Steve Archives

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Devs behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters are done with big shooters after getting burned by Embracer, so their next game is a Balatro-like twist on Scrabble—and you can try the demo now

Steve Ellis and David Doak, co-founders of Free Radical Design, are developing a roguelike interpretation of Scrabble titled Beyond Words. This project marks a departure from their previous work on first-person shooters, including the TimeSplitters series and Star Wars: Battlefront 3. Following the closure of Free Radical by Embracer in 2023, Ellis described the experience as "soul-crushing," leading him to prefer smaller team environments for game development. Both Ellis and Doak expressed a desire to work in more intimate settings, which influenced their collaboration on Beyond Words, initially a weekend project that gained traction among various prototypes they explored.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

How Does Jack Black Feel About The Minecraft Movie’s Theater Audience ‘Going Nuts? (I Can’t Get Enough Of His A+ Comparison)

This year features several anticipated video game adaptations, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Mortal Kombat II, and Street Fighter. A Minecraft Movie became the highest-grossing film in the domestic market of 2025, earning 8.3 million globally. The film's success was marked by enthusiastic audience reactions, reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Jack Black noted the audience's fervor and compared it to his childhood experiences with the cult classic. Warner Bros. re-released the film due to its reception, and Black's song “Lava Chicken” became the shortest hit to reach the Billboard charts. A sequel is in development, with production expected to start in April and a release date set for July 23, 2027.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Quiet Exodus: Why Enterprise Developers Are Abandoning Windows for Linux Workstations

Microsoft developers and enterprise technology leaders are increasingly choosing Linux over Windows for development tasks, driven by performance concerns, workflow inefficiencies, and the rise of cloud-native development. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has facilitated this shift by allowing developers to work in a Linux environment while still using Windows. Tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, which are primarily designed for Linux, have led to a reevaluation of desktop strategies across various industries. Linux provides direct access to the same kernel and toolchain used in production, reducing discrepancies that can lead to bugs. It typically requires less memory at idle compared to Windows, making it more efficient for developers managing multiple containers or virtual machines. Microsoft has responded by investing in platform-agnostic tools like Visual Studio Code and embracing Linux on its Azure cloud platform, where over 50% of virtual machines run Linux. The introduction of WSL2 has improved compatibility and performance, but it has also highlighted Windows' limitations, leading to frustrations among developers. Security considerations favor Linux due to its open-source nature, allowing for greater customization and auditing. Financially, Linux can be more economical for enterprises due to lower licensing costs and reduced hardware requirements. Organizations that have switched to Linux report significant improvements in build times and overall developer experience. Hybrid strategies are emerging to accommodate developer preferences while ensuring security, with cloud-based development environments gaining traction. The trend toward Linux workstations reflects broader industry movements toward open source and platform independence, as companies adapt to attract and retain technical talent.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Minecraft 2 Is Better Than the Original in 1 Specific Way, According to Jason Momoa (& There’s A Big Filming Update)

A Minecraft Movie 2 is in production, following the success of its predecessor, which was the highest-grossing film of 2025 with a domestic box office of 4 million. The film grossed 8.2 million globally, ranking fifth behind titles like Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2. Director Jared Hess returns, along with original cast members Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Momoa expressed excitement about the new script, stating it made him laugh out loud. The sequel will feature Steve and Alex as distinct characters, with Jack Black reprising his role as Steve. The casting for Alex is still unannounced. The first film's post-credit scene hinted at further adventures involving a mysterious chest, possibly an Ender Chest, which could lead to the End dimension and the Ender Dragon.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Fortnite x Minecraft Crossover Reportedly in Early Development

A collaboration between Fortnite and Minecraft is reportedly in development, with leaker AdiraFNInfo expressing a 90% confidence level in the crossover. The launch may not occur for many months, potentially aligning with the end of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 1 in March, and could take up to 10 months. Specific details about skins or items are not yet available, but there is speculation about voxel-inspired cosmetics.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Hytale comes full circle as modder transforms it back into Minecraft, right down to The End

Dedicated fans of Minecraft are integrating elements from the game into Hytale, which has been anticipated for seven years. French YouTuber 'LAirHisson' announced the creation of "the end in Hytale," incorporating Minecraft's final boss area, The End, into Hytale. His video features a character resembling Minecraft's Steve using a modded Eye of Ender, leading to a challenge biome similar to Minecraft's Ender Dragon domain. LAirHisson engages in combat with Endermen and attempts to fight the Ender Dragon, showcasing Hytale's modding capabilities. Simon Collins-Laflamme from the Hytale community praised LAirHisson's work. Hytale has released its first significant content update, adding dinosaurs and improved melee combat. The game is available for .99, with premium tiers offering exclusive in-game accessories.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

A Minecraft Movie 2 Filming Window Revealed by Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa confirmed that filming for A Minecraft Movie 2 will begin at the end of April 2026. The sequel is scheduled for theatrical release on July 23, 2027, with Jared Hess returning as director and Chris Galletta co-writing the screenplay. Legendary Pictures will produce and finance the film, with Momoa reprising his role as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison and Jack Black expected to return as Steve. The status of other main cast members from the first film is uncertain. The storyline may explore the dynamic between Steve and his female counterpart, Alex.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Jason Momoa Gives ‘Minecraft’ Sequel Update: “Very Soon”

Jason Momoa is set to begin production on the Minecraft Movie sequel, with filming expected to start at the end of April. The sequel, titled A Minecraft Movie 2, is directed by Jared Hess, who co-wrote the script with Chris Galletta. It is scheduled for theatrical release on July 23, 2027. The sequel will introduce the character Alex, alongside Steve, portrayed by Jack Black.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Jason Momoa shares good news for ‘Minecraft’ fans

Jason Momoa has confirmed that a sequel to A Minecraft Movie is in production, set to begin at the end of April. The film is scheduled for release on July 23, 2027. Director Jared Hess will return to lead the project, collaborating with Chris Galletta on the screenplay. The sequel aims to build on the success of the first film, which had a record-breaking box office opening for Warner Bros. Hess has indicated that the sequel will include characters Steve and Alex from the game.