worldbuilding Archives

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

It took CD Projekt two years to design Phantom Liberty’s Chimera Tank boss fight: ‘We were iterating over and over’

The Chimera Tank boss fight in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty features protagonist V and President Myers against a spider-tank inspired by Ghost in the Shell, set in a Barghest facility. Game director Gabe Amatangelo and creative director Igor Sarzyński discussed the challenges of its production on CD Projekt's AnsweRED podcast, highlighting it as an example of collaboration across gameplay, narrative, art, and worldbuilding. Art director Paweł Mielniczuk noted that it took two years to develop the boss fight, which went through four iterations. Sarzyński described the Chimera as one of the most expensive art assets ever created. Some players felt the fight could have been better balanced, comparing its difficulty to a battle in The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

8 strong Elder Scrolls opinions: With over 2,500 combined hours (and not all as stealth archers), we shout at each other about Skyrim, Morrowind, and Oblivion

Players in The Elder Scrolls series have taken on roles such as the Nerevarine and defeated characters like Dagoth Ur and Mehrunes Dagon. They have collectively spent over 2,500 hours reflecting on the franchise's past and future. Notable quests include Oblivion's The Ultimate Heist, Morrowind's atmosphere, and Skyrim's side quests, particularly A Night to Remember. Some players prefer older RPGs for their depth, while there are mixed feelings about Bethesda's recent titles, with calls for improved storytelling in games like Starfield. The editors advocate for a focus on interactivity, highlighting the immersive experience of manipulating the game environment. They also express interest in an Elder Scrolls television series, suggesting it could explore the franchise's lore while fans await The Elder Scrolls 6.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker review

The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves and published by Bandai Namco, is set to launch on September 3, 2026, priced at in the U.S. and £60 in the U.K. It is a vampire RPG set in a world reminiscent of 1300s Romania, featuring a protagonist named Coen, a peasant navigating a land ruled by a warfaring vampire named Brencis. The game emphasizes moral ambiguity and presents players with difficult choices that often lead to unfavorable outcomes. It has a runtime of approximately 40 hours and is noted for its worldbuilding and storytelling, though it has been criticized for lacking innovative RPG design and suffering from common open-world issues.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

Corsair Cove Is Available Today With Xbox Game Pass, And Here’s What The Reviews Are Saying

Corsair Cove, a pirate-themed strategy game, has been added to Xbox Game Pass for PC users and has received a 'Generally Favorable' rating of 79 on Metacritic. Critics praise its engaging gameplay, charming aesthetics, and vibrant visuals, comparing it to titles like Sea of Thieves. The game features city-building mechanics that allow players to manage an island, raise a fleet, and govern a crew, although some reviewers note that the building mechanics may lack complexity for veteran players. Corsair Cove will be available on PC Game Pass at 4pm BST / 8am PDT / 11am EDT / 5pm CEST.

AppWizard

July 3, 2026

Carcass Clad is less story-heavy than Mouthwashing, but ‘a lot of thought’ has gone into it: ‘We haven’t discovered how much we can push it’

Developer Wrong Organ is set to unveil their latest project, Carcass Clad, a roguelike co-op tank simulation game, following their previous success with the narrative horror game, Mouthwashing. The game is set in a city in disarray and focuses on action and strategy. Developer Jeffrey Tomec stated that while scripted narrative elements are not the focus, storytelling and worldbuilding remain integral to the design. The core idea of Carcass Clad revolves around the tank, with an emphasis on evoking emotional responses from players. Each game element is crafted to enhance the player experience, connecting them with the environment and mechanics. The reveal trailer has garnered attention, suggesting a fresh take on cooperative gameplay and immersive world design.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Jewish teen subjected to antisemitic slurs on Minecraft, inquiry told

A Perth teenager shared his experience of online bullying during a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hearing, detailing how classmates hurled antisemitic slurs at him while playing Minecraft. He felt isolated and distressed, confiding in his parents, who reported the bullying to the school. The school addressed the situation, leading to apologies from the students involved. The boy's mother expressed concerns about rising antisemitism, drawing parallels to her past experiences in the former Yugoslavia. Rabbi Menachem Dadon honored his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in a shooting attack. Julie Nathan from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents from 2023 to 2024, with over 1,600 incidents recorded in the past year. Musician Joshua Moshe faced online abuse after discussing Jewish history in a WhatsApp group, leading to threats and vandalism. Musician Deborah Conway experienced backlash and harassment after comments about military actions in Gaza, resulting in canceled gigs and protests. The Royal Commission continues to investigate antisemitism, having received over 9,600 submissions, primarily from Jewish individuals.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

I watched the first TV show ever based on a game and it made me realize: we’ve really got it good these days

The animated series Pac-Man, produced by Hanna-Barbera from 1982 to 1983, features characters such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man (Pepper), and Pac-Baby living in Pac-Village, which is governed by the Pac-President and protected by Super-Pac. The series includes antagonists like Mezmaron and a group of ghost monsters: Inky, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde, and Sue. Mezmaron seeks to capture Pac-Man for his knowledge of Power Pellets, which grow on Power Pellet Trees in the Power Pellet Forest. The show consists of 44 episodes over two seasons and often concludes with Pac-Man consuming the ghosts, who then return to Mezmaron in new ghost suits. The humor is aimed at children but lacks cleverness, and notable voice actors include Peter Cullen and Alan Lurie. The second season introduced a younger version of Pac-Man named PJ and increasingly bizarre plots.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Witchspire is the League of Legends Star Guardian survival game of my dreams, even if it needs a little more polish

Witchspire is a survival game developed by Envar Studio, known for its League of Legends splash arts. It features a Sailor Moon-inspired anime trailer and Ghibli-esque visuals. The game includes a captivating narrative voiced by actors like Victoria Atkin and Matthew Mercer. Players assume the role of a witch in a mysterious realm, combating corruption while utilizing familiar survival mechanics such as crafting and upgrading weapons. Unique to Witchspire are the Familiars, companion creatures that assist players in combat. The game allows players to gather resources easily and features a magical sickle for cutting down trees. The combat mechanics have some flaws, particularly with AI behavior during encounters. Witchspire's gameplay is accessible, lacking hunger and stamina meters, and includes an Astral Projection system for strategic advantages. The game offers lore drops and voice lines that enhance storytelling. The demo is available on Steam, featuring the first island, Vyr's Landing, and supports multiplayer for up to four players.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

I’m sad Deadlock is ‘just’ a MOBA—not because I don’t like them, but because I’m in love with Valve’s lore and characters enough to want any other game instead

The author is currently engaged with the game Deadlock, which has rekindled their interest in MOBAs after a significant time spent on Dota 2. They have logged 183 hours in Deadlock and are captivated by its gameplay, voice lines, lore, and worldbuilding. Deadlock is still in development, featuring an incomplete roster and some subpar character models, but it also showcases impressive designs and evolving visuals. The game is structured around three lanes and a single map, leading the author to express a desire for a standalone single-player experience or expanded universe content. They believe Deadlock has the potential for a deeper exploration, including possibilities for an MMO or tabletop RPG.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

Games That Deserve A Second Look: Lord of the Rings Online

Lord of the Rings Online has been active for nearly two decades and remains popular due to its supportive community and engaging gameplay. A recent user interface update has improved accessibility for modern players, making it more inviting on contemporary PCs. The game offers a mix of cozy escapism and traditional MMO questing, allowing players to enjoy peaceful activities like fishing in The Shire or battling in the Barrow-downs. It features a wealth of free content and numerous expansions, showcasing that its age enhances its value.