treasures Archives

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Minecraft soundtrack to enter US National Recording Registry

The Minecraft soundtrack, composed by Daniel Rosenfeld, has been inducted into the US National Recording Registry, recognizing its artistic contribution and cultural significance. It is the second video game score to be included, following the Super Mario Bros. theme. The Library of Congress aims to preserve diverse audio treasures, reflecting American history and culture. Additionally, Minecraft was included in Sweden's Game Culture Canon, acknowledging video games as an important part of contemporary culture. The recent Minecraft movie adaptation grossed 7 billion during its opening weekend, surpassing initial earnings projections.

Winsage

April 10, 2025

Amy Winehouse, Elton John, and ‘Hamilton’ Added to Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress added 25 new sound recordings to its National Recording Registry, including notable entries such as Amy Winehouse’s "Back to Black," Elton John’s "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and the original cast album of "Hamilton." Other significant recordings include Tracy Chapman’s self-titled 1988 LP, Miles Davis’ "Bitches Brew," and Mary J. Blige’s "My Life." Iconic tracks featured are “Fly Like an Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” and Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.” The selections reflect a range of musical evolution and cultural milestones, with recordings dating from 1913 to 2015. Key additions include a radio broadcast of the 1960 World Series Game 7, Keith Jarrett’s "The Kӧln Concert," the "Minecraft: Volume Alpha" soundtrack, and Brian Eno’s Microsoft Windows startup chime. The recordings span various genres and highlight significant moments in American music history.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

Obsidian snuck goodies and secrets around every corner to make exploring Avowed feel worthwhile: ‘If you have a lot of dead ends that lead nowhere, you learn the lesson as a player: This game doesn’t have much to offer me’

The game Avowed rewards players for exploration by embedding hidden treasures throughout its environments, including vendor items and upgrade materials. It features a parkour system that encourages players to explore vertically-oriented levels without restrictions, leading to unexpected discoveries. Notable secrets include a concealed sewer beneath the starting docks with challenging enemies and a unique item, as well as a chest in Shatterscarp that has a creative loot interaction. The game is designed to ensure that exploration leads to meaningful discoveries, countering the negative impact of dead ends. The team aims to provide worthwhile rewards for side paths and explorations, fostering curiosity among players. Avowed is considered a strong contender for game of the year, and there are hints of potential DLC and a future release of The Outer Worlds 2 in 2025.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

It still makes me uneasy that my hundreds of Steam games can’t be passed on when I die, at least not without violating the EULA

Shoot Many Robots was delisted from Steam at the request of its publisher, but it remains in the owner's Steam library. Steam's terms of service classify bequeathing an account as account sharing, limiting legitimate access for others. The gaming industry is experiencing volatility with frequent shutdowns of live service games, leading to calls for prioritizing game preservation, exemplified by the 'Stop Killing Games' campaign. GOG offers DRM-free titles and allows users to bequeath their libraries to heirs with proof of death, but acknowledges the lack of legal guidance on video game preservation. There is a growing demand for more robust frameworks governing game ownership and sustainable digital alternatives for future generations.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Preview – How Nightdive Studios approaches remastering an influential classic PC game

Nightdive Studios has released a series of modern ports and remasters, including a ground-up remake of the 1994 classic, System Shock. They acquired the license for System Shock nearly a decade ago and are now working on the System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, which has taken considerable time to develop. The remaster will feature optimized controller support for modern consoles and will maintain the original emotional resonance of the game. It will include a Vault with media related to the game's original creation. The remaster is set to be released on June 26 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic, GOG).

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

The best games to play in 2025, so far

In 2025, the gaming landscape features a mix of innovative titles and new iterations of beloved franchises. The standout games, each rated four stars or higher, include: - WWE 2K25: Offers an immersive wrestling experience with a talented roster and innovative modes, though it has monetization strategies that may frustrate fans. - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: Revitalizes the Yakuza series with engaging mechanics and a captivating pirate adventure narrative. - Sniper Elite: Resistance: Set in World War II France, it enhances the sniping experience with multiplayer modes and a strategic narrative. - Dynasty Warriors Origins: Features epic battles and refined combat mechanics, creating a thrilling atmosphere. - Wanderstop: A simulation game about a former champion fighter running a tea shop, blending whimsical gameplay with a narrative about personal growth. - Civilization 7: Enhances the 4X formula with stunning visuals and new mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers and rewarding for veterans. - Avowed: Set in the Pillars of Eternity universe, it emphasizes rich storytelling and exploration. - Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector: Enhances narrative depth and introduces new gameplay mechanics, creating a thrilling experience. - Assassin's Creed Shadows: Combines stealth and RPG elements in a beautifully crafted Sengoku-era Japan setting. - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2: Features a detailed open world and engaging quests, rewarding players for overcoming challenges. - Two Point Museum: A humorous simulation game where players build and manage a quirky museum, adding layers of strategy. - Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape One: Introduces a dual timeline for enriched storytelling and innovative mechanics. - Split Fiction: A cooperative game with a blend of genres and gameplay styles, promoting teamwork in a visually stunning world. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Refines the series' core loop with thrilling hunts and gear crafting, emphasizing dynamic combat and immersive environments.

AppWizard

March 22, 2025

McDonald’s announces new Minecraft meal with limited-edition sauce

McDonald’s will launch its Minecraft Movie Meal and Happy Meal on April 1, in conjunction with the release of “A Minecraft Movie” on April 4. The Minecraft Movie Meal includes a Big Mac or 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, and a drink, along with a limited-edition collectible. The nugget meal features an exclusive Nether Flame Sauce inspired by the game, which will also be available for other meals. The themed meals will be available for a limited time while supplies last.

AppWizard

March 22, 2025

McDonald’s Announces New Minecraft Promotional Meals

McDonald's will launch a special promotion in celebration of the upcoming Minecraft movie starting April 1. The promotion includes the Minecraft Movie Meal, which features a choice of a Big Mac or a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, a drink, and an exclusive Nether Flame Sauce. Additionally, there will be a Minecraft Movie Happy Meal that includes one of twelve collectible figurines or Block World toys and a scannable code for a unique digital game. The Minecraft Movie Meal also has six collectible items inspired by McDonald's characters and Minecraft, each with a card and code for exclusive skins in the Minecraft Marketplace.

BetaBeacon

March 19, 2025

Free iOS and Android Apps of the Week

The fact described in the text is that the deals for the Android apps and games mentioned were live as of the publishing date, and if any deal is expired, readers are encouraged to share it in the comments.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

Help, I can’t move forward in this chill crafting RPG because I’m too wrapped up in building bases and making sick tools

Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land is an RPG that focuses on resource gathering and crafting, offering innovative gameplay mechanics such as a staff that doubles as a gun for synthesizing bullets. Players can explore various biomes, collect items, and engage in a crafting system that allows for deconstructing and upgrading items. The game features base-building mechanics, enabling players to create outposts and enhance their environments, while a Pioneering Effort system tracks tasks across combat, gathering, and crafting. The narrative unfolds slowly, with characters like Yumia adding depth to the experience. Atelier Yumia is set to release on March 20, with a demo available on Steam.