studio Archives

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate’s FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find out

In the early 2010s, PC strategy and tactics enthusiasts expressed discontent as mainstream publishers, like EA and Take-Two, rebooted classic '90s franchises such as XCOM and Syndicate into first-person shooters, disappointing dedicated fans. These reboots were criticized for straying from the original gameplay experience, which allowed for exploration and strategy, and instead confined players to tight spaces with wave-spawning enemies. Despite the backlash against these reboots, it led to a resurgence of strategy games, exemplified by Mike Diskett's launch of Satellite Reign, a tactical successor to Syndicate that received critical acclaim three years later.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer’s indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because “it’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds”

Ivy Road, an independent game studio, announced its closure effective March 31, 2026. The studio was developing a new title called Engine Angel but faced funding challenges. They are finalizing a tea-brewing simulation game called Wanderstop, which explores themes of burnout and trauma. Wanderstop is currently playable and available for purchase on all platforms, and a special code for a chapter select feature has been shared. Analysts predict that the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at a price point 50% higher than their predecessors.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

In defense of placeholder assets: why generative AI accidentally appears in so many games

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has acknowledged the use of generative AI in its development, while Pearl Abyss apologized for unintentionally including AI-generated assets in Crimson Desert. Other games like The Alters and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have faced similar issues with AI elements. Developers are increasingly cautious about AI integration, with some, like Arc Raiders, moving away from AI-generated voice actors. When AI-generated art appears, developers often claim these were placeholders, which raises concerns about their inclusion in final products. Josh Sawyer highlighted the importance of distinguishing between temporary and final assets in his project Pentiment. The creative process relies on human vision and artistry, which generative AI cannot replicate. Additionally, the environmental impact of AI technology is a concern due to the energy demands of data centers. Developers' claims of unintended AI assets raise questions about transparency, contrasting with Owlcat's open acknowledgment. Players react negatively to AI-generated artwork, leading to swift apologies from developers, highlighting the tension between AI use and artistic integrity.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: ‘It’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds’

Developer Ivy Road has announced the closure of its studio, set for March 31. The studio expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought their game, Wanderstop, to life, which received an 84% review score. The narrative was created by Davey Wrenden and Karla Zimonja, with music composed by C418. The closure follows layoffs due to the studio's inability to secure funding for a new project called Engine Angel. Despite the closure, Wanderstop will remain available on current platforms, and Ivy Road hinted at a future surprise related to the game, with more news to come from Annapurna Interactive.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Mojang Says Anything Is Possible for Minecraft’s Future Updates

Mojang has a vast collection of ideas that it is considering for future updates, as expressed by product manager Anna Lundgren, who stated that "nothing is ever off the table." The Copper Golem, initially introduced in the Minecraft Live 2021 mob vote, returned in September 2025 as part of The Copper Age update after being dormant for three years. Firefly bushes, originally planned for the Wild Update of 2021 but shelved due to community concerns about toxicity to frogs, were reintroduced in 2025 without the associated risks. Minecraft is shifting to a more dynamic update schedule, moving away from the traditional annual model, with recent updates like Tiny Takeover and the upcoming Chaos Cubed. Mojang is leveraging its history of ideas, suggesting that previously shelved concepts may resurface when the timing is right.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Soren Johnson on keeping his game studio small: ‘You get better games if you take longer to make games’

Mohawk Games, established in 2013 by former Firaxis developers, is preparing to launch new downloadable content (DLC) for their 2021 grand strategy game, Old World. The studio, which employs 15 individuals, has sustained its operations through revenue from Old World. The upcoming expansion, titled Empires of the Indus, will introduce three new civilizations and is scheduled for release on March 30. Co-founder Soren Johnson expressed a desire to explore creative avenues beyond grand strategy and has ambitions to develop a light tactical RPG. While there are no immediate announcements for new projects, Johnson has a list of game ideas he finds exciting.

BetaBeacon

March 28, 2026

The Best 13 Android Games You Must Play in 2026

- Monster Hunter Outlanders completed its first round of closed beta testing in 2025 and is one of the most anticipated new mobile games of 2026. - Genshin Impact remains at the top of the free-to-play mobile scene with continuous updates to the story and events. - Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG with high-end action game polish and style, now available on Android phones and PC. - Destiny: Rising adapts the excellent shooting skills and MMO-style growth system of the console version to the mobile platform. - Goose Goose Duck, a mobile game released in 2026, attracted 5 million players in its first month and offers unique gameplay with a large number of characters. - Among Us is a global sensation in social deduction gaming where players must uncover the impostor among them. - Spaceteam is a local multiplayer game designed for 2 to 8 players to play together by shouting out technical terms to keep the spaceship running. - Chrono Trigger and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are classic RPGs now available on Android devices. - Gwent: The Witcher Card Game and Hearthstone are deeply strategic card games with rich deck-building options. - Marvel Snap is a fast-paced competition game with Marvel heroes and a three-minute gameplay duration. - Nizhan Future is a sci-fi shooting game developed specifically for mobile platforms with a season-based design and data interoperability between PC and mobile platforms.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Grab 2 Free PC Games Worth Over $30 to Keep Forever, No Strings Attached

The Epic Games Store is offering two free games this week: Havendock, a colony simulation game priced at .99, and Hyper Echelon, a top-down shooter typically priced at .99. Both games are available globally and can be claimed permanently. Havendock allows players to build a settlement on the open sea and has received a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. Hyper Echelon features a retro-inspired pixel art style and also holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam. The free game lineup refreshes every Thursday, with the next update scheduled for April 2, which will feature Clone Drone in the Danger Zone.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Confirms 5 Day-One Games for April 2026

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass will release five day-one games in April 2026, with no new releases in the first two weeks. The games include: - Replaced: A cinematic side-scrolling platformer exclusive to Xbox Series X, releasing on April 14. - Hades 2: The highest-rated game of 2025, launching on Xbox Series X on April 14, after its success on Nintendo Switch and PC. - Kiln: A team-based multiplayer party brawler from Double Fine Productions, releasing on April 23, with an open beta for PC from April 9 to April 11. - Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard: A roguelite deckbuilder spin-off from Poncle, releasing on April 21. - Aphelion: A sci-fi action-adventure game with stealth elements from Don’t Nod, releasing on April 28. All games will be available on Xbox Series X and PC, but not on Xbox One.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

“Rocket League is still a priority” despite Psyonix layoffs

Over 1,000 employees were laid off at Epic Games, with many affected coming from Psyonix, the studio behind Rocket League, which was acquired by Epic in 2019. An Epic Games spokesperson stated that Rocket League remains a priority for the company, and the Psyonix team is still focused on developing the game. Rocket League recently achieved a milestone of 40,000 concurrent players in 2023. Psyonix has been actively providing seasonal content and bug fixes for Rocket League, with a recent update released on March 23, the day before the layoffs were announced. Psyonix has also contributed to other projects, including the Rocket Racing minigame in Fortnite and the mobile game Rocket League Sideswipe, launched in 2021. The studio has a long history of collaboration with Epic, dating back to the early 2000s. The future direction of the Psyonix team regarding Rocket League or Fortnite development remains uncertain.