storytelling Archives

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Netflix closes Oxenfree developer Night School, just a month after praising its new game as one of the company’s ‘most successful cloud game debuts’

Netflix has announced the closure of Night School Studios and its Helsinki-based Moonloot studio shortly after the launch of its latest title, Unhinged. Night School Studios, acquired in 2021, was known for its storytelling in games like Oxenfree and Afterparty. The closure follows the dissolution of Team Blue, indicating a strategic pivot for Netflix in its gaming operations. Additionally, Netflix is seeking a new Director of Generative AI for Games, offering a salary of up to 0,000, reflecting a trend towards integrating AI technologies in gaming. The company is also implementing broader cuts within its gaming division to streamline operations.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

Immortality creator Sam Barlow reveals his next game: A tale of visions of the future, and why they’re not always great

Sam Barlow introduced his new project, titled Precognition, during the Kinetic Publishing Showcase. The game is a sci-fi thriller developed by Barlow's Half Mermaid Productions in collaboration with horror director Brandon Cronenberg. Players will assume the role of Diana, who gains the ability to see the future through an implanted device in her brain, but this power has significant consequences. Early reviews have praised Precognition as Barlow's best game yet. The game is set to be released in spring 2028, and players can add it to their wishlist on Steam.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog ‘as the number of passengers in the game is infinite’

Saber Interactive's upcoming game, Rideshare "Stimulator," has sparked controversy due to comments from former lead writer Stella Sacco, who claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT during development. Sacco stated that all passenger voices in the game were also AI-generated, raising concerns about transparency in the game's development. She attributed the decision to use AI to higher-ups at Saber, despite her supervisor's support for her involvement. Saber Interactive has denied Sacco's claims but acknowledged the use of AI in the game. The game's Steam page promotes "unique and unpredictable passenger stories," but Sacco's remarks suggest a disconnect between the marketing narrative and the creative process, particularly regarding the lack of disclosure about AI usage.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Brand new PC bundle gives you 14 games with a short playtime for just $12

PC gamers can purchase the Short Games Showcase Bundle curated by Humble Bundle until August 28, 2026. The bundle includes a standard 14-item collection priced at .00 and a 7-item selection available for .00. Notable games in the bundle include: - Fill Up The Hole: Released on July 17, 2025, with a Steam rating of 90% positive. - Old Man's Journey: Released on May 18, 2017, with a Steam rating of 87% positive. - Teacup: Released on September 23, 2021, with a Steam rating of 96% positive. - A Juggler's Tale: Released on September 29, 2021, with a Steam rating of 93% positive. - Scanner Sombre: Released on April 26, 2017, with a Steam rating of 91% positive. - Astro Prospector: Released on July 14, 2025, with a Steam rating of 92% positive. - A Tiny Sticker Tale: Released on October 4, 2023, with a Steam rating of 97% positive. - Botany Manor: Released on April 9, 2024, with a Steam rating of 94% positive. - Biped: Released on March 26, 2020, with a Steam rating of 85% positive. - Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp: Released on October 23, 2020, with a Steam rating of 97% positive. - Anomaly Agent: Released on January 24, 2024, with a Steam rating of 94% positive. - NanoApostle: Released on September 12, 2024, with a Steam rating of 95% positive. - Knightica: Released on August 21, 2025, with a Steam rating of 74% positive. - The Dark Queen of Mortholme: Released on August 15, 2025, with a Steam rating of 83% positive.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

5 Best PC Games Of The ’80s, Ranked

The original "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is a classic game from 1989 that is being remade to appeal to both new and veteran players. "Dungeon Master," released in 1987 by FTL Games, is a first-person dungeon crawler that introduced a dynamic improvement mechanism for character attributes and skills, featuring real-time combat and detailed monster designs. "Maniac Mansion," developed by Lucasfilm Games in 1987, is a horror-comedy point-and-click adventure that involves rescuing a teenager from a mad scientist's home, known for its intricate puzzles and multiple endings. "MIDI Maze," released in 1987 for the Atari ST, was an early multiplayer first-person shooter that allowed up to 16 players to battle using floating smiley faces as avatars and included networking capabilities and a level editor. "Starflight," released in 1986, allowed players to explore a vast galaxy, interact with civilizations, and engage in diplomacy and trading, featuring 270 star systems and the ability to recruit crew members and upgrade spacecraft.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

‘I am a big roguelike guy, but also a fan of minimalism and elegance’: Sam Barlow, creator of Her Story, guides us through the games in his Steam Library

Sam Barlow is the director of Half Mermaid and a notable figure in interactive fiction, known for his work on games like Arrival, Ghost Rider, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality. He has a fondness for the game D: The Game, appreciating its cinematography and atmosphere despite its design flaws. Barlow has dedicated over 500 hours to Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, which he considers one of the greatest roguelikes. He also treasures Riven, keeping it installed at all times for its artistic value. On the non-gaming side, he relies on Fade In, a screenwriting software that he finds essential for his work. Barlow's desktop is chaotic, as he saves everything there, leading to a cluttered environment.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Fields of Mistria’s cast has me head over heels in a way no farm sim has since Stardew Valley

Players can transform an overgrown property into a flourishing industrial vineyard within a year in the game Fields of Mistria. The game features a diverse cast of characters, including the blacksmith March, the witch Juniper, the town leader Adeline, and the carpenter Ryis. It offers a narrative depth that emphasizes community and relationships, showcasing connections like the friendship between rancher Hayden and doctor Valen, and the memories of bartender Hemlock and his wife Josephine. The game's 1.0 launch allows players to complete the main story and marry, enhancing engagement with the evolving narrative and character growth.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Stop waiting for the Game of Thrones CRPG of your dreams and settle for the pleasant eurojank compromise instead

Warhorse Studios, known for its medieval simulations, was considered a candidate to develop a Game of Thrones CRPG, but its parent company Embracer shifted focus to Middle-earth Enterprises, affecting Warhorse's future. Obsidian, another RPG developer, is unlikely to create a Game of Thrones game due to Josh Sawyer's criticisms of HBO's adaptations. In 2012, Cyanide developed a Game of Thrones game that struggled for identity, coinciding with Telltale Games' release of a similar title. Cyanide, recognized for other games like Styx and Blood Bowl, also released Confrontation and Of Orcs and Men during this period. The narrative of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad deviated from George R.R. Martin's storytelling style, lacking the complexity and weight characteristic of the source material.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Company of Heroes Definitive Edition is a serious upgrade on an RTS classic

Company of Heroes is releasing a Definitive Edition to celebrate its 20th anniversary, featuring a polished experience optimized for modern systems on a 64-bit platform. The game includes visual upgrades such as improved lighting, textures, and draw distance. The opening mission showcases enhanced visibility of the battlefield, with clearly defined distant towns and detailed soldier uniforms. The Definitive Edition introduces modern gameplay elements, including a new AI difficulty level and a redesigned user interface inspired by Company of Heroes 3. The game is scheduled for release in September and will retail around , offering a 30% discount for existing owners of the original game and its expansions.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This week’s Epic Games Store free games drops you into a novel, or tasks you and a friend to escape a haunted castle

Epic Games is offering two complimentary PC games: Beacon Pines and We Were Here Together, available for free from August 6 to August 13. Beacon Pines is a narrative adventure where players can alter the story by revisiting pages and using special words called charms. We Were Here Together is a cooperative puzzle game set in Antarctica that requires players to communicate using walkie-talkies to solve challenges and reunite.