elements Archives

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Why aren’t there more PC-first gamepads? Valve don’t know, but they “did see an opportunity” for the new Steam Controller

Valve's new Steam Controller is set to launch on May 4th, focusing specifically on the PC gaming experience. Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Steve Cardinali discussed the lack of PC-specific controllers in a market dominated by console peripherals. They noted that existing controllers are primarily designed for consoles, with 59% of Steam users currently using Xbox controllers and 26% using PlayStation controllers. The new Steam Controller aims to address the needs of PC gamers by incorporating familiar thumbsticks and inputs, as well as Deck-style trackpads for enhanced utility. It is priced at £85 and is designed to work seamlessly with the Steam platform. Yang and Cardinali also mentioned potential features for future iterations of Valve's gaming hardware.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes Scheduled for PC Release on May 11

Publisher Dotemu will release Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes on PC on May 11, 2026. The game is developed by Alt Shift and features players as fleet commanders in a post-apocalyptic setting following the fall of the Twelve Colonies. Gameplay includes survival-focused elements, fleet management, tactical decision-making, resource gathering, and defense against Cylon attacks. The game will be available for purchase on Steam and GOG.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Quick Share’s Windows app now looks a little more like an Android app

Google has released an updated version of its Quick Share application for Windows, version 1.0.2555.1. The update features a redesigned home screen with a more intuitive interface, the ability to modify file selections during an ongoing transfer, and refreshed visual elements that align with Android's aesthetic.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

Microsoft engineer says native apps are back, and it could finally revive Windows 11’s fight against web apps

A distinguished Engineer at Microsoft has suggested that native apps are making a comeback, aligning with the company's initiatives to revitalize Windows 11. The Windows Store, currently dominated by web apps, has improved significantly in performance and offers a diverse array of applications. Microsoft expanded options for developers to create apps using preferred methods, attracting notable applications like Netflix and WhatsApp to transition to WebView2-based Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). However, this shift has led to high resource consumption issues, with WhatsApp consuming up to 600MB of RAM and Electron-based applications like Discord using as much as 4GB of RAM. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with PWAs lacking essential functionalities compared to native apps. In response to feedback, Microsoft plans to develop 100% native apps for Windows 11, with Rudy Huyn confirming this intention. David Fowler declared, “Native apps are back,” indicating a focus on restoring native applications. The Start menu is transitioning from React-based elements to WinUI to enhance performance. The recently launched .NET 10 introduces Native AOT compilation, which aims to decrease app startup times and optimize memory usage. Microsoft's web-based Copilot app has also faced criticism for high resource consumption. The company must persuade developers to prioritize native app creation and demonstrate the advantages of native apps by converting its own applications to be fully native on Windows 11.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Neverway doesn’t want to be Stardew Valley. Instead, the devs are going as “weird as possible,” Larian-style

Neverway is a life simulation game developed by Coldblood Inc., where players assume the role of Fiona, a newcomer on a mysterious island. The game features resource gathering, romantic relationships, and confrontations with menacing creatures, alongside a darker narrative involving a potentially malevolent Lovecraftian entity. It combines elements of horror, RPG mechanics, and soulslike gameplay, distinguishing itself from similar titles like Stardew Valley. The game's narrative explores serious themes, including Fiona's struggles with depression, and incorporates a unique color palette that enhances its eerie atmosphere. Neverway is set to release in October 2026, with a Prologue demo currently available on Steam.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

“Lord of Hatred is the best Diablo 4 has ever been,” Blizzard says

Diablo 4 has faced challenges in maintaining momentum due to competition from titles like Last Epoch and Path of Exile 2, which offer more compelling endgame experiences. The third expansion, Lord of Hatred, aims to shift this narrative by concluding the Mephisto saga and introducing enhancements such as the Talisman and Horadric Cube for player customization. The expansion received an 8/10 rating, which is lower than its predecessor, Vessel of Hatred, due to fewer groundbreaking features. Associate Game Designer Zaven Haroutunian and Associate Director of Game Design Colin Finer stated that they believe Lord of Hatred represents the peak of Diablo 4, describing it as the ultimate expression of the game. The expansion includes streamlined endgame experiences and features like a map overlay and loot filter for better navigation and item highlighting.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Routine is an intense Alien Isolation-style experience, and it is cheaper than ever

Routine is an indie horror game that has been in development since its announcement in 2012 and is now available. It features claustrophobic hallways and a lurking predator, creating a tense atmosphere similar to Alien Isolation. The game emphasizes stealth and has a tight level design that encourages a slow, deliberate approach. Players take on the role of a basic worker in a sci-fi universe, with environmental storytelling replacing a traditional narrative. Routine includes elements inspired by SOMA, such as terminals and puzzles, and features menacing foes like Type-05 security robots. Critics have praised the game, with a review rating of 9/10, and it has been included in Game of the Year 2025 lists. Routine is currently available for .74 at Fanatical, the lowest price to date.

Winsage

April 29, 2026

AI may be coming to Windows 11’s Clock app as Microsoft turns it into a focus tool

The upcoming Focus feature in the Windows Clock app includes enhancements aimed at improving user productivity, such as integration with Tasks, a visually appealing interface, analytics on focus sessions, and customization options. It will leverage the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in newer Windows PCs, particularly enhancing the Insights feature, although the NPU page in the test version is mainly for debugging. The current test version lacks traditional elements like the clock and timer, featuring a modernized aesthetic with rounded corners. Users can customize their experience with music playback, volume adjustments, and background images. The redesigned tasks pane allows sorting by various criteria and includes options for AI-generated suggestions. Integration with Microsoft To Do is seamless, and a feature called Reflection prompts users to evaluate their focus sessions. An Insights page for focus sessions is under development, and initial tests show the new app consumes nearly double the RAM of its predecessor. The Settings page offers extensive customization options, including focus and break durations, and hints at future integration with e-learning platforms. Users can enable Focus insights to monitor concentration levels and pause sessions when needed. The timeline for the rollout of the new features remains unclear.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Aphelion Lands On Xbox, PlayStation And PC – And It’s On Game Pass Day One

Aphelion is a sci-fi action-adventure game developed and published by DON’T NOD, available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC. It is a Game Pass Day One title, allowing subscribers to access it without upfront costs. The game follows two astronauts, Ariane and Thomas, who crash-land on the ninth planet, Persephone, and must navigate its harsh, frozen environment. Players experience the story through both characters, with Ariane focusing on agility and exploration, while Thomas relies on observation and problem-solving. The game features stealth elements as players must evade a mysterious lifeform. Aphelion received a score of 3.5/5 in reviews, praised for its storytelling, atmosphere, and visuals, despite some mechanical shortcomings. It is available in various digital storefronts, including a standard edition and a Day One edition with cosmetic enhancements.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

‘It’s puke or be puked on’ — this crazy indie game has you taking shots to save your soul

Developer Who You and publisher Alliance Arts have announced their new game, Drunken Goddess Reflux. The game combines elements of Russian Roulette with a narrative where players must outdrink a pink-haired demon to save their soul. It is played from a first-person perspective, with players selecting shots that lead to unpredictable outcomes. The game has received over 50,000 wishlists on Steam and is scheduled for release later this year. Updates can be found by following Alliance Arts on social media.