video gaming Archives

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

In the wake of Bloodlines 2’s struggles, Vampire The Masquerade’s most famous face is leaving Paradox

Vampire: The Masquerade has a significant narrative in tabletop role-playing games, with many fans, including the author, drawn in by the series LA By Night. Jason Carl has played a crucial role in revitalizing the franchise since 2010, transitioning from CEO of By Night Studios to a game producer and brand marketing manager. Despite the success of LA By Night and New York By Night, recent video game projects like Bloodlines 2 have faced challenges, including a disappointing 57% score on Steam and a million write-down by Paradox Interactive. Carl announced his departure from the World of Darkness in a message on Discord, expressing pride in the community's contributions and confidence in the future leadership. He will be joining Tabletop Vacations as Dean of Dungeon Master University, focusing on helping Dungeon Masters enhance their skills.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

Game Review: Slots and Daggers (PC)

Slots and Daggers is a PC/Steam game developed by Friedemann and published by Future Friends Games, set to release on October 24, 2025, priced at .99. The game combines roguelite RPG mechanics with slot machine elements, focusing on in-game currency for character enhancement rather than monetary gain. Players navigate through ten dungeons, facing various enemies and earning coins to upgrade their characters. The game features a progression system that allows players to unlock permanent upgrades and experiment with different builds. After completing the dungeons, players can access Arena Mode for additional challenges. The visuals are retro-inspired with modern touches, and the game includes a catchy soundtrack. It is noted for its simple gameplay, addictive nature, and replayability, although it may be considered short in length.

AppWizard

October 6, 2025

After 14-and-a-half years and over $500k raised for charity, Minecraft YouTuber KurtJMac finally reaches the Far Lands

YouTuber KurtJMac reached the Far Lands in Minecraft after nearly 15 years of exploration, starting his journey in March 2011 with a project called "Far Lands or Bust." He adhered to a no-mods policy and traveled in a straight line to uncover this glitched area. He achieved this milestone during Day 69 of a 2025 sub-a-thon, revealing the floating land masses at 3:43:30 into the stream. The Far Lands are a glitch from earlier Minecraft versions, resulting in surreal landscapes, and while they have been patched in later updates, they remain a significant part of Minecraft lore. Kurt's journey was marked by challenges, including vast expanses of instability, and he was accompanied by his dog, Wolfie. A former co-creator of Path of Exile commented that Minecraft is a hardcore action RPG in disguise, claiming it to be more challenging than Path of Exile.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Kids growing up with ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Fortnite’ are particularly…

Concerns about the impact of video gaming on mental health include increased anxiety, depression, eye strain, and obesity. Certain popular games like Minecraft and Fortnite may expose children to gambling-related behaviors through features such as loot boxes, which can influence young minds and predispose them to gambling. Young men are particularly at risk due to the development of their prefrontal cortex, with a recent poll showing that 10% of men aged 18 to 30 exhibit signs of a gambling problem compared to 3% in the general population. The Entertainment Software Rating Board has introduced a warning label for games with gambling-like features, but critics argue this is insufficient. Epic Games settled with the Federal Trade Commission for million over allegations of deceptive practices related to loot boxes. Parents are advised to avoid normalizing gambling, monitor competitive behavior, watch for financial red flags, be vigilant about gaming habits, and observe changes in attitude in their children.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

As one of 2025’s most promising RTS games falters, its anti-cheat is still a way off

Steel Balalaika has acknowledged the importance of enhancing the anti-cheat system for the game Broken Arrow, stating it is a top priority. The developer plans to focus on banning cheaters in multiplayer modes after the rollout of patch 1.09, while choosing to overlook cheating in campaign mode to streamline appeal management. A dedicated team member has been added to manage cheat reports and appeals, and advanced tools will be developed to analyze gameplay statistics for anomalies. Additionally, Steel Balalaika is introducing a leaver's penalty and a surrender option to promote fairness in matches. Update 1.09 will mainly include a minor balance patch, adjustments to the lobby creation window, and the ability to restart campaign missions.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

SAG-AFTRA members approve new video games deal

SAG-AFTRA members voted 95.04 percent in favor of a new contract with video game companies, which includes a 15.17 percent pay increase and additional raises of three percent scheduled for November in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The agreement also introduces protections against the influence of artificial intelligence in the industry. The strike began in July 2024 and lasted for 11 months, emphasizing the need for updated protections in the face of technological advancements.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

PC gaming figures fall again in Germany, down to just 13.1 million — marking a 20% decline since 2019

PC gaming in Germany has declined by 20% since 2019, with 13.1 million active PC gamers by the end of 2024, a decrease of 400,000 from the previous year. In 2019, there were 16.3 million PC gamers compared to 15.9 million console gamers, but the gap has now widened to over 7 million in favor of consoles, which currently have 20.5 million users. Game sales have decreased by 17% and hardware sales by 10%, while online gaming services have grown by 12%. Factors contributing to the decline in PC gaming may include shortages of new components, particularly GPUs.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

I miss old PopCap like you miss old BioWare

From 2000 to 2010, PopCap Games dominated the casual gaming market, influencing the design of many subsequent mobile games. The studio's notable titles included Peggle Extreme, featured in Valve's The Orange Box, and Gyromancer, a collaboration with Square Enix. PopCap's games often drew inspiration from earlier concepts, such as Zuma from Puzz Loop and Bejeweled from the Russian game Shariki. After being acquired by Electronic Arts, PopCap shifted towards mobile and free-to-play models, leading to the decline of its original PC titles. Despite this change, the spirit of PopCap's creativity persists in the indie gaming scene, with games like Donut County and Peglin reflecting its innovative approach. Bookworm Adventures remains accessible through the Internet Archive, contributing to PopCap's lasting legacy.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

16 Games Like The Last Of Us That Will Invade Your Mind In 2025

The Last of Us and its sequel, The Last of Us Part 2, have significantly impacted video gaming through their storytelling and post-apocalyptic narratives. They feature deep character interactions, stealth gameplay, and horror elements, leading to a successful HBO adaptation. The gaming landscape includes many titles that echo the themes and mechanics of The Last of Us, focusing on deep storytelling, intense gameplay, and horror experiences. A curated list of 16 games and franchises captures various aspects of these experiences, contributing uniquely to gaming narratives.

BetaBeacon

February 25, 2025

The role of AI in mobile gaming: How Android is changing the game

AI is being used to personalize the gaming experience by offering quick and impactful solutions. AI game development is not feared by the industry, but rather embraced to enhance games while retaining a human touch. AI technology is also helping boost retention and engagement in mobile gaming by improving specific criteria such as retention ratio, engagement, and player spending. AI monetization is driven by a targeted approach to match players with their preferred in-game items, transforming the way we experience mobile games.