developers Archives

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

Minecraft meets No Man’s Sky in ‘Incredible’ new Xbox freebie

The Planet Crafter, developed by Miju Games, is set to debut on Xbox Game Pass on July 21. It is a space survival open-world terraforming crafting game that supports 1 to 10 players, allowing them to transform inhospitable planets into habitable environments. The game has received positive feedback, with a Metacritic score of 81 and an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating on Steam from over 35,500 reviews. The Planet Crafter will be available on the Ultimate, Premium, and PC Game Pass tiers, with plans to be added to the Essential tier in the future. It will also be released on PlayStation 5 and is available on the GOG platform for PC users.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

No exclusive games for Steam Machine: “How is this even a question?”

Valve is set to unveil a new feature aimed at enhancing user engagement and interaction across its platforms. Key aspects of this feature include enhanced user interaction for players, innovative gameplay mechanics that may challenge traditional norms, and cross-platform compatibility to allow seamless engagement across different devices.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

Unity 7 to release in 2027, helps devs “ship sharper graphics”

Unity 7 is set to launch after a beta testing phase in December 2026, with a full release expected in the first quarter of 2027. It introduces a public API and various services for better integration without full editor access, aiming to improve workflows in game development. Key features include faster shader builds, a near-instant Play Mode, and an upgrade path for Unity 6 users that requires no rebuilding. Unity 7 will also feature CoreCLR, dynamic global illumination through Surface Cache GI, and neural upscaling, available on all supported devices. Additionally, it will include built-in Vector tools for creating native webshops, allowing direct-to-consumer commerce. Collaboration features will enhance teamwork among developers and coding agents.

BetaBeacon

July 21, 2026

DCKO Mobile Fighting Game Announced for iOS and Android

Drop Fake has revealed DCKO, a new mobile fighting game featuring characters from the DC Universe. Scheduled for release in 2027 on iOS and Android, the game will include 2-on-2 tag team battles, story-driven PvE content, and live real-time PvP matches.

Winsage

July 20, 2026

LG’s monitors come with an unwanted addition for Windows: McAfee pop-up ads

The LG Monitor App Installer installs itself by default, resulting in unwanted ad notifications for users. When connecting a new LG UltraGear monitor to a Windows 11 PC, the LG driver updates and the Monitor App Installer are installed silently via Windows Update without user notification or permission. The app does not provide unique controls but redirects users to other LG applications and promotes McAfee antivirus. Complaints about the app's auto-installation have increased, particularly regarding large pop-up ads. Microsoft allows developers to pair a Hardware Support App with the Windows Store for automatic installation, but this can confuse users. Similar practices exist with Dell's Alienware Command Center app. Users can prevent the LG app from auto-installing through group policy settings or by opting out of automatic downloads in system settings. The LG Monitor App Installer requests extensive permissions and collects device data, internet activity, and geolocation information without explicit user consent.

BetaBeacon

July 20, 2026

The Rise of the Golden Idol Re-released on Android and iOS After Removal from Netflix Games

The Rise of the Golden Idol, a sequel to The Case of the Golden Idol, has been re-released as a standalone game on mobile devices by publisher Playstack. The game, set in the 1970s, involves investigating mysterious cases and is available for purchase on iOS and Android for 329 rubles. Players who previously owned the game through Netflix will need to repurchase it and save transfers are not guaranteed.

BetaBeacon

July 20, 2026

Neverness to Everness brought developers hundreds of millions of dollars

Neverness to Everness by Perfect World Games has earned over 7 million in just two months since its launch on April 29, 2026.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

New Steam Game is Minecraft Meets Stardew Valley

Glintseeker Island is an upcoming game from Half Soup Labs that combines exploration mechanics similar to Minecraft with pixelated aesthetics inspired by Stardew Valley. The game features relaxed exploration, charming visuals, and engaging gameplay mechanics. It aims to create a captivating world filled with charming characters and activities for players.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

New Deal Gives PC Players $465 of Games for Just $15

PC gamers can purchase a bundle of 15 titles from Humble Bundle in collaboration with 2K for a limited-time price of , significantly lower than the combined MSRP of , until August 7. Each bundle provides access to the games via Steam, but users must redeem the Steam keys within a limited timeframe. A portion of the proceeds goes to charity, and previous offerings included the Going Rogue Bundle with titles like Rogue Legacy and UnderMine for . All Steam keys from these bundles are legitimate.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Proton got so good I keep forgetting which of my games were even built for Windows

Linux gaming has gained popularity, especially after the release of Valve's Steam Deck, which shows that many PC games can run well on Linux despite not being designed for it. Proton, Valve's compatibility layer, allows Windows games to run efficiently on Linux without developer intervention. Most games lack specific Linux versions, but many Windows titles, including Elden Ring and Horizon: Zero Dawn Remastered, perform better on Linux through Proton, achieving frame rates up to 75% higher. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which has a native Linux version, shows similar performance to those relying on Proton. Microsoft is reportedly using SteamOS as a benchmark to improve Windows gaming performance, indicating a shift towards aligning with Linux capabilities. Overall, gaming on Linux has become more accessible and enjoyable, often outperforming Windows.