rewards Archives

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Guild Wars 3 won’t have a ‘battle pass fee buried in it’, says studio head: ‘We’re not gonna hold their time hostage’

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) have integrated live service features like seasonal content and battle passes, with varying outcomes. World of Warcraft has successfully implemented a free battle pass-like system through its Trading Post, enhancing player engagement. In contrast, Guild Wars 2's studio head Colin Johanson has stated that Guild Wars 3 will avoid a battle pass model, aiming for a more balanced player engagement. He noted that contemporary battle passes resemble subscription services and expressed concerns about overwhelming players, while also recognizing the issues with minimal rewards in games. The contrasting approaches of these titles illustrate the challenge developers face in balancing monetization and player satisfaction.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Derelict Star review

A momentum-based 2D platformer titled "Derelict Star" will be released on April 3, 2026. It is developed by gate and published by Luminous Tree Games. The game emphasizes exploration and skillful navigation over traditional power-ups, encouraging players to master movement mechanics. It features a jetpack mechanic with a speed meter, and the environment consists of various rooms with unique challenges. Checkpoints and fast travel options enhance the exploration experience. The game is verified for Steam Deck and was reviewed on an RTX 3060 laptop with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Marketplace Content: June 2026

Hourglass Studios has released the Ocean Expansion Add-on 3.0, featuring 84 marine creatures and an underwater vehicle. Tools by Misfits offers gadgets like night vision goggles and jetpacks. TNTgames' Living Dead add-on introduces undead mobs and a miniboss, the Skeleton King. Glowfischdesigns' Combat Utilities enhances combat with enemy health bars and off-hand weapons. SandBlock Studios' Stitched Monsters Add-on presents marionette-like creatures and crafting options. Ascent's Ultimate City Mash-up features a 2,000 by 2,000 urban world with over 30 vehicles. Logdotzip's Biome Weapons [DX] includes over 20 elemental weapons. 5 Frame Studios' Combine Mace allows weapon merging. Lifeboat's RVs offer outdoor exploration options. Dodo Studios' High School Roleplay provides interactive academic experiences. Blocky's Skyblock Lucky Block 2 adds random surprises to the skyblock format. Lifeboat's The Sky is Falling! challenges players with falling blocks. Honeyfrost's Ultimate PvP Texture Pack enhances visuals and user interface. Heropixel Games' Pastel Paradise features pastel-themed environments. 57 Digital's Wardens add-on offers ten unique skins, while ManaLabs' Strawberry Trends provides strawberry-themed skins. CupcakeBrianna's Cozy Cats HD Skin Pack includes ten cat skins. The Marketplace Pass includes 21 new add-ons, skin packs, texture packs, mini-games, and mash-ups.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

METABORA GAMES Launches ‘Puzzle & Guardians’ as a LINE MINI App in Japan

On June 8, 2026, METABORA GAMES launched 'Puzzle & Guardians', a collaborative game with Baligames, available as a MINI App on LINE Messenger. The game combines casual three-match puzzle battles and RPG elements, allowing players to collect Guardians and participate in 1v1 PvP duels and dungeon explorations for BORA token rewards. It is accessible to over 100 million LINE users without additional downloads, enhancing user experience. 'Puzzle & Guardians' is integrated with BORA DEEPS, offering customized missions and rewards usable across various BORA DEEPS features. METABORA GAMES plans to expand localized content for the Japanese market and host events to increase the utility of the BORA token.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Mina the Hollower has the best sidequests of any game in 2026

Mina the Hollower has captivated players with its nostalgic charm, reminiscent of Shovel Knight, and has garnered positive feedback from its Kickstarter supporters. The game is described as "pure joy," with a design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and a modest install size. Its level design features intricate, labyrinthine landscapes comparable to those created by FromSoftware. After three days of release, the game achieved sales of 300,000 copies. Engaging side quests, such as escorting a bioluminescent moth that transforms into a challenging boss, add depth to the gameplay. The game encourages exploration and rewards curiosity, similar to the storytelling found in The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

More Minecraft, More Challenges

Minecraft is launching a sponsorship campaign called “More Minecraft, More Challenges” for streamers on Twitch, running for three weeks starting June 6th at 8 AM PT. Streamers from the US, UK, and Germany can earn up to ,000 across three weekly campaigns, each with a new theme and viewer rewards. Viewers can earn rewards by watching participating channels through a feature called Drops. Streamers must accept the sponsorship via their Sponsorship Dashboard and stream for at least one hour with Channel Skins active. The campaign is first-come, first-served, and once spots are filled, no more entries will be accepted. Participating streamers will have promotional skin overlays and may receive enhanced visibility through front page placement from June 6-26. Earnings will be reflected in the revenue dashboard within a week after content review.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Mojang is Stacking Another Game in September 2026 With Minecraft Dungeons 2 Arriving on PC and Consoles

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to be released on September 29, 2026, two months after its announcement in March 2026. It will be available on all current-generation PC and console platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2. The game will be priced at .99 USD, but will be accessible for Xbox Game Pass subscribers on day one. The game features an adventurous campaign where players must stop a new evil across two worlds, engaging in battles against various foes. The eShop page for the game was briefly available before being removed.

Winsage

June 7, 2026

Microsoft is letting you kill Bing in Windows 11 Search, after years of forcing it on every PC

Windows Search has been criticized for mixing local and web results, often prioritizing Bing over local applications or files. Microsoft is addressing this by allowing users to disable Bing integration and is developing a local-only version of Windows Search. This new feature will enable users to exclude web searches and Microsoft Store results, eliminating prompts for uninstalled applications. Enhancements being tested include a local search experience without interference from various services, faster search capabilities, prioritization of local results with minimal input, and support for substring searching. Users will be able to initiate local searches with just two characters, and substring searching will allow for more flexible file name searches.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Guild Wars 1 and 2 will continue to get updates even after Guild Wars 3 is out: ‘We are not replacing your favorite games’

ArenaNet confirmed that the development of Guild Wars 3 will not end support for Guild Wars 2 or the original Guild Wars, as both will continue to receive updates "for the foreseeable future." Colin Johanson stated, "We are not replacing your favorite games. We'll be supporting them." Players can expect a slight slowdown in new content for Guild Wars 2 as the focus shifts to Guild Wars 3, but several smaller updates are planned, including an optimization pass, a revival of the Hall of Monuments system, and an updated version of the Zhaitan fight. Guild Wars 2 will continue to receive expansions even after the launch of Guild Wars 3.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5

The official debut trailer for Guild Wars 3 has been released, featuring the first in-engine gameplay footage. The game is set over a thousand years before the original and takes place in the Tyrian region of Orr, inhabited by Vael spirits. Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, part of a guild focused on protecting the spirits and land. The combat system emphasizes strategic positioning and movement. Further details regarding pricing, beta tests, and release dates will be revealed in late 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available from GuildWars3.com, and players can wishlist it on Steam and the PlayStation Store. The Guild Wars franchise, launched in 2005, has welcomed over 29 million players and is known for its fast-paced action combat and friendly community. ArenaNet, founded in 2000, is the developer of the Guild Wars series and operates as a subsidiary of NCSOFT.