survival experience Archives

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

PUBG creator Brendan Greene halts development on “realistic Minecraft” survival game, plans to make it free and is looking into refunds

Brendan Greene has announced that the development of the early-access survival game, Prologue: Go Wayback, is on hold as PlayerUnknown Productions undergoes restructuring. The game, launched in early access last November, is described as a "realistic Minecraft" where players face challenges in procedurally generated landscapes. Greene plans to make the game free for future players and is exploring refund options for those who purchased it. A statement on the game's Steam page indicates hope for a future return, although Early Access plans cannot be fulfilled at this time. The development team is working on an update to enhance exploration with new items and pathways. Prologue: Go Wayback has received a Mostly Positive rating on Steam, with 70% of players giving favorable reviews.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions, Beastro, Undisputed, and More

Herdling (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 4, available with Game Pass Premium. Total Chaos (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 4, included with Game Pass Premium. Solarpunk (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 8, available on day one with XBOX Game Pass. Undisputed (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 8, available through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Persona 5 Royal (Cloud, Console, and PC) – June 9, available with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Beastro (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 11, available through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Frog Sqwad (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 11, available with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions (Game Preview) (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – June 11, available day one on XBOX Game Pass. Junkster (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – June 16, available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Batman: Arkham Knight (PC, Handheld) – May 16, part of the XBOX on PC lineup. Escape the Backrooms (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – May 28, available through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. EA Sports UFC 6: EA Play Early Access Trial (Console) – Coming June 12, includes a 10-hour trial and progress carryover. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege: Blitz Bushido Set (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available now, includes exclusive skins for a limited time. Leaving June 15: - Jurassic World Evolution 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Warhammer 40K Space Marine: Master Crafted Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge (Cloud, Console, and PC)

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Behold: Every Xbox and PC game that refused to be overshadowed by Marvel’s Wolverine at Sony’s June 2026 State of Play

The Sony State of Play showcased several upcoming games, including: - Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis: Launching on February 12, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with pre-orders available. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword: A new trailer was released, and a playable demo is available across all platforms. - Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: Scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with pre-orders now open. - Dune: Awakening: Originally launched for PC on June 10, 2025, it will be available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on September 22, 2026. - Control: Resonant: Set for release on February 24, 2026, across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with pre-orders available. - Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered: Scheduled for release on October 1, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with pre-orders open. - Silent Hill: Townfall: Confirmed for release on September 24, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC. - Stuntman: Hollywood: Release date not announced, but available for wishlisting. - ILL: Set to release for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC at a later date, with wishlisting available.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Funcom is adding a singleplayer mode to Dune: Awakening, and wow, the new features are definitely gonna bring me back to the game

A new singleplayer mode for Dune: Awakening will be introduced on September 22, responding to player feedback. Key features include three preset difficulty levels and full manual customization of settings, the ability to construct bases without weekly resets, a simulated version of the Landsraad endgame feature, populated NPCs for interaction, exclusive singleplayer characters, and the retention of backed-up bases and vehicles. This mode aims to provide a more immersive experience for players who prefer solo gameplay.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Zombie extraction game Pale Tide announced for PC

Belgian game development studio Aberratic has announced its new project, Pale Tide, a single-player zombie extraction game for PC via Steam. The game features a top-down survival experience where players, accompanied by a canine companion, navigate infected zones to gather resources, rescue survivors, and return to a bunker for upgrades and strategy planning. The narrative is set in a world affected by a mysterious outbreak that has turned most of the population into zombies. Players must scavenge for food, ammunition, and materials while managing their bunker and resources. Key features include exploring infected zones, upgrading gear, customizing characters, and engaging in extraction missions against hordes of the infected. The exact release date is not yet announced.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Zelda Meets Minecraft Must-Play Cheap RPG Launches Free New Expansion

