AppWizard
September 15, 2026
XChat was launched in April 2026 as a dedicated app for private conversations, featuring end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, direct messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and PIN protection. It was designed to be ad-free and included features like message editing and notifications for screenshots. After its public launch, XChat's future became uncertain when it was abruptly removed from the digital landscape, with no explanation from X regarding the reasons for its withdrawal or its potential return.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Bungie has announced a shift in its development strategy for the game Marathon, moving away from a rigid seasonal schedule to a more flexible timeline for updates. As a result, content originally planned for this month has been postponed until December, although a smaller update focusing on progression and the in-game economy will be released in October. The Nightfall refresh is set to launch on October 6, providing all players with a "fresh starting point." Bungie aims to address previous issues with the seasonal model that left some players behind. The decision to abandon the strict seasonal model comes amid a decline in Marathon's concurrent player numbers on Steam. Players are hopeful for a more comprehensive version of Marathon, including a single-player mode and enhanced social interactivity. Bungie's communications lead, Dylan Gafner, has promised increased communication with the community in the coming weeks and months.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
GAMINGbible highlights a new free RPG called Adventurers Guild, developed by AG Studio, which features a whimsical fantasy world and gameplay elements reminiscent of popular franchises. However, the game has been criticized for not matching the vibrant visuals shown in its trailer, with players expressing skepticism about its authenticity. The Steam listing includes a personal email for customer service, raising further concerns. Reviews warn of potential scams, false advertising, and misleading marketing tactics, advising caution when considering the game. There is currently no evidence of malware, but players are urged to be vigilant.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Players in the game Wardogs exhibit a strong aversion to the Blue faction, Lonestar, often chanting “Anything but blue” during team selection. This sentiment is reflected in community discussions, with humorous posts highlighting Lonestar's sparse player roster and rebranding factions based on difficulty levels. Anecdotal evidence suggests that players actively avoid joining Blue, resulting in delays for matches to start. In matches played as Lonestar, players report overwhelming defeats, with opposing teams quickly establishing fortified positions. Theories explaining Lonestar's negative reputation include its conspicuous blue attire, a strategic disadvantage due to its starting position, and a self-fulfilling prophecy where negative experiences lead to fewer players choosing Blue.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Redemption Road has released a new gameplay deep dive trailer for its upcoming game Kingmakers, which combines strategy and action. The trailer includes gameplay elements and cinematic interludes, though reactions to the latter have been mixed. Players can sign up for an upcoming playtest on the game's Steam page, with notifications sent via email once testing begins. No specific release date for Kingmakers has been announced, and it is currently listed on Steam as "coming soon."
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
An unofficial PC port of the Nintendo GameCube game Super Smash Bros. Melee has been released. The game, originally launched in 2001, features a unique damage system, various attack types, and diverse stages. It includes several game modes such as Classic Mode, Adventure Mode, and Event Matches, with unlockable characters and content. The PC version supports keyboard and gamepad inputs, allows for resolution adjustments and visual customizations, but lacks online play and widescreen support. Users need to provide their own ROM to play. This release is part of a trend of unofficial PC ports of classic games, including titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Winsage
September 15, 2026
A spear-phishing campaign linked to the Chinese threat actor UTA0560 targeted various NGOs on September 1, 2026, exploiting recently patched vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and Microsoft Windows. The campaign utilized a malicious JavaScript backdoor called GRIMWEDGE, which was deployed through a multi-stage exploit chain that involved three vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-85046, CVE-2026-87491, and CVE-2026-85880. The attack began with spear-phishing emails that led recipients to a vulnerable U.S.-based university website, allowing attackers to redirect users to their infrastructure. The exploit chain enabled arbitrary code execution and facilitated the deployment of GRIMWEDGE, which is capable of host reconnaissance, file and process management, command execution, and payload delivery. The initial payload was an executable named "msgbox.exe," which extracted a legitimate Windows binary and a malicious DLL called "wsc.dll." This DLL initiated a sideloading chain and contacted a command-and-control server for further instructions. GRIMWEDGE allows for several commands, including system reconnaissance, directory listing, file deletion, and command execution in a hidden window. It lacks built-in persistence or lateral movement mechanisms but provides a foothold for further exploitation. Concurrently, another Chinese threat actor, JungleBamboo (APT31), used the same exploit chain to deploy a loader named SUPERSTOMP, which installs a credential-stealing Chrome extension called LONGTALE. The simultaneous use of the exploit chain by multiple actors suggests potential sharing or sale of the exploit, raising concerns about patch-gap vulnerabilities that pose risks for exploitation campaigns.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
The biography "Nobuo Uematsu: On the Record," authored by James Mielke, is set to be released on September 15, 2026. It features interviews with Uematsu, his wife, and industry peers, including Hironobu Sakaguchi, Daniel Rosenfeld, Yoko Shimomura, and Hitoshi Sakimoto. Uematsu is recognized as a significant figure in video game music, known for his innovative compositions that have been performed by orchestras worldwide. The biography explores his life from childhood to his role at Square Enix and his concert tours.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
A skeleton sculpture riding a rooster was stolen from a homeowner's yard in Henderson, Kentucky, during the early hours of Sunday morning, between midnight and 7 a.m. The Henderson Police Department is seeking information about the theft and has humorously urged the thief to return the item. Residents are encouraged to contact the police with any information regarding the sculpture's whereabouts.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
