console Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Stellar Blade Devs Address PC Release Controversies

Stellar Blade has become highly popular on the PlayStation 5, topping the PlayStation Store charts and selling out merchandise. The game is set to release on PC on June 11th, following its transition from a former exclusive. The developer, Shift Up, has addressed community concerns regarding region locks, content parity between PC and PlayStation versions, and the necessity of a PlayStation Network account for the PC version. All content, including the Nier: Automata crossover, will be available on PC. The introduction of Denuvo DRM has sparked debate due to potential impacts on frame rates and offline playability, but the development team claims it is optimized to maintain performance. Stellar Blade is available for pre-order on Steam, with the base version priced at .99 and a Complete Edition at .99, which includes additional content.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Mobile firm Brightika to invest $3m in PC and console titles

Brightika is investing a substantial amount over the next two years to enter the PC and console gaming market, aiming to support indie game development with financial backing, marketing, and publishing assistance. The company has nearly 200 million installations of its mobile games and plans to replicate this success in the new markets. Discussions are ongoing with various development teams, and some titles may be showcased at the Steam Next Fest from June 9th to 16th. Founder Alexander Rodichev highlights the goal of providing marketing and distribution support to developers in these sectors.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Several Ubisoft games can now be purchased in the Xbox PC app, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Watch Dogs 2

Ubisoft has announced that several of its game franchises, including Assassin's Creed Shadows, are now available for purchase on the Xbox PC app. Previously, players could only access Ubisoft games through PC Game Pass without the option to buy them outright. The Xbox Play Anywhere feature does not allow cross-access between the Xbox PC app and Xbox Series X|S console. Players must link their Xbox and Ubisoft accounts to use Ubisoft Connect for these games. The launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows includes a "Stream Your Own Game" feature via Xbox Cloud Gaming for console version purchasers.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Brightika charts $3M expansion into PC and console space

Mobile game publisher Brightika is expanding into PC and console gaming with a commitment of one million dollars to develop new titles. The funding will be allocated over the next 12 to 24 months, focusing on marketing, user acquisition, localization, and community support for indie developers. Brightika plans to offer financial backing, marketing strategies, and operational assistance, including creating demos and trailers for its partners' games. The first PC title from this initiative is Bullet Yeeters, a PvP third-person shooter set to launch in the spring. Brightika will announce the first recipients of its funding during the upcoming Steam Next Fest. Founder Alexander Rodichev highlighted the company's goal to apply its marketing expertise to support developers in the PC and console space.

Tech Optimizer

May 14, 2025

Best Antivirus Software (2025): ESET Recognized as Top Cybersecurity Solution by Software Experts

ESET is recognized as a leading antivirus provider in 2025, known for its robust security solutions that effectively combat rising cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, and zero-day exploits. The company's offerings include heuristic and behavioral detection, ransomware and phishing protection, exploit blocker technology, and low resource usage, ensuring minimal impact on system performance. ESET provides various products for home users, including ESET HOME Security Essential, Premium, and Ultimate, as well as a Small Business Security package for up to 25 devices and scalable solutions for larger organizations. Pricing for home products starts at .99/year, with multi-device and multi-year discounts available. ESET operates in over 200 countries, utilizing a global network for real-time threat intelligence and maintaining a commitment to effective digital security since its establishment in 1992.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Modders use reverse engineering to bring Mario Party 4 to PC, more GameCube games to follow

The gaming community has seen a rise in reverse-engineering source code from retro console games, particularly from the Nintendo 64 era and earlier, leading to native PC ports. The decompilation of Mario Party 4 is nearly complete, making it the first fully decompiled GameCube title, which will facilitate unofficial PC ports. A port of Mario Party 4 with online multiplayer is in development. Other GameCube titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime are also being targeted for decompilation. An unofficial PC port of the Xbox 360 game Sonic Unleashed has been completed. Previous titles such as Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have received PC ports with enhanced features. Modders are experimenting with advanced technologies like ray tracing for classic games. A modding tool has improved the recompilation process, but technical challenges remain. Nintendo has not taken legal action against these decompilation efforts, and modders use clean room tactics to avoid legal issues, requiring ownership of the original game for PC ports.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

D3 Publisher’s Next Otome PC Game Is Despera Drops

D3 Publisher has announced the release of the otome visual novel Despera Drops on Steam, scheduled for May 27, 2025. The game was originally launched in Japan in 2023 and later released globally on the Nintendo Switch, with Aksys Games handling the English version for the console. The PC version is developed by Wizardsoft Corporation, with Red Entertainment responsible for the console adaptation. The story follows Mika Amamine, a college student who can perceive thoughts through touch, as she navigates a conspiracy after touching a murder victim. The PC version will feature the main storyline, seven After Stories, compatibility with keyboard and mouse or controller, Steam Cloud save support, and achievements and trading cards.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Doom: The Dark Ages feels like a console game first and PC game second

The latest installment of the Doom franchise, Doom: The Dark Ages, introduces a new combat loop centered around the Shield Saw, allowing players to block damage with a right-click. This change alters the frenetic pace of earlier games, shifting towards a more methodical approach tailored for console players. The game features expansive, flat arenas lacking the verticality of previous titles, resulting in a gameplay experience reminiscent of traditional shooters like Call of Duty. There is a reduction in airborne threats and static enemy placements, leading to a slower combat experience with less emphasis on quick reflexes. Gun mechanics have been simplified, favoring passive upgrades over the intricate hot-swapping of mods, which may leave PC players feeling shortchanged. Exploration is more forgiving, with fewer hazards and a safety net that teleports players back without penalty. Overall, The Dark Ages emphasizes accessibility and streamlined gameplay, potentially diluting the challenge expected by long-time fans of the franchise.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

The best PS5 game is coming to PC sooner than expected

The PC port of Stellar Blade is set to launch on June 11, available through the Epic Games Store and Steam. It will feature support for DLSS 4 and FSR 3, ultrawide monitor compatibility, higher resolution textures, and an unlocked frame rate. The PC version will also include a new boss fight with the cyber warrior Mann and 25 new costumes for the protagonist, Eve, along with additional content from the console version like a photo mode and the Nier Automata DLC. The developer, Shift Up, expects the PC version to outperform the PS5 version due to the larger market share of PC gaming in the AAA sector. The PS5 version has received upgrades, including enhanced image quality through the PSSR upscaler.

BetaBeacon

May 13, 2025

Goodbye, emulators: Native GameCube fan ports are now a reality, starting with Mario Party 4

The decompilation of Mario Party 4 for the Nintendo GameCube has been successfully completed, resulting in a nearly perfect replication of the game's source code. This is the first GameCube game to be decompiled, with plans to decompile other Mario Party games and potentially combine all boards into a single game or add online multiplayer in the future.