sci-fi

AppWizard
June 15, 2026
This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.
AppWizard
June 15, 2026
Android Who Dreams of Stars is a visual novel developed by JinCycle, featuring an autonomous android named Eve Nova in a futuristic Tokyo where AI has eliminated war and hunger. The game relies heavily on AI-generated content for artwork, sound, narrative, and localization. My Summer Love Memories also uses generative AI for its videos, images, music, and dialogue. Kryonull has gained attention for its AI-generated voices, while some users on Steam question the legitimacy of its zero price tag. Typical NPC, developed by SmogGames, launched at a zero price with all AI-generated images, followed by After the Hero, which used AI-generated images but human-crafted text. KalendulaGames has released titles priced at zero, with extensive AI disclosures. Underwater claims to use AI-generated images only as art references. Steam emphasizes transparency in AI disclosures, with developers clarifying their use of AI in various ways. Many of the 120 games using generative AI focus on music and assets rather than translation. The Steam Deck has recently seen a resurgence in stock, with a price point higher than the average game. A humorous Steam review noted the unique experience of rummaging through trash for rewards in the game Where the F**k is my Bitcoin.
AppWizard
June 14, 2026
Spore was initially envisioned as an expansive simulation game that allowed players to evolve from a unicellular organism to a spacefaring alien, but the final product turned out to be a collection of sci-fi minigames with a cartoonish character creation engine. The game's creator, Will Wright, introduced concepts like "procedural verbs" for evolving societies, but many of these ideas were not fully realized in the final version. Features such as an aquatic stage were cut from the game, which has led to ongoing interest and documentation by fans. Despite mixed reviews, Spore has influenced contemporary games, including the roguelike Everything Is Crab.
AppWizard
June 13, 2026
Kryonull is a visual novel developed by NovelkaGames that features AI-generated assets and is priced at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital gaming, the recent emergence of Kryonull has sparked a wave of discontent among enthusiasts. This visual novel, which has garnered attention through the Steam Release Bot on Bluesky, presents a scenario that many find disheartening. The game, priced at a staggering 0 in the US and £90 in the UK, raises eyebrows not only for its cost but also for its reliance on AI-generated assets. AI-Generated Assets and Pricing Concerns Kryonull's premise is intriguing, revolving around a manned mission to Europa that must navigate critical decisions upon encountering something hidden beneath the ice. This hard sci-fi concept holds promise, yet the execution falters significantly. The developer, NovelkaGames, has openly disclosed that "all images and voices in the game, as well as on the store page, were generated using AI." This revelation has led to a sense of disappointment, as many gamers perceive it as a missed opportunity for creativity and originality. The pricing structure further complicates the game's reception. While Kryonull is available in both English and Russian, its price in rubles translates to approximately in the US. For many, the notion of investing any amount in an AI-generated game feels like an affront, especially when considering the quality and effort that typically accompany successful titles. The Broader Context of Steam's Open Platform Kryonull serves as a cautionary tale within the broader context of Steam's open platform. While the freedom to publish games has led to a diverse array of titles, it has also resulted in a flood of subpar offerings. The platform's policies, influenced by payment processors and occasional inconsistencies, have allowed projects like Kryonull to slip through the cracks, leaving consumers to sift through a mix of quality and mediocrity. In contrast, other experimental titles such as South Scrimshaw Part One and Water Womb World showcase the potential for innovation and creativity in the genre. South Scrimshaw, a nature documentary-style game about whales on an alien planet, captivates players with its hand-drawn visuals and compelling writing, despite its use of AI-generated voiceovers. Meanwhile, Water Womb World, a surreal horror experience exploring themes of faith and existence, is available for a mere two dollars, demonstrating that quality doesn't always come at a high price. As the gaming community continues to navigate the complexities of AI integration and pricing strategies, Kryonull stands as a reminder of the importance of genuine effort and creativity in game development. The dialogue surrounding such titles will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry, as players seek out experiences that resonate with their expectations and values." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] in the US and £90 in the UK. The game's premise involves a manned mission to Europa, but it has received criticism for its reliance on AI-generated images and voices, leading to disappointment among gamers. The game is available in both English and Russian, but many players feel that investing in an AI-generated game is unappealing due to the perceived lack of creativity and originality. Kryonull exemplifies concerns about the quality of games on Steam's open platform, where subpar offerings can proliferate alongside innovative titles.
