world-building Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Dishonored dev defends loading screens: ‘I actually have a soft spot for all that’

Raphaël Colantonio, co-creative director of Dishonored, streamed a session revisiting the game's level, Lady Boyle's Last Party, with team members including Harvey Smith, Stevan Hird, and Anthony Huso. During the session, Smith defended the inclusion of loading screens, arguing they provide a necessary transition and enhance world-building. Colantonio reflected on the challenges of revisiting the game after 14 years. The stream revealed a discarded plot point where Daud was meant to sever Corvo's hand, which would have added depth to the narrative. This concept later influenced Dishonored 2. The team has four more levels to explore in their playthrough, with fans hoping for discussions on the Knife of Dunwall and Brigmore Witches expansions.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

What’s the plan with Halo, Xbox?

This year's Xbox Showcase featured several highlights, including Marcus in casual attire, a preview of the new Gears of War installment titled E-Day, and the introduction of Clockwork Revolution, a steampunk RPG. Vivarium, a life simulation game with Ghibli-like aesthetics, also garnered attention. However, there was disappointment regarding the Halo franchise, particularly with the new Campaign Evolved, which includes Operation Meteorite—three missions set before the main story. While gameplay remains enjoyable, concerns about innovation within the Halo series were noted amidst the showcase's overall excitement and advancements in gaming.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

CD Projekt Red’s mysterious Project Hadar will be an ’emotional, open-world experience’ similar to The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk

CD Projekt Red is developing several projects, including The Witcher 4, Cyberpunk 2, and a new intellectual property called Project Hadar. As of March 2026, the foundation for Project Hadar has been established, focusing on creating an emotional, open-world experience with a narrative-driven approach. Job listings indicate that the game will include quests and non-playable characters (NPCs) and may feature melee combat. Additionally, a third expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, titled Songs of the Past, is being developed by Fool's Theory and is expected to be substantial in scope, similar to the Blood & Wine expansion.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

I played 3 hours of the Rayman Legends 3D remake—and while I miss the 2D artstyle, boy is it still pretty

Rayman Legends, originally released in 2013, has a score of 90 and is being remade into Rayman Legends Retold, which features a transition from 2D to 3D graphics and introduces new gameplay elements. Developed by Ubisoft Milan and Montpellier, the remake aims to create a cohesive narrative with voice acting, cutscenes, and interconnected overworld maps. It includes a new sixth world called The Land of the Livid Dead, with fresh platforming abilities and dragon riding segments. The health system involves the Teensies, where each hit results in a Teensie being lost, which may frustrate completionists. The game is scheduled for release on October 1.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

How this 20-year-old went from building worlds in Minecraft to making Hollywood movies

Kane Parsons, a 20-year-old filmmaker, began creating intricate worlds at age 10 and is set to release his debut feature film, Backrooms, on May 28. The film follows an architect-turned-furniture store owner who discovers a hidden portal leading to a maze of unsettling rooms, prompting his therapist to rescue him. Parsons was inspired by an internet image related to the "Backrooms" concept, which he initially interpreted using 3D graphics software, leading to a viral YouTube video with over 78 million views. He signed a deal with indie studio A24 and collaborated with notable industry figures, including horror producer James Wan and director Osgood Perkins. The film features actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and represents Parsons' vision of a haunting journey through a labyrinthine reality.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

007 First Light review roundup: ‘The best James Bond game since GoldenEye’

IO Interactive's 007 First Light officially launches today. ShackNews awarded the game a score of 90/100, describing it as a major departure for IO Interactive and a crowning achievement for the studio. WccfTech rated it 8.5/10, praising its original story. PCGamesN gave it an 8/10, noting its compelling narrative. Eurogamer scored it 4/5, highlighting its cinematic qualities despite some flaws. Polygon's review acknowledged bugs but called it possibly the best Bond game to date. The Guardian rated it 5/5, emphasizing its immersive experience. Newsweek awarded it 10/10, appreciating the character evolution. VGC praised it for combining elements from top-tier studios. Vice noted its polished narrative and world-building. Windows Central also rated it 5/5, calling it essential for fans. User reviews on Steam reflect a "very positive" rating.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Marathon’s Game Director admits it’s “overwhelming to learn” and too sweaty

Marathon, developed by Bungie, has a specialized appeal that may hinder sustainable growth, as noted by Game Director Joe Ziegler. He described the game's learning curve as "overwhelming" and gameplay as a "hardcore sweat-fiesta," indicating a need for more relaxed options. Since its launch nearly three months ago, the game has fostered a growing core community, with players contributing fan art and lore videos. Key observations from Season 1 include the overwhelming experience for newcomers, the chaotic endgame balance, and the demand for less intense gameplay. For Season 2, two new PvE-focused modes will be introduced, including one that blends PvE with PvP and another emphasizing cooperative gameplay. New features will include the Night Marsh zone, a defensive Runner shell named 'Sentinel,' fresh weapons, and improved customization options. Additional anticipated features are a Duos rotating zone queue, a revamped matchmaking system, and an expansion of Vault size. Bungie is also working on enhancing the onboarding experience and contract system. Season 2 is set to launch on June 2, with more details to be revealed in late May.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Control Resonant dev Remedy didn’t use other triple-A games for inspiration, because “nobody is taking risks”

Control Resonant is a sequel that takes players from the isolated setting of the Oldest House to the reimagined streets of Manhattan, described as a "labyrinth." The game features a new protagonist, Dylan Faden, who can navigate the environment in unique ways. The developers aim for a grounded aesthetic to enhance the supernatural elements and have avoided references from other games to maintain originality. The narrative expands with multiple factions and a variety of enemy types, including a haunted bus. The Hiss remains a central threat, affecting both humans and animals. Dylan will use a radio to communicate with his handler, Zoe, and will encounter audio logs that deepen the lore. Control Resonant is set to launch in 2026.

BetaBeacon

April 18, 2026

Tragic android puzzle game Save My Scrap launches this month

Save My Scrap is a visual novel / puzzle game set to be released on Windows PC via Steam on April 22nd, followed by releases for the Switch and PS5 on April 30th, and Xbox Series X|S on May 28th. Players will take on the role of a mechanic for androids who receives a request from a doctor named Miomaru and his aging android, Harima. The game involves engaging in mini-games to fix Harima's parts, interacting with the characters to uncover their story, and gaining insights into the game's world and culture through radio channels. Additional features on Steam include new conversations and endings, unlockable gallery mode, and additional controller support.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

The Best Mobile Games on Google Play Are Becoming Harder to Put in One Box

Developers in the mobile gaming industry are now comfortable borrowing elements from various genres, resulting in games that are harder to define by a single genre. The best mobile games cater to different levels of commitment simultaneously, offering a surface loop for beginners and deeper systems for serious players. Mobile games now borrow structure from various sources, including console design, tabletop mechanics, and social media behavior. The diversity in mobile gaming has increased, with games offering a variety of tones and tempos within genres. The best mobile games are less predictable and offer a combination of different elements, making the platform more expansive and appealing to a wider audience.