studios Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

February is surprisingly light on cozy game launches but we’re looking forward to these chill picks you shouldn’t miss

Cozy gaming is gaining popularity within the PC gaming community, characterized by charming aesthetics and relaxing gameplay. A special section is dedicated to cozy games, highlighting smaller titles. The Steam Next Fest on February 23 will feature many cozy game demos. Notable cozy game picks for February include: - Reigns: The Witcher: A game that parodies Tinder's swiping mechanics with moral dilemmas faced by Geralt. - Creature Kitchen: A puzzle game where players cater to whimsical characters through cooking and problem-solving. - Bento Blocks: A puzzle game focused on slicing and arranging sushi ingredients into lunchboxes, evoking nostalgia. - Reanimal: A game with horror elements that offers a captivating experience, diverging from typical cozy aesthetics.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Bluey Is Being Added To Minecraft As DLC This Month

BBC Studios, Ludo Studio, Microsoft, and Mojang will release the Bluey DLC, titled Bluey's House, for Minecraft on February 5, 2026. The DLC features the interactive Heeler House, where players can explore familiar locations from the show, find hidden keys, and unlock rooms. Players will encounter characters Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad, participating in activities like ISpy, Hide and Seek, and Ragdoll. The DLC combines the playful spirit of Bluey with Minecraft's creative possibilities, allowing players to build, explore, and engage in a personalized experience.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

New Free Steam Horror Game Releases to a 100% User Review Score

Terminal Lucidity is a free horror puzzle game on Steam with a perfect user review score, although this may be inflated due to its recent release and limited reviews. Developed by Happy Accident Studios, it features intricate puzzles that elicit mixed reactions from players. The game casts players as a technician maintaining supercomputers underground, requiring them to decipher terminal languages to uncover hidden truths. User feedback is positive, with players enjoying the problem-solving aspects, though the game lacks a save feature, leading to varied completion times. Compatibility with the Steam Deck is currently unknown.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

After joking about buying Amazon MMO New World, Rust boss says to “keep hope” as he signs NDA with an “unnamed company”

Alistair McFarlane, head of Facepunch Studios, has expressed interest in reviving the canceled Amazon MMO, New World, and has made a light-hearted offer for its rights. He is entering a non-disclosure agreement with an unnamed company, urging fans to keep "low expectations." McFarlane engaged with the New World community by jokingly tagging Amazon Games and discussing the planned shutdown of the New World: Aeternum servers in January 2027. He believes in empowering the community through public server hosting if a deal occurs. McFarlane has acknowledged the game's rough start and lack of long-term support but sees potential for its revival. Facepunch Studios prioritizes community engagement, as demonstrated by the ongoing success of their game Rust. The identity of the unnamed company remains undisclosed, but speculation points to Amazon Games. McFarlane emphasizes that discussions are confidential and that there are no confirmed deals or announcements at this time.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Minecraft Snapshot 26.1 Introduces Golden Dandelion and Baby Mobs

Mojang Studios has released the fifth snapshot of Minecraft version 26.1, featuring refined baby aquatic mobs with redesigned shapes and adjusted bounding boxes for improved interaction. Players can now craft the Golden Dandelion by combining a standard dandelion with eight gold nuggets, which prevents certain baby mobs from maturing, though it cannot be used on hostile baby mobs or villagers. Baby chickens have received new sound effects, enhancing the immersive experience. The snapshot is experimental and encourages player feedback for future updates.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Addicted Gamer Sues Fortnite and Minecraft Over Video Game Addiction

A US gamer, Cayden Breeden, has filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation, and Mojang Studios in New York, claiming that Fortnite and Minecraft are designed to exacerbate video game addiction. The lawsuit alleges that the companies failed to inform players about the dangers of excessive gaming and did not implement safeguards against compulsive gaming, which Breeden characterizes as negligent and fraudulent. He describes his gaming habits as compulsive, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms when not playing, and seeks compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and related costs. The case argues that the design mechanics of both games promote extended play and addictive behaviors, despite lacking traditional gambling elements. This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of legal actions against gaming companies in the US. Community reactions on Reddit have varied, with some users expressing skepticism about the lawsuit's viability and others discussing the balance between personal responsibility and corporate accountability in game design. The outcome of the case could impact future game design and regulatory compliance in the industry. No formal statements have been made by the defendants regarding the lawsuit.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Podcast Rewind: An AYANEO Avalanche, Minecraft Houses, and Brendon Crashes Unwind

Listeners can enjoy the latest episodes from the MacStories podcast family, featuring discussions on Game Pass on ARM, AYANEO announcements, and the TrimUI Brick Pro. Federico showcases the Ayn Odin 3 on NPC XL, while Chris and Matt present their Creator Studios and Minecraft creations. The Cozy Zone crew discusses a tier list of iPads. John returns to MacStories with a surprise visit from Brendon Bigley. NPC XL offers exclusive content through Patreon, and Cozy Zone subscribers can access bonus episodes. MacStories has expanded its podcast lineup since 2017 to cover various topics related to modern media. Advertising opportunities are available for the shows.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Amazon Games boss Hartmann reportedly leaving as firm retreats from PC and console

Christoph Hartmann, head of Amazon Game Studios, is leaving the company, which is shifting its focus from PC and console gaming to prioritize its Luna cloud streaming service. This change coincides with Amazon's layoffs affecting approximately 16,000 roles, following a previous round of 14,000 layoffs in October 2025. The gaming division may face challenges due to this strategic pivot, and significant reductions have already occurred in Amazon's gaming operations. The project New World Aeternum is scheduled to go offline in January 2027. Hartmann joined Amazon in 2018 and has over two decades of experience from 2K Games.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Is Reanimal coming to Game Pass?

Tarsier Studios is set to release a horror platformer titled Reanimal, featuring grotesque creatures and a narrative about a brother and sister trying to escape a nightmarish landscape. The game will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, and Tarsier Studios has not confirmed its future inclusion. However, Reanimal will be accessible through Xbox Anywhere for both Xbox and PC platforms.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Not content with its breakneck pace, Hytale dev slows down updates for the live game so it can be “more adventurous”

Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, has reached a stable phase in its development, attracting millions of players for its early access launch. The studio has secured significant funding and is expanding its team to support ongoing development. Founder Simon Collins-Laflamme has introduced a new update release schedule, with two major updates and many smaller patches already rolled out. Pre-release builds will be launched weekly, with the understanding that some downtime may occur. Players are advised to back up their worlds due to potential instability during pre-releases. Updates will transition to the live build only when the team is confident in their quality, with releases expected every two to six weeks. Hypixel Studios will notify the community a few days before any full release, allowing for better adaptation between major updates. The development team emphasizes transparent communication with players to enhance the gaming experience.