Borderlands Archives

Winsage

October 10, 2026

We tested gaming performance in 17-year-old Windows 7 against Windows 11 on a modern gaming PC — older operating system delivers advantages in some scenarios

Windows 7 was released in 2009 and has received positive reviews for nearly two decades. A performance evaluation was conducted by installing Windows 7 on a modern PC and testing it against Windows 11 across ten games, including eight DirectX 11 titles and two DirectX 9 titles. In the game Metro 2033 Redux, Windows 11 achieved a higher average frame rate, but Windows 7 had better handling of CPU-related performance drops, resulting in stronger 1% lows. In Batman: Arkham Origins, Windows 7 outperformed Windows 11 in both average frame rate and 1% lows at 1080p and 4K. For Batman: Arkham Knight, Windows 7 showed higher performance when CPU-limited at 1080p, while Windows 11 led in GPU-limited scenarios at 1440p and 4K. In Batman: Arkham City, Windows 11 had the advantage across all resolutions as the game was GPU-bound. In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Windows 7 outperformed Windows 11 in 1% lows at 1080p, but Windows 11 took the lead at higher resolutions. Control showed Windows 11 outperforming Windows 7 across all resolutions due to GPU optimizations. Hitman: Absolution also favored Windows 11 in GPU-limited scenarios. For DirectX 9 games, Windows 7 demonstrated significant advantages in average frame rate and 1% lows in Batman: Arkham Asylum, especially at lower resolutions, while performance in Borderlands 2 was nearly identical across both operating systems at 4K. Overall, Windows 7 excels in CPU-limited scenarios, while Windows 11 performs better in GPU-bound situations, aided by advanced graphics drivers. Microsoft’s ongoing efforts aim to improve Windows 11's performance and reliability.

AppWizard

September 13, 2026

Ashly Burch, voice of Horizon’s Aloy and star of Mythic Quest, is currently obsessed with Slay the Spire 2 and thinks videogames have too many stoic characters: ‘I want more shtty little btches’

Ashly Burch began her gaming journey with a Donkey Kong knockoff on her mother's typing practice computer and was significantly influenced by LucasArts' Day of the Tentacle. She gained recognition through the online sketch show Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin' and is known for her voice roles as Tiny Tina in Borderlands 2, Chloe in Life is Strange, Parvati Holcomb in The Outer Worlds, and Aloy in Guerrilla Games' Horizon series. Burch is currently working on a YouTube comedy series called I'm Happy You're Here, which aims to make mental health discussions more accessible. She is currently playing The Incident at Galley House, a detective game, and has uninstalled Fields of Mistria after spending many hours on it. Her Steam Deck still has Kentucky Route Zero installed, a game she hasn't finished due to its abstract nature. Burch has logged 270 hours in Slay the Spire and considers League of Legends, especially its ARAM mode, a game she will never uninstall. She uses Audacity for voice auditions and maintains a tidy desktop to support her creative process.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Can the Epic Games Store turn things around? ‘I don’t see how they can recover at this point,’ says Newzoo analyst

In February, Epic Games announced plans to enhance the Epic launcher, aiming for a five-fold increase in startup speed by June, along with improvements to the storefront, such as personalized game recommendations and easier access to categories and patch notes. Market analyst Emmanuel Rosier expressed doubt about Epic's ability to compete with Steam, noting that players often collect free games without engaging with them. He suggested that Epic has overextended itself by competing on multiple fronts but acknowledged positive developments in Fortnite, particularly its integration of characters from other franchises and new gameplay elements focused on collection. Despite these advancements, Rosier remains skeptical about Epic's recovery in the marketplace.

BetaBeacon

August 22, 2026

PlayStation 3 Emulator on Android Gets Network Play Support and Other Improvements

The ARMSX3 emulator has been updated to version 0.9.4, which introduces network play via RPCN, the ability to import saves, USB keyboard emulation, and access to virtual PS3 system settings. Game compatibility has been enhanced, with improvements in titles like Borderlands 2 and Assassin's Creed. The update also addresses freezes during gameplay and introduces graphics pipeline caching for improved performance.

