studios Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

S&box makes nearly $1 million on launch day, and yes there are problems but that’s okay: ‘We love it when things break because then we get to fix them’

The gaming community has mixed reactions to the release of S&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, with some players dissatisfied and others hopeful for improvement. Facepunch Studios, the developer, reported technical challenges during the launch, including backend issues and a self-inflicted DDoS. Despite these hurdles, they remain optimistic about S&box's future and the role of AI in programming education. The game will not include an AI Assistant button, but Facepunch aims to enhance the discovery algorithm for quality content. They have chosen a forward rendering technique for better visual performance. Financially, S&box generated nearly million on its first day, leading Facepunch to double its Play Fund to million. A patch for S&box has been released to improve the game based on player feedback.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Starbreeze hasn’t declared Payday 3 dead yet, but it’s launching yet another spin-off this year—this time on Roblox

Starbreeze has partnered with Gamefam to create a new game set in the Payday universe on Roblox, expected to launch later this year. This will be the second Payday-themed game on Roblox, following Notoriety: A Payday Experience, which was released in 2024. Starbreeze aims to expand the Payday brand through selective licensing and innovative formats, despite facing challenges with Payday 3, which has struggled to attract players. The new projects allow Starbreeze to maintain oversight while external studios handle development. Gamefam has experience in partnerships with major game publishers and brands.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

The Thick as Thieves campaign will be ‘at least four hours’ in length, which is pretty short, but on the upside it’s a whole lot cheaper than I ever would’ve guessed

Otherside Entertainment announced that their upcoming stealth-focused heist game, Thick as Thieves, will be available for a fixed price of in the U.S., £5 in the UK, and €5 in Europe. The game will feature two playable thieves, two dynamic maps, six pieces of gear, and 16 contracts, with an introductory campaign estimated to last at least four hours. The multiplayer PvPvE component has been dropped in favor of solo gameplay. The launch date is set for May 20 on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Battlefield 6 is bringing back a 13-year old map, and it looks incredible

Players can look forward to the reimagined Golmud Railway map in Season 3 of Battlefield 6, originally launched in 2013 as the largest map in Battlefield 4. The new version, set in Tajikistan, aims to enhance gameplay by addressing limitations of the original, featuring a strategic battle for control of a moving train that advances toward enemy headquarters. The map will offer a more immersive environment with an expanded layout for infantry and vehicle combat, improved traversal for players without vehicles, and opportunities for aerial combat. Significant terrain adjustments have been made for balance, including repositioning the mountain range and modifying boundaries. The launch date is expected to be Tuesday, May 12.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

EA’s CEO claims AI isn’t costing people their jobs, instead it’s helping them

EA CEO Andrew Wilson stated that AI is intended to enhance existing roles in the gaming industry rather than replace them. He emphasized that AI serves as a tool to improve productivity, particularly in routine tasks, and mentioned that EA is hiring more quality assurance (QA) staff than ever before, with 85% of QA work being supported by machine learning or AI-driven algorithms. Despite recent layoffs at EA, including teams involved in the development of Battlefield 6, Wilson maintains that AI's role is primarily augmentation. However, the company faced criticism after allegations that AI was used to generate artwork for a premium bundle, raising concerns about the impact of AI on employment in the gaming sector.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Arc Raiders’ Riven Tides update didn’t fix the game’s biggest problem: Cheaters

The Riven Tides update for Arc Raiders introduced a new map and the Turbine threat but did not resolve ongoing cheating issues, leading to player dissatisfaction, including Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins' departure from the game. Since its launch in October 2025, player engagement has declined, with the average player count dropping from 241,000 in January 2026 to 76,000 in April 2026. Cheating has become widespread, affecting many players and compromising gameplay integrity. Embark Studios has acknowledged the problem and is working on solutions, but community frustration is growing, with many players leaving the game.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

How to complete Battening Down in Arc Raiders

Completing the Battening Down quest in Arc Raiders involves three main tasks: 1. Photograph the cracks in the Wavebreaker sea wall, specifically at the southern end of one of the substantial concrete struts in the northeast. 2. Fix the leaking oil pipe located northeast across the Wavebreaker; the correct pipeline is the rightmost and only intact one, where the repair icon appears at the southern end. 3. Sample the shoreline near Azzurro Beach by interacting with a pile of seaweed located slightly north of the beach area.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

A New ‘Minecraft’ Character Is Coming, Says New Leak—Here’s What You May Expect

A leak from Hallmark's website suggests that Mojang Studios is preparing to introduce a new character named "Blub" to the "Minecraft" universe. The character is featured in a Keepsake Ornament priced at .99, available for pre-order starting October 10, 2026. Blub is described as a creature standing on all fours with long ears. However, it has been clarified that Blub will not appear in "Minecraft Dungeons 2." The listing's authenticity as a leak remains uncertain, and Mojang has not officially confirmed the character.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Hexe loses 2nd director-level developer in as many months

Game director Benoit Richer has announced his departure from the development team of Assassin's Creed Hexe, marking the second high-profile exit this year after creative director Clint Hocking left in February. Richer is co-founding a new studio, Servo Games, with three former Ubisoft developers. Ubisoft has described Assassin's Creed Hexe as a departure from the open-world, action-RPG format established since 2017's Origins. The franchise is also set to release Black Flag Resynced, a remake of Assassin's Creed 4, on July 9. Additionally, former franchise boss Marc-Alexis Côté departed Ubisoft last year and has filed a lawsuit against the company for "constructive dismissal," seeking .3 million Canadian in damages.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings retrospective – The millennial medieval masterwork proves that there’s more to RTS than killing and destruction

Age of Empires II features four primary resources: wood, gold, food, and stone, simplifying the strategic landscape. The game is known for its rich visual design, captivating soundtrack, and blend of historical fact with storytelling. It allows players to engage in both military strategy and city-building, creating a tranquil atmosphere despite the looming presence of war. The game's music, composed by Stephen Rippy, enhances the gameplay experience. Historical accuracy is emphasized, with campaigns narrated from unique perspectives and missions reflecting real historical events. Players gain strategic gameplay while absorbing historical knowledge through compelling narratives.