desert Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and “take more risks”

Jack Buser, Global Director for Games at Google Cloud, believes AI will transform game development by accelerating production timelines and allowing developers to take creative risks. The integration of AI has increased, with industry leaders like Bethesda's Todd Howard interested in using it for data tasks, while former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra criticized Pearl Abyss for using AI in asset creation. Buser argues that AI tools can reduce repetitive tasks, enabling more innovation and creativity, potentially leading to more frequent game releases. He anticipates that public perception of AI will improve as players experience faster game production. However, there are concerns about the potential loss of artistry in game creation due to the focus on efficiency.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

How to tame the Abyss Heuklang in Crimson Desert

The Abyss Heuklang is a new pet available in Crimson Desert, unlocked in a recent patch. Players can find it at the entrance of the Axiom Archive during Chapter 1's quests. To tame the Abyss Heuklang, players must perform pet actions like petting or offering treats (milk or bird meat) to build trust. Once trust is established, players can select the "Take In" option to add it to their pets.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

New Crimson Desert update brings new difficulty options and, most importantly, a pet bird

Pearl Abyss has released a significant update (1.04.00) for the open-world RPG Crimson Desert within a month of its launch, introducing three difficulty levels: Easy, Normal, and Hard. The update features redesigned boss combat patterns, multiple housing layout options, improved furniture controls, and new storage solutions for crafting and cooking items. Players can now also bond with birds through the new Sotdae of Bond item, expanding pet options. Future updates will include detailed controller customization and various UI and accessibility improvements.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Ex-Escape From Tarkov devs will “ride the wave” of AI, but stress “the finishing touch must always come from a human hand”

Nomion Games was founded by Dmitri Ogorodnikov and German Terekhov, former contributors to Battlestate Games. They believe that "creative potential, accumulated experience, and ambition should not be put on hold." Their upcoming title, Rush is Real, will incorporate AI as a crucial tool in game development. Ogorodnikov views AI as essential, comparing it to a sculptor's chisel, and emphasizes its role in speeding up the ideation process. He acknowledges AI's ability to alleviate tedious tasks in game development but insists that final decisions must come from humans. He warns against over-reliance on AI, particularly in critical areas like level design and gameplay mechanics, to avoid losing creativity and identity. The gaming community has raised concerns about AI-generated content, and Ogorodnikov recognizes the need for vigilance in maintaining unique artistic vision while using AI to enhance efficiency.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Excellent RTX 5070 Ti and 9800X3D PC deal knocks $350 off PLUS two free games worth $129.99!

PC Guide operates on a reader-supported model, earning affiliate commissions from purchases made through links on their site. The iBUYPOWER desktop is priced at ,349.99 and features a Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU and an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU, designed for gaming at 1440p or 1600p resolutions with maximum settings. It includes 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 2TB NVMe SSD, along with two complimentary games: PRAGMATA and Crimson Desert. The system is aimed at enthusiasts rather than casual gamers and offers a keyboard and mouse for immediate setup. It is suitable for users seeking high-refresh 1440p gaming and multitasking capabilities.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Crimson Desert is so packed with weird systems and quirks that it can be a struggle to remember them all—which is why we’ve made a quiz about everything from the stock market to space

Crimson Desert features a variety of eccentric elements that engage players, prompting the creation of a quiz to test knowledge on its unique aspects. The quiz includes ten multiple-choice questions covering topics such as health bars, unconventional currencies, mounts, and the game's expansive map. Even experienced gamers find the quiz challenging, with few achieving a perfect score. Players are encouraged to share their results in the comments.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

This is not a drill: All-timer weirdo game Deadly Premonition now playable on Linux as of Valve’s most recent Proton beta, plus 17 others and your EA library (until EA breaks it again)

Proton 11 beta 1 has been released by Valve, enhancing the Steam Deck and Linux desktops, and incorporating features from Wine 11. This update includes an initial Arm64 version of Proton, with plans for implementation in the upcoming Steam Frame. Some Windows games may perform better on Linux with this update. Newly playable games include "Unknown Faces," "Gothic 1 Classic," "X-Plane 12," "Breath of Fire IV," and "Deadly Premonition." The update also fixes various issues, such as video playback in "She Sees Red," rendering problems with the Ukrainian language option in "Chambers," and voice chat issues in "Phasmophobia." Improvements have been made in VR support for "No Man's Sky," and many other gameplay and performance enhancements have been implemented across various titles. Proton 11 beta 1 is based on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, including vkd3d, dxvk, and Wine Mono.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Death Stranding 2 is the top game to win in this $1 Fanatical Mystery Bundle

Death Stranding 2 is a sequel that continues the narrative of delivering packages in a post-apocalyptic Australia, focusing on themes of loss, grief, and human connection. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, voiced by Norman Reedus, as he works to unite communities and faces new threats, including red robots. The game features challenging gameplay with environmental hazards and tactical combat elements. It is available for purchase through Fanatical's Mystery Egg Bundle, where players have a chance to acquire it for a low price, though there is no guarantee of receiving the game. The bundle offers additional keys for a collection of games at a discounted rate.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Send us your best gaming clips from Crimson Desert and you could win $500 in Steam gift cards

PC Gamer has launched a new feature called PC Gamer Clips, allowing gamers to share entertaining gameplay moments on social media. Each month, the editorial team will select a favorite clip, and the creator of the winning video will receive a prize of 0 in Steam gift cards. This prize is currently available only to residents of the US and UK. To participate, gamers can record their gameplay and upload it via a submission form on the Clips page, including their social media handle for credit.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Check out the internet’s best gaming videos from March—including one of the coolest custom gaming rigs we’ve ever seen

In March, notable PC gaming releases included the extraction shooter Marathon, the roguelike deckbuilder Slay the Spire 2, and the game Crimson Desert. The PC gaming community also engaged with a new initiative called PC Gamer Clips, allowing players to share videos of memorable gaming moments from both new titles and classic games.