violence

AppWizard
July 11, 2025
A new app called ICEBlock alerts users about nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity by allowing them to report sightings of ICE officers. The app has quickly gained popularity on the Apple App Store and is designed to track location and send push notifications when ICE is reported within a five-mile radius. Users can report sightings anonymously, with reports deleted within four hours, and can only report once every five minutes. The app developer, Joshua Aaron, created it to protect vulnerable communities and insists it is not intended to obstruct law enforcement. Critics, including U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, argue that the app undermines law enforcement and endangers ICE officers. Aaron has faced criticism for not making the app available on Android due to concerns about user anonymity. He emphasizes that the app is legal and protected under the First Amendment.
AppWizard
July 3, 2025
Ready or Not, a tactical first-person shooter by VOID Interactive, is experiencing backlash on Steam due to recent changes made for its console release. VOID stated that modifications to the game's levels of gore, nudity, violence, and depictions of child mistreatment were necessary to meet console manufacturers' requirements. Players can no longer dismember defeated enemies, instances of torture and nudity have been reduced, and a child character now appears "unconscious/sleeping" instead of in a violent animation. Despite the developers claiming these changes are minor, community response has been negative, with some players accusing the studio of censorship and calling for a boycott. The game's overall user review rating remains 'very positive,' but recent reviews have shifted to 'mixed.' Ready or Not previously faced challenges, including a temporary removal from Steam in 2022 due to a trademark dispute and a controversial announcement about a school shooting level.
AppWizard
July 2, 2025
Developer VOID Interactive is set to launch Ready or Not on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on July 15. The game is undergoing updates to improve performance on consoles, including a transition from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5, which enhances animation and overall performance. The updates include modifications to animations for certification, a rework of the animation graph, and adjustments to the depiction of violence, such as limiting ongoing gore and toning down instances of torture and nudity to meet console standards. Despite these changes, the PC player community has reacted negatively, feeling that the updates betray the game's original vision. The game currently ranks 15th on the global top sellers list and has seen a doubling of its active player count following the announcement of the updates. The ongoing summer sale, offering a 50% discount, has contributed to its popularity.
AppWizard
June 30, 2025
Ready or Not is shifting its gameplay approach by limiting player-induced dismemberment, which has led to mixed reactions from the community. Some players view this change as unnecessary censorship and a compromise of the game's essence, expressing disappointment that the developers prioritize console compatibility over fixing existing bugs. There is significant backlash, with accusations of misleading early access backers and concerns that the changes dilute the game's dark atmosphere. This dissatisfaction has resulted in negative reviews and calls for accountability from the developers. The future of the game remains uncertain as the developers may focus on a console release amid the criticism.
AppWizard
June 30, 2025
Void Interactive has announced modifications to the console version of its shooter, Ready or Not, in response to requirements from first-party partners, affecting elements like dismemberment, gore, nudity, and violence. Some changes may also apply to the PC version. The development team successfully completed the certification process for the console launch on their first attempt, achieving PEGI 18, USK 18, and ESRB M ratings. They explained that maintaining multiple versions with different assets increases the potential for bugs and affects crossplay functionality. Player-induced dismemberment is still present but restricted, with no dismemberment allowed after an enemy is defeated. Character art depicting torture has been toned down, and certain characters are more covered. The portrayal of children has been adjusted for certification standards, including changing an animation to show a child character as unconscious rather than convulsing. Changes to the console version are subtle, primarily involving evidence and nudity, with some in-game references to illicit activities involving children censored only in the console version.
AppWizard
June 26, 2025
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures will release "The Minecraft Movie" on home video starting June 24, 2025. The film, based on the 2011 video game by Mojang Studios, has grossed nearly billion globally, making it the largest domestic opening of 2025 and the highest-grossing film based on a video game. Directed by Jared Hess, it has a runtime of 101 minutes and is rated PG for violence/action, language, suggestive/rude humor, and some scary images. The cast includes Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Sebastian Hanson, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Coolidge, Rachel House, Jemaine Clement, and Matt Berry. The story follows four misfits who are transported to the Overworld and must navigate challenges to return home. Special features on the home video release include several featurettes about the film's world-building, unique mobs, music, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
AppWizard
June 24, 2025
Elyzio, a Turkish game studio, is set to release Pera Coda, a narrative-driven game inspired by Disco Elysium. Players will assume the role of Deniz, an attorney in a metaphysical struggle between life and death, exploring themes of guilt, regret, and inner peace. The game features an isometric camera and a painterly art style that reflects Istanbul's working-class life. The announcement trailer suggests a haunting and beautiful narrative guided by an unseen narrator.
AppWizard
June 21, 2025
Polygon has curated a selection of new streaming and video-on-demand releases. - Final Destination: Bloodlines marks the return of the horror franchise after nearly 15 years, directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, and is now available for rent. - A Minecraft Movie, a fantasy comedy directed by Jared Hess, features Jason Momoa and is available on Max. - KPop Demon Hunters, a family musical directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, introduces a K-pop trio as demon hunters and is available on Netflix. - Out Come the Wolves, a horror thriller directed by Adam MacDonald, involves a couples hunting trip gone wrong and is available on Hulu. - The Quiet Ones, an action thriller directed by Frederik Louis Hviid, is based on Denmark's largest heist. - Love Me, a post-apocalyptic romance directed by Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero, features Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun and is available on Paramount Plus. - Monty Python and the Holy Grail celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special event, featuring a 24-hour stream on Shout TV and Shout Movies. - Ash, a science fiction horror film directed by Flying Lotus, stars Eiza González and Aaron Paul and is available on Shudder. - Eye for an Eye, a horror film directed by Colin Tilley, follows a teenager facing a vengeful spirit. - Friendship, a black comedy directed by Andrew DeYoung, explores adult relationships through the experiences of two neighbors. - A psychological thriller featuring Willem Dafoe as an art thief trapped in a penthouse unfolds as a darkly humorous reflection on survival.
AppWizard
June 11, 2025
The Steam Next Fest demo for Black Raven, a 2.5D action-adventure game inspired by Slavic folklore, features striking visuals that attract players. The game begins with the protagonist, Ivan, returning to find his home destroyed, his wife killed, and his child missing, setting a dark tone for the narrative. The visual style resembles a 1980s comic strip, and the demo lasts about ten minutes, allowing for a single death. While the combat mechanics are straightforward, the artistic direction generates interest and anticipation for the full release.
AppWizard
June 8, 2025
Fireside Feelings, a cozy conversational campfire game developed by Team Empreintes and published by The CoLab, is now available for PC on Steam. The game aims to provide a serene escape from modern life's complexities, encouraging heartfelt conversations among players. Players can customize avatars from six animal options and engage in discussions guided by a sentient campfire named Spark, who poses thought-provoking questions. The game prioritizes player safety by anonymizing responses and using a moderated database for conversations. Players can also avoid sensitive topics by customizing discussion parameters. Additionally, the developers have partnered with Safe In Our World to support mental health awareness, providing resources within the game.
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