Developer Archives

Winsage

April 25, 2026

Linux and Windows 95 running side by side? This dev made it happen.

Open-source developer "Hailey" has introduced the Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux (WSL9X), which allows users to run both Windows and Linux applications simultaneously on classic versions of Windows, including Windows 95, 98, and Me. WSL9X operates by running a modern Linux kernel (6.19) alongside the Windows 9x kernel, enabling features such as paging, memory protection, and pre-emptive scheduling. It is neither emulation nor virtualization and does not require hardware virtualization. WSL9X is available for download, but users must build it from the source provided by Hailey. It allows access to a genuine Linux terminal alongside classic Windows applications, enabling various tasks without compromising system stability.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Mass Effect devs have been practically radio silent for over 5 years because there’s ‘not a lot of time for tease’

The next installment in the Mass Effect series, referred to as "Mass Effect 5," was announced during The Game Awards in 2020, but updates have been limited over the past five years. Project director Mike Gamble confirmed that BioWare is currently focused exclusively on the game, despite concerns following EA's downsizing of the developer. He noted that the team is busy working on the project, which has resulted in a lack of teasers for fans. N7 Day on November 7 and The Game Awards 2026 on December 10 are potential opportunities for BioWare to share updates. Some fans express concern about the franchise's future and suggest that BioWare may need to explore new creative directions to regain its former success.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

After a slow start, Last Flag developer says you can’t become the next big hit just by ticking boxes: ‘It’s a slippery slope’

Night Street Games, co-founded by Dan and Mac Reynolds, launched a 5v5 multiplayer shooter called Last Flag, inspired by the capture the flag game mode. The game has received positive reviews on Steam and is priced affordably, but it debuted with fewer than 600 concurrent users, which has since decreased. Mac Reynolds emphasized the studio's focus on creative integrity over chasing trends, aiming to provide a unique gaming experience. Despite the commitment to a creative vision, the game faces challenges in attracting a substantial player base, similar to other recent titles that struggled to maintain engagement. Reynolds believes success should not be solely measured by player numbers, highlighting the team's pride in their work.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

After over 3 years of running like dogwater on Steam Deck, one of my favorite RPGs has finally earned its Verified badge

Dread Delusion now runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, achieving a steady 60 frames per second and offering over four hours of battery life. After the April 15 patch, frame rate dips have been largely eliminated, with only minor pauses during loading or autosaving. Developer Lovely Hellplace is working on a follow-up title, Entropy, which will build upon Dread Delusion's art style and presentation. The game features intriguing RPG quests, including one titled "The Ethics of Eating Flesh," which explores a moral dilemma involving a human meat substitute for sentient zombies.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

GOG Giving Away PC Game For Free for Limited Time

GOG is offering a free download of the 2022 point-and-click horror game, The Whispering Valley, until April 28, after which it will return to its regular price of .99. This is the first time the game has been available for free on any PC platform. Developed by Studio Chien d’Or, the game has a rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on GOG and an 89% approval rating on Steam, where it is rated as "Very Positive." The game is set in the village of Sainte-Monique-Des-Monts, Quebec, in 1896, featuring a haunting narrative and atmospheric gameplay. User reviews praise its atmosphere and story but mention long loading times and simplistic gameplay mechanics. The game has a playtime of approximately two to three hours.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

New Slay the Spire 2 update reworks Ironclad’s most unpopular card and makes lower Ascensions easier

Developer Megacrit has released beta patch notes for Slay the Spire 2, focusing on refining the Ascension difficulty scaling. Changes include reduced HP for Scrolls of Biting, Owl Magistrate, and Slimed Berserker at lower Ascensions, while making them stronger at higher levels. The Vantom Act 1 boss has been nerfed, and the Waterfall Giant elite heals less in low-difficulty encounters. The team is monitoring the performance of the Act 3 boss, Doormaker, but is hesitant to make further changes. Card updates feature new artwork and significant reworks for Conflagration and Drum of Battle for Ironclad, with Conflagration now dealing two damage to all enemies four times at base. Regent's Parry has been adjusted to align better with Dexterity and Frail mechanics. Neow's blessings have seen some improvements, with Booming Conch providing additional energy and Neow's Fury allowing players to choose cards from the discard pile. Tezcatara's Nutritious Soup relic has been buffed to grant Strikes additional damage and cost nothing. The patch also includes various smaller balance changes, user interface enhancements, and bug fixes.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

