casualties Archives

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

This week in PC games: some enormous space sims and strategy games, plus a cheery prop hunt where you paint your own camouflage

The Summer Game Fest featured a new installment of Duskers and glimpses of a Fumito Ueda game. The following PC games were released or are in early access: - Atre: Dominance Wars - A turn-based fantasy kingdom builder available in early access, featuring four factions and a campaign. - Rakeo - A puzzle-platformer where players collect cookies in a 2D environment. - NBA The Run - A 3v3 street basketball game with vibrant visuals and humorous camera work. - Meccha Chameleon - A multiplayer hide-and-seek game focused on camouflage. - SAND: Raiders of Sophie - A PvPvE looting game involving warmechs. - 33 Immortals - A cooperative roguelike from the developers of Spiritfarer. - SpaceCraft - An early access game about exploring and transforming planets into a trading empire. - Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - An early access spin-off of Astroneer for teams of cosmonauts. - Don't Let It Starve - A game about crafting bento boxes for a creature. The Treehouse will focus on interviews and impressions from the Summer Game Fest, with no further announcements allowed.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

Nvidia launches Windows laptop chip in consumer PC push

Nvidia has introduced a new laptop chip for Windows machines, aiming to compete with Apple, Intel, and AMD, although the devices will likely be priced at a premium. This initiative is part of Nvidia's strategy to diversify its offerings amid record profits from data center processors. CEO Jensen Huang stated that the chip can handle complex tasks and emphasized its optimization for a wide range of applications. Nvidia's market value has surpassed a trillion dollars, driven by demand for AI technology. Analysts view this new CPU as a potential threat to existing laptop chip designs, particularly for Intel and AMD, and it is expected to enhance the performance of AI services on personal computers. Huang described this development as a significant reinvention of PCs, comparable to the evolution of phones into smartphones.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

As the UK plunges once more into political chaos, I’ve found the roguelike deckbuilder that can help me process it

Weird Weekend features a PC game called Prime Monster, where players assume the role of the Prime Monster of the Fractured Kingdom, tasked with hosting the Horrific Games, a satirical international sporting event. The protagonist faces challenges such as meeting deadlines and funding the construction of twelve new stadiums, including one for Synchronised Falconry. The game incorporates political satire, depicting the absurdities of governance, including a parliament scene where the Prime Monster justifies a collapsed arena. It employs a roguelike structure with turn-based card battles to pass legislation, emphasizing strategy over substance. Players navigate dilemmas involving voter disillusionment and corruption, with humorous scenarios throughout. The game allows players to embody various characters and critiques the chaotic nature of real-world politics while providing entertainment and commentary on governance.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

PUBG is removing several weapons from the game, and you could be due compensation

Players who owned QBU skins between 2020 and 2026 may be eligible for compensation as PUBG is set to remove several weapons, including the QBU and Mosin Nagant, from the game. The compensation will include in-game currencies such as BP, Credits, and G-Coins based on the skins possessed. For instance, the Seabeast Mosin Nagant skin will yield 200 G-Coins, while the Firestarter QBU skin will reward 1,490 G-Coins. The update also introduces a new Payday game mode and aims to streamline weapon offerings by removing underutilized guns.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

A minor Fallout: New Vegas quest got its own ending slide because the team was transfixed by the choice where you make the NCR’s worst soldiers take Psycho

Josh Sawyer, design director at Obsidian, discussed the subjective criteria for selecting quests that receive ending slides in their RPGs, with the game's director making the final decision. Individual designers rarely advocate for their own quests to be included. He highlighted the quest "Flags of Our Foul-Ups," where NCR soldiers face dire consequences due to their incompetence. Players can use various skills or the fictional stimulant "Psycho" to influence the outcome. The team concluded that using Psycho could lead to chaos and war crimes, prompting the inclusion of ending slides that detail the soldiers' grim fate. Sawyer emphasized the importance of capturing major narrative beats in these slides, while also acknowledging the logistical challenges of creating them, including time limits and the need to illustrate and record multiple endings for companions.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

