announcement Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Dying Light boss Tymon Smektała is stepping down, but “can’t wait to experience its next chapter”

Tymon Smektała, the director of the Dying Light franchise, has announced his departure from developer Techland to pursue new opportunities. He has been instrumental as a producer for both Dying Light and its sequel, Dying Light 2. In a message shared on social media, he expressed gratitude to the community and his colleagues, emphasizing their role in shaping the franchise. The latest installment, Dying Light: The Beast, has received positive feedback, with 87% of Steam users rating it favorably. Techland is currently seeking a Lead Online Game Designer to develop new experiences in the Dying Light universe, and there is potential for future installments despite no official announcement regarding Dying Light 3.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Civ 7 is getting ‘by far the most-requested addition’ later this month, but I’m more interested in whether it’ll finally feel fully baked

Firaxis announced that Civilization VII will introduce a feature allowing players to engage with a single civilization throughout an entire campaign. The upcoming Test of Time update, launching on May 19, will be a comprehensive, free overhaul based on player feedback. Key features include the introduction of "time-tested Civs," allowing players to maintain their civilization across ages, a revamped victory system with dynamic conditions, optional side objectives for various playstyles, updated map generation techniques, user interface improvements, balance changes, and a complimentary leader for all players.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Google Home’s latest update fixes the worst part of smart cameras

Google is set to unveil a comprehensive update to the Google Home app in Spring 2026, featuring a complete overhaul focused on speed, performance, and a more intuitive interface. The update includes faster performance, smoother scrolling, and a modernized camera experience. AI integration will allow cameras to collaborate for clearer narratives, with features for swiping between views, resizing the video player, and skipping clips using 10-second jump buttons. Gemini 3.1 will enhance the voice assistant, enabling users to execute complex, multi-step commands in a single request. The app will also feature a revamped event details page, improved frame rates, and reduced lag, with Google Home Premium users receiving Gemini-generated event summaries. The camera settings menu will be simplified, consolidating all "seen" and "heard" events onto a single page. Additional home automation features will allow users to manage kitchen appliances, control robot vacuums, check smart lock statuses, and monitor battery levels. The "Ask Home on Web" feature will enter Public Preview, enabling users to search camera history, check device statuses, and set up automations from their desktops.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

Xbox details the next 13 Game Pass titles, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape and Subnautica 2

Microsoft is adding 13 new games to its Game Pass service, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, and Subnautica 2. Forza Horizon 6 will be released on May 19. The price of Game Pass Ultimate has been reduced to .99/£16.99 per month. The following games will be available on Game Pass in May 2026: - Ben 10 Power Trip (May 6) - Descenders Next (Game Preview) (May 6) - Wheel World (May 6) - Wildgate (May 6) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (May 6) - Mixtape (May 7) - Outbound (May 11) - Black Jacket (May 12) - Call of the Elder Gods (May 12) - Elite Dangerous (May 12) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 14) - Subnautica 2 (May 14) - Forza Horizon 6 (May 19) Additionally, several titles will be leaving Game Pass on May 15, including Galacticare, Go Mecha Ball, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship, and Planet of Lana.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

May 2026 Looks Like a Massive Month for the Now Cheaper Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft has announced the Xbox Game Pass lineup for May 2026, featuring several notable titles. The highlight is Forza Horizon 6, releasing on May 19, available on Game Pass from day one for subscribers. Other significant games include Mixtape on May 7, Subnautica 2 on May 14, Outbound on May 11, and Call of the Elder Gods on May 12. The complete lineup includes: - Ben 10 Power Trip (May 6) - Descenders Next (Game Preview) (May 6) - Wheel World (May 6) - Wildgate (May 6) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (May 6) - Mixtape (May 7) - Outbound (May 11) - Black Jacket (May 12) - Call of the Elder Gods (May 12) - Elite Dangerous (May 12) - DOOM: The Dark Ages (May 14) - Subnautica 2 (May 14) - Forza Horizon 6 (May 19) Titles leaving Game Pass on May 15 include: - Galacticare - Go Mecha Ball - Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo - Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship - Planet of Lana

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Multiplayer kaiju action game BeastLink announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Grove Street Games has announced BeastLink, a multiplayer kaiju action game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam), with an Early Access release planned for this summer and a closed beta test for PC users starting on May 8. The game features a narrative where humanity survives in fortified strongholds while colossal creatures roam desolate landscapes. Players can engage in battles as humans or Beasts, utilizing vehicles and the game’s “SuperDestruction” technology to create chaos in destructible cities. Key features include collecting serum to form BeastLinks, team-based warfare, a physics-based destruction system, multiplayer gameplay for up to 32 players, and a diverse roster of Beasts with unique abilities.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Beloved Dota 2 esports team Heroic has just disbanded, saying it’s a “tough game to commercialize”

Dota 2 esports is experiencing a decline in popularity, particularly in Western markets, overshadowed by League of Legends. The esports organization Heroic has disbanded its Dota 2 team due to financial challenges, despite earlier success in Latin American tournaments and a top six placement during TI 2025. Heroic's Chief Gaming Officer, Robin Nymann, stated that Dota 2 is difficult to commercialize and that the decision was primarily financial. This trend of financial instability is affecting many organizations in the esports industry, which are facing dwindling prize pools and rising operational costs.

Winsage

May 5, 2026

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 Run dialog is faster than the Windows 95-era version it’s replacing

Microsoft is developing a modernized version of the Run dialog for Windows 11, featuring a streamlined design created using C# and WinUI 3. The new Run dialog has a median "time-to-show" of 94 milliseconds, which is an improvement over the old dialog's 103 milliseconds. This new version is designed to be more functional and user-friendly, allowing users to quickly access their home directory and supporting dark mode. The modern Run dialog is currently being rolled out as an opt-in feature for Insiders in the Experimental Channel.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PC players aren’t Grand Theft Auto 6’s ‘core’ audience, Take-Two CEO says, and that’s why we have to wait for it

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19, exclusively on consoles initially, with no official confirmation regarding a PC release. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, stated the company's focus is on serving console players, despite the growing importance of the PC market, which now accounts for 45-50% of sales for big titles. Historically, the transition from console to PC for Rockstar titles has varied from seven months to 14.5 years. Take-Two's quarterly financial results are scheduled for May 21, where updates on GTA 6 may be provided.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Take-Two CEO Explains Why GTA 6 Isn’t Coming to PC on Day One

Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, 2026. PC gamers will have to wait longer for the game, as Rockstar Games prioritizes console releases first. Take-Two Interactive's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, indicated that this strategy aims to serve the core audience. The game was initially announced in December 2023, delayed from Fall 2025 to May 2026, and then confirmed for its current release date. Zelnick's comments suggest a potential future PC release, following a pattern seen with previous titles like Grand Theft Auto V, which had its PC version released later. He also addressed concerns about the game's pricing but did not provide specific figures.