early access Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Star Citizen reaches $1 billion in lifetime funding, 14 years after the project was first announced — game still in early access with no release window, including ‘Squadron 42’ campaign

Star Citizen was launched as a crowdfunding campaign on October 10, 2012, and has since surpassed billion in total funding, though a definitive release date is not yet available. The game is currently in an alpha state, with ongoing updates and numerous bugs. Over 1,000 employees are involved in its development, which has spanned three console generations. Chris Roberts has suggested a potential release window of 2027-2028, depending on the launch of Squadron 42, which is targeting a release in 2026. The game has transitioned from CryEngine to a proprietary engine, StarEngine, and features like Persistent Entity Streaming and Server Meshing have been introduced. Star Citizen is the most expensive crowdfunded game ever, and it has been covered by Tom's Hardware since late 2012.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

I’m glad they didn’t release Subnautica 2 all at once—the episodic early access structure has me even more excited to explore its alien ocean

Subnautica 2, currently in early access, sold 2 million copies within twelve hours of its launch. The game features a narrative involving an AI companion named NOA and the remnants of previous colonists, with players encountering the Masefield Syndrome linked to a colossal alien tree. The game includes a survival-crafting element where players must construct a Tadpole mini-sub to explore the ocean. It integrates tools and gadgets into the narrative, enhancing gameplay and driving players to uncover mysteries. The game has received some criticism for its stringent end-user license agreement but has made a significant impact in the gaming community.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Paralives launch times and release date

Paralives will launch in early access at 10 am Eastern on May 25, 2026, and will be available for purchase on Steam. The game will not support preloading, and players will need to download it on launch day. The installation size is approximately 7.62GB, requiring 8GB of storage space.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

007: First Light drops last-minute Denuvo DRM bombshell, leaving pre-order customers and fans furious — Bond title risks FPS drops and strict online check-ins, Pirates eagerly await repack as day-one cracks become the norm

IO Interactive's game, 007: First Light, will include "Denuvo Anti-Tamper" DRM to protect against piracy on PC, leading to customer frustration among pre-order users. The Steam forums show mixed reactions, with some players disappointed and others appreciative of the DRM. Denuvo can impact frame rates and requires significant resources for integration, potentially affecting paying customers' experiences. It has been reported that Denuvo was cracked shortly after the launch of Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Denuvo operates in user space, not at the kernel level, and players may be locked out if their internet connection fails for over 48 hours. Developers face a paradox, as implementing DRM aims to maximize sales but may disadvantage legitimate customers. Alternative strategies exist, as seen with Cyberpunk 2077, which launched without DRM and became successful. A 2017 European Commission report suggested that piracy might increase overall sales, as some users who initially pirate games later become paying customers.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Minecraft creators want Roblox-style brand deals — and see Xbox’s new chief strategy officer as an opening

Matthew Ball has been appointed as Xbox's new chief strategy officer, generating excitement among the gaming community, particularly Minecraft creators. At UGCon, five prominent Minecraft creators expressed optimism about Ball's leadership, believing his metaverse-focused perspective could enhance support for creators. Mohamed Weheba, CEO of InPVP, highlighted the untapped potential in multiplayer Minecraft, while an anonymous creator criticized the restrictive brand integration policies that limit opportunities. There is hope that Ball will advocate for a more flexible approach to brand integration, aligning Minecraft's policies with those of competitors like Roblox and Fortnite. Ball has recognized Minecraft's value, which Microsoft acquired for .5 billion in 2014. Mojang Studios, represented by vice president Kayleen Walters, is committed to enhancing creator tools and providing opportunities for independent developers. The Minecraft community is eager to see how Ball's leadership will influence the platform's future and foster a more inclusive environment for creators.

TrendTechie

May 23, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 слили за девять дней до релиза

Unencrypted preload files for Forza Horizon 6, totaling approximately 155 GB, have been discovered on Steam. Some players have reportedly launched a version of the game without the day-one patch, but those who went online with the leaked version received permanent hardware bans tied to specific PC components. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is May 19, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version expected later in the year. The Premium edition will provide early access starting May 15. The game features over 550 vehicles, including classic Japanese models and exclusive Forza Edition cars.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 hits a massive milestone across Xbox, PC, and Game Pass after its explosive release — it just set a new Steam peak player count, too

Forza Horizon 6 was launched on May 19, 2026, developed by Playground Games. It recorded over 270,000 players on Steam during its launch week, peaking at 284,139 concurrent players. The game attracted over 6 million players within one week of its Early Access release across various platforms. It achieved the largest Early Access launch in the franchise's history, with nearly 200,000 concurrent players on Steam initially. Forza Horizon 6 holds a Metacritic score of 91/100, making it the highest-rated game of 2026. The standard price is .99, with Deluxe and Premium Editions priced at .29 and .99, respectively. It is also available through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Dawn of War 4 just got a release date (or 2), a DLC roadmap, and Crusade Mode plans

Dawn of War 4 is set to be released on September 17, with early access for the Commander Edition available on September 14. The Commander Edition includes advanced access and additional downloadable content, such as a story prologue, a campaign expansion, and a new faction. The Blood Ravens Story Prologue follows a Blood Ravens strike force returning to their homeworld of Aurelia. The expansion will introduce a new faction and campaign, along with new commanders and features in the Crusade Mode. Free updates will include new modes, map packs, and a Mission Editor for custom battles. Both editions will have a 10% preorder discount, but specific pricing details are not yet available.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Dawn of War 4 now has a release date and a roadmap, with Crusade Mode making a much-awaited comeback

The release date for Dawn of War 4 is set for Thursday, September 17, 2026. Players can choose between two editions: the Standard Edition and the Commander Edition, which offers a three-day early access period and all year-one content. The game will feature various modes, map packs, and a mission editor, with the return of Crusade Mode. A new faction will be introduced within the first year, with speculation about playable Xenos. Players can wishlist the game in anticipation of its launch.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Witchfire

PC Gamer has previewed the upcoming dark fantasy RPG shooter Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts, which is set to release its version 1.0 after a decade of development and positive user reviews on Steam. The issue also discusses the legacy of MMOs on PC, listing major titles available as of 2026, including World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. Additionally, it features previews of upcoming games like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and reviews of titles such as Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred and Vampire Crawlers. Digital editions of the magazine are available in PDF and EPUB formats through Pocketmags.