console gaming Archives

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

Don’t Miss Out on This Huge Open World Game That’s Skyrim Meets Minecraft

Enshrouded is an expansive open-world RPG that combines the destructible sandbox mechanics of Minecraft with the RPG elements of Skyrim. It supports multiplayer gameplay for up to 16 players and offers a wealth of content for solo RPG enthusiasts, featuring an open world filled with adversaries, dungeons, and treasures. Players can shape their environment, creating settlements and communities. Enshrouded is currently in Early Access and is set to launch its 1.0 version later this year, with additional features, including console ports, expected in a final update scheduled for Fall 2026.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Do yourself a favour in Crimson Desert and play the game with a controller

Crimson Desert features a complex control scheme that can feel clunky, particularly during the game's introduction. Players can choose between a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad, with controllers offering a more intuitive experience for those familiar with console gaming. However, using a controller can lead to issues such as accidentally jumping instead of interacting due to limited buttons. The compact controller inputs can be beneficial in high-pressure situations, allowing for quicker healing, while keyboard users may struggle to reach distant keys. Sprinting is bound to the Shift key, which can cause problems like triggering sticky keys. The keyboard allows for some customization of bindings, but controllers are recommended for a more straightforward experience.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

This Steam RPG is a great example of how PC gaming can beat the PS5 Pro or Switch 2

The author has a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti in their PC gaming rig, alongside a PS5 Pro and a Switch 2. They believe that investing in a Switch 2 or PS5 is often a more sensible value than building or purchasing a gaming PC, especially due to the ongoing RAM crisis. The game Esoteric Ebb, which has a Metacritic score of 87, is highlighted as a standout title that offers a memorable narrative and is accessible on lower-end and mid-range systems. The author notes minor logical inconsistencies in the game but considers them trivial compared to its unique charm. PC gaming allows players to discover hidden gems that may not achieve commercial success.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Cheaper Games Are Dominating Reviews And Sales On Steam

The 2026 PC and Console Gaming Report from Newzoo indicates that "sub-" game purchases on PC increased by 156 percent from 2022 to 2025. It projects that PC game sales will exceed console revenues by 2028, surpassing the combined revenues of Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. This forecast excludes revenues from subscription services. The rise of "cheaper" games, defined as those priced below a certain threshold, is a key factor in this trend. In 2025, such titles represented 3.2 percent of the top sub- games and accounted for approximately 9 percent of total PC game revenue. Sub- games made up 32 percent of PC revenue, compared to 7 percent for PlayStation and 9 percent for Xbox. Ben Porter from Newzoo noted that the cyclical nature of console generations affects spending behaviors, while the PC gaming market shows more fluid growth.

BetaBeacon

March 15, 2026

Google Launches Play Games Sidekick AI for Android Gaming

Play Games Sidekick is an intelligent gaming overlay for supported Android games that provides AI gameplay tips, achievement tracking, streaming and content tools, and a seamless in-game overlay. At launch, it supports more than 90 Android games with plans to expand support for more titles in the future. This feature aims to improve the Android gaming experience by helping new players learn games faster, competitive players improve their strategies, and content creators record and share gameplay more easily.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

In two years, PC games will surpass console games in revenue

The PC gaming segment is projected to grow at an average annual revenue rate of 6.6% from 2025 to 2028, while the console segment is expected to grow at 4.4% annually. By 2028, combined revenue from console and PC gaming is anticipated to exceed .7 billion, with PC games accounting for over half of this total for the first time in 13 years, up from an estimated .3 billion at the end of 2025. Microtransactions will contribute 48% of PC revenue in 2025, while game sales will make up half of console revenue. In 2025, 20 games generated two-thirds of console revenue across major markets. The PC gaming audience is expected to reach 966 million by the end of 2026 and surpass one billion by 2028, with significant growth from China and other Asian countries. The console gaming audience is projected to grow from 662 million in 2026 to 688 million by 2028. In 2025, gamers spent 1% less time on console and PC games compared to 2024, dedicating 48% of their gaming time to PCs, 34% to PlayStation, and 18% to Xbox. Over half (54%) of playtime in 2025 was on games older than six years, with 33% on titles aged one to five years, and only 13% on new releases. There is a trend among PC users towards less mainstream titles, with 42% of playtime in 2025 spent on games outside the top 20. Popular gaming IPs in 2025 included Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Tech Boss of Developer Sony Is Shutting Down Thinks PlayStation Has Pulled Back From PC in Response to Steam Machine