This indie developer is making Titanfall 3 because EA won’t do it, and even in ‘pre-pre-pre alpha’ it’s one of the most fun shooters in years

Titanfall is a celebrated first-person shooter series that was halted by EA at its peak, largely due to its release timing between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. A spiritual successor called ShatterRush has been developed by Tetra Studios, a two-person team, and is available as a pre-alpha build on Steam. The game features a speed-running tutorial, fluid movement mechanics, and allows players to pilot mechs with combat capabilities similar to Titanfall. ShatterRush introduces environmental destruction, enabling players to demolish surroundings and create new pathways. The developers plan to release updates approximately every two weeks to enhance the game.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Google rolls out verified email feature for Android apps, removing need for OTPs

Google has introduced a verified email feature for Android applications via its Credential Manager API, allowing users to access their verified email addresses directly from their devices without traditional verification steps like OTPs or email links. Users receive a system-level prompt to share their verified email with a single tap, improving the user experience by eliminating the need to switch between apps. This feature simplifies the onboarding process for developers, reducing user drop-offs during registration and potentially improving conversion rates. Currently, it supports consumer Google Accounts, with plans for broader adoption pending support from other credential issuers. The system is intended for various use cases, including account creation, re-authentication, and recovery, while maintaining existing verification methods for non-Google accounts. This initiative is part of Google's effort to enhance authentication integration into the operating system and reduce reliance on passwords and multi-step verification.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

Everything announced for Xbox and PC at the ID@Xbox and IGN April 2026 Showcase — new indie games on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and more

Microsoft's ID@Xbox program supports indie game development and recently showcased new titles in collaboration with IGN. - Beastro: A roguelike RPG where players are chefs for heroes, releasing on May 21 for Xbox Series X|S and PC, available on Xbox Game Pass. - Deep Dish Dungeon: A survival exploration game set for Fall 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Albion Online: A free-to-play PvP MMO now available on Xbox consoles, offering perks for Xbox Game Pass members. - Lofsong: An audio-based game with no announced release date, available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School: A puzzle adventure game set for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Kalanoro: An action-adventure game featuring lemurs, releasing this summer on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. - Vapor World: Over the Mind: A narrative-driven platformer launching on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with a demo in June and Xbox Game Pass support. - inKONBINI: A management simulation game releasing on April 30, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass availability. - Echo Generation 2: A sci-fi deckbuilder RPG launching on May 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Starseeker: A spinoff of Astroneer, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Switch 2, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Tears of Metal: A co-op roguelike hack-and-slash game for Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility. - Crashout Crew: A co-op game centered around forklifts, releasing on May 28, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Steam, with Xbox Game Pass support. - RV There Yet?: A comedic co-op adventure expected to launch in May for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Solo Leveling Arise Overdrive: An action game set to launch on Xbox Series X|S in Q3 2026. - There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: A musical-themed hotel and ghost hunting game for Xbox Series X|S, PC, Cloud, and other platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Golf With Your Friends 2: The sequel to the party golfing game, releasing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch this fall. - Mistfall Hunter: An extraction RPG launching in July on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Totopia: A free-to-play party game supporting Xbox Play Anywhere. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: A competitive racing platformer scheduled for July on multiple platforms, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Vampire Crawlers: A deckbuilding spinoff from Vampire Survivors, now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with Xbox Game Pass support. - Screenbound: An action-adventure game where players control a character in both 3D and 2D, available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Cloud, with Xbox Game Pass support.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘The exhaustion on screen is 100% real’: the solo dev of this ‘live-action’ survival game spent 40 grueling days alone in the wilderness to create it

Wordless Forest is a Full Motion Video (FMV) survival game developed by Dogus Cagrici, who spent weeks hiking alone in nature to capture the game's footage. The game aims to provide a more authentic experience compared to traditional survival games, which often feature fantastical elements. Cagrici recorded all the video content himself and stars in the game. Wordless Forest is set to be released on Steam in August after nearly three years of development.