banter Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Yes, technically you can play World of Warcraft with hot dogs

Addison2k uses hot dogs as unconventional controllers to play World of Warcraft, navigating the game with a setup that includes 3D-printed controllers housing four hot dogs wired for touch input. One hot dog controls movement while another manages abilities, but limitations arise, such as the inability to control camera movement. During gameplay, he occasionally resorts to traditional keyboard controls for specific actions. His fellow players support him with humor, teasing about the absurdity of the situation. Addison2k successfully completes the game, but notes that his hands smelled like hot dogs afterward.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Overwatch Season 2 is “modernizing” old heroes, and I’m ready for a Pharmercy revival

The Overwatch Season 2 update will feature significant changes, including the return of the 'Pharmercy' duo with revamped abilities for original heroes. Mercy will receive a Flash Heal ability, enhancing her healing capabilities, while Pharah will gain Drift Thrusters to improve her maneuverability during Barrage. Reaper will have Dire Triggers as a standard ability to better engage distant targets. The post-match experience will be revamped with a new accolades system for player recognition and a shared lobby voice chat during the Play of the Game. Competitive play will see reduced ranking penalties for losses on new or reworked maps, and a system for automatic map selection based on player votes. Blizzard is also considering improvements to the hero bans system for future updates. Overwatch Season 2 is set to launch on April 14, introducing new character Sierra.

Winsage

April 3, 2026

Linux has gotten a 3% usage bump in a month, latest Steam hardware survey suggests – though, it’s still miles off Windows

Linux accounts for 5.33% of the Steam install base, reflecting an increase of 3.10% from the previous month. This marks a rise from 2.23% in February, with earlier figures of 3.38% in January, 3.58% in December, and 3.20% in November. Linux installations now surpass those of Mac but are significantly lower than Windows, which holds 92.33% of the market share, divided between Windows 11 at 66.85% and Windows 10 at 25.36%. The leading Linux distributions contributing to the March share include Arch Linux at 0.34%, Linux Mint 22.3, and Ubuntu Core 24.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

‘Zootopia 2’ Just Passed ‘A Minecraft Movie’ for 2025’s Domestic Crown. It Took 91 Days and Less Than $200,000

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, surpassing A Minecraft Movie with 4.2 million in North American ticket sales. It is the highest-grossing Hollywood animated film ever and ranks as the eighth highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, with a global total of .85 billion. The film's international earnings reached .425 billion, making it the second highest among animated films. Zootopia 2 debuted on November 26, 2025, with an opening of 8.8 million over five days, marking the second-largest Thanksgiving opening in history. It became the fastest PG-rated film to reach billion globally in just 17 days and grossed over 0 million in China, making it the highest-grossing Western film in Chinese box office history. The film received a 91% critics score and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and won Best Animated Film at the BAFTAs. Disney holds three of the top four domestic releases of 2025, with Zootopia 2 leading the pack. A Blu-ray release is scheduled for March 3, and the film is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

“Talos have mercy”: Oblivion Remastered player uses PC magic to turn Bethesda’s RPG into Resident Evil – and fans are now calling for the return of a beloved 12-year-old mod

A player known as "SwimmingNo1851" has recreated a zombie-infested Imperial City in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, showcasing a chaotic battle between zombies and guards in a video that has gained attention from the gaming community. The community has responded with humorous comments and nostalgia for a previous zombie mod from the original 2006 version of Oblivion, called 28 Days and a Bit 4, which has over 200,000 views. Many players express a desire for a similar zombie-themed mod in the remastered version. Additionally, SwimmingNo1851 has spent 300 days following an Imperial Palace Guard in hopes of looting his armor.

AppWizard

December 22, 2025

Unmissable Games With Great Stories To Tell In 2025

Hades 2, developed by Supergiant Games, is set to release on September 25, 2025. Players will take on the role of Melinoe, sister of Zagreus, as she battles the titan Chronos, who has taken over Hades' throne. The game features engaging dialogue, witty writing, and exceptional voice acting, enhancing character interactions. It will be available on PC and Nintendo Switch.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

“Joke’s on you,” says No Man’s Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it’s replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic

Developer Starry Studio has introduced significant updates to the survival game Once Human, including a new class system, a PvP-centric Raid Zone, and a crossover with Palworld. A new decorative item in the game’s loot crates, specifically an exercise bike, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. Hello Games' Sean Murray responded humorously to the criticism, while Starry Studio confirmed it would remove the contentious item. The Thunder Overload cosmetic lineup features outfits and a weapon skin that transforms the SKS into a mechanical dragon. Earlier this year, Once Human was also accused of borrowing design elements from Rainbow Six Siege. Starry Studio has pledged to replace the disputed asset and review their art and design policies, emphasizing the importance of originality and community feedback.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

You weren’t just incredibly unlucky in Dispatch’s final shift, your high success rate failures were “intentional”

In Dispatch, the gameplay loop intensifies as players progress, introducing new mechanics and a unique instant fail system that penalizes players for sending heroes with stats exceeding certain limits, particularly in Episode 8. The final shift is notably challenging, with players facing unexpected failures even at high success rates, such as 85%. Designers Dennis Lenart and Polly Raguimov emphasize that the game is not scripted and reflects the world's state at that moment, heightening tension during critical moments. The team aimed to enhance the gameplay experience by adding layers and experimenting with powers, while also integrating the Z-Team's banter without overwhelming players. The balance of challenge, humor, and storytelling is a key focus, contributing to player engagement and anticipation for future content.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

The Seance of Blake Manor is a folk horror detective game, but I’ve been too busy digging through my fellow hotel guests’ drawers to solve its supernatural mystery

An investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Evelyn Deane from Blake Manor in Ireland is underway. Evelyn's absence suggests deeper secrets within the estate. Blake Manor, now a hotel, hosts a seance on All Hallow's Eve, attracting spiritualists and skeptics. The investigation involves a mystery menu to navigate clues and interactions with guests. The narrator discovers letters in the widow's chambers that hint at connections to Evelyn. As the investigation unfolds, the narrator is distracted by conversations and ultimately misses the opportunity to confront the widow. The evening culminates in a tragic incident involving the narrator's investigator, Declan Ward, who is engulfed by green flames. A demo of the mystery experience is available on Steam.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

New Viking RPG fusing Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat with KCD2’s bawdy charm sets a launch date, and you can try a demo now

Norse: Oath of Blood is a turn-based RPG featuring twins Gunnar Gripsson and Sigrid Gripdottir on a quest for vengeance after their father is betrayed and murdered. The game combines tactical battle systems with a rich narrative and character interactions. It utilizes advanced motion capture technology and aims to capture the human aspects of Viking culture. The release date is set for February 3, 2026, on PC via Steam, with a free demo currently available.