toy Archives

BetaBeacon

September 3, 2026

Building Tetris on Android With One Prompt and No Laptop

An AI coding agent called Gotcha can generate games and tools on Android phones by writing real code and running a local server. It can create games like Tetris and a 3D Angry Birds clone with features such as touch controls, score displays, and sound effects. Gotcha can also fix bugs in the game logic based on vague feedback. The autonomy and local capabilities of Gotcha make it a unique tool for developers, allowing for quick iteration and precise bug reporting.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Poppy Playtime studio reveals its next survival horror game, and this time it’s co-op

Mob Entertainment has announced a new game titled Escape from Playtime, which allows 1 to 4 players to participate in a cooperative horror adventure set in the Playtime Co. toy factory. Players will encounter characters like Huggy Wuggy while navigating the factory's corridors. The game is scheduled for early access on Steam and aims to enhance the gameplay experience with cooperative mechanics, building on the success of its predecessor, Poppy Playtime. An announcement trailer was showcased at the Future Games Show during gamescom 2026 and is available for viewing on Steam.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Puzzle Game Woodo Launches September 16 for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC

Daedalic Entertainment, along with developers Yullia Prohorova and Timur Bogotof, announced the release of the puzzle game Woodo, set to launch on September 16. It will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The game will have two editions: a Standard Edition priced at .99 and a Deluxe Edition also priced at .99, which includes additional content such as an original soundtrack, 3D models, print templates, extra cursor colors, and a gratitude sticker. Woodo features a cozy diorama puzzle experience where players assemble wooden scenes that come to life with color and animations, following the adventures of characters Foxy and Ben. The game includes a friendly narrator and aims to evoke nostalgic feelings and joy through its gameplay and characters. Key features include a unique puzzle mechanic, adaptive gameplay, and a meaningful story.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Toymaker Mattel launches a new game studio with a focus on Roblox and Fortnite that could signal a growing shift in where studios spend money

Mattel has established Mattel Game Studios, a new division focused on creating original interactive experiences based on its brands, moving away from traditional gaming methods. This initiative follows the company's acquisition of Mattel163, which was previously a joint venture with NetEase that published mobile digital card games. While continuing to develop mobile games, Mattel is also exploring platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, reflecting the changing gaming landscape where Roblox players logged over 10 billion hours monthly in 2025. Mattel's strategy is more focused and less reliant on traditional gaming investments, aiming to engage younger audiences. The success of this approach could encourage other companies to explore non-traditional gaming platforms.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

The ‘father of Master Chief’ doesn’t like the new Halo’s new halos

Marcus Lehto, the art director of Halo: Combat Evolved, has expressed concerns about the remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, particularly regarding the portrayal of the Halo rings. He believes the rings appear overly polished and lack the character that comes from centuries of conflict, describing them as resembling "shiny new toys." Lehto criticized the main menu ring as "the most offensive thing we see every time we boot up the game," stating it should convey scale and mystery but instead looks like it was built recently. He emphasized the importance of detail, suggesting the rings should feel like "ancient tombs." Despite his critiques, he acknowledged improvements in gameplay, cinematics, and visuals, praising the lighting and movement mechanics while remaining optimistic about the overall experience.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

2D toybox fighting game Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination launches in 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Bit Bot Media has announced its collaboration with Mechaghidora to publish the 2D toybox fighting game, Knock Off: The Battle for Imagination, set to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. The game features fast-paced combat, a roster of unique characters inspired by '80s and '90s toys, an arcade mode, online multiplayer battles, and a retro soundtrack. Players will control Johnny, who faces off against Maximus, his first brand-name action figure. The game aims to evoke nostalgia while providing an engaging gaming experience. A new trailer and screenshots have been released.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Games about sorting 1000s of mundane objects onto shelves is the new craze sweeping PC gaming

A trend in the gaming industry has emerged, focusing on cleaning and organizing games, with titles like House Flipper, Power Wash Simulator, and Unpacking gaining popularity. This micro-genre traces back to the 1980s with the arcade game Bubbles. Recent games include Toy Shop Tidy Up, which debuted on August 7, and Cellar Keeper, also released on August 7, where players must sort 2,448 wine bottles. Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library! has become the most successful sorting game, achieving a peak player count of 29,469 and over 17,000 positive reviews. Upcoming titles include Never Sort By Color, TV Archive: Tidy Up Together, and Cleaning Up The Puzzle Gallery. The rapid production of sorting simulators reflects the commercial success of games like Librarian.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Fanatical’s massive new ‘Wholesome’ bundle is offering 18 Steam Deck-friendly games worth $260 for just $51

The Wholesome Collection bundle from Fanatical allows gamers to choose titles in a flexible, build-your-own format, with pricing structured into three tiers: three to four games at .33 each, five to six games at .00 each, and seven or more games at .85 each. The complete set of 18 Steam Deck-compatible games costs .30, an 80% discount from the original total of .72. The bundle includes various games, some of which have confirmed Steam Deck compatibility, such as "The Last Cat in the Universe," "Above Snakes," and "Lonesome Village," among others. As of July 10th, 2026, the prices are accurate. Additionally, Humble’s Twin Sails Interactive bundle offers 13 Steam Deck-friendly games and 14 DLCs for .

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

McDonald’s | A Minecraft Movie Meal

tms developed two campaigns featuring exclusive toys and packaging for McDonald's, including six Movie Meal collectibles inspired by McDonald’s characters and six toys from the Minecraft Movie. The campaigns transformed McDonald's restaurants into immersive experiences and included a retail kit for over 100 global markets. Packaging design included a golden treasure chest for the Minecraft Movie Meal and three variations of Happy Meal boxes. Customers could scan toys to unlock in-game skins for Minecraft and participate in a digital treasure chest quest related to the movie.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear And More Classics Are Getting Remastered

Digital Eclipse is set to release a remastered collection titled Toy Story: Retro Roundup on October 15, featuring 11 games, including nine from the Toy Story series and two from A Bug’s Life, for consoles and PC. The collection includes titles such as Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! (1999), and A Bug’s Life (1998). Enhanced features will include improved rendering, gameplay rewind, and cheats, along with exclusive developer interviews and behind-the-scenes content. Additionally, Toy Story 3: Complete Edition will be released, offering updated visuals and new gameplay options. The collection will be available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2, and PC, with a bundle option for most platforms. There will be no physical release for Xbox.