YouTubers Archives

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

The magic and majesty of British Minecraft YouTubers

In the early 2010s, British YouTuber Stampylonghead gained popularity among young gamers for his Minecraft series "Stampy’s Lovely World." His videos featured imaginative adventures, whimsical constructions, and a positive atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and creativity. Viewers, including the author, found joy and inspiration in his content, which included interactions with characters like his dog Barnaby and friends IBallisticSquid and Sqaishey Quack. As the author grew older, they drifted away from Stampy's world but recognized the lasting impact of his optimism and creativity on their life. Andy Robinson is a member of the Class of 2027.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

How A Minecraft Movie Proved Minecraft is Bigger than Just a Game in 2025

Minecraft has become a cultural phenomenon over the past decade, culminating in the release of A Minecraft Movie in 2025, which broke box-office records. The film's success is attributed to the shared experiences of gamers across generations, highlighting the game's universal appeal. The movie features iconic moments, such as the Chicken Jockey, which resonated with audiences in theaters, creating a communal experience. Despite critiques of its artistic merit, the film attracted large audiences, showcasing the power of nostalgia and community. Minecraft, as one of the best-selling video games, has established a significant presence across platforms, and the film emphasizes its impact on creativity and collaboration within the gaming community. After viewing the movie, many children were inspired to recreate scenes in their own Minecraft worlds, demonstrating the game's influence beyond its original medium.

AppWizard

December 23, 2025

I Just Rewatched ‘MyStreet,’ and Now I’m Telling You: Watch Minecraft Roleplay

Minecraft roleplay has evolved significantly since its early days, with notable examples including Aphmau's "MyStreet," which has accumulated 28 billion views over six seasons. On January 6, 2021, a TNT showdown in the DreamSMP attracted over half a million live viewers. By June 2025, the finale of "Minecraft PvP Civilization" garnered over a million views. The genre consists of scripted roleplay, which involves collaborative storytelling, and improvised roleplay, characterized by spontaneous narratives. Recent successes like Evbo’s "Parkour Civilization" and "PVP Civilization," which received over 46 million views, demonstrate the genre's resilience. Nostalgia plays a crucial role in its popularity, particularly among Gen Z, who grew up during Minecraft's golden era. The accessibility of Minecraft roleplay allows anyone to engage with or create content, contributing to its ongoing appeal.

Winsage

November 15, 2025

Baffling Microsoft ad shows Copilot AI incorrectly identifying Windows 11 setting — then pretending it was working as intended

Microsoft has launched a video campaign featuring YouTubers and influencers to showcase the capabilities of Copilot for Windows 11. One video demonstrates Copilot's assistance in adjusting text size but fails to provide correct guidance, leading to confusion among viewers. Users expressed negative reactions on social media, questioning the effectiveness of the AI and highlighting its limitations. This has sparked broader discussions about Microsoft's direction for Windows, with users expressing dissatisfaction over features like bloatware and mandatory Microsoft Account requirements. Many are considering alternative platforms due to frustrations with the current user experience.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

The Psychology of Blocks: Why Building in Minecraft Feels So Therapeutic

Minecraft serves as a therapeutic escape for many players, offering stress relief through its block-based universe. The game combines structure and freedom, allowing players to engage creatively without the pressure of quick reflexes or constant victories. It facilitates a flow state, where players become fully absorbed in building, providing immediate feedback and a sense of progress. The simplicity of the game encourages personal expression, and the repetitive tasks within it offer comfort and a sense of control. Additionally, the social aspects of Minecraft foster community and collaboration, enhancing the therapeutic experience. Therapists and educators are increasingly incorporating Minecraft into stress management and educational settings, highlighting its potential for promoting mindfulness and connection.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

