Blizzard Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox Launches Retro Classics Collection With 50+ Activision Titles; PC App Adds Game Assist, GeForce Now Support

Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

World of Warcraft game director on the woeful patch 11.1.5: ‘It’s not the experience our players are expecting or deserve’

World of Warcraft's patch 11.1.5 has faced backlash from players due to numerous bugs and the implementation of time-gated content. Senior game director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledged that the launch did not go as planned and highlighted issues with the Flame's Radiance events, which were a key feature of the patch. Other anticipated features, including a bad-luck protection system and a dual-boss raid mode, experienced delays, leading to player disappointment. Hazzikostas noted that the decision to stagger releases aimed to prevent player overwhelm but resulted in frustration over the lack of content at launch. Bugs from previous patches re-emerged, attributed to the accelerated eight-week patch schedule, which is the fastest in the game's history. Developers are using hotfixes to address issues quickly, but this can complicate resolutions. Hazzikostas emphasized the importance of quality over quantity and stated that the team is committed to improving their processes based on the challenges faced with this patch.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for May 16: Epic Games Store MEGA Sale

The Epic Games Store is offering a free copy of Dead Island 2 and discounts on titles like Alan Wake 2's Deluxe Edition, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chonobyl, and Until Dawn. The Humble Store has a Spring Sale with markdowns on games such as Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and WWE 2K25. Steam is hosting the Creature Collector Fest featuring games like Palworld, Bugsnax, and Tinykin, along with discounted early access titles like Windblown, Enshrouded, and Timberborn. Fanatical allows gamers to build their own Bethesda Bundle with options for acquiring 2, 3, or 5 titles at varying prices. Green Man Gaming offers a 15% discount on any PC game with the coupon code MAY15. Humble Bundle invites subscriptions to Humble Choice for .99 per month, with May offerings including The Thaumaturge: Deluxe Edition and Amnesia: The Bunker. Ubisoft is providing discounts with the coupon code LEGEND, though restrictions may apply.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for May 9: Sus

Among Us 3D was launched this week on PC by Schell Games, offering a new perspective on the classic game, available at a discounted price for the weekend. Blizzard is providing various deals, while Epic Games Store features exclusive titles and offers. Fanatical allows users to build their own Bethesda Bundle with select titles for specific prices. Gamebillet, Gamersgate, GamesPlanet, GOG.com, and Green Man Gaming are all offering competitive deals and discounts. Humble Bundle has a subscription option for .99 per month with various game offerings and tiered bundles. Ubisoft is running a promotion with a coupon code for discounts. Steam continues to offer a vast library and frequent sales.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

US court throws out FTC appeal against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not sufficiently prove that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would restrict the availability of the Call of Duty franchise on competing platforms. The court upheld a previous ruling that blocked the FTC's attempt to halt the merger, stating that the FTC's case lacked adequate evidentiary support and did not raise substantial questions about reduced competition. The merger, initially announced in 2022, received approval in 2023, allowing Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard into its portfolio.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Xbox Games The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 Top Sony’s PS5 Sales Charts

Microsoft's multiplatform gaming strategy is showing strong results, with its titles dominating sales charts on the PlayStation Store in April 2025. In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft games such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 occupied the top three positions in the non-free-to-play download chart for PS5. Europe also saw success with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launched on Game Pass, also appeared on both charts, alongside other Microsoft-owned titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, emphasized that this strategy is a calculated business move to enhance revenue, especially following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Discussions about transitioning Halo to other platforms have been ongoing, reflecting on the financial implications of exclusivity. While there may be pushback from Xbox fans regarding the dilution of brand identity, the focus remains on aligning with long-term business goals and evolving with the gaming audience.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for May 2: Golden Week, Star Wars, and LudoNarraCon

This weekend, there are numerous PC deals available due to the Golden Week festivities and the Steam Wargames Fest. Various storefronts, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG.com, are celebrating Star Wars Day with special offers. The annual LudoNarraCon is taking place, featuring discounts on games like Wanderstop, Afterlove EP, and The Crush House. Fanatical is offering a customizable Bethesda Bundle with games like The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind GOTY Edition and Fallout 4, with pricing options for purchasing multiple titles. Green Man Gaming has a 15% discount on PC games using the coupon code MAY15. Humble Choice subscription is available for .99 per month, offering titles such as Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered and Dredge. Ubisoft is providing discounts with the coupon code LEGEND.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

App Developer Magazine may 2025

Google's Play Store has undergone a significant overhaul, resulting in a 47% reduction in app listings due to stricter enforcement, enhanced developer verification, and AI-driven moderation. This change aligns Google more closely with Apple's curated ecosystem. New tools in the Play Console Insights are designed to improve app performance for developers. Apple has achieved a milestone in emissions reduction and is preparing for WWDC 2025 on June 9. Blizzard's Diablo 4 has introduced a new mechanic called Piranhado, and SEMO has launched a game development degree program. Nutrient is expanding its cloud services, and student-led initiatives are addressing cybersecurity threats in universities. AI developments include a smart builder for converting spreadsheets into applications and AutonomyAI's autonomous agent platform.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Stadium’s roadmap for Overwatch 2 is planned out for the next three seasons, with more heroes, maps, and custom games on the horizon

Stadium is a new mode in Overwatch 2, developed with a dedicated roadmap for the next three seasons. Season 17 will introduce two new maps (Esperanca and Samoa), a crossplay feature, new custom games, saveable and shareable builds, and additional example builds. The maps will be tailored for Stadium's fast-paced gameplay, featuring smaller sizes and closer spawn points to objectives. Stadium has gained popularity within the Overwatch 2 community, becoming comparable to Quick Play and Competitive modes.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

PC gaming can’t stop getting Ws, as Microsoft shares it’s being weighed down by console and hardware revenue woes

Gaming revenue increased by 5% (6% when adjusted for currency), while Xbox content and services revenue grew by 8%. However, Xbox hardware revenue declined by 6% (5% CC) and experienced a 30% drop between early 2024 and early 2023. Microsoft has acquired game studios, including Blizzard and Bethesda, but faces challenges such as layoffs and a lack of compelling console exclusives. Current standout titles on Xbox Game Pass do not require an Xbox purchase, reflecting a trend where console exclusivity is becoming less relevant, except for Nintendo.