Game Director admits it’s “overwhelming to learn” and too sweaty

Marathon, developed by Bungie, has a specialized appeal that may hinder sustainable growth, as noted by Game Director Joe Ziegler. He described the game's learning curve as "overwhelming" and gameplay as a "hardcore sweat-fiesta," indicating a need for more relaxed options. Since its launch nearly three months ago, the game has fostered a growing core community, with players contributing fan art and lore videos. Key observations from Season 1 include the overwhelming experience for newcomers, the chaotic endgame balance, and the demand for less intense gameplay. For Season 2, two new PvE-focused modes will be introduced, including one that blends PvE with PvP and another emphasizing cooperative gameplay. New features will include the Night Marsh zone, a defensive Runner shell named 'Sentinel,' fresh weapons, and improved customization options. Additional anticipated features are a Duos rotating zone queue, a revamped matchmaking system, and an expansion of Vault size. Bungie is also working on enhancing the onboarding experience and contract system. Season 2 is set to launch on June 2, with more details to be revealed in late May.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

After all that drama, Subnautica 2 is good

Subnautica 2 is a combat-free survival game set in an expansive oceanic world where players gather resources, craft gear, and uncover the fate of settlers. The game features an AI supervisor that encourages players to embrace death, allowing for instant respawning. Players can absorb alien DNA to adapt to new biomes, and the game promotes exploration and self-discovery, although some mechanics could benefit from clearer explanations. Co-op gameplay has been introduced, allowing for collaborative base-building. The game is currently in early access and will remain so for up to three years, during which additional content will be added. Despite being unfinished, it has achieved significant sales.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 07/05/2026

From 4 PM BST on May 7, 2026, until 4 PM BST on May 14, 2026, the Epic Games Store is offering free downloads of two games: Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure and Trash Goblin. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is published and developed by Furniture & Mattress LLC, featuring puzzles that reveal deeper narrative layers. Trash Goblin, published and developed by Spilt Milk Studios, provides a shopkeeping experience where players clean and upcycle trinkets to sell to customers.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Free RPG Deemed ‘Cosy Minecraft’, Available To Play On Steam

Adrift is a new free game on Steam that offers a tranquil gaming experience similar to Minecraft but with a cozier vibe. Players explore a serene forest environment, focusing on relaxation rather than building and crafting. The gameplay involves wandering through the forest, collecting materials, and crafting items to uncover hidden tunnels. The game features a map system to highlight points of interest and a Walk Draw feature that allows players to sketch their paths. The soundtrack, composed by ShantHennessy, enhances the calming atmosphere. Adrift is currently in early access, offers about an hour of gameplay, and includes a single achievement. A price increase is expected once the game reaches full release.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Eldritch Katamari-like In Full Bloom has me fattening up an all-devouring blob creature, and it’s eerily therapeutic

Entithy is a small, Play-Doh-like sphere created by Obleak Games, characterized by its cuteness and insatiable appetite. The game "In Full Bloom" combines Tamagotchi-style nurturing with Katamari-esque consumption, where players care for Entithy and guide its growth. The game features a darker thematic approach with a soundscape that evokes unease, and an art style inspired by Tim Burton. Players start with Entithy in a sandpit, feeding it various items like bugs and decayed food to help it grow. As players progress, Entithy evolves, developing teeth and the ability to consume more substantial food. The demo concludes before fully exploring Entithy’s potential, leaving players curious about its future growth. The demo is available on Steam, with a full release expected in 2026.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Mid-week Android game and app deals: Rush Rally 3, Macabre Journey, Cultist Sim, more

Android enthusiasts can look forward to several new games and applications, including Rush Rally 3, Rush Rally Origins, The Macabre Journey: Dark 3D, Cultist Simulator, Save the Puppies Premium, and Stickman Master Premium. There are ongoing pre-order deals for the Galaxy S26, offering exclusive offers such as 0 store credit and potential savings of up to 0 with trade-ins. Today's highlighted Android app price drops include: - Rush Rally 3: Rally racing game with stunning graphics and realistic physics. - Rush Rally Origins: Classic rally gameplay for new and seasoned players. - The Macabre Journey: Dark 3D: A haunting adventure game. - Cultist Simulator: A narrative-driven strategy game. - Save the Puppies Premium: A puzzle game with a heartwarming mission. - Stickman Master Premium: An action-packed game. Additional price drops include: - Adventure Quest: An immersive RPG with epic quests. - Mindfulness Meditation: Guided sessions for relaxation and focus. - Photo Editor Pro: Powerful editing tools for creativity. - Fitness Tracker: Comprehensive activity monitor for health goals. - Language Learning App: Interactive lessons for mastering a new language.