studios Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Ranking the 13 Best PC Games Of All Time

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a popular CRPG known for deep character development and engaging narrative, best experienced on PC due to its intricate menus and modding potential. Planescape: Torment is a CRPG set in a unique Dungeons & Dragons universe, recognized for its gripping narrative and unconventional themes. Theme Hospital is a simulation game that humorously parodies the American healthcare system, combining humor with business management challenges. Unreal Tournament 2004 is regarded as the pinnacle of the series, featuring fluid gameplay and intricate maps, although it has become abandonware. Thief: The Dark Project is praised for its dark atmosphere and innovative level design, particularly the iconic Sword level. World of Warcraft captivated the MMO community in the mid-2000s with polished gameplay and continuous content updates, maintaining a robust player base. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is known for its expansive open world and RPG mechanics, with a wealth of mods available on PC to enhance gameplay. Deus Ex is a pioneer of the immersive sim genre, emphasizing player choice and strategic gameplay with intricate level design. The Sims 2 is considered the crowning achievement of The Sims franchise, introducing fully 3D environments and refined gameplay mechanics. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a highly regarded real-time strategy game that has maintained its appeal for nearly three decades, revitalized by the 2019 Definitive Edition. Minecraft is a leading sandbox game known for its limitless creativity and exploration, with applications extending into education and various professional fields. Doom, released in 1993, revolutionized the first-person shooter genre and remains relevant due to its expertly designed levels and engaging gameplay. Half-Life 2 is celebrated for its innovative game design, including physics-based puzzles and a compelling narrative, offering a satisfying experience with additional episodes.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Call of Duty veteran’s new studio, which was just announced in 2025, is reportedly being closed by Sony

Sony has decided to close Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just over a month after announcing the closure of Bluepoint Games. Dark Outlaw was still in the early stages of development on an unannounced project. Reports indicate that Sony laid off an undisclosed number of employees, with estimates suggesting around 50 individuals were affected. Blundell had previously expressed enthusiasm for the studio's partnership with Sony, highlighting the privilege of being a new first-party studio. Before Dark Outlaw, Blundell was involved with Deviation Games, which closed in 2024 without releasing a game. The gaming industry has faced significant layoffs and studio closures in 2023, with Epic Games announcing layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to insufficient revenue.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 coming to PC and consoles later this year

Mojang Studios has revealed a teaser trailer for Minecraft Dungeons 2, set to launch later this year on Steam PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S. The original Minecraft Dungeons, released in 2020, is a hack-and-slash action game that integrates the Minecraft universe, featuring unique character progression without traditional class systems. It supports co-op multiplayer modes, including local and online play, and has received several DLC expansion packs post-launch. The original game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox, and holds an E10+ rating.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2, Minecraft World And More Announced During Minecraft LIVE 2026

Minecraft LIVE 2026 announced several developments in the Minecraft universe. 1. Minecraft Dungeons 2: The sequel to the action RPG series will expand the franchise with new locations, enemies, and encounters. It is scheduled for release in Fall 2026, available for wishlisting, and will be accessible through Xbox Game Pass on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. 2. Minecraft World: A theme park experience called Minecraft World will debut at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London in 2027, featuring attractions inspired by the game’s biomes, mobs, and items. 3. Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail: An outdoor nighttime adventure launching in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will allow players to explore real-world forest trails, crafting gear, mining resources, and battling mobs. 4. New Drops: - Tiny Takeover Mob Drop: Scheduled for March 24, this drop will revamp baby mobs with unique designs and introduce new items like the Golden Dandelion and craftable nametags. - Chaos Cubed Drop: Expected later in 2026, this drop will feature new sulfur caves that induce a dizzying effect and introduce mechanics allowing mobs to absorb blocks and alter their attributes.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

I crashed out reading layoff condolence letters in this shop sim about a laid-off adventurer made by a laid-off Xbox developer

In Dungeon Bodega Simulator, players are greeted with a message reflecting on job loss and resilience. Solo developer Alien Fruit, previously at Turn 10 Studios, experienced layoffs and the emotional toll that comes with it. Harrison, the creator of the game, struggles with imposter syndrome after being laid off and acknowledges the impact of job loss on identity. He is currently working on Dungeon Bodega Simulator as a way to navigate the indie market while also holding an entry-level QA position to manage finances. Harrison expresses a desire to find another role in systems or gameplay design, valuing teamwork and collaboration in his career.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

There’s a new Payday game coming later this year, and it’s VR

Starbreeze is launching a virtual reality game titled Payday: Aces High, part of the Payday franchise, developed by Fast Travel Games. The game features co-op multiplayer for up to four players and allows for solo play. Players assume the roles of elite bank robbers in chaotic heists, maintaining the series' elements of planning and teamwork. Payday: Aces High is set to release in the third quarter of 2026, specifically between July 1 and September 30, and will be available exclusively for Meta Quest and SteamVR headsets. Starbreeze's CEO stated that this game is part of a strategy to expand the Payday franchise through new formats. The studio is currently facing challenges, including issues with Payday 3 and layoffs, while the success of Aces High remains uncertain amid a reevaluation of VR investments in the industry.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

This overlooked Battlefield game is shutting down after 11 years, but only on Xbox and PlayStation consoles — the Steam PC version will live on, to my surprise

Battlefield Hardline, launched in 2015 by Visceral Games with support from DICE and EA, will have its digital availability end on May 22 for Xbox and PlayStation platforms, with online multiplayer support concluding on June 22. Players on Steam and the EA app will retain access to the game and its offline single-player campaign. The game is known for its focus on law enforcement versus criminals, differing from traditional military themes in the Battlefield franchise. EA noted that dwindling player numbers make it unfeasible to maintain online services for older games, with current statistics showing only 10 concurrent players on Steam and a peak of 34 in the last 24 hours.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Minecraft Live March 2026 – All the News and Reveals

Mojang's March 2026 Minecraft Live event introduced several new features and projects for the game. Key highlights include the new Parties feature for Bedrock players, new free-to-play modes such as Soulsteel by Noxcrew and Mob Maze by GameMode One, and the upcoming Tiny Takeover update, which will release on March 24, 2026, featuring baby animal versions and a new item called the Golden Dandelion. The event announced the Minecraft Experience: Moonlight Trail in Buenos Aires and the expansion of Villager Rescue to four new cities. Additionally, Minecraft World, a collaboration with Merlin Entertainment, will open next year in London, featuring a Minecraft rollercoaster and the largest Minecraft shop. The event teased Minecraft Drop 2 of 2026: Chaos Cubed, introducing the Sulfur Caves biome and a new mob called the Sulfur Cube. Lastly, Minecraft Dungeons 2 was announced, set to launch later in 2026 on multiple platforms.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Yes, Minecraft Is Getting a Real Theme Park Land in 2027

The first Minecraft theme park, named Minecraft World, is set to open in 2025 at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London. The park will feature attractions such as a roller coaster, block-built playscapes, interactive adventures, and themed retail and dining experiences. It is a collaborative project between Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainments, with a budget of millions. Concept art includes designs of wooden houses, TNT blocks, and Creepers. The park aims to be a family-friendly destination, located just a 35-minute train ride from London Waterloo. A live-action Minecraft film featuring Jack Black was released in 2025, with a sequel planned for 2027, starring Kirsten Dunst.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Announced for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, PC, and Game Pass

Xbox Game Studios, in collaboration with Mojang Studios and Double Eleven, has announced Minecraft Dungeons II, set to release in 2026. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass. Players will face a new adversary and engage in high-stakes encounters, thrilling challenges, and explore new locations within the Minecraft universe.