Sony has decided to keep its major single-player titles exclusive to the PlayStation 5, moving away from its previous strategy of expanding into the PC gaming market. This shift may be influenced by concerns over the PlayStation brand and disappointing sales of PlayStation titles on PC. The company has opted for a staggered release approach for its single-player titles on PC, while live service games are released on PC on day one. Upcoming titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine will remain exclusive to the PS5. The timeline for the release of Valve's Steam Machine is uncertain, with hints that it may not launch until 2027. Bluepoint Games, known for remakes, will be closing, affecting approximately 70 employees.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

From GDC: Building the Next Generation of Xbox

- The Xbox Developer Summit keynote address was delivered on March 11, 2026, at the Game Developer Conference. - The next-generation Xbox console is named Project Helix, developed in partnership with AMD using FSR Next. - Xbox mode will begin rolling out to Windows in select markets starting in April 2026. - The Xbox Play Anywhere catalog now includes over 1,500 games, allowing seamless access across console and Windows. - There are currently more than 5,000 developers creating for Xbox. - Project Helix is designed to play both Xbox console and PC games and features a custom AMD SoC for enhanced performance. - Alpha versions of Project Helix hardware will be shipped to developers starting in 2027. - Xbox is committed to preserving the playability of games from four generations of Xbox. - Xbox mode will be introduced to Windows 11 in April 2026, allowing a familiar Xbox experience while maintaining Windows flexibility. - Xbox has a lineup of game releases for 2026, including titles from first-party franchises like Halo and Gears of War, as well as independent developers. - Xbox Play Anywhere allows players to transition games across devices, retaining progress and requiring only a single purchase for each game. - The Xbox Play Anywhere initiative has 500 development teams that have released titles under it.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Microsoft’s ‘Xbox mode’ is coming to every Windows 11 PC

Microsoft is merging Xbox and Windows, with the next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, set to support PC games, and its alpha phase starting in 2027. A new “Xbox mode” for all Windows 11 devices will launch in April. The Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) was previously available in preview since November 2025 for Windows Insider and Xbox Insider Program members. The Xbox Ally handhelds have received updates for improved reliability. At the 2026 Game Developers Conference, Microsoft announced Advanced Shader Delivery for developers to enhance game load times and hinted at reviving classic Xbox titles for PC. Additionally, advancements in DirectX and DirectStorage were discussed, along with updates on graphics debugging.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

The best FPS games of all time, from a PC gaming veteran

First-person shooters (FPS) have captivated gamers since the early 1990s, with influential titles shaping the genre. - Wolfenstein 3D: Developed by id Software, released on May 5, 1992, for PC (MS-DOS). It established core gameplay with real-time movement and first-person perspectives. - Quake: Developed by id Software, released on June 22, 1996, for PC (MS-DOS, Windows). It transitioned FPS from 2.5D to true 3D rendering, enhancing gameplay speed and introducing vertical aiming. - Half-Life: Developed by Valve, released on November 19, 1998, for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac). It integrated storytelling with gameplay, featuring a silent protagonist and advanced AI. - Counter-Strike 1.6: Developed by Valve, released in September 2003 for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux). Originally a mod for Half-Life, it emphasized teamwork and strategy in competitive gameplay. - Halo 2: Developed by Bungie, released on November 9, 2004, for Xbox and PC. It introduced new perspectives and moral complexities, with a strong online multiplayer experience. - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, released on November 5, 2007, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It transformed military FPS with a cinematic approach and persistent progression in multiplayer. - Left 4 Dead: Developed by Valve, released on November 17, 2008, for PC and Xbox 360. It focused on cooperative gameplay against zombies, featuring a dynamic AI Director. - Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Developed by EA DICE, released on March 2, 2010, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It featured large-scale combat and destructible environments, emphasizing squad cooperation. Other notable FPS games include GoldenEye 007, Titanfall, and Bioshock, contributing to the genre's diversity and appeal.