Doom Archives

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Oblivion turns 20 today, and I need Bethesda to return to its roots for Elder Scrolls 6

The author purchased The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion the day after its release, exchanging all their pocket money at Gamestation. The game came with a disc and a glossy map of Cyrodiil. Oblivion allowed players to take on various roles, showcasing the flexibility characteristic of RPGs. The author experienced the game on PC, while it also became a flagship title for the Xbox 360, broadening the appeal of RPGs to console gamers. Oblivion has influenced many contemporary games, including Elden Ring and Kingdom Come Deliverance. It is associated with the controversial horse armor DLC, which sparked discussions about microtransactions in gaming. The author reflects on the game's graphical limitations and the unnecessary nature of the Oblivion Remastered version. As Oblivion celebrates its 20th anniversary, the author considers the future of RPGs and the potential impact of The Elder Scrolls 6.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dune Imperium, Forager, Bloons TD 6, more

Today, there are notable Android game and app deals, including Bloons TD 6, Unreal Life, Candleman, Wings of Glory, and Raiders of the North Sea. Additional games on sale are Doom & Destiny Worlds, The Isle of Cats, Dune: Imperium Digital, and Forager. Hardware discounts include the Pixel Watch 4 and open-box deals for the Google Pixel 10 Pro/XL, with savings reaching up to 0.

Winsage

March 19, 2026

Someone hacked Windows 98 onto a year 2000 Internet appliance just because they can

Dave Luna is attempting to run Windows 98 on the Compaq iPAQ IA‑2, a device originally designed for Windows CE. The iPAQ IA‑2 has limited hardware capabilities, including a 266 MHz Geode GX1 CPU and a maximum of 256 MB of SDRAM, which complicates the process of running a full operating system. Luna utilized the device's 16 MB flash drive, originally used for the operating system, to write MS-DOS and employ a chain-boot method to launch Windows 98. He successfully booted Windows 98 from an IDE drive by tricking the system into recognizing it as an ATAPI device, despite the BIOS restrictions. The iPAQ IA‑2 is not practical for regular use but allows for nostalgic gaming, such as playing DOOM. The concept of internet appliances, aimed at providing simple web browsing and email solutions, failed due to their restrictive nature, difficulties in software and hardware upgrades, and the need for subscriptions to specific Internet Service Providers. As broadband internet became more common, the appeal of these devices decreased, leading to their obsolescence, although they contributed to the development of modern devices like Chromebooks.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Fanatical’s Spring Sale Has Kicked Off – Save on Resident Evil Requiem, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and More

Fanatical has launched its Spring Sale, featuring discounts on various PC games. Resident Evil Requiem is discounted by 18%, priced at .39, while the Resident Evil Remake Trilogy is available at a 65% discount for .49. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the 2025 Game of the Year winner, is marked down by 28% to .99. DOOM: The Dark Ages is offered at a 70% discount. Monster Hunter Wilds and Kingdom Come: Deliverance II have price drops exceeding 50%. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is priced at .74. Discounts are time-sensitive, and the Amazon Big Spring Sale will launch soon.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

The best FPS games of all time, from a PC gaming veteran

First-person shooters (FPS) have captivated gamers since the early 1990s, with influential titles shaping the genre. - Wolfenstein 3D: Developed by id Software, released on May 5, 1992, for PC (MS-DOS). It established core gameplay with real-time movement and first-person perspectives. - Quake: Developed by id Software, released on June 22, 1996, for PC (MS-DOS, Windows). It transitioned FPS from 2.5D to true 3D rendering, enhancing gameplay speed and introducing vertical aiming. - Half-Life: Developed by Valve, released on November 19, 1998, for PC (Windows, Linux, Mac). It integrated storytelling with gameplay, featuring a silent protagonist and advanced AI. - Counter-Strike 1.6: Developed by Valve, released in September 2003 for PC (Windows, Mac, Linux). Originally a mod for Half-Life, it emphasized teamwork and strategy in competitive gameplay. - Halo 2: Developed by Bungie, released on November 9, 2004, for Xbox and PC. It introduced new perspectives and moral complexities, with a strong online multiplayer experience. - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, released on November 5, 2007, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It transformed military FPS with a cinematic approach and persistent progression in multiplayer. - Left 4 Dead: Developed by Valve, released on November 17, 2008, for PC and Xbox 360. It focused on cooperative gameplay against zombies, featuring a dynamic AI Director. - Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Developed by EA DICE, released on March 2, 2010, for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It featured large-scale combat and destructible environments, emphasizing squad cooperation. Other notable FPS games include GoldenEye 007, Titanfall, and Bioshock, contributing to the genre's diversity and appeal.

