early access Archives

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

#1 Best-Selling Steam Game Just Achieved Something No PC Game Has Since Palworld

The top-selling title on Steam from September 8 to September 22, 2026, is War Dogs, which has achieved significant sales and a peak of over 428,000 concurrent players. It ranks as the 36th biggest title on Steam and has received a "Very Positive" rating based on an 82% approval rating from nearly 52,000 user reviews. War Dogs is an online tactical first-person shooter featuring three teams in strategic combat, emphasizing collaboration and requiring players to invest time to master its mechanics. The game is currently in early access and is priced at .99, with expectations for a higher retail price upon final release.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

It’s tough to stand out in today’s games industry, but ‘sorta like Helldivers 2 except dog people’ worked on me

Gravhounds is a co-op wave shooter currently in early access on Steam, available for free during its open playtest. The game features polished gameplay, allowing players to team up against waves of enemies. It includes unique movement mechanics, enabling players to glide across buildable cables, and introduces light resource mining and tower defense elements using a gravity gun. The characters are designed as dogs with human bodies, adding a whimsical touch, and players respawn with a humorous cone of shame. Gravhounds distinguishes itself from traditional military-themed shooters through its creative design and engaging mechanics.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Shroom and Gloom Launches Into Steam Early Access

Team Lazerbeam and Devolver Digital have launched Shroom and Gloom on Steam Early Access. The game is a first-person roguelike that features a double-deck-building system, combining dungeon crawling with exploration and combat against fungal creatures. A new trailer showcasing the game's art style and mechanics has been released. Players are invited to share their thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

BetaBeacon

September 23, 2026

‘Android XR Bridge’ Tool Brings Quest Exclusives To PC VR

Android XR Bridge is an experimental project that allows Meta Quest exclusives to be played on PC VR in 4K per eye at high frame rates. The software operates as an emulator to remove hardware restrictions, requiring users to own legal game files to play. The Early Access launch of AXRB has been delayed due to issues with the installer and game support.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Nothing Phone (4a) and (3a) Pro can now join Android 17 open beta

Nothing has released the Nothing OS 5.0 open beta for the Phone (4a), Phone (3a Pro), and Phone (3a) ahead of the official launch of Android 17 next month. The Android 17 package includes enhancements such as newly designed widgets, upgrades to the camera application, and a dedicated Glyph app for managing light controls. The rollout is on schedule, with the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus set to receive updates in October, and the official Android 17 build for the Phone (4a) and Phone (3a) series expected in early November, concluding by January 2027.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Speed Fixes Are Coming to All Users

Windows 11 users have experienced delays in File Explorer and the Start menu since the operating system's launch in 2021. Recent reports from Windows Insiders indicate significant improvements in system responsiveness, confirmed by Marcus Ash from Microsoft, who stated that these enhancements will be rolled out to all users by fall 2026. Recent cumulative updates have addressed issues like File Explorer lag and Start menu stuttering, with specific updates (KB5120998, KB5095093, and KB5089573) improving responsiveness and reducing micro-stutters. Enhancements to the taskbar, Start menu, and context menus are also being developed, including taskbar repositioning and streamlined context menus. Users on the 25H2 version can expect these improvements through cumulative updates before the 26H2 update this fall. Keeping Windows Update active will ensure access to these enhancements.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Ex-MS engineer reveals the story behind the infamous ‘FCKGW’ Windows XP key: ‘Pirates started baking the key into images or just writing it on the CD with a Sharpie’

David Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, was the primary author of Windows XP's Product Activation system, which included the infamous product key FCKGW. This key became widely used on pirated copies of the operating system. Plummer created the activation system by compressing and encrypting disc data, ensuring its security. The FCKGW key was specifically tied to certain data configurations, making it ineffective on standard XP CDs. A piracy group, Devils0wn, leaked a complete Windows XP Pro Corporate ISO and the valid FCKGW key just five weeks before the official launch, allowing unauthorized installations. Microsoft responded by blacklisting product IDs associated with the compromised keys in Service Pack 1 and blocking updates for installations using the FCKGW key in Service Pack 2. Valid, un-leaked Volume License Keys (VLKs) remained functional for years after the incident. Plummer noted that the media and the key were leaked before the product reached stores, preventing the intended hardware-binding from functioning.

AppWizard

September 14, 2026

Google opens Android beta testing for Google Drive

Google has launched a public beta program for its Google Drive app on Android, allowing users to explore pre-release versions of the application through the Google Play Store. This is the first time Google has offered beta testing for the Google Drive app on Android, enabling users to access early features and provide feedback to influence the final product.

AppWizard

September 13, 2026

Inzoi’s director says he is ‘very much focused on our core goals’ as he announces a multiplayer roleplaying mode designed to be like Ready Player One

Inzoi has faced criticism for being a "shallow imitation" of The Sims 4, according to life simulation expert Mollie Taylor. The game's director, Hyungjin "Kjun" Kim, is working on refining Inzoi and has introduced a new mode called 'Canvastown', which aims to enhance gameplay through dynamic interactions. Kim has hinted at the potential for "script mods" that would allow players to create mini-games, although it is unclear if players can develop these mods themselves. In contrast, another life simulation title, Paralives, has received positive feedback for its features and mechanics.

AppWizard

September 11, 2026

Bribing medics to revive me first in Wardogs is one of my favorite shooter mechanics in ages

Wardogs is a Battlefield-inspired shooter that allows players to invest in enhancements such as customized loadouts and taxi services to improve their gameplay experience. The game features an engaging economy that rewards players for their contributions, with over 300,000 players participating in its early access phase. The economic system incentivizes players to embrace their roles in the game, enhancing overall engagement and experience. The developers, Bulkhead, are focused on refining and expanding the game during this early access period.