sound design Archives

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Tarn Adams, co-creator of Dwarf Fortress, has over 1,400 hours in Factorio and is currently obsessed with terraforming games: ‘Dwarf Fortress just doesn’t accommodate a full-on sci-fi thing’

Tarn Adams is the co-founder of Bay 12 Games and is best known for co-creating Dwarf Fortress, which was released in 2006 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. He has recently been playing The Planet Crafter, a terraforming game, and has logged 1,454.5 hours in Factorio, a factory-building simulation. Adams does not have a single game he would never uninstall but frequently plays Caves of Qud. He uses Ableton, a music sequencer, as essential non-gaming software. His desktop is about half full with various folders and .txt files, including a nostalgic folder for BASIC games from the '80s.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Revisiting the last truly great Call of Duty

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 has seen a resurgence in interest due to a sale on Steam. The game is praised for its visual quality, sound design, and gameplay experience, setting high standards for first-person shooters. Its Create-a-Class system encourages strategic gameplay, and the attachment mechanics require meaningful choices, preventing any single weapon configuration from dominating. Despite some flaws, the game retains distinct weapon characteristics. Modern Warfare 2019 is viewed as both a high point for the franchise and a catalyst for challenges, particularly with the introduction of Warzone. The decision to separate Modern Warfare from Warzone has been positively received. Activision's recent discount indicates an effort to rekindle excitement for the game, which continues to be a benchmark for future titles.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Smaller Minecraft updates like Tiny Takeover and Chaos Cubed “feel more sustainable” for Mojang, says lead: “There’s always another one right around the corner”

Mojang is shifting its focus to smaller, more frequent updates for Minecraft, such as the Tiny Takeover and the upcoming Chaos Cubed, while still considering the possibility of larger updates in the future. Product manager Anna Lundgren stated that this new approach feels "more sustainable" and allows for diverse content, catering to different player preferences. Although the community desires larger updates reminiscent of earlier versions, Lundgren assured that the team is flexible and can produce updates of varying sizes. Additionally, Mojang has incorporated real animal voice actors for new sounds in the game.

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.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Mojang hired a “cow whisperer” and “real animal voice actors” to record new Minecraft animal noises: “The cows started to speak to him immediately”

Minecraft's latest update, Tiny Takeover, features new animal sounds created with the help of "real animal voice actors" to enhance authenticity. The update includes an overhaul of baby mob sounds, with recordings of kittens, wolf puppies, foals, piglets, and baby chickens, as well as new sound variants for adult animals. The reception of update 26.1 has been mixed, with some players criticizing it as a "low effort marketplace add-on," while others defend the developers' efforts. The Minecraft development team remains optimistic about future updates and the abundance of ideas available for the game.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Pacific Drive is an excellent driving sim with horror vibes, and you can get the full experience cheaper than ever

Pacific Drive is a game that combines eerie atmospheres reminiscent of Stalker or Chernobylite with survival mechanics in a driving simulator format. Set in the Olympic Exclusion Zone, players use vehicles to navigate supernatural events while gathering resources and upgrading their cars. The environment poses challenges such as radiation damage, requiring repairs for safe returns. The recent expansion, Whispers in the Woods, focuses on the occult practices of the zone's former inhabitants. Critics have praised the game, with a notable 9/10 review highlighting its sound design and narrative. Pacific Drive is currently available for .94 / £9.12, a 64% discount, and the Whispers Edition bundle, including the DLC, is priced at £17.99.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Confined: Leaving OKB-134 Is A Claustrophobia Inducing Horror Game Coming to PC VR

Confined: Leaving OKB-134 is an upcoming horror game set to launch on PC VR with flatscreen support later this year. It was first unveiled during UploadVR's 2025 Winter Showcase and showcased at the Spring 2026 VR Games Showcase. A VR-supported demo was released at February's Steam Next Fest, featuring a haunting atmosphere and meticulous sound design, though it has some technical issues. The game can be wishlisted on Steam, with a full release anticipated in 2026.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

10 games to grab during the Steam Spring Sale 2026

March has seen the release of several notable gaming titles including Slay the Spire 2, Crimson Desert, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Timberborn. The Steam Spring Sale offers discounts on a variety of PC games, running from March 19 to March 26. Featured titles in the sale include: 1. Dispatch: 20% off - .99 / £19.99 2. Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: 50% off - .99 / £24.99 3. Routine: 20% off - .59 / £26.79 4. Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader: 60% off - .19 / £17.19 5. Maze Mice: 50% off - .49 / £4.49 6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: 50% off - .49 / £12.49 7. Blue Prince: 34% off - .84 / £14.84 8. Dungeons of Hinterberg: 66% off - .45 / £6.45 9. Star Wars Jedi Survivor: 90% off - .99 / £5.99 10. Dread Delusion: 50% off - .74 / £7.74

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

I like Arc Raiders, but Marathon made me fall in love with extraction shooters

Many players of Destiny were intrigued yet uncertain about Marathon, which combines elements of an extraction shooter and a reboot of a classic Mac series. The game features an immersive gameplay experience set on the alien world of Tau Ceti IV, characterized by a tense atmosphere and engaging visuals. Players face challenges from the UESC and other Runners while navigating a cyberpunk-inspired environment. The gunplay mechanics are highly praised, offering impactful shooting experiences with strategic choices based on Shell class abilities. Marathon is available for .39 / £30.09 at Fanatical, providing a more economical option than Steam.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I’ve gone from ‘meh’ to believer

Last year, Embark and Bungie conducted playtests for their extraction shooters, with Bungie's Marathon being their first project outside the Destiny universe in over 15 years. Arc Raiders, developed by Embark, launched as the first mainstream title in the genre, while Marathon faced delays. The author initially felt indifferent towards Marathon but grew enthusiastic after playing for over four days. The game features a PvP experience with looting mechanics, weapon upgrades, and unique gun modifications. Critics compare Marathon to Call of Duty and Apex Legends, but the author finds its pacing more similar to Halo, emphasizing positioning and timing. The game includes movement shooter elements, allowing creative navigation techniques. Weapon designs are visually appealing and feature a variety of modifications. The game's progression system encourages experimentation with builds, and the vendor system aids in resource management. The upcoming full version will include a third map, Outpost, and additional content like the Cryo Archive.