Fans of The Legend of Zelda can enjoy an open-world sandbox adventure in Everwind, where they build airships and explore the skies. Everwind is currently available on PC, with a future console port anticipated. The game has launched its first major expansion, titled The First Ascent, which is free for existing players. This update includes improved world generation, new treasures, updated locations, additional enemies and bosses, reworked biomes, quality-of-life improvements for crafting, and enhancements to the third-person camera. Bugs have been fixed, and the tutorial has been revamped for new players. Everwind offers a unique RPG and Sandbox Survival experience in first-person perspective, allowing players to build bases on flying islands, gather resources, craft, loot, and battle foes. The game emphasizes exploration, with players ascending into the clouds to discover new islands and face increasingly challenging enemies for valuable treasures.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Minecraft Updates Used to Feel Magical, Now They Don’t Hit Like They Used To

In the early days of Minecraft, major updates significantly transformed gameplay, introducing new dimensions and mechanics, with players eagerly anticipating these annual changes. Iconic updates included Redstone mechanics, the Nether overhaul, and the Ender Dragon boss. Recently, Mojang shifted to smaller, more frequent updates, which introduced new mobs and blocks but felt less impactful, leaving players wanting more substantial changes. The transition began with the Garden Awakens update, which set a precedent for subsequent updates that lacked transformative qualities. For example, the Minecraft 1.21 Tricky Trials update introduced new challenges and a mob but did not alter core gameplay significantly. Recent updates have focused more on building enhancements rather than survival challenges, with examples like the Chaos Cubed and Tiny Takeover updates prioritizing cosmetic changes over meaningful survival features. The frequency of updates has diluted their impact, making players feel overwhelmed and disconnected. Many recent updates exist independently without building on previous content, leading to missed opportunities for integration and deeper gameplay experiences. The community desires updates that enhance the survival experience and create memorable moments.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Marathon’s Game Director admits it’s “overwhelming to learn” and too sweaty

Marathon, developed by Bungie, has a specialized appeal that may hinder sustainable growth, as noted by Game Director Joe Ziegler. He described the game's learning curve as "overwhelming" and gameplay as a "hardcore sweat-fiesta," indicating a need for more relaxed options. Since its launch nearly three months ago, the game has fostered a growing core community, with players contributing fan art and lore videos. Key observations from Season 1 include the overwhelming experience for newcomers, the chaotic endgame balance, and the demand for less intense gameplay. For Season 2, two new PvE-focused modes will be introduced, including one that blends PvE with PvP and another emphasizing cooperative gameplay. New features will include the Night Marsh zone, a defensive Runner shell named 'Sentinel,' fresh weapons, and improved customization options. Additional anticipated features are a Duos rotating zone queue, a revamped matchmaking system, and an expansion of Vault size. Bungie is also working on enhancing the onboarding experience and contract system. Season 2 is set to launch on June 2, with more details to be revealed in late May.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

Absent a Left 4 Dead 3, modders are turning Team Fortress 2 into COD Zombies instead

Mann Versus Zombies is a total-conversion mod for Team Fortress 2 developed by Breadworks, transforming the game into a horde survival experience similar to Call of Duty Zombies. It features an endless onslaught of zombie hordes, allowing players to start with a sidearm and earn cash to upgrade weapons and purchase temporary perks. The mod supports solo and cooperative gameplay for up to eight players and reintroduces the character Merasmus. Mann Versus Zombies is set to launch on Steam soon, with full Steam Workshop support for custom maps and skins. Team Fortress 2 is free to play.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Dying Light boss Tymon Smektała is stepping down, but “can’t wait to experience its next chapter”

Tymon Smektała, the director of the Dying Light franchise, has announced his departure from developer Techland to pursue new opportunities. He has been instrumental as a producer for both Dying Light and its sequel, Dying Light 2. In a message shared on social media, he expressed gratitude to the community and his colleagues, emphasizing their role in shaping the franchise. The latest installment, Dying Light: The Beast, has received positive feedback, with 87% of Steam users rating it favorably. Techland is currently seeking a Lead Online Game Designer to develop new experiences in the Dying Light universe, and there is potential for future installments despite no official announcement regarding Dying Light 3.