story Archives

AppWizard

October 18, 2026

The Outlast Trials’ initial playtests went poorly: Designer says 6-year development took ‘a fking long time’ and ‘a st-ton of prototypes’

Philippe Morin, co-founder of Red Barrels, discussed the six-year development journey of The Outlast Trials, highlighting the extensive effort and numerous prototypes involved in creating the game. The success of The Outlast Trials has shifted focus away from Outlast 3, which is now less prioritized. The game's reception has also prompted discussions about the use of AI-generated imagery in game design.

AppWizard

October 16, 2026

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 review-in-progress: A campaign you shouldn’t skip

The author attended a three-day review event in Los Angeles for Modern Warfare 4, spending nearly 24 hours on the campaign, multiplayer, and DMZ modes. They have been engaged with Call of Duty for over two decades, initially drawn in by the campaigns. The campaign of Modern Warfare 4 features relatable characters, primarily a group of young South Korean marines during a North Korean invasion, and aims to recapture the essence of earlier installments. Key missions include "Mayhem," "Losing Ground," and "Stranded," the latter showcasing a sandbox level with non-linear objectives. Concerns about integrating Warzone mechanics into single-player gameplay were alleviated by the assurance that the map was designed specifically for the campaign. The narrative includes Captain Price but feels disjointed, with his character fading from the story. Overall, Modern Warfare 4 is noted for its robust campaign, extravagant set pieces, and solid gunplay, marking a return to form for the series.

BetaBeacon

October 15, 2026

Master Chief Reaches Smartphones – Halo: Combat Evolved Gets Fan Port for Android

Fans of Halo: Combat Evolved have created an unofficial port of the game for Android devices based on the decompilation of the original Xbox version. The port includes the full story campaign and multiplayer support for online or local play with up to four players. Players can use touch controls, gyroscope aiming, and customize on-screen buttons. To run the port, users need their own image of the original Xbox version of the game.

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

After Valve was criticized, devs back Steam’s refund policy by creating a 2-hour game literally called Refund This Game: “We celebrate players’ right to refund”

Mateo Covic, a developer known for Paddle Paddle Paddle, expressed frustrations about Steam's two-hour refund window, sparking scrutiny of Valve's policy. In response, developers launched a game titled Refund This Game, a first-person platformer that challenges players to navigate Steam's refund policy. The game encourages players to complete it in under two hours to earn a refund. It is priced at a promotional rate and takes inspiration from the classic rage-inducing platformer Getting Over It. Co-developer dofhouse noted that the discussion around Steam's refund policy inspired the game. Additionally, Steam recently surpassed 43 million concurrent users, an all-time high, attributed to the popularity of titles like Wardogs and Deadlock.

BetaBeacon

October 15, 2026

Mobile Dead Space Returns to Android with Improved Textures and 60 FPS Support

GINESTRO has recently released an updated version of the mobile game Dead Space, originally developed by IronMonkey Studios and Visceral Games. The new version includes enhancements such as improved resolution, redesigned interface, smoother gameplay, and support for foldable smartphones.

BetaBeacon

October 14, 2026

Replaced: Sad Cat Studios’ 2.5D Action Platformer Is Coming to Android Later This Year

Replaced, a popular 2.5D action platformer, is coming to Android devices on December 8, 2026.

AppWizard

October 14, 2026

Allogloom is a delightful, macabre point-and-click adventure game

Allogloom is a point-and-click adventure game featuring a protagonist named Nora who explores Gruesome Grove, a town protected by magical moths but haunted by a petrifying sap. The game combines elements of delight and horror, immersing players in a narrative filled with carnivorous moths, cults, and monsters. Players engage with the story through a series of logical puzzles that escalate in complexity over eight chapters. The game is noted for its enchanting illustrations and storytelling, drawing players into a whimsical yet eerie world. A PC code for Allogloom was provided for the review.

BetaBeacon

October 13, 2026

MuMu Beats Google Play Games? 3 Emulators Tested [2026]

options are MuMu Player Pro for Apple Silicon Macs, which offers a 7-day free trial and then subscription pricing. KOPLAYER does not have evidence of a maintained paid tier or current official distribution.

BetaBeacon

October 13, 2026

Replaced is coming to Android on December 8, and it has now passed 900,000 players

- Replaced, a cyberpunk platformer game, will be released on Android via Google Play Games on December 8, 2026 - The game has over 900,000 players across all platforms since its launch in spring 2026 - The Android version features the complete story of AI protagonist R.E.A.C.H. navigating Phoenix City in an alternate 1980s America setting - Replaced is a 2.5D cyberpunk action platformer with pixel art visuals and combines cinematic exploration with free-flow combat - Post-launch patches have addressed initial bugs and rough edges that affected the original release.

BetaBeacon

October 13, 2026

Sifu Releases for iOS and Android Devices

Sifu, a kung-fu-based third-person brawler by Sloclap, is now available on iOS and Android for .99. The game has been fully optimized for mobile with new touch controls, improved interactions, a reworked camera system, and complete controller support.