BetaBeacon

August 22, 2026

The best PS3 emulator on Android just got online play

ARMSX3, the latest PS3 emulator on Android, has been receiving updates that bring major improvements. The latest update, ARMSX3 v0.9.3, now supports online play in PS3 games using the RPCN framework for matchmaking. Other recent updates include the ability to import save data, access PS3 console settings, and emulate a USB keyboard. Compatibility improvements have also been made, fixing bugs in games like Borderlands 2 and Bleach: Soul Resurrección.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Saber CEO hides jab at Randy Pitchford in game trailer as payback for Pitchford dumping on Embracer: ‘Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living’

Saber Interactive's upcoming Rideshare "Stimulator" trailer features a narrator who makes a reference to "randy" passengers, which is a nod to Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. This reference stems from a humorous incident involving Pitchford and a drive left at Medieval Times, which was explored by his colleagues. The underlying motivation for the reference relates to tensions following Embracer Group's acquisition of Gearbox in 2021 for .3 billion and subsequent downsizing, leading to Gearbox's sale to Take-Two for 0 million. Pitchford later indicated that the narrative for Borderlands 4 was inspired by the sale of Gearbox, and the game includes critiques of Embracer Group, such as a location called Embracer's Bluff. Saber Interactive CEO Matt Kartch expressed disappointment over Pitchford's shift in loyalty, highlighting the rapid change in relationships following the sale.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

What happens after GTA 6?

The western blockbuster game development industry is facing significant challenges, including layoffs, studio closures, and a component shortage affecting hardware prices. Upcoming titles include Assassin's Creed Shadows, Doom: The Dark Ages, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 in 2025, and this year's Forza Horizon 6, a new Wolverine game, and 007 First Light. Immersion in games is often linked to graphical fidelity, overshadowing alternative artistic styles. Culturally impactful games like Palworld, Peak, Phasmophobia, and Valheim feature distinctive visual styles. The evolution of graphics has improved but not significantly transformed the gaming experience. The anticipated release of GTA 6 may signal a shift away from the focus on graphical superiority, with skepticism about its impact due to hardware limitations. GTA 6 is expected to dominate discussions and sales, but may lead to a more grounded approach among studios. The traditional blockbuster model is becoming unsustainable, prompting studios to adapt to a changing market where high-end hardware is less accessible. This shift could foster growth and innovation, allowing for more complex gameplay experiences.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Videogame villains who sing at you are the best

The villain's monologue is a common trope in video games, often replaced by musical performances from antagonists in some titles. In Middle-earth: Shadow of War, The Singer is an orc who sings operatic verses about battles, enhancing the experience. In Hades 2, Scylla's performances are humorously interrupted by a witch, contrasting her siren songs with Melinoe's indifference. The Joker in the Arkham series incorporates musical interludes, including a haunting rendition of "Only You" during the credits of Arkham City. In Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Teh Earworm is a creature that plays catchy tunes, leaving players with memorable melodies. GLaDOS's song "Still Alive" from Portal has become a cultural touchstone, reflecting her personality and enhancing her character's narrative. Total Distortion features guitar warriors, where failure results in a memorable game-over song, integrating music into gameplay. Conroy Bumpus in Sam & Max: Hit the Road offers a satirical country song, critiquing the big-game hunter archetype. In Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell, Satan sings with Broadway flair, adding humor and depth to his character. Ursula in Kingdom Hearts 2 showcases her villainy through song, providing comedic relief with her playful references. I.M. Meen opens with a song that sets the tone for a game blending education and entertainment. In Cuphead, King Dice performs a jazzy number in "Die House," enhancing the stakes and his flamboyant personality.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

Get Borderlands 3, Risk of Rain 2 and 13 other great PC games for $15

The "2K Megahits 2026 Bundle" from Humble includes 15 Steam games for a limited time, featuring popular titles from the 2010s such as BioShock Infinite, Risk of Rain 2, Borderlands 3, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The bundle is available until August 7th and is experiencing high demand, leading to a depletion of keys for certain games. Notable games include Risk of Rain 2, which offers engaging roguelike gameplay, and XCOM: Enemy Unknown, a well-regarded turn-based strategy game. The bundle also features three Borderlands titles: Borderlands 3 Special Edition, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and Tales from the Borderlands. Other included games are BioShock Infinite, Duke Nukem 3D, Bulletstorm, and Hidden and Dangerous. A portion of the proceeds will support Covenant House, assisting young individuals facing homelessness, and buyers can customize their donation allocation during checkout. The full list of games in the bundle includes: - Risk of Rain 2 - Borderlands 3 Standard Edition - Mafia II: Definitive Edition - BioShock Infinite - Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands - The Quarry - Tribes of Midgard Deluxe Edition - Homeworld Remastered Collection - Tales from the Borderlands - Bulletstorm Full Clip Edition - Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour - Hidden and Dangerous Bundle - The Darkness II - X-COM: UFO Defense - XCOM Enemy Unknown

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Satisfactory, Space Marine 2, Assassin’s Creed, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free PC games: Echo Generation and Luto, available until July 23, when Foretales will be the next free game. Humble has released three new game bundles: the Liminal Spaces bundle featuring titles related to the Backrooms genre, the Humble Handhelds Bundle including Children of Morta and Amid Evil, and the 2K Megahits Bundle with popular games like BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 3. The GOG store is also providing DRM-free discounts. Availability and pricing may vary by region.