DOOM: The Dark Ages Archives

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

One excellent, unforgettable expansion has fixed Doom: The Dark Ages

Doom: The Dark Ages introduced a shield mechanic that altered the gameplay focus from speed and mobility to defensive maneuvers. While the shield allowed for blocking damage, parrying attacks, and functioning as a projectile, it compromised the game's inherent mobility and complexity. This shift in gameplay strategy changed the core identity of the Doom franchise, sparking discussions about balancing innovation with the preservation of beloved gameplay elements.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Doom dev Id is now “about the same size we were when making Doom 2016” after layoffs

Id Software has experienced significant layoffs, with 136 team members affected, which is over half of its workforce. This reduction is part of broader job cuts by Xbox, totaling 3,200 positions across Microsoft. Despite the layoffs, Id Software has communicated that it has sufficient staff to continue game development and maintain its creative output. The studio's current team size is reportedly similar to that during the development of the 2016 Doom reboot. Id Software is known for its influential titles and proprietary Id Tech engines, and it recently released Doom: The Dark Ages.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

id Software provides proof of life, says it ‘still has the crew we need to build the games and tech we’re known for’ after massive layoffs

Microsoft plans to eliminate 3,200 positions across its Xbox studios by the end of the year, with id Software facing a reduction of 136 employees, over half of its workforce. The studio reassured staff that it still has the necessary team size to continue producing games and maintaining its proprietary engine, idTech. Despite the layoffs, id Software is not pressured to transition to Unreal Engine and intends to continue development on id Tech. The current workforce size is comparable to a decade ago, raising concerns about the studio's ability to meet the demands of modern game development.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: “Games need to succeed, not just be beloved”

Id Software is laying off 136 positions, more than half of its workforce, as part of broader layoffs affecting Microsoft and Xbox studios. Co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness over the layoffs, which coincide with the launch of new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages. He noted that his previous optimism regarding Microsoft's management of the brand is diminishing and highlighted the increasing pressures in the gaming industry. Carmack suggested that Id Software may be viewed as a marginal business by Microsoft, with revenues from Minecraft supporting other studios. He discussed the fierce competition for consumer attention and questioned whether different pricing models or broader audience targeting could have helped Doom succeed. The latest DLC for Doom received praise but arrived too late to make a significant impact. Carmack remains hopeful for the studio's future and expressed doubt about reclaiming ownership of the Doom IP, while also supporting Team Beef's commercialization of legacy open-source games on VR.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

25 Games Tested On The Steam Machine: A Good, But Pricey Device

Valve's Steam Machine, priced at ,000, was tested with a 2TB unit using default settings at 1080p resolution, upscaled to 4K. Various games were evaluated for performance, including: - Cyberpunk 2077: Smooth 60 FPS with light ray tracing; stability issues at resolutions above 1080p. - Mouse: P.I. for Hire: Ran flawlessly at 60 FPS with default settings. - Left 4 Dead 2: Performed admirably. - Borderlands 4: Had visual issues initially; became playable after adjustments. - Hades 2: Ran seamlessly at default settings. - Silent Hill 2: Struggled with performance. - Doom: The Dark Ages: Played smoothly; could use visual adjustments. - Megabonk: Performed impressively. - Spider-Man 2: Decent at default settings; improved with resolution increase. - Windrose: Struggled at default settings; medium settings improved performance. - Overwatch: Exceptional experience at default settings. - Grand Theft Auto V: Ran well after initial setup issues. - Gears of War Reloaded: Visuals improved after tweaks. - Fallout 4: Maintained solid performance without adjustments. - Control Ultimate Edition: Needed settings lowered for stable performance. - Arc Raiders: Playable but with fuzzy image quality. - Elden Ring: Performed admirably with some tweaks. - Vampire Crawlers: Provided a sharp experience. - Resident Evil 4 remake: Satisfactory but needed adjustments for better visuals. - Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart: Became playable after adjustments. - Helldivers 2: Ran well but lacked sharpness compared to PS5 Pro. - Resident Evil Requiem: Solid experience but fell short against PS5 Pro. - The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Ran exceptionally well. - Peak: Required no adjustments and performed comparably to high-end PCs. - Warhammer 40K: Darktide: Achieved stable 60 FPS after tweaks. - Halo: Master Chief Collection: Unplayable due to login issues. - Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip: Ran smoothly at maximum settings. - Rage: Ran smoothly after adjustments. The Steam Machine is seen as intriguing but its high price limits appeal to dedicated enthusiasts. It offers access to a vast library of Steam games, particularly older or 2D titles, but may not be justifiable for non-PC gamers, especially with upcoming titles on rival consoles.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

