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The advent of first-person shooters introduced a wild frontier of unregulated video game level packs, and it ended in a lawsuit that changed copyright forever
AppWizard
October 10, 2026

The advent of first-person shooters introduced a wild frontier of unregulated video game level packs, and it ended in a lawsuit that changed copyright forever

In the 1990s, level packs emerged as a unique category of content for early first-person shooters like Duke Nukem 3D and Quake, sold as boxed products. Notable level packs included Duke Caribbean: Life's A Beach and Duke It Out in DC, which were well-received. Designer Wiederhold, recruited by Sunstorm Interactive after a LAN tournament, contributed to these packs alongside Robert Travis. The period was characterized by a lack of industry structure, allowing for creative exploration. However, some level packs, like Duke Assault, suffered from poor curation. The Nuke It series led to a legal battle over copyright infringement, with a 1998 court ruling favoring FormGen, establishing that video game mods are derivative works. This ruling curtailed unregulated FPS mission packs and clarified the distinction between official expansions and unofficial mods. Despite this, the mapping scene for iconic shooters continues to thrive today.
Deadlock surpasses Team Fortress 2's all-time concurrent player count peak as it adds a chess wizard
AppWizard
October 10, 2026

Deadlock surpasses Team Fortress 2’s all-time concurrent player count peak as it adds a chess wizard

Valve's game Deadlock, currently in invite-only testing, has reached a peak concurrent player count of 262,145, surpassing Team Fortress 2's previous record of 253,997. This milestone coincided with the release of six new community-chosen heroes. The game's success reflects its popularity in the MOBA genre and highlights Valve's ability to innovate in game development.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an okay approximation of 'Diablo for kids' that's sorely in need of more depth
AppWizard
October 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an okay approximation of ‘Diablo for kids’ that’s sorely in need of more depth

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an action role-playing game available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, with a release date of September 29, 2026. The game features a twelve-hour campaign where players experience consistent challenges due to level scaling, which diminishes the sense of progression. Combat is repetitive, lacking strategic depth, and exploration is limited despite claims of a more expansive world. The visual aesthetic is vibrant, but the narrative is weak and lacks engaging characters. The game includes accessibility options such as a guidance trail, customizable subtitles, and color-blind modes. The review was based on over thirteen hours of gameplay on a high-performance PC.
Don't worry, Valve: I've got your next Deadlock character concepts sorted
AppWizard
October 9, 2026

Don’t worry, Valve: I’ve got your next Deadlock character concepts sorted

Deadlock features a range of character concepts that could enhance its gameplay and narrative. Notable ideas include: - The Summer Mummy, characterized by floral board shorts and sunglasses, representing summer fun. - A professional baseball-playing Minotaur with a Scottish accent and a backstory involving the Bermuda Triangle. - Three gnomes disguised in a trench coat, part of a whimsical mafia called the Cosa Gnomestra. - A haunted suit of armor that acts as a boxer, engaging in combat while wearing boxing shorts and gloves. - A large, charismatic spider capable of traversing walls and wielding eight weapons. - A reimagined Humpty Dumpty as a tragic antihero who rolls into battle. - The remaining part of the monkey from the tale of the monkey's paw, potentially a sorcerer with magical abilities. - A North Pole elf advocating for labor rights, creating a narrative around social issues. - A deer transformed into a sapient being by a cursed amulet, navigating urban life with humor and relatability.
Free Play Days – ARC Raiders, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Little Nightmares III, Screamer, and More
AppWizard
October 8, 2026

Free Play Days – ARC Raiders, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Little Nightmares III, Screamer, and More

