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AppWizard
June 29, 2026

A Disco Elysium writer once told Josh Sawyer that ‘we can do better than this now,’ and Sawyer agrees

Josh Sawyer, known for his work on Fallout: New Vegas, Pillars of Eternity, and Pentiment, discussed the collaborative nature of game development on the Human Can Opener Podcast. He expressed interest in critiques of his past work, particularly regarding narrative choice in RPGs. Sawyer shared that a writer from Disco Elysium reached out to propose a modern response to his earlier presentation, indicating progress in understanding narrative mechanics in the industry. He emphasized the importance of learning from each other and acknowledged the ongoing exchange of ideas among developers. Sawyer noted the traditional approach to branching dialogue in RPGs can feel constrained but believes there are always new methods to explore. He advocates for mutual respect and encouragement within the industry, emphasizing a shared goal of improvement and innovation.
These 3 upcoming Gboard tweaks could make the app even better
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

These 3 upcoming Gboard tweaks could make the app even better

Google is enhancing its Gboard application for Android with new features in the beta version v17.7.4.932364120. A cursor mode is being developed, allowing users to long-press the spacebar or swipe on it to control the cursor. Gboard is also introducing an emoji customization option, enabling users to adjust emoji sizes independently with a slider that allows for five to nine emojis in a row, including larger options labeled “7+” and “8+.” Additionally, Gboard may offer full-sized keyboard keys on mobile devices, which can be toggled using the “Show accessibility layout” setting, with options for QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY layouts. The timeline for the public release of these features is uncertain.
Steam Week in Review: Steam sales are the best time to hoard dozens of forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities
AppWizard
June 29, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam sales are the best time to hoard dozens of forgotten ’90s PC gaming oddities

In 2026, Valve's Steam Summer Sale features significant discounts on popular games, such as Red Dead Redemption 2 at a 75% discount for the 14th time since January 2025, and The Witcher 3 with its fifth 95% discount since July 2024. Cyberpunk 2077 has reached a 75% discount after eight previous markdowns of 65% since June 2025. The sale includes major publishers like Ubisoft and indie titles such as Terraria and Satisfactory. Notable retro games available include I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, Operation Body Count, Interphase, Corpse Killer, and The Dame Was Loaded. Steam's weekly sales charts show top sellers, with Meccha Chameleon achieving 10 million sales, aided by the PUBG PNC 2026 tournament.
Skyrim's lead designer reckons releasing Elder Scrolls and Fallout games faster risks 'disappointing fans'
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

Skyrim’s lead designer reckons releasing Elder Scrolls and Fallout games faster risks ‘disappointing fans’

The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises from Bethesda have not released new titles for many years, with Fallout 4 reaching 11 years and Skyrim nearing 15 years since their last major releases. Microsoft is working to expedite the development of these games. Bruce Nesmith, lead designer of Skyrim, cautions that prioritizing speed over quality can lead to complications in game development, as large budgets and teams do not guarantee success. He emphasizes the importance of careful resource management and suggests that allowing franchises to rest can prevent fan fatigue. Nesmith estimates that creating a new game in these franchises would take at least five years from inception to completion.
Spyro speedrunner says a PC port of the original game is in the works, and it's being made with 'no AI'
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

Spyro speedrunner says a PC port of the original game is in the works, and it’s being made with ‘no AI’

Spyro the Dragon has been remastered in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, available on Steam. Developer Toys for Bob is working on a new game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, set to release in 2027. A fan group is developing a PC port of the original Spyro the Dragon, with 88% of the game's functions and 58% of its bytecode decompiled. The port features 60FPS gameplay, true widescreen support, perspective correct textures, and no polygon wobble. It is being developed without AI, runs at 320FPS, and is still in early stages with some visual artifacts. The release of the port may come sooner than expected.
Creative Assembly wants to know which factions you wish to play as in Total War: Medieval 3, but whatever you do, don't ask to play as the Pope
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

Creative Assembly wants to know which factions you wish to play as in Total War: Medieval 3, but whatever you do, don’t ask to play as the Pope

Creative Assembly is developing Medieval 3, a new installment in the Total War series, which is currently in its early stages. The studio is engaging with fans through preproduction livestreams and a survey to gather input on which factions to include in the game. Key factors for faction inclusion are recognition, uniqueness of starting situation, and potential for distinctive gameplay mechanics. Certain factions, including England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and the Sultanate of Rum, are confirmed, while feedback is sought for smaller factions like the Italian city-states, Scandinavian kingdoms, and notable Muslim nations. Factions that will not be included are the Russian Principalities, the Mongol Empire, and the Papal States, the latter being considered too unique in playstyle.
Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox
Winsage
June 28, 2026

Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox

Microsoft's Windows 11 celebrated its fifth anniversary on June 24, 2026, and is undergoing regular updates to improve user experience, particularly addressing search functionality. Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 for an additional year. A non-security update for Windows 11, KB5095093, was released, introducing enhancements such as point-in-time restore capabilities and accessibility improvements. In the Windows Insider Program, new builds were released across various channels, including accessibility features and improvements to File Explorer. Microsoft has discontinued the AI-powered browsing history search feature in Edge due to user feedback. PowerToys version 0.100.1 has been updated with improvements and bug fixes. In gaming, Microsoft announced a price increase for Xbox consoles effective August 1, 2026, with the Xbox Series X|S models seeing price hikes. The 2TB Xbox Series X will be discontinued, but new accessibility programs are being introduced. Valve's upcoming Steam Machine console is priced at ,049 for the 512GB configuration. Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at .99 for the base edition and .99 for the ultimate edition. NVIDIA announced new titles for its GeForce NOW streaming service, while Steam is hosting its annual Summer Sale until July 9, and the Epic Games Store is offering free games and deals.
Quantic Dream's Star Wars: Eclipse is struggling: 'We're understaffed,' say devs
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

Quantic Dream’s Star Wars: Eclipse is struggling: ‘We’re understaffed,’ say devs

Quantic Dream employees have raised concerns about staffing and project viability for Star Wars: Eclipse, following significant layoffs of 115 employees after the cancellation of their live-service game, Spellcaster Chronicles. Remaining staff believe these layoffs threaten the game's future and staged a strike during a LucasFilm visit to seek support. Employees are frustrated with management's lack of communication with parent company NetEase regarding project resources. They plan further protests, called the “Summer Strike Fest,” to advocate for additional staff needed to complete the game.
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