YouTube’s AI moderator pulls Windows 11 workaround videos

YouTube's AI-driven system has begun removing videos that provide guidance on installing Windows 11 with local accounts or on unsupported hardware, raising concerns about automated moderation. Rich White, known as CyberCPU Tech, reported that his video on setting up Windows 11 was taken down due to potential harm, which he found implausible. After appealing the decision, White's request was denied within 10 to 20 minutes, leading him to suspect an automated process. Other content creators, including Britec09 and Hrutkay Mods, have experienced similar removals without sufficient explanation. Speculation arose about possible pressure from Microsoft to remove such videos, especially after the company closed a local account loophole in its latest build. However, White later clarified that he does not believe Microsoft was directly involved, attributing the issue to AI moderation shortcomings. The creators expressed concerns about the chilling effect of AI moderation on free expression and the potential for self-censorship. They are seeking clarity from YouTube regarding its content moderation policies.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

Battlefield 6’s custom search is letting players down, so dev asks if you’d like the option to wait

The Battlefield 6 custom search tool is designed to improve matchmaking by allowing players to quickly select their preferred maps and game modes, bypassing the extensive Portal server list. However, players have reported frustrations as the tool sometimes places them in matches that do not match their selections, prioritizing speed over player preferences. Kevin Johnson, the global community manager, acknowledged this issue, stating that the tool expands search parameters for quicker matchmaking. Prominent YouTubers Westie and Squid-G shared their experiences of being matched with undesired maps, leading to a discussion about the potential for a toggle feature that would allow players to wait longer for their preferred options. DICE producer Alexia Christofi noted that the team is considering this feature and exploring ways for custom search settings to persist across sessions. Lead producer David Sirland indicated that the team sees Portal as a foundational step toward developing persistent servers and improving the gaming environment, while Christofi assured the community that their feedback is being monitored for future improvements.

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

9 months after its 1.0 launch flopped, an indie dev just learned that Steam never emailed the 130,000 people who wishlisted its game

Planet Centauri, a 2D sandbox game developed by Permadeath, launched after a decade in early access but sold only 581 units in its first five days. Despite over 100,000 sales and being on 130,000 wishlists, the game failed to gain visibility on Steam, not appearing on its New & Trending listings. The developer, Laurent Lechat, expressed frustration over the lack of reach, noting that the game's trailer had nearly 500,000 views on YouTube. Valve offered to feature Planet Centauri as a Daily Deal to improve visibility. The team has decided to pivot to developing a new roguelike game using the same engine, acknowledging that continuing to patch the original game is no longer feasible.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Valve may be about to drop its Steam Frame VR headset during Meta Connect

Speculation is increasing about the potential unveiling of Valve's Steam Frame during the upcoming Meta Connect event, with several VR content creators traveling to Seattle and sharing teasers on social media. The latest Steam Hardware Survey indicates that a new Valve VR headset could be timely, as Meta currently holds over 63% of the VR market on Steam. The Valve Index has lost its competitive edge due to pricing and performance issues compared to devices like the Meta Quest 3. Prominent VR YouTuber Nathie has hinted at the Steam Frame reveal while in Seattle, although he is not attending Meta Connect. Other creators, such as Cas and Chary XR, have not received invitations to the event, raising questions about their involvement in the Steam Frame reveal. Valve has a history of making significant VR announcements that coincide with competitors' events, suggesting that unveiling the Steam Frame during Meta Connect would align with their strategy.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Windows 11 SSD issues blamed on reviewers using ‘early versions of firmware’

Recent discussions have focused on the impact of Windows 11 security updates on Solid State Drives (SSDs) with Phison controllers, specifically updates KB5063878 and KB5062660, which some reports suggest may cause failures in certain SSD models. Phison clarified that the issues are due to early versions of firmware and BIOS, not the Windows updates. Michael Wu, General Manager of Phison US, stated that many reported problems originated from tests on hardware with early firmware versions, which are not the same as those provided to consumers. He encouraged users to update their firmware using manufacturer utilities. A notable incident involved YouTuber JayzTwoCents, who experienced performance issues with a Crucial T500 drive after the updates, although it is unclear if he was using pre-release firmware. Phison's investigation indicated that problems reported by the PCDIY! community were linked to engineering preview firmware, not the final consumer version. Microsoft has stated it found no connection between its updates and the drive failures, despite ongoing speculation fueled by social media and YouTubers.