challenges Archives

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

Steam Machine reservations are already being resold on Ebay for up to $2900

Valve's Steam Machine has faced challenges due to scalpers exploiting its limited availability. Despite measures like a randomized queue and one-unit purchase limits, resellers have listed the device at inflated prices on platforms like eBay. For example, a 2TB Steam Machine bundled with a controller is priced at ,899.99, over double its retail cost of 8. Listings for 2TB models range from ,700 to ,899.99, while a 512GB model without a controller is offered for ,800. Resale practices mirror those seen during the Steam Controller launch, where buyers could purchase multiple units for resale. The Steam Machine's higher starting price of ,049 makes reselling less feasible for many. Valve has indicated that as they process reservations, cancellations may open opportunities for others on the waiting list. Additionally, there is speculation about the demand for Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, amid existing competition.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

This week in PC games: a new King’s Field-like RPG, an American Revolutionary War sim, and a dreaming megacity full of cool architecture

This week in gaming features a mix of nostalgia and innovation. "The Message from Deep Space" is a narrative set in the 1970s about translating signals from an asteroid, inspired by the Voyager Interstellar Record project. The arcade classic "Ninja Masters" returns on Steam with nine-player lobbies and rollback netcode. "Feed the Pit" invites players to explore cursed forests for sacrifices, while "Forgotten Blood" offers a dark journey through a valley with peculiar creatures. "Telluricene" is a visual novel with romantic choices involving a janitor and a plant creature. "Oblivion Maiden" is a dreamy mystery game, and "Cartesian Battle" teaches math through bullet trajectory challenges. "Cat Squeeze" is a lighthearted maze puzzler, and "Mosaic Garden" focuses on cultivating flower patterns. "Mycofall" is an early access bullet heaven adventure, while "Hollow Ground" offers a 90s-style action experience. "Laballatory" allows players to create Newton's Cradle toys, and "American Revolutionary War" is a turn-based wargame featuring strategic battles against George Washington. The RPS team is preparing for various topics, including insights on the Steam Machine and Tennocon.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

Fallout: New Vegas director Josh Sawyer says Obsidian has ‘Karma Police’ who go through games making sure every skill gets enough cool stuff to do: ‘We’re not gonna leave you out to dry’

Josh Sawyer, Obsidian's design director, discussed the studio's focus on balance in Fallout: New Vegas, emphasizing the importance of allowing various character builds to thrive and engage meaningfully through skill checks in dialogue. He expressed a desire for players to enjoy their character choices without feeling they have built a "fundamentally bad character." Obsidian differentiates itself from other studios by enabling diverse skills in conversations, as seen in quests where players can use skills like Science, Barter, or Speech to influence outcomes. Sawyer explained the decision to eliminate the Big Guns skill to enhance gameplay fluidity and prevent underutilization of skills. He highlighted the importance of making each skill useful in unique ways to build player trust, referencing the design of Goodsprings and the variety of skills available in quests. Sawyer acknowledged the challenges of anticipating player needs in RPG design compared to tabletop games, aiming to provide players with rich experiences that celebrate their character choices. Obsidian employs measures like the "Karma Police" to ensure all skills receive attention in gameplay.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

New PC Game Just Released Free for All Steam Users

A new game titled Lord of the Trough, developed by Rory O’Brien and published by Buck50 Games, has been released for free on Steam, attracting attention for its lack of hidden costs. It supports up to five players in a party-style format, featuring various minigames that allow players to earn girth points. The game has received a 95% approval rating from users on Steam, with praise for its absence of microtransactions. Instead, the developers are offering four paid DLC options at launch for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: A new addition to the gaming world has arrived this week, captivating the attention of Steam users with its enticing offer: a free game with no hidden costs. Titled Lord of the Trough, this creation by solo developer Rory O’Brien and publisher Buck50 Games is also accessible to Steam Deck users, although its compatibility on the handheld remains untested by Valve, leaving it marked as “Unknown.” For those adventurous enough to explore, there’s little risk involved aside from the time spent trying it out. Game Overview Upon diving into the game, players will discover a party-style experience designed for up to five participants, whether they be friends or strangers matched through online play. The objective? Compete in a series of minigames to accumulate girth points, ultimately striving to impress the gods and claim victory. The minigames range from skateboarding and hang-gliding to boxing and RPG-style challenges, drawing comparisons to the beloved Mario Party series, albeit with a more modest budget. User reviews on Steam reflect a positive reception, with an impressive 95% approval rating. Many players have praised the absence of microtransactions, a refreshing feature in today’s gaming landscape. Instead, the developers plan to introduce paid DLC, with four options already available at launch for .99 each. While the specifics of future DLC remain under wraps, the current offerings provide a taste of what’s to come. Feedback from the gaming community highlights the charm and creativity embedded within Lord of the Trough. One user noted, “It’s an experience that shows its character and passion from the devs only after a second playthrough,” while another enthusiastically declared it “really fun and highly creative.” A third review echoed sentiments of nostalgia, likening the game to classics like Fusion Frenzy. For those who may not find this new title appealing, there are alternative options available on Steam, including another game boasting an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. However, the window to claim this other title for free closes today, adding a sense of urgency for eager gamers." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 each. User feedback highlights the game's charm and creativity, with comparisons to classic games like Mario Party and Fusion Frenzy. Additionally, there is another free title available on Steam, but the offer expires today.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Skyrim’s lead designer reckons releasing Elder Scrolls and Fallout games faster risks ‘disappointing fans’

