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A new Minecraft mob might have leaked thanks to a holiday decoration, and I already love it based on its name alone
AppWizard
April 28, 2026

A new Minecraft mob might have leaked thanks to a holiday decoration, and I already love it based on its name alone

Hallmark is set to release a holiday ornament featuring a new character named Blub for Minecraft, available starting October 10. A listing for the "Minecraft Blub Ornament" has appeared on Hallmark's website, generating excitement among fans. Speculation exists that Blub may be linked to the upcoming Minecraft Dungeons 2 or a future update to the main Minecraft game. Fans are sharing creative interpretations of Blub's appearance, with one concept depicting a blue bunny. The gaming community is eager for more information about Blub and its potential role in the Minecraft universe.
Gabe Newell once said Steam wasn't 'the answer to digital distribution,' proving that even Gabe Newell is wrong about stuff sometimes
AppWizard
April 27, 2026

Gabe Newell once said Steam wasn’t ‘the answer to digital distribution,’ proving that even Gabe Newell is wrong about stuff sometimes

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, integrated Steam with Half-Life 2, significantly influencing PC gaming despite initial skepticism about digital platforms. In a 2011 interview, he warned that the gaming industry is ever-changing and emphasized the need for continuous innovation to provide value to partners like EA, Ubisoft, and Take-Two. At that time, EA's withdrawal of titles from Steam raised concerns about the platform's future, prompting Newell to stress the importance of demonstrating value to developers. Currently, Steam remains a dominant force in digital distribution, maintaining a large user base and benefiting from seasonal sales. Publishers such as EA, Activision, Ubisoft, and Take-Two have returned to Steam after testing their own storefronts and the Epic Games Store, recognizing its extensive reach and user engagement. Steam has recently surpassed 42 million concurrent users and continues to expand its library, all while keeping its revenue-sharing model at a 70/30 split. Despite developer concerns, the return of partners indicates that Steam's value proposition is still strong.
Assassin's Creed Hexe loses 2nd director-level developer in as many months
AppWizard
April 27, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Hexe loses 2nd director-level developer in as many months

Game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure from the development team of Assassin's Creed Hexe, marking the second high-profile exit this year after creative director Clint Hocking left in February. Richer is co-founding a new studio, Servo Games, with three former Ubisoft developers. Ubisoft has described Assassin's Creed Hexe as a departure from the open-world, action-RPG format established since 2017's Origins. The franchise is also set to release Black Flag Resynced, a remake of Assassin's Creed 4, on July 9. Additionally, former franchise boss Marc-Alexis Côté departed Ubisoft last year and has filed a lawsuit against the company for "constructive dismissal," seeking .3 million Canadian in damages.
FF14 Evercold release date window, jobs, trailers, and latest news
AppWizard
April 27, 2026

FF14 Evercold release date window, jobs, trailers, and latest news

The FF14 8.0 expansion, titled "FF14 Evercold," will release in January 2027, with Patch 7.56 arriving on September 8, 2026. The level cap will increase from 100 to 110, and players will encounter a flood of ice in the Fourth reflection of the Source. The expansion will introduce two new jobs: one Tank and one Ranged Physical DPS. Evolved Mode and Reborn Mode will be available, allowing players to choose between a streamlined battle system or a traditional playstyle. The expansion will feature six new zones, approximately six dungeons, three new trials, and a series of eight-player raids. A crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion will occur in patches 8.1, 8.3, and 8.5. Updates will also include changes to PvP, FATEs, and the Tomestone rewards system. Further details will be revealed at upcoming Fanfests in Berlin and Tokyo.
Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year

Zenless Zone Zero is set to be released on PC in the second quarter of 2026, with a Steam page now available for pre-release tests and a goal of reaching 300,000 wishlists for a milestone event. The game received a mixed review score of 55% from Kerry Brunskill, who described it as a "shallow, polished front for a relentless online store." Developer MiHoYo, known for successful titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, previously achieved 50 million downloads of Zenless Zone Zero within a week of its initial launch. There were speculations about a 40% chance of HoYoverse games coming to Steam due to concerns over revenue cuts, but the games have a strong following that may allow them to succeed without Steam. The Epic Games Store has faced criticism, and the release of Zenless Zone Zero may test its appeal compared to other storefronts.
Lord of the Rings Online now lets you follow in Bilbo's hairy footsteps by buying up property and retiring to an iconic city
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

Lord of the Rings Online now lets you follow in Bilbo’s hairy footsteps by buying up property and retiring to an iconic city

Lord of the Rings Online will introduce player housing in Rivendell on April 30 at noon Eastern Time. Players on 64-bit servers will compete to secure homes, with a system in place to open additional neighborhoods as needed. Directions to the Rivendell Steadings include walking southwest from the Rivendell stables or accessing it via the Bree-town Broker's Office. This update coincides with the game's 19th anniversary, and players can currently participate in new missions at the Prancing Pony until May 12, with rewards available.
I don't understand how Final Fantasy 14 can do a crossover with acclaimed anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and I'm scared to find out
AppWizard
April 26, 2026

I don’t understand how Final Fantasy 14 can do a crossover with acclaimed anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and I’m scared to find out

Final Fantasy XIV is introducing a new alliance raid titled "Ghosts of Desire," developed with input from the filmmakers of the Evangelion series. This collaboration aims to merge the lore of both franchises. The game's popularity has grown significantly since its early days in 2014, particularly following successful expansions. The announcement of "Ghosts of Desire" has generated interest among both gamers and Evangelion fans. Comments on the teaser trailer have been disabled, possibly to manage speculation about the project. The new expansion, Evercold, is set to be released next year, but players may need to wait several years for "Ghosts of Desire" to fully unfold.
Former PlayStation head isn't sure how Sony can recoup those big budgets without first-party games coming to PC
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Former PlayStation head isn’t sure how Sony can recoup those big budgets without first-party games coming to PC

A report suggested that Sony might change its strategy regarding the release of first-party titles on PC, except for online games like Marathon. Shuhei Yoshida, former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, stated he has not seen evidence of a change in PlayStation's approach during this console generation. He noted that historically, PlayStation was not allowed to bring AAA games to other platforms, but the rising costs of game development have led to a reevaluation. Yoshida mentioned that releasing first-party titles on PC after a couple of years could help recoup investments. Despite discussions, he does not believe a fundamental strategy shift is occurring. Recent leaks indicated that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has a budget of 0 million, making it one of the most expensive games ever developed. If certain titles remain absent from PC by the end of 2027 without official communication from Sony, it may clarify the company's strategic direction.
The Ubisoft studio that spent 10 years making Black Flag spinoff Skull and Bones comes full circle by remaking Black Flag
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

The Ubisoft studio that spent 10 years making Black Flag spinoff Skull and Bones comes full circle by remaking Black Flag

Ubisoft has officially announced the remake of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore. The development involves a collaboration with multiple studios, including Ubisoft Barcelona, Belgrade, Blue Byte, Bordeaux, Bucharest, Chengdu, Da Nang, India, Kyiv, Montpellier, Montreal, Philippines, Quebec, Shanghai, and Sofia. The project follows the challenges faced by another Ubisoft title, Skull and Bones, which has experienced multiple delays since its announcement in 2017.
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