early access

AppWizard
June 12, 2026
Xbox Game Pass has added three new titles for PC and Xbox Series X as part of its day-one game initiative in 2026. The new games are: 1. Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - A sci-fi multiplayer adventure developed by System Era Softworks and Devolver Digital, currently in early access. It has a 40% approval rating on Steam but lacks a Metacritic score. 2. Beastro - A cozy adventure game from Timberline Studio where players engage in culinary creativity. It has a 92% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. 3. Frog Sqwad - A multiplayer extraction puzzle platformer developed by Panic Stations, supporting up to eight players. It has a 90% approval rating on Steam and no Metacritic score. Subscribers can enjoy these games at no additional cost and receive a 20% discount on each title. The duration of these games' availability on Xbox Game Pass has not been disclosed.
AppWizard
June 12, 2026
Witchspire is a survival crafting game released into early access, where players take on the role of a witch in a whimsical world filled with magical tools and familiars. Players can track down fellow witches, build a base, and engage in tree chopping using wands and spells. Familiars can be captured and serve as combat companions or enhance productivity at the player's base. The game features a fluid combat system with a dodge mechanic and multiple double-jumps, as well as gridless building mechanics. Exploration rewards players with chests, mini-puzzles, and experience points for a skill tree. Some quality-of-life features are still in development, such as viewing crafting recipes and switching consumables during combat. The game is developed by Envar Games.
AppWizard
June 11, 2026
1666: Amsterdam, a game led by Patrice Desilets, generated excitement during the Summer Game Fest with a narrative teaser featuring themes of witches and the supernatural. However, it was revealed that some visuals were created using artificial intelligence, leading to scrutiny from the gaming community. The studio, Panache, acknowledged this in a Reddit statement, confirming that some marketing and game assets utilized generative AI and that they are reviewing these assets. They assured players that the Early Access and full game will not include AI-generated assets. This incident highlights a trend in the gaming industry regarding the use of AI in development.
AppWizard
June 10, 2026
The remake of the level "Assault on the Control Room" from Halo: Combat Evolved is featured in the upcoming release of Halo: Campaign Evolved. This level, known as the fifth and longest in the original campaign, has been redesigned to enhance gameplay while preserving its original essence. Creative Director Max Szlagor emphasized the level's importance and its core sandbox experience, highlighting improvements in pacing, navigation, and visual detail. The remake includes enhanced AI for Covenant forces, vehicle hijacking, and a cooperative play option for up to four players. The game is set to launch globally on July 28, 2026, with early access for Premium Edition owners starting July 23, and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5.
BetaBeacon
June 10, 2026
Arm's Neural Technology is set to revolutionize mobile gaming, allowing for advanced features like ray-traced shadows and realistic lighting effects. The technology will debut with the game Neural Dawn, developed in partnership with Sumo Digital and scheduled for release in Q4 2026. The limitation of these features being exclusive to Mali GPUs may pose a challenge for devices using different GPU technologies, narrowing down the scope to phones powered by MediaTek hardware.
Winsage
June 10, 2026
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8575 on June 8, 2026, focusing on stability rather than new features. This build introduces the ability to extend update pauses indefinitely, which is important for maintaining system integrity in test environments. It also fixes an audio malfunction affecting some users and improves the reliability of the “Settings > Apps > Installed apps” feature. Additionally, the build addresses freezing issues in core applications like Search and Notepad. The Beta channel has been restructured to provide more stability and predictability, with features no longer rolled out gradually. Overall, this build enhances update management, resolves audio issues, stabilizes app handling, and addresses freezes in essential components.
AppWizard
June 9, 2026
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, featuring enhanced graphics, refined controls, and three bonus prologue missions. The release date is set for July 23, 2026, with pre-orders for the Premium or Collector’s Edition available. The game will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and for the first time, on PlayStation 5. The remake was first teased in October 2025 with a trailer for The Silent Cartographer mission. A cinematic story trailer was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, showcasing the Master Chief and his AI companion, Cortana. The Operation Meteorite trailer introduces new content where Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson face Covenant ships in lush environments.
Winsage
June 9, 2026
Windows 11 introduces taskbar customization features that allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen (top, bottom, left, or right) and resize it for improved workflow and adaptability. These features are currently available in Windows 11 Insider experimental builds. The Start menu and pinned icons automatically adjust to align with the new taskbar position. Users can enable smaller taskbar buttons to maximize screen space, which is particularly useful for compact devices. The taskbar can also be set to minimize at all times, only when full, or never. These updates aim to optimize screen space and enhance accessibility and personalization for diverse workflows and screen configurations.
AppWizard
June 8, 2026
The Coalition has introduced the Gears of War: E-Day Collector’s Edition, which includes the Xbox Series X Premium Edition of the game and various collectible items. Pre-orders are open, with the Collector’s Edition launching on October 1, 2026, and the global release of Gears of War: E-Day on October 6, 2026. Key features of the Collector’s Edition include a 15-inch collectible statue of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, a SteelBook with artwork by Luke Preece, replica COG tags, a photograph of the characters, a premium art print of the Feral Wretch, and a thank-you note from the development team. The package also offers early access to the game, a weapon pack, customization packs, and in-game currency. The Collector’s Edition will be available for Xbox Series X and Steam, with limited quantities for pre-order.
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