July is a little light on the big new game releases, but your co-op horror Discord gang will be feastin’

In July 2026, notable game releases include: - Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced (July 9, Steam | Singleplayer): A remake of the original game with enhanced visuals. - College Football 27 (July 9, Steam | 4-player co-op): The latest installment in the football franchise. - Palworld 1.0 (July 10, Steam | 4-player co-op): A survival crafting game with new features. - Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28, Steam | 4-player co-op): A remake of the original Halo campaign with additional missions. Co-op indie horror games releasing include: - Cursed Cooking Mama - Happy's Burgatory (July 16, Steam | 4-player co-op). - After Hours Puzzler - Storebound 1.0 (July 16, Steam | 3-player co-op). - Asymmetric Rabbit Hunt - Carnival Hunt (July 23, Steam | 5 players). - Killer Customer Service - Shift at Midnight (Release date TBD, Steam | 3-player co-op). Gaming events include: - Tennocon (July 10 – 11). - Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest (July 25 – 26). - Various Steam Sales throughout the month. Game updates and expansions include: - Flight Simulator 2024 (July 4). - Doom: The Dark Ages (July 7). - Granblue Fantasy: Relink (July 8). - Phasmophobia (July 21).

Winsage

June 26, 2026

AMD Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 WHQL Drivers Face Issues on Windows 10, Hotfix Available

AMD unveiled its Adrenalin Edition 26.6.2 WHQL Drivers, featuring day-one support for games like Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced and DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations, and introducing FSR Upscaling 4.1 for RDNA 3 GPUs. Users on Windows 10, particularly with Radeon RX 7000 and RX 9000 series GPUs, reported installation issues, especially those under the Extended Security Updates program. AMD released a hotfix, Adrenalin Edition 26.6.3, to address these installation problems, which is available for download on their website.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Get Bethesda games for cheap with this mystery bundle on Fanatical

The VIP Mystery Bundle - Bethesda Edition is available for £5.59 and includes three games, one of which is a mystery title. The primary option features one Bethesda game and two indie games with a Steam rating of Very Positive or higher. There is also a Bethesda AAA VIP Pack option that includes five AAA Bethesda games: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Starfield, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Deathloop.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

Alienware dropped the single most desirable OLED gaming monitor on the planet

Alienware has launched its flagship gaming monitor, the AW3926QW, featuring a 39-inch OLED display with a 5K resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 and a refresh rate of 165Hz, which can reach 330Hz in reduced-resolution mode. It incorporates RGB-stripe OLED technology for improved image quality and has a 1,500R curve for better viewing angles. The monitor includes a KVM switch for device connectivity. Alienware has not disclosed a specific price, but it is expected to be around ,500. Additionally, Alienware introduced the AW3426DW, a 34-inch OLED monitor with a refresh rate of 280Hz and peak brightness of 1,300 nits, along with the AW3426DWM and AW3226DWM, both 240Hz LCD monitors. The AW3426DWM is a 34-inch ultrawide display with a resolution of 3,440 x 1,440, while the AW3226DWM is a 1440p model, priced at 9 and 9, respectively. All monitors are set to be available this summer.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

MercurySteam announces ‘difficult and painful’ job cuts as its God of War-inspired hack ‘n’ slash arrives on Steam

MercurySteam has announced a workforce adjustment following the launch of its game, Blades of Fire, on Steam. The game has faced commercial challenges, with its sales performance described as "underperformed," leading to an anticipated write-off of €8 million by its parent company, Digital Bros. Blades of Fire initially launched as an Epic Store exclusive but struggled against major titles and received mixed reviews, scoring 74. The recent Steam release includes a significant 2.0 update with new features such as a New Game Plus mode, a new difficulty level called Titanium, an arena system for boss battles, expanded death animations, and full Steam Deck support.