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From casual hobby to luxury investment: memory costs hit PC gaming hard
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

From casual hobby to luxury investment: memory costs hit PC gaming hard

Two years ago, the gaming landscape was improving with affordable video games and devices like the Steam Deck making PC gaming more user-friendly. However, demand for AI data centers has disrupted manufacturing, causing component prices to rise significantly. Microsoft reported a 2.5 times increase in costs for memory and storage, leading to a 20% price hike for the Xbox Series S in the U.S. starting in August. Apple also announced a similar 20% increase on its hardware. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been launched at a price of ,499 in Australia, offering advanced gaming performance but at a steep cost. The Steam Deck remains a popular option at 9, while the ASUS ROG Ally provides alternatives for Windows users. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a 1080p, 120Hz screen at a lower cost but lacks many major releases. Valve's Steam Machine was initially expected to start at 9, but due to the component crisis, it now starts at 9 for a 512GB model. DIY PC builds are becoming more accessible, with a recent build costing just over ,000. Consoles from Sony and Microsoft may offer better pricing for components despite recent increases. Cloud streaming services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass are also emerging as cost-effective options.
Microsoft CEO says Xbox needs to be more sustainable: "We've not been monetizing that entertainment"
AppWizard
June 14, 2026

Microsoft CEO says Xbox needs to be more sustainable: “We’ve not been monetizing that entertainment”

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the evolving landscape of Xbox under new CEO Asha Sharma, who is initiating a 100-day "reset" to enhance economic sustainability amidst rising costs. Sharma's letter to employees emphasized the need for adaptation in a competitive entertainment industry and acknowledged challenges from the hardware crisis and declining revenue. Nadella highlighted the importance of innovating in both hardware and gaming content while ensuring economic viability. Xbox Chief Creative Officer Matt Booty reassured the PC gaming community that exclusivity will mainly affect Xbox consoles, with titles remaining available on multiple platforms. Nadella noted the need for a sustainable business model, pointing out that current monetization strategies have not fully leveraged Xbox's entertainment value. He acknowledged the broader trend of rising prices in tech sectors and expressed confidence in Sharma's vision for Xbox's future. Matthew Ball, the new Chief Strategy Officer, suggested ad-supported tiers for more affordable consumer access, aligning with Nadella's vision for economically relevant offerings.
Xbox 'console exclusives' are strictly about console releases, Xbox exec affirms: Games will 'still show up on all the normal places where we sell the PC version'
AppWizard
June 10, 2026

Xbox ‘console exclusives’ are strictly about console releases, Xbox exec affirms: Games will ‘still show up on all the normal places where we sell the PC version’

During the Xbox Games Showcase, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma referred to Gears of War: E-Day as an "Xbox console exclusive." Xbox's chief content officer, Matt Booty, clarified that while the game will be exclusive to the Xbox console, it will also be available on PC and through Xbox Cloud streaming services. This strategy aims to enhance Xbox's presence in the PC gaming market, which Booty acknowledges is currently lacking. Microsoft is reassessing its approach to exclusivity, contrasting with Sony's more isolated strategy. Sharma emphasized the importance of reaching large audiences through exclusive content and services to establish Xbox as a platform.
The Best Android Games for 2026: Your Next Mobile Gaming Addiction Starts Here
BetaBeacon
May 31, 2026

The Best Android Games for 2026: Your Next Mobile Gaming Addiction Starts Here

The Android gaming market offers a variety of outstanding games, including indie hits, retro classics, and Nintendo-published originals. Some Android games are comparable to AAA console and PC titles. Subscription services like Google Play Pass and GameClub offer access to hundreds of games without microtransactions. Google's licensing of Android to more partners has made it a popular platform for gaming-focused mobile hardware. Despite some failed initiatives like Google Cardboard and Google Stadia, Android remains a strong gaming platform with options for all tastes.
Xbox details the next 13 Game Pass titles, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape and Subnautica 2
AppWizard
May 6, 2026

Xbox details the next 13 Game Pass titles, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape and Subnautica 2

