announcement Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

The vibey offroading game with more than a million Steam wishlists has a release date

Over the Hill is an offroad driving game developed by Funselektor, featuring an old-school 4x4 and a low-poly landscape. It has over a million wishlists since its announcement and will be released in a couple of months. The game emphasizes exploration and camaraderie, allowing players to use a grappling hook and team up in co-op mode. Early gameplay has impressed players with its focus on the driving experience rather than speed, encouraging a slower pace. The game includes areas set in Canada and Algeria, with more content promised. Attendees at Gamescom may have the chance to experience the game before its official launch.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Halloween: The Game is banned in Australia because incentivized drug use is bad but incentivized ultra-violence isn’t

The Australian Classification Board has denied a rating for Halloween: The Game, developed by Illfonic, preventing its sale in Australia. The game features a mechanic involving marijuana use that allows players to detect the killer, Michael Myers, which likely contributed to the classification issues. Despite receiving an automated R18+ rating in July, the Board's regulations state that games with illicit drug use tied to incentives cannot be classified under R18+ and must be Refused Classification. Consequently, listings for the game have been removed from major Australian retailers, and its page is no longer available on the PlayStation Store. Steam has not yet acted on the ban, but it is expected to do so.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Minecraft Drops Huge Update With Tons of Experimental Features

Minecraft has released a substantial update, Bedrock Edition 26.40, in August 2026, featuring numerous enhancements, bug fixes, and experimental features. Key additions include: - Abandoned Camp: A new structure found in various biomes, offering loot and new Straw Beds. - Dappled Forest: A new biome with Poplar Trees, various mobs, and updated fog settings. - Poplar Trees: Introduced with three color variations, yielding Poplar Saplings and new wood blocks. - Red Shrub: A new decorative plant that can be grown using Bone Meal. - Shelf Mushroom: A new mushroom type that grows on Poplar Trees and can be harvested for items. - New Blocks: Addition of Wool Stair and Wool Slab blocks in various colors. - Cushion: An interactive item available in 16 colors for players to sit on. - Straw Bed: A one-time use bed crafted from Hay Bales, allowing players to sleep without setting a spawn point. The update aims to enhance gameplay and creativity across all platforms.

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

Aptoide Returns to Google Play After More Than a Decade, Opening a New Chapter for Competition on Android

Aptoide Games, the specialized games app store, has been approved for distribution through Google Play in the United States under Google's new Play Catalog Access program.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

You can now pay for apps on Google Play using your Venmo account

Google has integrated Venmo as a payment option within the Google Play ecosystem, allowing users to link their Venmo accounts for seamless transactions. Users can utilize their Venmo balance or associated cards for purchases, joining other payment options like Cash App Pay and PayPal. The integration is now widely available to all users, following early access for some. To link a Venmo account, users can navigate to Payments & subscriptions in the Play Store app and select the option to Add Venmo.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Minecraft just got a Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta, here’s a first look

Minecraft will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026. A closed beta is currently underway, with select players receiving notifications to download the beta version. The Nintendo Switch 2 version features support for Vibrant Visuals, allowing a maximum render distance of 16 chunks, while disabling this feature increases the render distance to 28 chunks. The performance target is set at 60 frames per second, with stable performance reported when Vibrant Visuals are off, though enabling them may cause fluctuations.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Blocky zombie survival sim Unturned releases its source code so players can build a ‘lasting legacy’ for the game ‘regardless of the changes we make’

Smartly Dressed Games has released the source code for their free-to-play zombie survival simulator, Unturned, for non-commercial use, encouraging community creativity. They emphasized the importance of their passionate community and hope to empower players to expand the game. Modifications must be non-commercial and free for players, with some code elements excluded due to licensing restrictions. Unturned is not classified as open source, and the developers aim to re-license the U3 SDK under the MIT License in the future. Unturned was created by Nelson Sexton and entered Steam early access in 2014, reaching full release in 2017. A significant update in April expanded the game's California map and introduced over 100 new quests.

Winsage

August 8, 2026

Will Windows 11’s new setup let you bypass the Microsoft account? Not on the list, at least for now

Microsoft has announced enhancements to the out-of-box experience (OOBE) for Windows 11, aiming to streamline the setup process before the end of 2026. The current setup requires a Microsoft account and an internet connection, eliminating the option for a local account, which was available in previous Windows versions. Users face delays due to mandatory updates, which can take 20 to 50 minutes, and are subjected to numerous promotional pages during the setup. Microsoft has introduced a “Skip for now” option for updates but has not addressed the forced Microsoft account sign-in requirement. There is no mention of removing this requirement in recent updates, despite ongoing demand from users. Microsoft has relaxed some account requirements in other areas, such as allowing sign-ins with Google or Apple accounts for Bing, but the OOBE still mandates a Microsoft account.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Nintendo Switch 2 Minecraft Release Set For October 27

Minecraft will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2 starting October 27. The game will feature enhanced graphics, including improved lighting and richer shadows, as well as compatibility with content purchased from the Minecraft Marketplace. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack will also receive upgrades for the new hardware. Current Nintendo Switch digital owners will have the opportunity to migrate to the Nintendo Switch 2 version, but details regarding the transition process and any potential fees are not yet disclosed.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Roguelike Game with Thousands of Positive Steam Reviews Goes 100% Free on PC Just as Sequel Launch Approaches

Steam is currently offering the action-RPG roguelike game Moonlighter for free from August 5 through August 9, 2026, to celebrate the announcement of its sequel, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, which will be released on September 2. Moonlighter, originally launched in 2018, has a 100% discount on Steam, allowing users to claim it permanently. The sequel will be available on multiple platforms, including Steam, and will feature new content and challenges.