AppWizard
June 12, 2026
Xbox Game Pass has added three new titles for PC and Xbox Series X as part of its day-one game initiative in 2026. The new games are: 1. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - A sci-fi multiplayer adventure developed by System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital, currently in early access. It has a 40% approval rating on Steam but lacks a Metacritic score. 2. Beastro - A cozy adventure game from Timberline Studio where players engage in culinary creativity. It has a 92% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. 3. Frog Sqwad - A multiplayer extraction puzzle platformer developed by Panic Stations, supporting up to eight players. It has a 90% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. Subscribers can enjoy these games at no additional cost and receive a 20% discount on each title. The duration of these games' availability on Xbox Game Pass has not been disclosed.
AppWizard
June 8, 2026
The developers of the sci-fi horror game Mouthwashing have announced their new project, Carcass Clad, during the PC Gaming Show. The game is now available for wishlisting on Steam, but a release date has not been confirmed. The reveal trailer showcases a dark, decaying cityscape with claustrophobic tank operations and tanks adorned with corpses. The gameplay features weighty physical controls, limited fuel, and scarce ammo, with a narrative hinting at survival challenges in a dangerous world. Mouthwashing received acclaim for its storytelling and mechanics, establishing a fanbase eager for Carcass Clad.
AppWizard
June 8, 2026
The PC Gaming Show 2026 featured over 60 new game announcements in a two-hour event. Key titles include: - Wielders of the Essence: Launching on November 5, demo available on Steam. - Warhammer 40,000: Darktide – Skitarii Class: Debuting on June 23, wishlist on Steam. - Spellsided: Unique RPG with a demo on Steam. - Star Trek: Outposts Unknown: Demo available on Steam. - Hack '95: Demo available on Steam. - Company of Heroes: Definitive Edition: Wishlist on Steam. - Red Kiss: Wishlist on Steam. - Arcane Eats: Demo available on Steam. - Serious Sam: Shatterverse: Sign up for playtest on Steam. - Control Resonant: Pre-orders available for September 24 release on Steam. - Sated: Wishlist on Steam. - Gone Feral: Wishlist and sign up for playtest on Steam. - Abiotic Factor – Entropic Break DLC: Coming this autumn, wishlist on Steam. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: Demo available on Steam. - Ssarseeker: Astroneer Expeditions: Early access begins June 11, wishlist on Steam. - Virtue and a Sledgehammer: Demo available on Steam. - Happy Bastards: Combat demo available on Steam. - Another Door: Demo available on Steam. - AfterQuest: Wishlist on Steam. - SlashZero: Wishlist and sign up for playtest on Steam. - Cassette Beasts 2002: Wishlist on Steam. - VOID/BREAKER: Major update available on Steam. - 2 Fights 2 Tight Spaces: Available now on Steam. - Stronghold 4: Demo available on June 23, wishlist on Steam. - Wind Runners: Demo available on Steam. - Wardens of Avalon: Sign up for playtest on Steam. - Planet Zoo 2: Pre-orders available on Steam. - Empulse: Early access on June 24, available during Steam Next Feast on June 15. - Arkheron: Sign up for playtest on the game's website. - ReVamp: Sign up for playtest via the trailer's QR code. - Wardogs: Wishlist on Steam and sign up for playtests via the trailer's QR code. - Shroom and Gloom: New demo available. - Maximum Thunderness: Coming later this year, wishlist on Steam. - Rivage: Demo available. - Time Strike: Wishlist on Steam. - Signet City: Wishlist on Steam. - Mr. Magpie's Harmless Card Game: Available now on Steam. - Ascenders: Beyond the Peak: Demo available on Steam. - Outward 2: Beta available now. - Thief: The Dark Project Remastered: Remastering classic stealth game. - Exo Rally Championship: Off-road racing game. - Duskers 2.0: Available on Steam. - El Paso, Elsewhere 2: Wishlist on Steam. - Beast of Reincarnation: Launching on August 3, pre-order on Steam. - Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent: Available now on Steam. - To Kill a God: Demo available now. - Pipes.exe: Wishlist on Steam. - Sunset Summit: Available now on Steam. - Clowntown: Available for wishlist on Steam. - Armatus: Launching this winter, wishlist on Steam. - Dave The Diver – In the Jungle DLC: Wishlist on Steam. - Carcass Clad: Wishlist on Steam. - Total War: Warhammer 40,000: Beta opportunities to be announced. - About Fishing: Demo available on Steam. - Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers: Emphasizes meaningful choices. - Valheim 1.0: Launching on September 9, 2026, download on Steam now. - P.O.N.: Wishlist on Steam. - Locator: The Search for Abigail Lidari: Wishlist on Steam. - Exodus: Features combat and exploration. - Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy: Third installment in the horror series. - Into the Wind: Wishlist on Steam.
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