Microsoft is adding 13 new games to its Game Pass service, including Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, and Subnautica 2. Forza Horizon 6 will be released on May 19. The price of Game Pass Ultimate has been reduced to .99/£16.99 per month. The following games will be available on Game Pass in May 2026: - Ben 10 Power Trip (May 6) - Descenders Next (Game Preview) (May 6) - Wheel World (May 6) - Wildgate (May 6) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (May 6) - Mixtape (May 7) - Outbound (May 11) - Black Jacket (May 12) - Call of the Elder Gods (May 12) - Elite Dangerous (May 12) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 14) - Subnautica 2 (May 14) - Forza Horizon 6 (May 19) Additionally, several titles will be leaving Game Pass on May 15, including Galacticare, Go Mecha Ball, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Paw Patrol Rescue Wheels: Championship, and Planet of Lana.
'Obviously we love the PC,' Gabe Newell told us 15 years ago, but his focus was on 'a responsibility to gamers and game developers'
AppWizard
April 28, 2026

‘Obviously we love the PC,’ Gabe Newell told us 15 years ago, but his focus was on ‘a responsibility to gamers and game developers’

Steam is the dominant platform in PC gaming, with Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, emphasizing a customer-centric approach focused on gamers and developers rather than a duty to represent the entire PC gaming ecosystem. He remains optimistic about PC gaming's vitality, citing 350 million PCs sold in the previous year. Valve has maintained its foundational principles despite the rise of cloud streaming, introducing features like Steam Greenlight and allowing any developer to publish games on the platform, though this has led to controversy over content moderation. Challenges to the value proposition of PC gaming include rising RAM demand and economic factors, while the Steam Machine initiative aims to bring PC gaming into living rooms despite concerns over pricing. Overall, high console prices reinforce the appeal of PC gaming in the current market.
This free app can get your Android phone to run PC games better than ever
AppWizard
April 15, 2026

This free app can get your Android phone to run PC games better than ever

Winlator v11.0 is a free Windows-on-Android emulator that allows Android devices to run Windows PC games locally without cloud streaming or subscription fees. The update features significant enhancements in GPU performance, particularly for Adreno 8-series GPUs, improving graphics and reducing crashes for demanding titles on devices with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite. It introduces an experimental OpenGL wrapper called Gladio to extend compatibility to MediaTek and Exynos chips with Mali GPUs. The update also includes Wine 10.10 and Box64 v0.4.0, which enhance the operation of Windows software on mobile processors, promising faster load times and improved stability for 64-bit applications. Initial user feedback indicates remarkable performance improvements over previous versions and other emulators.
Android Phone Hits 40-100 FPS In Emulated AAA PC Games Like Resident Evil Requiem
AppWizard
April 4, 2026

Android Phone Hits 40-100 FPS In Emulated AAA PC Games Like Resident Evil Requiem

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the RedMagic 11 Pro Golden Saga Edition, which can run high-profile PC games through emulation on Android. In a demonstration, it achieved playable framerates in games like Cyberpunk 2077, Ghost of Tsushima, Grand Theft Auto V, Project Cars 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Resident Evil Requiem. The device features a 6.85-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a resolution of 2688x1216, 24GB of LPDDR5T memory, and 1TB of UFS 4.1 Pro storage. It includes a dedicated gaming chip, the RedCore R4, and a liquid cooling system with an active fan. Users can choose from performance modes such as Eco, Balanced, Rise, and Diablo, with the Rise mode providing a balance of performance and efficiency. During testing, Red Dead Redemption 2 averaged framerates in the high 40s, reaching nearly 60 FPS, while Resident Evil Requiem exceeded 90 FPS in some areas. Grand Theft Auto V reached up to 100 FPS indoors and over 60 FPS in the open world.
Google Play Launches “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” Feature Across PC and Mobile Games
AppWizard
March 19, 2026

Google Play Launches “Buy Once, Play Anywhere” Feature Across PC and Mobile Games

Google Play has introduced a new feature called "buy once, play anywhere," allowing players to purchase select PC and mobile games and play them across both platforms. This feature was announced at GDC 2026. Additionally, Google Play has launched Game Trials, enabling players to try paid games before buying them. The platform currently has a larger selection of free-to-play games but plans to expand its catalog with more premium titles. While not all games will support the 'play anywhere' model, it has the potential to benefit the 160 million users of Google Play games. This initiative is part of Google’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the gaming sector, particularly in PC gaming.
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