storytelling Archives

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Misc. A Tiny Tale Confirmed For Release in Late July

Indie game developer Tinyware Games has announced that Misc. A Tiny Tale will be released on PC and Nintendo Switch on July 22. The game features two tiny robots, Buddy and Bag Boy, navigating a whimsical post-human world. Players will collect trash, coins, and golden cogs while solving puzzles and assisting robot inhabitants. The game emphasizes environmental stewardship by allowing players to recycle trash and repair machinery. The narrative involves restoring villages after a mysterious explosion and celebrates diversity and community. Misc. A Tiny Tale will also be compatible with the upcoming Switch 2.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ sucks, I love it

“A Minecraft Movie” is a 100-minute film that debuted on April 4, featuring a disjointed plot, lackluster script, and minimal character development. The film takes viewers into the “overworld” of Minecraft, where characters attempt to return to reality but face a rushed narrative that prioritizes action and comedy over coherent storytelling. Jack Black stars as Steve, with Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, showcasing strong chemistry. Supporting characters, including siblings Henry and Natalie, lack depth, and Jennifer Coolidge’s subplot feels inconsequential. Despite critical reception, the film has grossed over half a billion dollars, driven by the popularity of Minecraft and viral snippets of dialogue. Audience members engaged with the film during screenings, indicating a level of enjoyment despite its flaws.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Epic Games is giving away two great PC games for free! Have you picked them up yet?

The Epic Games Store is offering free PC games this week, including Limbo and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, available until next Thursday at 16:59 p.m. Limbo features black and white graphics, minimalistic storytelling without text or dialogue, and a tense atmosphere as players navigate traps and puzzles. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is set in the Borderlands universe with a fantasy twist, combining shooter and RPG elements, featuring colorful gameplay, absurd enemies, and humor, with Ashly Burch voicing Tiny Tina.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Digital Domain vs. the Nether Horde: Behind the VFX of Minecraft

VFX Supervisor Piotr Karwas and Animation Supervisor Liz Bernard discussed the visual effects of Minecraft: The Movie, which includes 187 shots completed in 25 weeks. Karwas, with experience from films like World War Z, served as Cinematic Director, merging CG storytelling with Minecraft's aesthetic. Bernard, with a background from The Lion King, was the Previs Supervisor, focusing on visual planning and comedic tone. Digital Domain assisted with the final battle sequence, and Karwas learned about Minecraft lore from his children. The team worked to balance humor and visuals, ensuring consistency across departments. They faced technical challenges in creating custom VFX shots and animating characters like Piglins and Iron Golems, navigating the constraints of their blocky designs. Karwas is also exploring generative AI to enhance creativity in visual effects workflows.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Ex-Dragon Age lead hopes Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 pulls an ‘Expedition 33 or Baldur’s Gate 3’ by leaning into the combat-light, roleplaying-heavy gameplay of the tabletop version

Fraser Brown from PC Gamer has reignited optimism among fans for the sequel, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, following a recent preview. David Gaider, known for his work on Dragon Age, has also expressed enthusiasm for the original game and hopes for the sequel, envisioning it as a deep RPG that captures the political intrigue and character-driven narratives of the tabletop experience. Gaider emphasizes the importance of character relationships over combat in the tabletop version and desires a game that fully embraces these elements. Fraser's preview describes Bloodlines 2 as a mix of chaotic action and intricate storytelling, featuring visceral encounters and complex moral dilemmas, while also providing rich roleplaying opportunities and engaging character interactions.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Former BioWare lead writer says the best level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines gave him ‘ammunition’ to argue that story can be just as engaging as combat

David Gaider, former lead writer at BioWare, expressed concerns about the overuse of "trashmob fights" in gaming, advocating for a balance between combat and narrative. He was influenced by the combat-free level in Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which emphasized tension through storytelling rather than action. Gaider argued against the necessity of frequent combat encounters, believing that narrative depth and political intrigue could engage players just as effectively. Despite his vision for a combat-free masquerade ball in Dragon Age: Inquisition, the design team opted to include combat, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing player engagement with narrative flow. Gaider emphasized that storytelling can keep players interested without relying solely on fighting.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a highly acclaimed role-playing game, receiving a perfect score of 100 from DigitalSpy for its emotional narrative. It has also garnered scores of 95 from HookedGamers and WCCFTech, praising its thrilling turn-based combat and gripping narrative. PCWorld rated it 90, highlighting its magical experience and rich storytelling. While PCGamesN gave it an 80 due to some UI challenges, it is still considered a significant addition to the genre. Impulse Gamer rated it 90, noting its distinct identity. IGN and GameSpot both awarded scores of 90, commending its artistic clarity and impressive scale. RPGFan gave it a score of 99, describing it as a timeless experience, while GameInformer also rated it 90, appreciating its unique world and nostalgic elements.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Tops DEG Digital Transactions Chart for Week of May 18

The Minecraft Movie is being produced by a collaboration of renowned studios, focusing on storytelling that resonates with audiences of all ages. The film aims to reflect the core themes of exploration and creativity from the Minecraft experience, utilizing innovative animation techniques to represent the game's iconic pixelated style. The casting process includes a mix of established stars and emerging talent, supported by a creative team of experienced directors and writers passionate about gaming culture. The production team has initiated outreach programs to engage the Minecraft community, allowing fans to contribute ideas and feedback.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Warner’s ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Debuts No. 1 Atop Weekly U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart Through May 28

The upcoming Minecraft Movie aims to translate the popular block-building game into a cinematic experience, focusing on themes of friendship, exploration, and resilience. It features a talented cast of actors voicing iconic characters and is directed by a skilled team experienced in animation and live-action films. The filmmakers are using innovative animation techniques to replicate and enhance the game's distinctive visuals, creating an immersive experience. The production team is engaging the Minecraft community for input and inspiration, fostering a sense of ownership among fans. The film is generating significant anticipation as its release date approaches.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Can Your PC Run Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater?

Hideo Kojima's latest project, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is upcoming, while Konami will release a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, on August 28, 2025. The retail price will be .99, and it will be available on PC (via Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. A Deluxe Edition with additional content will cost .99. Minimum system requirements for PC include Windows 10 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-8600 CPU, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super GPU, and 100GB SSD storage. Recommended specs include Windows 11 (64-bit), AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-8700K CPU, 16GB RAM, Nvidia GeForce GTX 3080 GPU, and 100GB SSD storage. The game will support DualShock and Xbox controllers, and will include Steam features like achievements and cloud support. Compatibility with Steam Deck is uncertain.