survival gaming Archives

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Trains are taking over the survival genre: there are a half-dozen survival base-builders on rails coming in 2026

A shift in survival gaming is occurring with the introduction of mobile bases on trains, with at least six or seven games set for release in 2026. Frostrail, developed by FakeFish, is a solo or co-op first-person shooter where players navigate a frozen world aboard a train, scavenging for resources and upgrading their engine for survival. EverRail allows up to four players to use drones for reconnaissance and engage in combat, featuring a respawn mechanic where players take on new characters after death. Enginefall is inspired by Snowpiercer, featuring a megatrain where players loot and battle through various train cars, transforming them into strategic bases. Frostliner combines city-building with survival as players manage a train filled with citizens, upgrading it and ensuring their safety while exploring with additional vehicles. Steel Artery: Train City Builder focuses on constructing a steampunk city on rails, requiring resource management and strategic planning for economic success. Railborn features a customizable train system for traversing different biomes, allowing players to scavenge and rebuild ecosystems while creating unique train cars.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

PUBG creator’s take on a metaverse is radically different from Roblox or Fortnite: “Everyone’s doing it the wrong way”

Prologue is a new survival game from PlayerUnknown Productions that utilizes advanced machine learning technology to create expansive maps. It is the first of three initiatives aimed at developing a broader metaverse concept called Artemis. Brendan Greene, the creator of PUBG, envisions Prologue as a community-driven experience and a testing ground for features that will contribute to Artemis. He aims to create a 3D internet where millions can share ideas and create content, contrasting with existing models that limit user experiences. Greene discussed the challenges of creating a viable metaverse, referencing limitations in current server infrastructure. Prologue's game world is generated using a machine learning agent and Unreal Engine, while another project, Preface, demonstrates the potential for creating environments on players' devices without server reliance. Greene emphasizes that Artemis will be open-source, allowing various experiences across platforms, and he projects it will take about a decade to fully realize. Prologue will remain in early access for about a year, with continued support expected after its official launch.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

Minecraft could be in line for some big changes as Mojang hires former Ubisoft exec as new ‘head of Vanilla’

Minecraft Vanilla is the unmodified version of the game, maintaining its original gameplay without any mods or enhancements. Katie Scott has been appointed as the head of Minecraft Vanilla, starting in February, and she has a background in integrating microtransactions into games from her time at Ubisoft. Scott's previous roles involved aggressive monetization tactics and live service strategies in franchises like Assassin's Creed and Rainbow Six. Concerns have been raised within the Minecraft community regarding her experience with monetization practices, including 'surprise mechanics' associated with predatory tactics. While Minecraft is already a monetized platform, the implications of Scott's appointment for the future of vanilla Minecraft remain uncertain.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Dune Awakening gives franchise fans and MMO skeptics a chance to try it for free with a generous new trial

Dune Awakening is a survival MMO set in the Dune universe, featuring a vast multiplayer environment and social dynamics. Developer Funcom is offering regular free trials, with the latest trial allowing players to explore the game for up to ten hours until November 27. The game emphasizes character progression and survival mechanics, focusing on sunlight and water management. Players can find water sources, craft items, and purify blood for drinking water. The game includes PvP combat and dedicated PvE areas, with a focus on establishing secure bases. Dune Awakening has a steady player base, achieving peak daily counts in the thousands. The game is currently available at a 25% discount until December 1, priced at .49 / £31.49.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Game Pass is about to lose its most immersive, hardcore survival game, so play it while you can

Stalker 2 and Frostpunk are set to exit Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service on Saturday, November 15. Stalker 2, known for its FPS combat and narrative set in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, has improved since its initial release. Frostpunk challenges players to build a city in a post-disaster world and will be succeeded by Frostpunk 2, which remains available on Game Pass. Other titles leaving on the same date include Blacksmith Master, Football Manager 2024, and Spirittea.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The Dwarf Fortress of survival gaming has been in continual development for 33 years, and its creator doesn’t think he’ll ever stop updating it: ‘When I accomplish one feature, I always have two more waiting’

UnReal World is a procedurally generated survival roguelike game set in Iron Age Finland, designed by Sami Maaranen since 1992. The game evolved from a traditional fantasy roguelike to incorporate survival elements like a dynamic weather system, hunger simulation, and shelter construction. It features complex systems such as crafting, intricate animal AI, and a combat system that simulates injuries to specific body parts, drawing inspiration from Finnish folklore. UnReal World debuted on Windows in 1999 and was released on Steam in 2016. Maaranen continues to work on the game part-time, focusing on enhancing clothmaking mechanics and introducing permanent NPC companions. He aspires to implement advanced artificial intelligence for NPCs to create richer interactions.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

96%-rated survival sensation eating Half-Life 3’s lunch is far from done, as massive roadmap reveals DLC and free updates

Abiotic Factor has launched a successful 1.0 version and will release a free community update this fall featuring revamped enemy behaviors, a hardcore mode, an 'iron mode', sandbox settings, improved trader mechanics, and armor durability indicators. New additions include exercise equipment for player stats and electricity generation, a battery-charging crate, a wall-mountable item stand, mushroom cultivation, improved weapon reloads, an industrial crossbow, and a hardlight spear. The first paid DLC, 'Temple of Stone', will introduce a new home world inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman architecture. A complimentary Winter Cabin home world and the Holiday Cryosphere update will also be released, featuring new entities and plantable resources. In 2026, a mystery crossover is planned for spring, and a significant story-driven DLC will be released in summer, adding new facility sectors, portal worlds, enemy types, traders, and recipes, along with a free patch introducing multi-quest functionality, boats, a brewing system, improved pets, enhanced fishing mechanics, upgraded enemy behavior, trait presets, and customizable emotes. Developer 'Zag' hinted at boating and fishing features related to the mystery DLC.