From October 8 to October 11, members of XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential can play Screamer and Family Man for free during Free Play Days. ARC Raiders is available for free to all XBOX members from October 8 to October 15. Players can also try timed trials of High On Life 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Little Nightmares III, and Rogue Waters. Discounts on games are available for those who wish to purchase them after the event. Screamer is developed by Milestone S.r.l., has a rating of 84/100, and is priced at .99 with a 60% discount during the event. Family Man, developed by No More Robots, has a rating of 47/100, priced at .99 with an 85% discount. ARC Raiders, developed by Embark Studios, has a rating of 11953/100, priced at .99 with a 50% discount. High On Life 2, developed by Squanch Games, Inc., has a rating of 2090/100, priced at .99. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, developed by GSC Game World, has a rating of 7190/100, priced at .99 with a 30% discount after Free Play Days. Little Nightmares III, developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., has a rating of 592/100, priced at .99. Rogue Waters, developed by Tripwire Interactive LLC, has a rating of 45/100, priced at .99 with a 75% discount during Free Play Days.
Google Faces £1.2bn UK Class-Action Over Android Fees
AppWizard
October 8, 2026

Google Faces £1.2bn UK Class-Action Over Android Fees

A class action lawsuit seeking £1.2 billion in damages from Google has been initiated in London on behalf of approximately 20 million consumers and businesses in the UK. The case focuses on purchases made through the Google Play store or via Android devices between October 1, 2015, and July 31, 2026, including paid applications, subscription services, upgrades, and in-game purchases. Plaintiffs argue that Google's standard fee of around 30 percent has unfairly inflated costs for consumers. Google claims it has some of the lowest fees in the industry and denies having excessive market power. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) described Google and Apple as operating an "effective duopoly" in the mobile operating systems market. In a related case, Apple was found to have abused its dominant position, resulting in potential damages of around £1.5 billion for an estimated 36 million consumers.
Prime Day Android app deals and freebies: Ash of Gods, Foretales, Dungreed, ScourgeBringer, more
BetaBeacon
October 8, 2026

Prime Day Android app deals and freebies: Ash of Gods, Foretales, Dungreed, ScourgeBringer, more

Google Play is offering deals on various apps and games, including Ash of Gods: Redemption, Backflip Madness, Backflip Madness 2, Dungreed, Foretales, Mini Restaurant Premium, Merge City Premium, Merge Cafe Premium, Neo Monsters, ScourgeBringer, Stickman Master Premium, Vera Outline White Icon Pack, Camo Dark Icon Pack, [Premium] Alvastia Chronicles, [Premium] Knights of Grayfang, [Premium] RPG Alphadia III, [Premium] RPG Ghost Sync, [Premium] RPG Infinite Links, The Macabre Journey: Dark 3D, 112 Operator, and Minabo: A walk through life.
Quarterfinals: Vote for the best RTS unit of all time
AppWizard
October 7, 2026

Quarterfinals: Vote for the best RTS unit of all time

A democratic process has begun to determine the greatest RTS unit, with 16 units competing and eight advancing to the quarterfinals. The initial battles saw the Rohirrim defeat the Psyker and the Warcraft Peon overcome the Glass Dragon. The quarterfinal matchups include: - Peon (Warcraft 3) vs. Mammoth Tank - Rohirrim (Battle for Middle-earth) vs. Pride of Hiigara (Homeworld 2) - Mirage Tank (Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3) vs. Executor Super Star Destroyer (Star Wars: Empire at War) - Dolphin (Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2) vs. Priest (Age of Empires) Each unit has distinct characteristics that influence their appeal and strategy in the competition.
20 million sales later, Capcom is bringing Monster Hunter Rise to iOS and Android, but for now it's locked behind a Netflix subscription
BetaBeacon
October 7, 2026

20 million sales later, Capcom is bringing Monster Hunter Rise to iOS and Android, but for now it’s locked behind a Netflix subscription

Monster Hunter Rise is coming to Android and iOS through Netflix. The game will require a Netflix Membership to download and play. The mobile version will have minor differences, such as challenge quests being unlocked as you progress, a new Recovery Button, and reconstructed touch controls optimized for smartphones and tablets. Capcom's decision to add the game to Netflix's streaming catalogue raises questions about potential future collaborations and the impact on the game's popularity.
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