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Mojang says that Minecraft Dungeons 2 has more overt "callbacks to vanilla Minecraft" than the last ARPG it released
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Mojang says that Minecraft Dungeons 2 has more overt “callbacks to vanilla Minecraft” than the last ARPG it released

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an upcoming action role-playing game (ARPG) that emphasizes swordplay and cooperative adventures in various locales. It aims to be an accessible dungeon crawler, appealing to fans of the Diablo series while providing a simpler alternative to games like Path of Exile 2. The sequel seeks to strengthen connections to the original Minecraft experience by incorporating more "callbacks" and introducing an interconnected world that encourages exploration. Additionally, it features a refined item rarity system with four tiers: Common, Rare, Special, and Unique, enhancing gameplay and engagement.
Steam Gets 11 New Free Games You Can Check Out Now
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Steam Gets 11 New Free Games You Can Check Out Now

Steam has released a new collection of free games, including: - The Unrealtor: A couch co-op puzzle adventure for two players involving perspective-based puzzles. - Operation P.L.U.S.H: A horde defender game for 1-4 players where dream-powered plushies protect a child's nightlight. - Cave Of Treats: A Halloween-themed arcade game where players control a skeleton disguised as a mummy to battle creatures. - Dragon Kisser: A third-person soulslike game where players charm a dragon to save their village. - Moon River: A short RPG adventure focused on music and exploration. - Tarot Spell: A typing survival game that involves learning about Tarot cards to cast spells. - Once Upon A Card: A card-based game where players help a royal child navigate dreams and face challenges. - Bloxzer: A puzzle game that involves rolling blocks into holes and activating bridges, with the first 15 levels free. - Without Sanctuary: An underground fighting game set in a nightclub, featuring brutal combat. - Tumble Type: A word puzzle game where players spell quickly to rescue keys and climb leaderboards. - eXSert: A Dieselpunk 3D beat 'em up game where players confront a genocidal AI. Players should check their PC hardware specifications for optimal performance.
"Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy": Why I think we're on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

“Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy”: Why I think we’re on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all

A study published in the Entertainment Computing journal analyzed 86 games released on Steam from 2014 to 2022, finding that games with cracked versions available within the first week of launch experienced a 20% drop in revenue. If DRM delayed cracks by at least six weeks, the revenue decline was only 5%, and if DRM withstood cracks for three months, there was no significant loss in revenue. Denuvo's defenses have been breached within hours of game releases, and the future of DRM may rely more on contractual agreements than technology. Subscription-based gaming models, like Xbox's PC Game Pass, are emerging, allowing players to access games without owning them, which raises concerns about game ownership and the potential for titles to be removed from libraries. The rise of cloud gaming is seen as a solution to affordability issues for gamers, but it also leads to questions about the future of game ownership and piracy.
Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: 'I'm a bit obsessed with learning the market'
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Bryce Clark, game director of Poppy Playtime, has played 23,000 hours of Steam games: ‘I’m a bit obsessed with learning the market’

Bryce Clark is the game director of Poppy Playtime and has a history in gaming that began with DOS games. His childhood favorite was the 1994 RTS Dominus, which had technical difficulties that required troubleshooting. He has worked for studios like 343 Industries and Blizzard and became the lead technical artist at Mob Entertainment in 2023 before directing Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5, released in February. Clark enjoys games like Aethus, Strange Antiquities, and Prosperous Universe, and recently played Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library and Forza Horizon 6. The oldest games on his PC are No Man's Sky and The Hunter: Call of The Wild. He has logged over 23,000 hours on Steam, with Rocket League and Ark: Survival Evolved among his top titles. Clark finds comfort in The Hunter: Call of the Wild and Subnautica. He uses Snagit for screenshots and video recording and WinDirStat for disk space management. He has shifted to a minimalist desktop organization style, using the taskbar and search bar instead of desktop shortcuts.
Data analyst finds 'AI stigma' on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Data analyst finds ‘AI stigma’ on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative

Ross Burton's analysis examined 9,879 games released between January and October 2025, revealing that 17.9% of these games openly acknowledged their use of AI technology. Notable titles like Clair Obscur and Crimson Desert have successfully utilized AI in their development, while discussions about AI usage have overshadowed the new Crazy Taxi game. High-profile figures, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, oppose the need for disclaimers regarding AI use, and major studios like Sony continue to invest heavily in AI technologies.
PlayStation’s PC port era appears over as Sony scrubs key policy language
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

PlayStation’s PC port era appears over as Sony scrubs key policy language

Sony's recent annual business report indicates a shift in its strategy for first-party titles, removing the previous commitment to release PlayStation games on PC after console launches. Analysts suggest this change signals a focus on PS5 exclusivity for upcoming single-player titles. Reports have indicated that future games like Ghost of Yotei, Saros, and Marvel’s Wolverine may remain exclusive to the PS5. Additionally, the report highlights Sony's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence in game development to enhance creativity. The company has also revised its business outlook, removing the term "profitable" due to ongoing supply chain challenges and rising hardware costs, which have affected its ability to expand the PS5 installed base.
5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft

Microsoft is undergoing a restructuring that includes layoffs across its game studios and further job cuts and studio closures as part of the "Xbox reset" initiated by new CEO Asha Sharma. This initiative has resulted in the cancellation of several game projects, including: - Odyssey: Shelved in 2024 after challenges in development, including a switch from Unreal Engine to an internal engine. - Everwild: Canceled in 2025 after years of development and at least one reboot. - Perfect Dark: The reboot was canceled in 2025 despite a positive gameplay reveal, with reports of interest from Take-Two Interactive. - Contraband: Development ceased in 2025, leaving the future of the co-op smuggling game uncertain. - Project Blackbird: Canceled in 2025 after over six years of development due to financial concerns regarding the investment required for an MMO. Following the cancellation of Project Blackbird, some team members formed a new studio named Sackbird.
The videogame market is as big as ever, with PC leading growth—global games revenue surpassed the $200 billion mark in 2025
AppWizard
June 20, 2026

The videogame market is as big as ever, with PC leading growth—global games revenue surpassed the $200 billion mark in 2025

The global games market closed 2025 at 1.6 billion, reflecting a growth of 9.1% year over year, marking the first time it has crossed the 0 billion threshold. This growth occurred despite underwhelming performances from key players like Nintendo and a modest growth trajectory in the console market. The industry is currently experiencing significant consolidation and layoffs, alongside rising hardware prices.
The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series' rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next year
AppWizard
June 20, 2026

The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series’ rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next year

Ultima is a significant franchise in PC gaming, originally created by Richard 'Lord British' Garriott, known for its influential roleplaying series and spinoffs like Ultima Underworld and Ultima Online. The rights to the series have been held by Electronic Arts (EA) since 1992, following Garriott's sale of Origin Systems. Despite some releases, the series has largely been inactive under EA, with unsuccessful attempts at revival in 2010 and 2013. Recent developments indicate that Garriott may soon reclaim the copyright to Ultima in 2027 due to U.S. copyright law, although the trademark will remain with EA. Garriott has expressed interest in potentially creating a new title, possibly titled "Lord British's Ultima." He has attempted to revive the series multiple times during EA's ownership but has faced challenges in those discussions.
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