branding Archives

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Steam’s “Early Access” is no longer what it used to be — has it failed gamers?

Valve's "Early Access" initiative on Steam currently features 14,056 titles. Successful games like Kerbal Space Program, ARMA 3, Prison Architect, and Kenshi have received positive reviews. However, many players have become disillusioned with the program, particularly due to experiences like the prolonged development of DayZ, which spent nearly five years in Early Access. The program's guidelines require developers to maintain transparency and accountability, but some exploit these rules for financial gain without completing their projects. The Early Access program is intended to gather player feedback, provide funding, and support development, but issues with unfinished games and unmet promises have raised concerns about its integrity.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Inside Former Minecraft Boss Jonas Mårtensson’s Cleeks Culture Play

Jonas Mårtensson is the general manager of Cleeks Golf Club, a LIV Golf team, after previously leading Mojang Studios, the company behind Minecraft, which Microsoft acquired for .5 billion in 2014. He enjoys his current role more than his time with Minecraft, appreciating the smaller team dynamic and the opportunity to refresh the Cleeks brand. Mårtensson has initiated a brand revamp with design firm AKQA and adopted the tagline “tradition refreshed” to honor golf’s heritage while appealing to new fans. Collaborations with Public Drip and designer Martin Key are part of this strategy, along with a future partnership with The Rookies, a platform for emerging digital artists. Mårtensson aims for the Cleeks logo to achieve cultural significance similar to iconic logos in sports and emphasizes the importance of building a community around the brand. The team currently ranks 12th in standings, but Mårtensson focuses on long-term brand development and consistency. He engages with fans through events, akin to beta testing in gaming, to gather insights for brand building. The team recently added Frederik Kjettrup to the roster, prioritizing personality compatibility alongside performance. Mårtensson envisions achieving cultural relevance and winning trophies in the next five years.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Steam games come to the Xbox app in latest beta

Microsoft is integrating PC games into the Xbox PC app, starting with access to the Steam library. The updated Xbox app, available through the “Insider Hub” program, allows users to see games from supported PC storefronts in their library. However, some users have reported issues with the app not recognizing their Steam games. Microsoft plans to integrate additional PC storefronts in the future. This development coincides with the upcoming launch of the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device running Windows 11, which aims to compete with the Steam Deck. This move reflects Microsoft's strategy to focus on software and services over hardware sales.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

Google Android XR Glasses With Martha App

A recent Instagram post features a close-up of the latest Google glasses equipped with advanced Android XR technology and hints at a new app called Google Martha.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

With 114 days left until Windows 10 support is ditched, Windows 11 enjoys a last-minute surge in upgrades

Microsoft plans to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, despite a strong preference for it among users. As of June 2025, Windows 10's market share dropped from 66% to 49%, while Windows 11's share increased from 29% to over 47%. The gap between the two operating systems has narrowed to 1%. Microsoft has implemented full-screen reminders to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, branding 2025 as the "year of the Windows 11 PC refresh." Windows 11 adoption has increased, but many PCs are unable to upgrade due to stringent minimum system requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, and TPM version 2.0. Microsoft introduced a new category of Windows 11 PCs called Copilot+ PCs, which feature advanced capabilities and security measures. Starting October 14, 2025, users on Windows 10 will not receive free updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks. Users whose PCs do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can either buy new machines or subscribe to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for continued support. Enterprise users will pay £48 for the first year of ESU, increasing to £192 for the third year, while consumers can access it for £24 for an additional year. Some users are exploring alternatives like Linux or ChromeOS Flex for older hardware.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Streaming on Max: Release Date and Time

A Minecraft Movie will premiere on the Max streaming service on June 20 at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET. The film is a live-action adaptation of the video game, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, and Jennifer Coolidge. Directed by Jared Hess, the movie explores the cubic Overworld as the protagonists attempt to return to their reality. Viewers can subscribe to Max through various plans, including ad-supported and ad-free options, or rent the film on Amazon and Fandango at Home.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

Why the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X have Valve in their sights, not Nintendo

Microsoft has announced its first Xbox co-branded handheld devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, in collaboration with Asus, set to launch in the holiday season of 2025. Pricing details are not yet available. The Xbox Ally is designed as a generalist device, while the Xbox Ally X targets high-performance gamers, both powered by AMD processors and equipped with Windows 11. They feature Xbox-branded buttons, a gaming interface, and access to Xbox Game Pass, along with the ability to stream console libraries via Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. The user interface is similar to that of Xbox consoles, with ergonomic grips inspired by Xbox controllers. Accessibility features from Xbox and Windows will be included, and the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative will allow games to function across PC, console, and cloud platforms. The launch will occur in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Japan, and several European nations, with plans to expand to additional territories. The devices aim to provide a unified gaming library for users with both PC and Xbox consoles, enhancing the existing ecosystem. The introduction of Windows 11 is highlighted as a key feature, offering access to games not available elsewhere. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are positioned to compete with existing handhelds like the Steam Deck, with a focus on appealing to both console and PC gamers. Sales of Windows PC handhelds reached approximately 1.2 million units by the end of 2024.

Winsage

June 9, 2025

ROG Xbox Ally From Asus and Microsoft Arrives Holiday 2025

Microsoft announced the ROG Xbox Ally, a handheld gaming device developed with Asus, during the Xbox Games Showcase. It will launch later this year in two models: the standard ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X. The ROG Xbox Ally features: - AMD Ryzen Z2A processor - 16GB RAM - 512GB storage The ROG Xbox Ally X features: - AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor - 24GB RAM - 1TB storage Both models run on Windows 11 Home, have a 7" FHD display, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4. The standard model weighs 670g with a 60Wh battery, while the X model weighs 715g with an 80Wh battery. Pricing is anticipated to be around 0, with a release expected during the holiday season. Additionally, the game Silksong will be available at the time of the device's release.

Winsage

June 8, 2025

Microsoft ‘Xbox PC’ branding surfaces in game dev publicity materials — Xbox App also sees big changes

Microsoft is working to unify its Windows and Xbox platforms, as indicated by the release of MIO: Memories In Orbit on both Steam and "Xbox PC." Gears of War: Reloaded will launch on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam this summer. The Xbox App has been enhanced to allow users to access Xbox console games directly on their PCs, suggesting a merger of Xbox and Windows stores. The Steam Deck, launched in 2022, has influenced the gaming market, prompting other manufacturers to create similar devices. Lenovo's Legion Go S operates on SteamOS and Windows 11, with initial reviews showing it may outperform Windows devices. Microsoft is reportedly developing a handheld console, Project Kennan, integrated with Xbox Game Pass, expected to debut in late 2025. The Xbox Series X|S has sold 33 million units, while the PlayStation 5 has sold over 75 million. Windows remains dominant in PC gaming, but the rise of SteamOS poses a competitive threat.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Xbox console games are suddenly showing up inside the Xbox PC app

Microsoft is integrating its Xbox and Windows platforms by including Xbox console games in the Xbox app on Windows, suggesting a strategy for a unified library of Xbox and PC games. The company is also working on enabling visibility for games from Steam and the Epic Games Store within the Xbox PC app. Microsoft has rebranded its Xbox PC app to "Xbox PC" and aims to establish it as a central hub for PC gaming. Additionally, Microsoft is merging Xbox and Windows strengths for handheld devices, with changes expected later this year. There is speculation about whether Xbox console games will become playable on PC, potentially utilizing cloud infrastructure or emulation technology.