12 years after the original and with its themes more relevant than ever, anti-war game This War of Mine is getting a full remake

11 Bit Studios is developing two new games: a new installment in the Frostpunk series and a reimagining of This War of Mine. The Alters has sold 545,000 copies, and Frostpunk 2 has sold nearly 880,000 copies. CEO Przemysław Marszał stated that the upcoming titles will not be remasters but will offer modern takes on the narratives. Creative director Michał Drozdowski emphasized the studio's commitment to unique artistic vision in its games. The reimagining of This War of Mine is particularly significant given its themes in the current global climate. 11 Bit Studios plans to launch Moonlighter 2 in 2026, with new downloadable content for Frostpunk and The Alters, while Frostpunk 1886 is expected to release around 2027 or 2028.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War review

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is a licensed first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, priced at £15. The game lacks multiplayer functionality and performs suboptimally on the Steam Deck. Combat mechanics involve players using powerful spray-and-pray weapons with limited ammunition against sparse enemy encounters, failing to create a sense of urgency. Airstrikes are included but often feel unnecessary due to insufficient enemy presence. The Klendathu Drop mission stands out for its chaotic gameplay, contrasting with the otherwise empty maps. The game attempts to replicate the film's aesthetic but often misses the mark, with repetitive outposts and an uninspired soundtrack. Players can assume the role of an "Assassin Bug," but this mode lacks depth and engaging objectives. The game features characters voiced by the original actors, but the delivery is stilted and the satire feels dated. Overall, Ultimate Bug War struggles to capture the essence of the original film and novel, with pacing and level design that leave much to be desired.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

If you think the citizens in city builders are grumpy and needy, try pleasing a bunch of jealous Roman gods

In Nova Roma, a city-building simulation set in a fallen Roman Empire, players must establish a new civilization while addressing the evolving needs of their inhabitants. Initial tasks include providing shelter, which soon leads to demands for marketplaces and diverse food options. Natural disasters, such as floods, can disrupt settlements, necessitating urgent responses and respectful disposal of casualties. Additionally, players must consider the favor of the gods, requiring a balance of offerings to maintain their support. The game is still evolving on platforms like Steam, highlighting the complexities of urban management and civilization-building.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Disney suddenly pulls 14 games from Steam, including a childhood favorite, and the preservationist in me is wincing

More than a dozen Disney-published titles have been removed from sale on Steam, raising concerns about digital preservation. The delisted games include: - Afterlife - Armed and Dangerous - Disney's Cars Radiator Springs Adventures - Disney's Chicken Little Ace in Action - Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell's Adventure - Disney's Hercules - Disney Pixar Finding Nemo - Disney Pixar Toy Story Mania - Disney Planes - Disney The Princess and The Frog - Disney Winnie the Pooh - Lucidity - Phineas and Ferb: New Inventions - Stunt Island The removal affects both lesser-known licensed games and beloved classics from LucasArts, such as Afterlife, which allows players to build infrastructures of heaven and hell, and other notable titles like Armed and Dangerous and Stunt Island. Players were not given prior notice about the delisting.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Disney suddenly pulls 14 games from Steam, including a childhood favorite, and the preservationist in me is wincing

Over a dozen Disney-published titles have been removed from Steam, raising concerns about digital preservation in gaming. Notable delisted games include the 1996 simulation game Afterlife, along with Armed and Dangerous, Lucidity, and Stunt Island. The complete list of removed titles is: - Afterlife - Armed and Dangerous - Disney's Cars Radiator Springs Adventures - Disney's Chicken Little Ace in Action - Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell's Adventure - Disney's Hercules - Disney Pixar Finding Nemo - Disney Pixar Toy Story Mania - Disney Planes - Disney The Princess and The Frog - Disney Winnie the Pooh - Lucidity - Phineas and Ferb: New Inventions - Stunt Island The absence of prior notice regarding the delisting has frustrated fans and collectors, highlighting the fragility of digital ownership.