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

Heart of the Machine review

Players in the upcoming cyberpunk strategy RPG, Heart of the Machine, will assume the role of a newly sentient Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The game is set to release on March 6, 2026, developed by Arcen Games and published by Hooded Horse, with a price of £25. It features a turn-based interface for navigating a city, engaging with inhabitants, and completing morally complex missions. Players can command robotic enforcers, repurpose properties, and make decisions that lead to multiple endings. The narrative includes a corporation observing the AGI's evolution, and players can enhance their intelligence through server farms or by integrating human brains. As players progress, they can perceive five-dimensional timelines and explore procedurally generated cities. The game includes a Doom tracker for impending disasters, over 50 hours of gameplay, and challenges related to resource management. Players can engage in various scenarios, from uplifting animals to instigating global conflicts, while navigating ethical dilemmas.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

New $17 PC Game Bundle Contains 7 Top Tier Boomer Shooters

A new digital charity bundle features a collection of retro-inspired first-person shooters, known as "boomer shooters," including titles like Selaco, Cultic, and Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. The bundle is priced at a remarkable value and will be available until March 10. The complete lineup includes: - Selaco - I Am Your Beast - Mullet Madjack - Beyond Citadel - Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun - Incision - Cultic The bundle supports marine conservation efforts focused on the protection of whales and dolphins.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Nightdive Studios’ Stephen Kick has 8,544 hours in Dota 2, and just clocked his 5,000th win: ‘I think it’s made me a better leader’

Stephen Kick is the co-founder of Nightdive Studios and a dedicated curator of PC gaming's golden age, leading the revival of classic games like Doom, Quake, and System Shock 2. He has a strong passion for gaming, which began with a visit to a friend's house where he played Wolfenstein 3D. Nightdive's remake of System Shock has received critical acclaim. Kick encourages collaboration with the gaming community for remastering classic games. He was inspired to enter game development by a competition for Dota 2, which ignited his passion for gaming. He has logged 8,544 hours in Dota 2 and acknowledges its significant role in his personal growth and family life. Kick also enjoys playing Plants vs. Zombies and uses Photoshop for his creative artwork. He maintains a tidy desktop and has a methodical approach to organizing his workspace.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

12 Top PC Co-Op Games You Can Play Right Now With Your Buds

The text discusses various cooperative games available on PC, highlighting their unique features and gameplay experiences. 1. Rock and Stone! - A co-op shooter where players are dwarven miners battling alien creatures in destructible caves. 2. PEAK - A climbing survival game with a lo-fi aesthetic and proximity chat for shared experiences. 3. Managed Democracy - A squad-based shooter with cinematic firefights and no PSN account required for PC play. 4. No Man's Sky - An expansive universe exploration game that has improved significantly since its launch, with a recent update adding a gravity gun. 5. Beat-'em-Up with a Twist - A modern rogue-like beat-'em-up game in early access, supporting up to four players with character customization. 6. Dungeons & Dragons RPG - An expansive RPG that allows for custom character creation and personalized multiplayer sessions. 7. Monster Hunter World - A popular title with an Iceborne expansion, known for its smooth performance on various PC setups. 8. Elden Ring Nightreign - A spinoff allowing players to team up in a randomized map before facing bosses, with a mod enhancing the original game’s multiplayer. 9. Nioh 2 and 3 - Action RPGs featuring a multiplayer mode focused on challenging combat against yokai. 10. Warframe - An MMO-style game with extensive content and no mandatory store accounts, suitable for cooperative action. 11. Retro FPS Renaissance - Modernized versions of classic shooters like Doom and Quake, updated for co-op play with new content and challenges.