celebration Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

This is Chort, a Final Fantasy 14 dungeon boss of absolutely no real significance, but a hero to us all

Chort is a patch 7.5 boss in Final Fantasy 14, located in the Clyteum, who has gained popularity among players despite offering only modest rewards, specifically a pair of gloves upon defeat. He is characterized by his agile movements and robust battle stance, which requires players to dodge as he moves around the arena. Chort has become a symbol of resilience in the game, inspiring a wave of community admiration on social media platforms like Reddit and X, where players share creative expressions of their fondness for him. The official Final Fantasy 14 social media account has also acknowledged his popularity. Additionally, "Chort" translates to "devil" in several Slavic languages, which aligns with his nature as a voidsent. Fans have humorously compared Chort to a character from The Witcher 3, suggesting he would win in a hypothetical duel.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

PC Gamers Can Grab 8 Games For Just $12, Includes Peak

Digiphile has launched a PC bundle called the Landfall x Aggro Crab Showcase, featuring eight acclaimed titles, to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in celebration of World Wish Day. The bundle is available for purchase until May 12 at 6 PM PT or until keys sell out, with a total value of 0. The minimum purchase price is set at , and any amount exceeding this will go directly to Make-A-Wish. An optional add-on for game soundtracks and artwork also benefits the charity. The eight games included in the bundle are: 1. PEAK: A co-op climbing game where players team up to scale a mountain and escape an island. 2. Content Warning: A co-op horror game focused on exploring eerie locations while avoiding monsters. 3. Another Crab’s Treasure: A soulslike game where players, as a hermit crab, hunt for treasure to reclaim its shell. 4. HASTE: A running game that challenges players to navigate procedural worlds while racing against the universe's end. 5. Totally Accurate Battle Simulator: A humorous battle simulator featuring chaotic, physics-defying battles. 6. Going Under: A satirical dungeon crawler where players battle through a tech startup using office supplies. 7. Subway Midnight: A light horror game where players evade a pursuer on a train while solving puzzles. 8. Stick Fight: The Game: A physics-based fighting game featuring stickmen with both online and couch co-op gameplay.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

Hogwarts Legacy is free on Epic Games Store again, and tinfoil Sorting Hat on, I think it’s time for a sequel reveal

Hogwarts Legacy is available for free on the Epic Games Store until May 3. This is not the first time the game has been offered for free, as a similar promotion occurred in December 2025. The timing of the giveaway coincides with Harry Potter Day on May 2, leading to speculation about the intentions of Warner Bros. Games. Avalanche Games has a new Community Manager, which may indicate positive developments for the franchise. A potential release for Hogwarts Legacy 2 could be around 2028, although it might arrive sooner due to asset reuse.

AppWizard

May 1, 2026

PC Users Can Claim 2 Free Games This Week, Save Over $100

The Epic Games Store offers free games weekly, with two titles available this week: Odsparks: An Automation Adventure and Firestone. Odsparks, developed by Massive Miniteam and published by HandyGames, is a cosy automation game released a year ago, typically priced at .99. It invites players to create automation workshops in a whimsical world. Firestone, a free-to-play idle clicker RPG from Holyday Studios launched in 2024, allows players to engage in battles and offers infinite progression offline. Claiming Firestone from the Epic Games Store this week provides worth of in-game bonuses, including various chests and resources. Both games are free until May 7 at 4 PM BST / 8 AM PT. Additionally, Hogwarts Legacy is available for free until May 3.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Google Translate turns 20, and it’s making me practice my speech with AI

Google is introducing a new feature called Pronunciation Practice in its Translate app, allowing users to write phrases and receive guidance on correct pronunciation. The app uses AI technology to analyze speech and identify errors. Google Translate has 1 billion users and translates approximately 1 trillion words each month. The Pronunciation Practice feature aims to enhance user confidence in speaking new languages and aligns the app with language-learning platforms like Duolingo. Last holiday season, Google Translate received three major updates focusing on slang and local expressions to provide more authentic translations.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt is officially dead. I should be sad, but instead, I’m just thankful for the memories

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt is a battle royale game set in a rain-drenched Prague, allowing players to choose their clan and engage in survival gameplay. It launched in 2022 with a peak player count of 29,475 but saw a decline to around 1,000 players before ceasing content updates in 2023. The game was announced to close in October 2025 after four years. Bloodhunt featured atmospheric representation of the World of Darkness, parkour mechanics for navigation, and character customization options that reflected clan aesthetics. However, it faced balance issues, cheating problems, and struggled to compete in a saturated market. Despite these challenges, a vibrant community remained engaged with the game, sharing memories and experiences.

BetaBeacon

April 28, 2026

‘Guild Wars Reforged’ Launches on iOS and Android Devices This Summer

Guild Wars Reforged is launching on iOS and Android devices this summer, offering optimized UI and controls for mobile gameplay. The game will be available for free with the original Prophecies campaign included, and additional expansion content can be purchased for a fee. Players who already own the game can sync their progress to the ad-free version at no extra cost.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Lord of the Rings Online now lets you follow in Bilbo’s hairy footsteps by buying up property and retiring to an iconic city

Lord of the Rings Online will introduce player housing in Rivendell on April 30 at noon Eastern Time. Players on 64-bit servers will compete to secure homes, with a system in place to open additional neighborhoods as needed. Directions to the Rivendell Steadings include walking southwest from the Rivendell stables or accessing it via the Bree-town Broker's Office. This update coincides with the game's 19th anniversary, and players can currently participate in new missions at the Prancing Pony until May 12, with rewards available.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings retrospective – The millennial medieval masterwork proves that there’s more to RTS than killing and destruction

Age of Empires II features four primary resources: wood, gold, food, and stone, simplifying the strategic landscape. The game is known for its rich visual design, captivating soundtrack, and blend of historical fact with storytelling. It allows players to engage in both military strategy and city-building, creating a tranquil atmosphere despite the looming presence of war. The game's music, composed by Stephen Rippy, enhances the gameplay experience. Historical accuracy is emphasized, with campaigns narrated from unique perspectives and missions reflecting real historical events. Players gain strategic gameplay while absorbing historical knowledge through compelling narratives.

Winsage

April 24, 2026

I got an inside look at the plan to bring the soul back to Windows 11 — Microsoft’s bet on quality, community, and making the OS feel human again

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to the Windows Insider Program and Windows 11 to enhance user engagement and address feedback from the community. Key changes include: - A simplified channel strategy with clearer purpose-driven channels: an Experimental track for early feature flags and a Beta track for a more predictable experience. - Introduction of a feature-flags page in Experimental builds, allowing testers to opt into visible features. - Easier transitions between channels without the need for complete reinstalls. - The appointment of Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs) for each priority area to synthesize feedback and telemetry for improvements. Upcoming enhancements for Windows 11 include new taskbar positioning options, improved integration of Copilot, updates to File Explorer, and better user control over updates and widgets. A redesigned Feedback Hub will streamline the feedback submission process. Microsoft acknowledges the need for accountability and aims to rebuild trust within the community by ensuring quality in Beta builds and publicly recognizing community contributions. The focus will remain on refining Windows 11 rather than launching a new version like Windows 12. The company is committed to reengineering the Windows experience to provide users with more control and flexibility.