E3 demo Archives

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Veteran game developer Scott Miller explains why it took 3D Realms so long to get PC gaming’s most ambitious but ultimately flawed sci-fi FPS game over the line: ‘Let’s just put all our eggs into the Duke Nukem basket’

In 2006, the sci-fi first-person shooter Prey was released after an 11-year development cycle but has since faded from prominence. The game featured a Native American protagonist abducted by aliens and included innovative gameplay mechanics such as portals and anti-gravity walkways. Initially developed by a team that showcased a demo at E3 in 1998, the project faced numerous challenges, including engine issues and funding problems, leading to its temporary halt. The publisher GT Interactive invested 0,000 into the game, but it was later revived with the help of Gathering of Developers and Human Head Studios. Despite its creative elements, the game was released under constraints imposed by Take-Two Interactive, which limited its potential. The original portal gun concept from the 1998 demo was not included in the final product. As of 2025, Prey is not available on digital storefronts due to rights complications after being acquired by ZeniMax Media in 2009, making access difficult for new players.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

The Witcher 3 free download feels like an entirely new game

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a mod called ‘New Gameplay Overhaul (E3 Inspired) Next Gen,’ created by NexusMods user bulkane, which alters the gameplay experience. Key changes include the removal of finishers for instakill and knockdown, a reduction in slow-motion effects and long-range spins, fewer comments on weather and combat, enhanced controller vibrations during combat, and the elimination of fall damage with camera shakes during attacks. The mod aims to create a more intense gaming experience reminiscent of the E3 demo. Console players are still waiting for The Witcher 4, with no release date announced yet.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Steam’s background recording feature is the new gold standard of game clipping

Steam's Game Recording feature allows players to capture high-quality video of the last few minutes of gameplay in the background. Since its beta launch, it has been used frequently due to its efficient file sizes, which are significantly smaller compared to recordings made with Nvidia Shadowplay. For example, a five-minute clip recorded with Shadowplay is 1.78GB, while Steam's equivalent maintains impressive visual fidelity with reduced storage needs. Steam's audio recording captures only the game's audio by default, avoiding background noise from other sources, which simplifies the sharing process. However, the exported clips may not match the quality of Shadowplay or OBS, and turning off background recording requires multiple clicks. The tool is limited to games launched through Steam, and some bugs persist despite updates. In comparison, Medal, another DVR app, offers similar features but has a less user-friendly interface and requires bulk deletions for space management. Steam's Game Recording provides quick MP4 generation and easy sharing on platforms like Discord, making it a preferred choice for quick clips. Users must enable the feature through Steam settings to use it.

AppWizard

November 10, 2024

Halo 2 E3 2003 Demo Available for Download on PC

343 Industries has released the E3 2003 demo of Halo 2 on PC through Steam, available to owners of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The demo features co-op gameplay, navigation points, and a 'Playground' mode for exploration. Players need Halo 2 Anniversary to access the demo. Additional unreleased Halo demos and levels, including Alpha Moon, are planned for future release.

AppWizard

July 22, 2024

Hollow Knight: Silksong is taking so long to come out, it’s already been remade in Minecraft

Silksong's 2019 E3 demo has been recreated in Minecraft by YouTuber Primacon and map maker Clouser. The demo includes the areas Deep Docks and Moss Grotto with boss fights named Lace and Mossmother. Players can choose to play as either the Knight or Hornet, with multiplayer functionality available. The demo was released yesterday and provides insight into the challenges of game development.