approval Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Updated With 3 New Day One Games

Xbox Game Pass has added three new titles for PC and Xbox Series X as part of its day-one game initiative in 2026. The new games are: 1. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - A sci-fi multiplayer adventure developed by System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital, currently in early access. It has a 40% approval rating on Steam but lacks a Metacritic score. 2. Beastro - A cozy adventure game from Timberline Studio where players engage in culinary creativity. It has a 92% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. 3. Frog Sqwad - A multiplayer extraction puzzle platformer developed by Panic Stations, supporting up to eight players. It has a 90% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. Subscribers can enjoy these games at no additional cost and receive a 20% discount on each title. The duration of these games' availability on Xbox Game Pass has not been disclosed.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Steam Giving Away 93-Rated PC Game for Free

Valve's Steam platform is offering the game "Happy’s Humble Burger Farm" for free until June 15. The game, developed by Scythe Dev Team and tinyBuild, has a 93% approval rating from 1,647 user reviews and is Steam Deck Verified. This is the first time the game has been available at no cost. The promotion aims to build excitement for the upcoming sequel, "Happy’s Humble Burgatory," set to launch in July. Players take on the role of a night shift employee at a quirky burger joint, with gameplay typically lasting five to seven hours.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Steam Makes 4 PC Games Free for Limited Time

Steam is offering four full PC games for free, available for permanent ownership until specific dates. The titles include: - Gravity Circuit: A 2D platformer released in 2023 by Domesticated Ant Games, rated “Overwhelmingly Positive” with 95% approval from over 2,100 reviews. Available for free until June 14. - Tell Me Why: A narrative adventure game developed by Dontnod Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios, typically an Xbox exclusive, with an 80% approval rating from nearly 8,000 reviews. Available for free until July 1. - Linebound: An asymmetric local co-op puzzle platformer released on May 31, allowing one player to draw platforms while another controls a character. Available for free until July 1. - PICO Park: Classic Edition: A co-op action puzzle game for 2 to 10 players, transitioning from a premium title to free, but set to be delisted soon.

Winsage

June 5, 2026

Microsoft Promises Customizable Windows Right-Click Menus

Microsoft is working on a more efficient, streamlined, and customizable right-click context menu for Windows File Explorer and Desktop interactions, responding to user feedback about the cluttered nature of existing menus. The initiative aims to improve user experience by allowing customization, which marks a shift from Microsoft's previous rigid approach. Developers will need to adapt to new APIs and guidelines for context menu interactions, and there may be restrictions on the number of items that can be added. Performance improvements are also planned to address slow-loading context menus. The timeline for implementation is uncertain, but updates may first appear through Windows Insider testing channels. The changes are part of Microsoft's broader strategy to modernize Windows 11 and improve basic functionalities like file management and interface responsiveness. Customizable context menus could provide enterprise IT departments with new management options, and the initiative reflects Microsoft's awareness of competition from other operating systems.

AppWizard

June 5, 2026

Xbox Giving Away Game for Free on Steam

Xbox is offering the game "Tell Me Why" for free on Steam until July 1. Players who redeem the game will permanently own it in their Steam library and it is playable on Steam Deck, although not Steam Deck Verified. "Tell Me Why," developed by Don’t Nod Entertainment and released in August 2020, is an Xbox console exclusive with an 80% approval rating on Steam based on nearly 8,000 reviews. The game features an adventure narrative where player choices affect the storyline, focusing on twins Tyler and Alison Ronan as they explore their childhood secrets in an Alaskan town, with gameplay lasting between 9 to 14 hours.

Winsage

June 3, 2026

Perplexity’s Personal Computer for Windows Now Coming to Users

Perplexity has launched Personal Computer for Windows, a desktop software that streamlines user interactions with files, applications, and online resources through a unified interface. It operates natively on Windows, allowing users to manage tasks directly from their machines. The software integrates with Microsoft applications such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and OneDrive, enabling users to execute tasks without manual data transfer. Users can approve specific local folders for the AI to access, ensuring control over information. The platform supports remote execution from other devices and features Voice Mode for natural language interaction. Personal Computer utilizes over 20 AI models to facilitate complex tasks and includes security features like folder scoping, user permissions, activity logs, and administrative controls for enterprise clients. Access is initially available to paying Max and Enterprise Max subscribers on the waitlist.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

2026 PC Game Released Today Is 100% Free for Limited Time

A new game titled Linebound was released on May 31, 2026, on the Steam platform, available for free download and ownership for the first month. After this period, it will switch to a paid model, with pricing details not yet disclosed. The game has received a 100% approval rating on Steam. Developed by a team including Samuel Luecke, Oliver Svensson, and others, Linebound is a 2D asymmetric co-op puzzle platformer published by FutureBound. It features two-player local cooperative gameplay, where one player, the Artist, draws platforms in real time, while the other player, Sketch, navigates through the created puzzles. User reviews indicate gameplay lasts about one to two hours, and the game is noted for its unique concept and quality, distinguishing it from typical free offerings on Steam.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Steam Just Made a PC Game 100% Free for All Users

A popular Steam title, Moonrise Fall, is available for free download until June 2, allowing players to permanently add it to their library. After this date, it will return to its standard pricing. The game, released in 2019 by Made From Strings and published by GrabTheGames, is an atmospheric exploration puzzle game with an 88% approval rating based on 25 user reviews. The story follows a young boy lost in a mystical forest after a car accident. User feedback indicates an estimated gameplay duration of 5 to 10 hours. This is the first time the game has been offered for free on Steam. Steam Deck users can also access the promotion, but compatibility is labeled as "Unknown."

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Balatro publisher Playstack only discovered it because they had a guy checking all the new releases on Steam every day: ‘I saw the game the day it went up on Steam’

Patrick Johnson, head of discovery at Playstack, discussed the indie publisher's involvement with the game Balatro, which is anticipated to be the 2024 game of the year. He emphasized the importance of diligent effort in game publishing and noted that Playstack scouts games across various platforms, reviewing titles on Steam daily. Despite skepticism about the significance of Steam wishlists, Playstack chose to support Balatro, which had few followers and wishlists at the time. Johnson reached out to the game's developer, LocalThunk, via Twitter, leading to a pivotal interaction during a challenging time for the developer. Playstack's early involvement was highlighted as a key factor in the game's potential success. Additionally, Playstack is in discussions to sell its majority stake to Integrated Media Company (IMC) for million, indicating a significant transition for the indie publisher.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

The remarkable story of Unreal 2, the sequel rescued from development hell by dooming it to failure: ‘There was just no way we could succeed’

Weird Weekend is a feature celebrating PC gaming oddities. Unreal 2 was highly anticipated following the success of the original Unreal, which revolutionized first-person shooters. The sequel promised a cinematic campaign, dynamic factions, and advanced multiplayer, developed by Legend Entertainment under Glen Dahlgren and Mike Verdu. Verdu faced personal challenges that complicated project management, leading to strained team dynamics and internal conflicts. After taking control, Dahlgren inherited a troubled project that was behind schedule and faced technical challenges. The game launched on February 4, 2003, receiving mixed reviews due to the lack of multiplayer and a short campaign, ultimately leading to Legend Entertainment's closure in January 2004. Both Dahlgren and Verdu acknowledge the project's shortcomings, but Unreal 2 has gained a more favorable reputation over time.