balance adjustments Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

The next big Arc Raiders update isn’t until October, but some serious stash relief lands next week

Embark Studios is shifting its development strategy for Arc Raiders from a monthly update cycle to biannual major updates, with the first scheduled for October 2026. This change aims to allow for deeper game enhancements while maintaining regular live updates and support. The upcoming October update, titled Frozen Trail, will introduce the largest map to date, new progression goals, enhancements to the skill tree, and a new trader at level 25 offering unique rewards and extra stash space. The update will also explore the lore of the Arc and address community inquiries.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Path of Exile 2’s new boss-taming summoner class breaks ARPG minions like never before

The Path of Exile 2 Return of the Ancients update is set to launch on May 29, introducing significant changes, including a redesign of the endgame and a crafting overhaul. Two new Ascendancies will be added: the Martial Artist Monk and the Spirit Walker Huntress. The Spirit Walker Ascendancy allows players to control powerful beast bosses and features three branches: Vivid, Primal, and Wild. The Vivid Path summons stag spirits, the Primal Path enhances projectile skills, and the Wild Path provides a spirit bear companion that boosts minion damage and life. The Idolatry path expands minion build options. The Natural Order feature allows the Tame Beast skill to work on unique beasts, starting with early-game adversaries and escalating to tougher foes. Game director Mark Roberts showcased a "zookeeper build" that utilizes the unique scepter Sylvan's Effigy, which removes companion limits. Companion damage has been buffed, and new features include a raven flock and a cluster grenade launcher called Redemption.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

New Slay the Spire 2 update deletes its most controversial boss fight

The Doormaker has been removed from Mega Crit's Slay the Spire 2, replaced by a new boss named Aeonglass, which has unique abilities and starts with three stacks of Artifact. The game will now follow a two-week beta patch cycle instead of weekly updates to allow for more substantial changes and community feedback. The Defect class has received several buffs, including enhancements to its starter relic and damage increases for specific abilities, while the Silent class has experienced a minor nerf. New Neow relics have been introduced, and changes have been made to various enemies and their abilities. The Bestiary feature has been added, allowing players to study enemy types, and additional updates include new art, music, and bug fixes. The latest patch, version 0.105.0, is available on the beta branch for players.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Space strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire 2 drops its gen-AI artwork amid a huge new UI overhaul

A substantial update for Sins of a Solar Empire 2, named 'UI Horizons,' has been released, removing AI-generated art and replacing it with portraits created by human artists. The update includes a redesigned front-end menu, the return of an in-game map editor, and a new faction selection screen with detailed faction information. Enhancements have been made to single-player and multiplayer lobby screens, along with improved customization options for the random map function. New defensive tools for all factions and balance adjustments have been implemented, including increased costs for certain Vasari capital ships and construction expenses. The Advent faction's AI has received improvements for better strategic use of abilities. Save game files have been compressed by over 70%, and engine improvements have enhanced missile targeting and unit formation handling. Modders will need to update existing mods for compatibility, and players can revert to earlier game versions through Steam if needed.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era sold 250,000 copies and ‘broke even on development costs’ in 1 day

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era sold over 250,000 copies within its first day of early access. It received 91% positive reviews from more than 3,500 user reviews on Steam, achieving a "very positive" overall rating. The game reached a peak concurrent player count of nearly 52,000 on Steam and is currently among the top-selling games on the platform. The first patch for the game has been released, which includes bug fixes, network enhancements, balance adjustments, and localization fixes.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Menace’s first major early access update overhauls its least interesting faction and jettisons its reviled promotion tax system: ‘We have done away with it’

Menace is a turn-based tactics game currently in early access, receiving positive feedback for its engaging strategy despite some initial issues. A major update, called the 'Redacted' update, has been released, introducing significant changes to core features and mechanics, enhancing gameplay and addressing previous concerns. Additionally, the gaming community is looking forward to the upcoming release of Star Wars: Zero Company, which draws inspiration from Mass Effect and X-COM.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

International transport tycoon game Worldwide Rush gets multiplayer, and it’s an impressive achievement

Worldwide Rush has introduced full multiplayer gameplay, allowing players to compete or collaborate in building an international transport empire. This feature is part of the game's third major update, which also improves rival AI, late-game balance, and adds eleven new vehicles. The game combines various transport modes, including trains, planes, automobiles, and ships, to maximize profits by optimizing routes between cities. The default map is based on real-world geography, with unique challenges generated procedurally. The update enhances single-player experiences with new vehicles and improved AI logic. Players can enjoy a 33% discount on Steam until May 2, and desync protection has been added to improve multiplayer stability. There are currently no plans for dedicated servers, but future developments may occur based on player feedback.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

A new Project Zomboid update could make multiplayer servers much more deadly

The upcoming update for Project Zomboid, build 42.17, will enhance the sandbox experience and multiplayer gameplay with various improvements. Players can choose any 'Exclusion Zone' town as their starting point in sandbox mode, although occupational spawns are limited to four 'canon' towns. The update introduces a new selection of VHS tapes for skill training, which can be found throughout the game world. Balancing adjustments include increased points for the Smoker and High Thirst traits, a reduced cost for the Nutritionist trait, and changes to how Chefs and Farmers function. Loot drop rates for 'other loot' have been increased, and vehicles in Apocalypse mode are more likely to contain fuel. Stendo's Firearms Emporium is being updated for better consistency in store loot. A prototype feature allowing players to enable sprinters in multiplayer has been introduced, adding urgency to gameplay. The Indie Stone is also working on improving controller support based on player feedback.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

‘I don’t want Sloppy Spire 2’: Slay the Spire 2 dev teases exciting updates, rejects the concept of deadlines

Slay the Spire 2 has gained popularity on Steam since its March launch, surpassing the original game in features. Upcoming updates include alternate versions of Acts 2 and 3, Steam Workshop support, experimental game modes, a new character, new cards, events, relics, and potions. Players can also expect bug fixes, enhanced audio and artwork, balance adjustments, and additional languages. The studio has not provided specific timelines for these updates. Recent balance changes will be integrated into the main version once stable. Developers are committed to maintaining a whimsical experience in the game. A full newsletter detailing updates is available on Steam.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Bungie brings the nerf hammer down on Marathon’s problematic ‘rich get richer’ gun

Bungie is addressing concerns about the Marathon Biotoxic Disinjector, a powerful weapon that combines a trace rifle and grenade launcher, which has been criticized for creating an uneven playing field in the game. The weapon is particularly effective in close-quarters combat, capable of nearly eliminating opponents with a single grenade hit. Game director Joe Ziegler acknowledged its overpowering nature and announced a 35% damage reduction as a temporary nerf, with plans for further balance adjustments. The weapon's exclusivity, available only to players who excel in challenging encounters, exacerbates the advantage for those who possess it. Prominent community figures have expressed concerns that the weapon could deter players from engaging with the game. Other content creators have noted its overwhelming effectiveness, with suggestions for additional measures to level the playing field, such as disabling the weapon in certain game modes.