social dynamics Archives

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

With elements of Fallout and Escape From Tarkov, this brutal FPS is about to signal the end of my MMO hiatus

Pioner is a post-apocalyptic MMOFPS set on a 50km² island that combines PvP and PvE combat, developed by GFA Games. It features social hubs and allows player choices to influence the game's world. The game has over half a million wishlists on Steam and is set to release in Early Access on December 16. A deluxe edition will include exclusive rewards such as a unique character skin, weapon skins, a weapon charm, a Japanese watch, premium currency, and an exclusive player title.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Dune Awakening gives franchise fans and MMO skeptics a chance to try it for free with a generous new trial

Dune Awakening is a survival MMO set in the Dune universe, featuring a vast multiplayer environment and social dynamics. Developer Funcom is offering regular free trials, with the latest trial allowing players to explore the game for up to ten hours until November 27. The game emphasizes character progression and survival mechanics, focusing on sunlight and water management. Players can find water sources, craft items, and purify blood for drinking water. The game includes PvP combat and dedicated PvE areas, with a focus on establishing secure bases. Dune Awakening has a steady player base, achieving peak daily counts in the thousands. The game is currently available at a 25% discount until December 1, priced at .49 / £31.49.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

In defense of tab-targeting: MMO devs have been trying to put dodge rolls in their games for 10+ years to avoid WoW, and it’s never worked

PC Gamer's column on MMORPGs explores trends in the genre, particularly the shift from tab-targeting systems to action combat systems among MMO designers. This trend emerged in the late 2010s and 2020s, with a prevailing belief that tab-targeting is outdated. The Old School RuneScape (OSRS) wiki highlights a mechanic called "tick eating," where players can consume food just before taking lethal damage, showcasing strategic gameplay. Action MMOs face challenges with tick rates that can hinder combat fluidity compared to single-player games, leading to a less stable experience. The author appreciates action combat but argues that tab-targeting and turn-based combat can also be engaging, emphasizing the complexity and depth of MMO combat in endgame content. The belief that action combat is superior is subjective, and the author suggests that developers should embrace traditional systems rather than reinventing them, as seen in the co-op PvE game Fellowship, which successfully integrates tab-targeting combat. The dominance of World of Warcraft in the MMO space raises questions about whether developers are overlooking the potential of established mechanics.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

You haven’t truly experienced PC gaming until you’ve done these 8 things

The author reflects on nostalgic moments from PC gaming, including early experiences in Rust where they learned about trap bases. They mention the humorous "door stuck" video and the persistence of antisocial behavior in competitive gaming, highlighting various griefing techniques documented on the Team Fortress 2 wiki. Ted Litchfield describes the frustrating process of troubleshooting a new desktop build, often leading to unhelpful advice and a rite of passage for PC gamers. Andrea Shearon shares a memorable experience in Final Fantasy 14, successfully clearing a challenging trial with strangers, fostering camaraderie. Lincoln Carpenter discusses the immersive flavor text in the roguelike game Caves of Qud, enhancing the gameplay experience. Evan Lahti emphasizes the camaraderie in the military simulation game Arma, while Tyler Wilde mentions memorable moments in Battlefield 6 and Sea of Thieves. Christopher Livingston notes the frustration of managing multiple digital game launchers, which can deter players from gaming. Morgan Park reflects on the joy of playing lesser-known multiplayer games like Gotham City Impostors and Knockout City, fostering a unique sense of community.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

In Arc Raiders solo queue, chat is the quickest route to survival

The author experienced solo queue gameplay in Arc Raiders, noting that player interactions often lead to peaceful resolutions rather than conflict, with two-thirds of encounters diffused through simple gestures or communication. The game fosters a sense of anticipation and connection among players, contrasting with the more reserved communication styles of British players compared to Americans and Europeans. The author emphasizes the importance of initiating conversations to build friendships and influence others, leading to positive experiences, including unexpected revives. The game's polished presentation attracts a more casual audience, contributing to a congenial atmosphere, while the dynamics of solo queue play encourage cooperation over conflict due to shared vulnerability. The author suggests that turning on a microphone and engaging in conversation can enhance the gaming experience.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Jurassic World Evolution 3 quickly becomes the the series’ best-rated entry, and not just because of the cute baby dinos

Jurassic World Evolution 3 has launched and is receiving positive feedback, being rated the highest in the series on Steam with a 92% 'very positive' rating in its first 24 hours. The game introduces a comprehensive breeding system for dinosaurs, allowing players to witness the birth of baby dinosaurs and manage their unique needs. It also features an enhanced terrain tool for park design and a campaign set in various global locations. Review aggregators like Metacritic and OpenCritic show higher average scores than previous entries, with scores of 82 and 83, respectively. The game is available on Steam.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Founder of Dwarf Fortress and Caves of Qud publisher Kitfox Games says its procgen sims for sickos are ‘giving storytelling tools back to the people when games and passive media took them away’

Kitfox Games, founded in 2013, has launched four original titles, including Moon Hunters and Boyfriend Dungeon. The studio is known for publishing critically acclaimed games such as Six Ages, Ostranauts, Dwarf Fortress, and Caves of Qud. Founder Tanya X. Short highlighted that Kitfox focuses on game development, with their latest project being Streets of Fortuna, a complex simulation set in a pseudo-Byzantine city. The game features intricate systems that simulate urban life and social dynamics, allowing players to see the consequences of their actions. Kitfox aims to reflect life's complexities through their games, encouraging players to recognize the systems influencing their daily lives. The studio's approach fosters player engagement and storytelling, contrasting with traditional games that often focus on individual characters.

AppWizard

August 31, 2025

Could Gen Alpha Save Movie Theaters? New Survey Shows Why ‘Minecraft’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Had Huge Success With Kids

A study by NRG reveals that 59% of Generation Alpha prefers watching films in theaters over home viewing, compared to 48% of Gen Z, 45% of Millennials, and 45% of Gen X. The study indicates that Gen Alpha views moviegoing as a social event, with 55% preferring to attend films with friends. Fewer than 10% of children under 13 regularly use their phones in theaters. The top franchises resonating with Gen Alpha include "Roblox," "Minecraft," "Fortnite," "Grand Theft Auto," and "Pokemon." Additionally, 29% of Gen Alpha expressed interest in attending singalong screenings, 65% preferred premium formats like IMAX, and 54% desired more 3D films or virtual reality experiences.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Eat The Rich Confirms September PC Release Date

Indie game developer Maccima Games, in collaboration with publisher Monstronauts, has announced that their game Eat The Rich will be released on September 10 for PC on Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features 6-10 players competing in a game show where billionaires battle for survival in a satirical setting. Players engage in mini-games to collect Pennies, form alliances, and vote each other out, with the last player standing winning the game. Console and mobile versions are planned, but details on a Nintendo Switch release are unconfirmed.

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Dune: Awakening

Dune: Awakening is a survival genre game that has received mixed reviews. DualShockers rated it 90, praising its polished execution and expansive content, while GameRant rated it 80, noting impressive ambition but areas for improvement. Game8 provided a balanced view with a score of 74, describing it as a worthwhile experience for all players. Hands-on impressions highlight stable survival mechanics and a rewarding PvE experience, with IGN noting a wealth of content even after 35 hours of gameplay. The game merges sandbox survival features with social dynamics in a persistent world, positioning it as a pioneering Open World Survival MMO.