cross-platform play Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Props for the honesty: Tim Sweeney says the reason ‘people characterize the Epic Games launcher as clunky’ is—wait for it—’because the Epic Games launcher is clunky’

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, described the Epic Games Store launcher as "clunky" and acknowledged that many users find it slow and cumbersome compared to Steam. The Epic launcher received a score of 41% in a recent evaluation, ranking behind competitors like the Microsoft Store and EA, and significantly trailing Steam and GOG Galaxy. Performance issues vary based on a user's proximity to a content delivery network and the size of their game library, with slower internet connections exacerbating loading frustrations. Sweeney believes the Epic launcher should incorporate convenient features from Steam while maintaining its unique advantages. He emphasized the importance of connecting players across platforms and criticized Valve for not allowing cross-platform functionality with Steamworks. Sweeney also addressed negative backlash against developers using Epic Online Services, citing harassment related to crossplay features. Users seeking alternatives to the Epic launcher can consider GOG Galaxy or Heroic, which are noted for better functionality.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Gears of War: Reloaded Announced, Coming to PC This Summer

Microsoft has announced a remaster of the original Gears of War, titled Gears of War: Reloaded. This remaster features 4K assets, enhanced post-processing effects, improved shadows and reflections, HDR support, and Dolby Vision, along with 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos audio. The campaign mode runs at 60 FPS, while multiplayer aims for up to 120 FPS. The game supports cross-play between PC and consoles without requiring a Microsoft account for the Steam version, although signing in unlocks additional cross-platform features. The remaster will be available on Steam, and the developers have not yet confirmed the engine used or the official PC requirements.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

GTA V joins Xbox and PC Game Pass this April with both Legacy and Enhanced versions | Esports News – The Times of India

Grand Theft Auto V will return to Xbox Game Pass on April 15, available on all Xbox consoles, cloud services, and for the first time on PC Game Pass. Both Legacy and Enhanced versions will be included, allowing for optimized gameplay across platforms. The game will support cross-platform play among players on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Rockstar Games Launcher. No official end date for its availability on Game Pass has been provided, but it is expected to remain for approximately six months based on historical patterns.

AppWizard

March 8, 2025

The best hero shooters on PC

The landscape of PC gaming features a diverse range of genres, with first-person shooters (FPS) being particularly popular. Counter-Strike 2 is a leading title on Steam’s most played games list. Hero shooters, which combine traditional gunplay with RPG elements, gained popularity with Overwatch and have since seen many innovative titles. Many modern hero shooters support cross-platform play, allowing PC players to compete with console gamers. Upcoming PC games are expected to further enhance the hero shooter genre.

TrendTechie

March 7, 2025

Split Fiction от авторов It Takes Two слили на торренты

The cooperative adventure game Split Fiction was released without anti-piracy measures, leading to its breach by the hacking group Rune within thirty minutes of launch. Despite this, the game has achieved a 97% positive rating on Steam and peak online player counts exceeding 50,000. There is currently no Russian language option, but Mechanics VoiceOver is working on professional voiceover and has started a crowdfunding campaign. A neural translation mod is available for the PC version, which can be installed by placing it in the specified directory. The game is designed for cooperative play, allowing a second player to join without purchasing the game again, and supports cross-platform play.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

Console Game Sales Projected To Leave PC Games In The Dust By 2030

The console gaming market is projected to grow to an impressive billion by 2030, a 52% increase from billion in 2023. Key players in this expansion include Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, leveraging advancements like AI and hybrid gaming devices. In contrast, spending on PC gaming software is declining, with console game sales potentially doubling those of PC games by 2030. The mobile gaming sector is expected to reach sales nearing 0 billion by 2030, significantly outpacing both console and PC platforms. Console games currently generate significantly less revenue than mobile games, which produce 2.5 times more earnings. Cloud gaming is gaining traction due to GPU challenges and advancements in technology, while VR and AR gaming remain niche.

BetaBeacon

February 28, 2025

Best Games for Android and iOS in 2025 | Esports News – The Times of India

Asphalt 9 Legends is a popular racing game on the mobile platform, offering over 100 supercars from brands like BMW, Ferrari, and Porsche.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

How to Play Minecraft With Friends: Multiplayer Guide to Join Different Online World | Esports News – The Times of India

Minecraft offers various multiplayer options for players to connect and enjoy the game together, including: - Local LAN Play: Ideal for players on the same Wi-Fi network, requiring no server setup. - Online Servers: Players can join or host dedicated servers for continuous multiplayer experiences. - Minecraft Realms: A paid private server option hosted by Mojang for easy setup. - External Hosting (Minefort): Provides free server hosting with customization and control. Local LAN Setup: - Java Edition: Open a single-player world, select "Open to LAN," adjust settings, and start the LAN world for friends to join using the host's IP and port. - Bedrock Edition: Enable "Visible to LAN Players" in the Multiplayer settings to allow friends to find the world under the Friends tab. Joining Public Servers: - Java Edition: Click "Multiplayer," add the server's IP address, and join. - Bedrock Edition: Select the "Servers" tab, add the server details, and save. Setting Up Minecraft Realms: - Java Edition: Purchase a subscription, create and configure the Realm, and invite players. - Bedrock Edition: Create a new Realm, select player capacity, purchase a subscription, and manage invitations. Hosting a Dedicated Server: - Use platforms like Minefort to create free servers by creating an account, customizing settings, and sharing the server's IP with friends. Cross-Platform Play: Supported among Bedrock devices; players can add friends using usernames. Tools like GeyserMC allow Bedrock players to connect to Java servers. Minefort Benefits: - Free usage, easy setup, full customization, scalability, and optimized performance.

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

‘It’s nice to have options’: Blizzard thinks Avowed’s new cross-buy feature is breaking down barriers

Avowed is set to be released on February 18, 2025, and will feature a 'cross-buy' option allowing players to play on both PC and Xbox by linking their accounts after purchasing any edition on Battle.net or Xbox. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for gamers. Some players express skepticism about the significance of this feature, noting that it may not be revolutionary and highlighting a desire for broader compatibility across platforms. Critics also mention that the cross-buy feature leverages existing infrastructure, as Microsoft owns both Xbox and Battle.net. This follows Microsoft's previous cross-platform initiative, the Play Anywhere program, which allowed players to access games on both PC and console but faced challenges for PC gamers. The new feature also provides the option to use Battle.net, which is considered more user-friendly.