The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises from Bethesda have not released new titles for many years, with Fallout 4 reaching 11 years and Skyrim nearing 15 years since their last major releases. Microsoft is working to expedite the development of these games. Bruce Nesmith, lead designer of Skyrim, cautions that prioritizing speed over quality can lead to complications in game development, as large budgets and teams do not guarantee success. He emphasizes the importance of careful resource management and suggests that allowing franchises to rest can prevent fan fatigue. Nesmith estimates that creating a new game in these franchises would take at least five years from inception to completion.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Minecraft’s new, free inventory-expanding backpack has been eating players’ loot

Mojang has introduced the Herschel Backpack Trials add-on for Minecraft, which allows players to expand their inventory to 16 pages and 384 slots. The add-on is free and includes challenges to increase bag capacity, as well as features like automatic sorting and a soul-bound function. However, some players have reported that their backpacks become empty upon logging back into the game. Despite this issue, the add-on has a 4.5-star rating on the Minecraft Marketplace. A bug report regarding the disappearing items remains unresolved.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft Shares Bounce From 52-Week Low as Italian Probe and Windows 10 Extension Create Crosscurre

The Italian antitrust authority, AGCM, has launched an investigation into Microsoft 365 for allegedly guiding users toward pricier subscription tiers by integrating AI tools like Copilot and Designer without explicit user consent. Microsoft has stated it will cooperate with the investigation. Last year, Australia’s consumer watchdog made a similar complaint regarding hidden costs related to Copilot during contract renewals. Despite this scrutiny, Microsoft shares rose to €327.90, a 5.71% increase, following a shift in investor sentiment towards AI-software firms. Microsoft also extended its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 until October 2027, allowing users to delay transitioning to Windows 11, which could hinder hardware sales. The stock remains down nearly 19% year-to-date and is trading below key moving averages. The ongoing regulatory investigation and sluggish Windows upgrade cycle present challenges for Microsoft’s growth.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Microsoft Caught Between Windows 10 Stagnation and AI Infrastructure Splurge as Macro Data Looms

Microsoft shares rose 5.71% to close at €327.90 on Friday, recovering from a 52-week low of €307.10 earlier that day. The company reported revenue of €82.9 billion in its latest quarterly earnings, an 18% year-on-year increase, driven by cloud and AI services. On June 22, Chevron announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with Microsoft for approximately 2.67 gigawatts of capacity for a data center, with the first power delivery expected in 2028. Microsoft extended its Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 home users by another year, pushing the final security patch deadline to October 2027. The stock's closing price is only 6.77% above its 52-week low, with a 50-day moving average at €352.96 and a 200-day average at €383.98. The relative strength index is at 43, indicating no strong momentum.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

A series of surprise updates has polished Path of Exile 2 into a juggernaut that’s about to shake up the action RPG genre later this year

Grinding Gear Games has announced that the latest expansion for Path of Exile 2 will be the final update before the game exits early access later this year. A new skill tree for a side activity and a comprehensive upgrade to Unique items have been introduced, enhancing gameplay and strategies. PoE 2 combines elements from soulslike games and hack-and-slash titles, maintaining a challenging experience throughout its campaign. The game encourages mastery of its mechanics, with hidden features rewarding exploration. The recent update, Return of the Ancients, allows max-level players to sacrifice their characters for others and includes a quest for a powerful wand. New tutorials have been added to assist players in navigating the endgame loop. The ongoing updates reflect a commitment to refining and enhancing the game, setting a new standard for the action RPG genre.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Riot delays ‘last hit indicators’ in League of Legends ranked mode after fan response: ‘We want to get more data and feedback’

Riot Games is introducing last hit indicators in League of Legends to assist new players in mastering the last hitting technique, which is crucial for earning gold. These indicators will visually show when a creep is about to die, making it easier for players to secure kills. Currently, this feature is limited to casual modes, but it is set to be introduced to normal draft and ranked play. Community responses are mixed, with some players expressing skepticism about its impact on skill levels, while others see it as a way to lower barriers for entry without affecting overall gameplay. Riot Games plans to gather more data and feedback before deciding on the feature's integration into ranked play.