virtual world Archives

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

How I Fell Back In Love With Minecraft After 10 Years Away

The author first played Minecraft in 2010 and was captivated by its charm, comparing it to a digital Lego set. Over time, they drifted away from the game due to burnout and political controversies surrounding its creator, Markus “Notch” Persson. The author visited Mojang in March 2011 when Minecraft had sold over a million copies, a figure that has since grown to over 350 million. Persson's demeanor changed after the game's acquisition by Microsoft for .5 billion in 2014 and the emergence of GamerGate, leading to the author's negative feelings towards the game. The Donut SMP server, created by YouTuber DrDonut, peaked at nearly 46,000 players in a single day and features an in-game economy where players can buy and sell resources. The author's son initially sought a Minecraft Realm for his classmates but later requested to join the Donut SMP server after tensions arose in the Realm. The author, initially hesitant, found common ground with their son on the server, leading to collaborative gameplay that involved resource gathering and crafting. They created a secret base and automated systems, learning about supply and demand in the game's market. This experience rekindled the author's joy in Minecraft and strengthened their bond with their son.

AppWizard

December 29, 2025

Peak shows you don’t need horror or quirky party games to be one of the best co-ops in years

Peak is a co-op mountain-climbing adventure game that emphasizes teamwork and strategy. Players must collaborate closely to avoid being penalized, such as being thrown off the mountain by a monster for straying too far from the group. The game begins at a crash site with limited supplies, requiring teams to make quick strategic decisions regarding resource allocation based on individual skills. It features a resource management system centered around a single stamina bar that depletes with poor choices, enhancing focused gameplay. The intuitive controls and engaging mechanics make navigating the terrain rewarding, while the game's design fosters camaraderie and playful interactions among players.

AppWizard

December 14, 2025

Minecraft: 8 Best Mods to Celebrate the Winter Holidays

The text describes various mods for Minecraft that enhance the winter holiday experience. 1. Snow! Real Magic mod adds realistic snow layering and allows customization of snow behavior. 2. Christmas Leather Armor mod transforms leather armor into festive variations, including Santa red. 3. Creatures from the Snow mod introduces winter-themed creatures like reindeer and penguins, along with holiday items. 4. Choice Theorem’s Overhauled Village mod revitalizes villages with new designs tailored to different biomes. 5. Skiing mod allows players to ski down mountains and includes skiing-related items. 6. Winter Massacre mod introduces various types of snowballs for playful winter activities. 7. Christmas Culinary and Decorations mod offers festive meals and decorations for customizing homes. 8. Wintercraft mod combines multiple holiday elements, including presents, Santa, and new mobs.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Grab a free Steam key for AILA, the new survival horror FPS that’s a perfect warm-up for Resident Evil Requiem

Fireshine Games has released a new horror game titled AILA, a "psy-tech horror adventure" where players assume the role of a game tester accompanied by an AI assistant. The game features nightmarish scenarios, puzzles, and resource management, drawing inspiration from titles like Resident Evil and Amnesia. To celebrate the launch, Fireshine Games is giving away ten Steam keys until December 18, with winners notified via email. AILA is currently available on Steam at a 20% discount, priced at .99 / £19.99 until December 9.

BetaBeacon

November 18, 2025

This $199 Meta Quest 3S deal takes me back to the golden age of console gaming when the GameCube was new and games were all about fun and high scores

- The Meta Quest 3S is a portable VR gaming console that functions like a wearable Nintendo Switch. - This year's Meta Quest 3S Black Friday deals include a 9 deal at Costco, which includes a full year of Meta Horizon Plus subscription. - The Meta Quest 3S is being offered at its lowest price ever, making it a must-have gaming purchase this holiday season.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

10 Best Minecraft Texture Packs to Customize Your Game

Minecraft texture packs enhance the game's visual appeal by transforming the appearance of blocks, items, and mobs without altering gameplay mechanics. They integrate well with mods and content-driven services, offering minimal performance impacts. Texture packs can be categorized into several types: - Classic Textures: Refine original aesthetics for purists. - Realistic Textures: Enhance lighting, shadows, and textures for a lifelike experience. - Fantasy Textures: Feature vibrant colors and imaginative designs for a whimsical feel. - Minimalist Textures: Offer clean, uncluttered designs for a focus on gameplay. Players can choose a texture pack that aligns with their personal style and gaming setup.

AppWizard

October 11, 2025

Cleanse-’em-up PowerWash Simulator is free to play this weekend, so go try the first game to cross over with both Warhammer 40,000 and Wallace & Gromit

PowerWash Simulator has received over 35,000 user reviews on Steam, with an Overwhelmingly Positive rating. A free weekend is available until October 13, allowing players to access 38 career jobs and initial content packs, though it does not include all downloadable content. The game has been praised for its potential for future developments and is recognized as a popular choice for relaxation and engaging gameplay.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

Dressmaker is my new favourite cosy game, even if my clients give me absolutely nothing to work with

October marks the launch of various horror games for Halloween and the beginning of a more serene gaming season. The author has been playing a dress-making simulation game called Dressmaker, currently in prototype form on itch.io. In the game, players act as shop owners, creating dresses for customers with different fashion needs while managing budgets. The design process involves selecting hemlines, necklines, and sleeve styles. The author faced challenges in the sewing process, particularly with precision, but gradually improved their technique. The final product showcased their growing skills and creativity, making Dressmaker a source of enjoyment and growth during the autumn months.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

One of my favorite survival city builders is leaving early access this month, so here’s your chance to buy it before the price goes up

Farthest Frontier, a survival city builder, will transition from early access to its full version 1.0 in October. The game features resource management and survival tactics set in a medieval environment. It is available for under four dollars and offers extensive gameplay.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

Friends Are Playing Minecraft Together, But When One Makes Some Big Changes, It Ends The Friendship

In the summer of 2023, a player in Minecraft returned to find their best friend had relocated their meticulously planted spruce trees to achieve aesthetic harmony with cherry blossom trees. This change made accessing spruce wood more difficult, leading to the player's annoyance. Instead of confronting the friend, the player planted spruce saplings in a 2x2 formation as a form of playful revenge and logged off. This act was perceived by the friend as the final straw, resulting in a rift that ended their friendship. The incident highlights how minor actions in a game can have significant emotional consequences in real life.