On September 17 at 10:00 AM JST, gamers worldwide are invited to join a quest to defeat the blue creeper and repel an illager invasion at the Tokyo Game Show. Attendees can visit the Minecraft Dungeons II booth to engage with the blue creeper directly. Players unable to attend can participate by defeating creepers in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition or by recording their adventures using a special Minecraft effect on YouTube. Each contribution, regardless of the method, helps weaken the blue creeper. For more information, visit creeperbattle.com.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Minecraft Dungeons II is set to launch on September 29, 2026, as confirmed by Xbox Game Studios. It will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC (via Steam and the Microsoft Store), and will be included in Xbox Game Pass from day one. The Standard Edition is priced at .99, while the Deluxe Edition costs .99 and includes future downloadable content. Pre-orders come with exclusive hero skins, the Twisted cape, and a Twisted chicken pet. The sequel features a larger campaign across two interconnected worlds, a new antagonist, an expanded gear and enchantment system, new enemy types, environmental challenges, and a returning four-player co-op mode.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Embark Studios has announced a "pause" on the Expeditions feature in Arc Raiders, with plans to revisit it until early 2027 due to persistent player feedback. Executive producer Aleksander Grøndal indicated that the feature may be overhauled or eliminated entirely. Expeditions serve as a prestige system where players reset their progress for unique benefits, but many have criticized the extensive grind for minimal rewards. The fifth Expedition, ending in September, will be the last until the feature is reworked or potentially scrapped. The studio aims to make significant changes based on community concerns regarding departure windows, reward structure, and accessibility. A major update, Frozen Trails, is set to launch in October.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
On August 27, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court by three California gamers—Alexander Shimota, Ricardo Camargo, and John Elliott—against Valve Corporation and ten video game publishers, accusing them of colluding to maintain uniform pricing for PC games across digital storefronts. The lawsuit alleges that Valve requires publishers on its Steam platform to agree to a most-favored-nation clause, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms, which stifles competition and limits consumer choice. The ten implicated publishers include Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The lawsuit is filed under California's Cartwright Act and claims that the coordinated pricing strategy harms consumers by reducing product diversity and inflating prices. Valve's commission structure, which has largely remained unchanged, is central to the plaintiffs' argument. Valve's co-founder, Gabe Newell, has previously denied dictating prices to third-party developers. The lawsuit is distinct from a prior case, Wolfire Games v. Valve, which focuses on monopoly abuse against developers rather than consumer pricing. Additionally, Valve faces a parallel £2 billion class action in the UK regarding similar pricing allegations. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact the pricing landscape for PC games and the practices of digital storefronts.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
BPMG released a demo version of its cooking simulation game, Cooking Adventure, for Steam PC on the 15th. The game, known as My Little Chef in South Korea, allows players to act as chefs in various themed restaurants, with a mobile version that has 33 million downloads. The demo features two restaurants (Grill House and Sushi House) with 20 stages total. The full version, launching in November, will include 12 restaurants, 540 stages, cooking contests, and leaderboard competitions. BPMG aims to gather feedback from demo players and promote the game through videos and influencer collaborations.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Aniimo is set to release on September 15 in the United States and September 16 in Europe and the UK. Preloading is available starting September 14 at 10 am (UTC+8), and the game requires approximately 40GB of storage, with initial downloads around 28GB. Players can download the Aniimo launcher from the official website. The game adopts a free-to-play model without gacha mechanics.
Winsage
September 15, 2026
Microsoft is set to introduce a significant overhaul of the Windows Start menu in its upcoming 26H2 update, responding to user feedback about limited customization options. Flow Launcher is a keyboard-centric app launcher that offers superior functionality compared to the traditional Start menu. The installation of Flow Launcher is straightforward, with options for portable versions and package managers. It features a sleek search bar and allows users to quickly search for apps and files, enhancing productivity. Flow Launcher is highly customizable, with settings for behavior and appearance, including nearly 20 themes and various visual options. Its plugin ecosystem expands its capabilities, allowing users to install and manage plugins for added functionality. Notable plugins include Speed Test and Google Translate. Flow Launcher provides a more customizable and efficient experience compared to Microsoft’s current offerings.
Winsage
September 15, 2026
Microsoft's Paint has been a popular tool since its launch in Windows 1.0 in 1985, with over 100 million monthly users reported in 2017. Paint 3D was introduced as part of Microsoft's vision for "3D for everyone," featuring tools like 3D Doodle, Brushes for 3D surfaces, Magic Select, and Mixed Reality Viewer. However, it struggled to resonate with users due to a cumbersome interface and a lack of necessity for 3D capabilities, leading to its deprecation in 2024. By 2021, Paint 3D was no longer preinstalled on new Windows 10 devices, and Microsoft shifted focus back to the original Paint, enhancing it with features like background removal and AI-driven tools. Despite its potential, Paint 3D failed to bridge the gap between casual users and professional 3D software, and an open-source approach could be a way to revitalize it.
AppWizard
September 14, 2026
Pre-orders for Googlebooks will begin on September 21 at 9 a.m. ET. The initial lineup will include devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, featuring advanced capabilities centered around Gemini, such as Magic Pointer and AI-generated custom widgets. Googlebooks will be based on a new Android-based technology stack, moving away from ChromeOS. The integration with Android phones will allow users to launch apps and access files directly from their devices on the Googlebook.
Search