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First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost
BetaBeacon
September 8, 2026

First Xiaomi, then the world: why Arm might give phone gaming a huge graphics boost

Arm's DLSS for Android is set to be released soon, starting with the Xiaomi 18 Fold in China. The new Arm Mali G2-Ultra NX graphics processor inside the custom Xring O3 chip promises to enhance mobile gaming by providing PC-like technologies to improve game performance without using more power. This technology includes AI gaming graphics accelerators that can eliminate jagged edges in games and offer features similar to Nvidia's DLSS, such as AI upscaling, frame generation, and ray reconstruction. The new graphics tech is expected to be available in various devices beyond Chinese phones, including tablets and Chromebooks. The technology is aimed at improving gaming experiences while maintaining battery life and will be integrated into games like Where Winds Meet, Infinity Nikki, and Arena Breakout: Infinite.
Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.
'Sidequests are almost my reason for doing videogames in the first place:' The dev behind one of the coolest upcoming RPGs says its word count is ballooning because they just love side stories so much
AppWizard
August 31, 2026

‘Sidequests are almost my reason for doing videogames in the first place:’ The dev behind one of the coolest upcoming RPGs says its word count is ballooning because they just love side stories so much

Entropy is an early access role-playing game featuring experimental, JRPG-style combat in a bizarre, fallen world. It is developed by Lovely Hellplace, the team behind the acclaimed Dread Delusion. Dread Delusion was praised for its first-person gameplay and engaging side quests, including themes of ethical dilemmas and memory. The writer Harry Tuffs contributed significantly to the game's narrative, while Io Brindle returns to help with Entropy. Initially intended to have a shorter narrative, the game's writing expanded due to rich character development. Entropy features a diverse party system with permadeath for all characters and is available on Steam for £8.99, along with a demo.
Fable director says they aren't 'scared of other big games' except one—it's GTA 6, in case you were living under a rock
AppWizard
August 28, 2026

Fable director says they aren’t ‘scared of other big games’ except one—it’s GTA 6, in case you were living under a rock

The launch of the new Fable game has been postponed to 2027, with the decision influenced significantly by the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Fable's director, Ralph Fulton, acknowledged the chaotic release window and expressed satisfaction with the delay, despite initial disappointment. He noted that the decision was made to avoid competition with Grand Theft Auto 6, while also recognizing the presence of other major titles releasing soon. Fulton emphasized that while they are confident in their own game, they preferred to avoid direct competition with Grand Theft Auto 6.
Phantom Blade Zero finally shows off its interconnected game world, with exploration 'guided by 8 authentic hand-painted Chinese ink wash maps'
AppWizard
August 18, 2026

Phantom Blade Zero finally shows off its interconnected game world, with exploration ‘guided by 8 authentic hand-painted Chinese ink wash maps’

S-Game revealed eight distinct maps for Phantom Blade Zero that connect into a single world, emphasizing a rich environment for players. The game features optional areas and formidable bosses that serve as diversions from the main narrative. Phantom Blade Zero is described as neither an open-world game nor a strictly linear adventure, incorporating a light metroidvania-style progression system that allows players to revisit areas. Donnie Yen has been involved in the game's development since 2023.
Upcoming PS5 Games: The Future of PlayStation Exclusives
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Upcoming PS5 Games: The Future of PlayStation Exclusives

In May 2026, Sony announced that future single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation 5, although some games currently in development will launch across platforms. Upcoming PS5 games include: - Spider-Man franchise: A new narrative featuring a character from the Marvel universe, expected to carry an M-rating. - Phantom Blade Zero: Set to launch on October 29, 2026, as a timed PS5 and PC exclusive, with a later release on Xbox and Switch 2 in Fall 2027. - God of War Laufey: Scheduled for release on February 16, 2027, as a PS5 exclusive, featuring Faye on a journey through the Everywhen. - Until Dawn 2: A sequel with a new cast, set for release in 2027 as a PS5 exclusive, focusing on amateur ghost hunters. - Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: An upcoming PS5 exclusive from Naughty Dog, featuring a rogue bounty hunter in a retro-futuristic world. - Fairgame$: A multiplayer heist shooter for PS5 and PC, facing development challenges but still anticipated. - GTA 6: A timed console exclusive launching on November 19, 2026, not exclusive to PS5 but available solely on consoles for a limited time.
Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is live with huge discounts on futuristic PC games
AppWizard
August 4, 2026

Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is live with huge discounts on futuristic PC games

Steam has launched Cyberpunk Fest, a themed event lasting seven days, featuring discounts on various cyberpunk games, free demos, and previews of upcoming titles. Key highlights include Cyberpunk 2077, now priced at .99/€17.99/£14.99 with a 70% discount, and the Ultimate Edition at .10/€33.10/£27.58 with a 60% discount. Indie game Katanaut is available for .63/€5.42/£4.63 at a 69% discount, while Peripeteia is priced at .38/€17.93/£15.38 with a 25% discount. Other notable discounts include RoboCop: Rogue City at 90% off, and both Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided at 85% off. The event runs until August 10.
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