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After 3 years of work, GTA 4 dev's sandbox game hits Steam as he has to tell people it's "completely different" from Minecraft: "For starters, no Steve"
AppWizard
May 8, 2026

After 3 years of work, GTA 4 dev’s sandbox game hits Steam as he has to tell people it’s “completely different” from Minecraft: “For starters, no Steve”

Obbe Vermeij, former technical director at Rockstar Games, has launched a new sandbox game titled Plentiful in Early Access on May 5. The game emphasizes consequence-driven gameplay, where players' actions impact the environment, such as too many trees draining water and a single spark potentially causing widespread fire. While it features low-fi, blocky visuals reminiscent of Minecraft, Vermeij asserts that Plentiful is distinct, drawing inspiration from the classic game Populous. Players interact with the game world solely through a mouse cursor, without a traditional avatar.
Hytale boss doesn't want its mod browser to feel like "a shopping mall," but is exploring ways to support creators
AppWizard
May 3, 2026

Hytale boss doesn’t want its mod browser to feel like “a shopping mall,” but is exploring ways to support creators

Simon Collins-Laflamme, founder of Hytale, has addressed the issue of paid mods, emphasizing that in-game mods will be free to install with no price tags in the browsing experience. He aims to support mod creators while maintaining an enjoyable player experience. Collins-Laflamme is open to feedback from the community regarding the monetization of mods and acknowledges the concerns from both supporters and opponents of paid mods. He envisions a mod browser that resembles a community library rather than a shopping mall, highlighting the importance of accessibility for players. Hypixel Studios plans to explore ways for players to support mod creators financially, potentially through a system similar to Patreon, where the core mod remains free but players can opt to pay for additional benefits. If creator payments are implemented, Hypixel Studios would take a minimal cut to cover costs. Collins-Laflamme prioritizes a vibrant and open modding ecosystem over a profit-maximizing approach. He invites ongoing input from players and modders as the mod browser develops.
New Terraria State of the Game promises fixes for its most frustrating combat problems
AppWizard
May 1, 2026

New Terraria State of the Game promises fixes for its most frustrating combat problems

A new update for Terraria, version 1.4.5.7, is set to enhance combat by addressing long-standing challenges such as aggro management, invisible hitboxes, and offscreen attacks. The update will include adjustments to the four core classes and introduce new early-game magic options. New items catering to niche playstyles, like a sapling minion for Summoners and a revamped Daybloom plant, will also be featured. The development of this update is taking longer than previous fixes, and further tweaks may occur in a subsequent update, 1.4.5.8, before the team can finalize 1.4.5 and focus on crossplay features. The tModLoader team is working on porting to 1.4.5, but it will take several months to refine for release. Meanwhile, updates for the existing tModLoader compatible with Terraria 1.4.4 are ongoing.
Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.
Minecraft Chaos Cubed update: Release date, features and more
AppWizard
April 11, 2026

Minecraft Chaos Cubed update: Release date, features and more

Mojang Studios is releasing the Chaos Cubed update, version 26.2 of Minecraft, in mid to late June 2026. This update introduces the Sulfur Caves biome and the Sulfur Cube mob, enhancing the underground experience of the Overworld. The Sulfur Caves feature toxic gases, hot pools, and new building blocks, including vibrant yellow Sulfur and deep red Cinnabar. The Sulfur Cube is a passive mob that changes its properties based on absorbed blocks, enabling new gameplay mechanics. This update follows the Tiny Takeover update and is part of Mojang's quarterly release schedule.
Russian officials discover fraudsters in Minecraft - they are using children in their schemes
AppWizard
April 3, 2026

Russian officials discover fraudsters in Minecraft – they are using children in their schemes

Fraudsters are exploiting in-game chats in Minecraft to deceive young players, particularly in Russia. They initiate contact with children in the game, then move the conversation to Telegram, posing as "cybersecurity officers" and claiming that the children have shared sensitive information. They threaten detention to coerce minors into stealing money from their parents to give to couriers. Authorities have issued warnings to raise awareness among children and parents about these deceptive tactics.
Garry's Mod successor s&box finally arrives on Steam on April 28
AppWizard
April 2, 2026

Garry’s Mod successor s&box finally arrives on Steam on April 28

Facepunch Studios has announced that their sandbox game, s&box, will launch on Steam on April 28. The game will allow users to create and export their own games as standalone titles on Steam without fees to Facepunch, thanks to a licensing agreement with Valve. Garry Newman, the founder of Facepunch, aims to give back to the gaming community, reflecting on his experiences with previous titles. The price for s&box is expected to be between unspecified amounts, making it accessible for developers and gamers.
Minecraft's switch to smaller game drops doesn't rule out "more transformative updates"
AppWizard
March 29, 2026

Minecraft’s switch to smaller game drops doesn’t rule out “more transformative updates”

The Tiny Takeover update is the ninth 'game drop' from Mojang since the company adopted a strategy of smaller, more frequent updates in 2024. This approach allows for a sustainable development model, enabling different teams to focus on various projects simultaneously. The update emphasizes art and sound design for baby mobs, while previous updates targeted different gameplay aspects. Mojang plans to continue releasing updates that cater to diverse play styles, ensuring there are appealing options for all players. The company is also working on larger transformative updates, such as the Vibrant Visuals graphics refresh for Minecraft Java.
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