empires Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

RTS IS BACK! The Best Upcoming Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games of 2026-2027

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre, which thrived in the late 90s and early 2000s, experienced a decline from the late 2000s until around 2015 but is expected to make a comeback in 2026 and 2027. Anticipated titles include Stronghold 4, ZeroSpace, D.O.R.F., Dawn of War IV, and Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Bergfried, developed by Quid Pro Games, is a medieval strategy game that combines castle-building mechanics, town management, and real-time combat, with a unique grid reflecting European castle shapes. Panzer Strike, by ISAK Team, aims to recapture the essence of late 90s RTS games and is set for release in Q3 2026. Falling Frontier, a procedurally generated space RTS, is highly wishlisted on Steam and promises detailed ship combat. Chronicles: Medieval, releasing in 2026, offers a sandbox strategy experience during the Hundred Years’ War, blending free-roaming gameplay with large-scale battles. Dinolords, developed by Northplay, features a medieval world with armored dinosaurs and allows players to control dinosaur-riding Lords, presenting a unique twist on traditional RTS gameplay.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

5 Classic PC Games That Are Unplayable Today

"Dune II," released in 1992, is credited with laying the foundation for real-time strategy games, featuring base-building and military maneuvers on the planet Arrakis. It has not been re-released due to licensing issues after Westwood Studios closed in 2003. Interplay Entertainment released two video games based on "The Lord of the Rings" in the early '90s, allowing players to guide Frodo Baggins through Middle-earth. Low sales led to the cancellation of a planned trilogy, and both titles have since faded into obscurity. "Star Trek: The Next Generation — A Final Unity," a point-and-click adventure from 1995, features Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew on a mission to recover an ancient scroll. It has not received a modern re-release. Sid Meier's "Civilization II," released in 1996, has not been officially re-released, despite the series' significant evolution and availability of later entries. The absence of these formative titles leaves a gap in strategy gaming history. "Black & White," released in 2001, is a god simulator that allows players to influence tribes on islands. It has not been optimized for modern platforms following the acquisition of Lionhead Studios by Microsoft, limiting access to those with original discs.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Microsoft’s July patches fix over 600 flaws, shattering last month’s record

Microsoft has released its July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 new security vulnerabilities, bringing the total for the month to over 620. The cumulative count of vulnerabilities patched this year has reached 1,380, exceeding the total of 1,250 for the entire year of 2020. Over 400 vulnerabilities are related to various versions of Windows, and the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program has been extended until October 12, 2027. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-56155 in Active Directory Federation Services, which allows attackers to gain administrator rights, and several critical Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-57092 in Hyper-V and CVE-2026-56190 in Remote Desktop Protocol. Microsoft has also patched 97 vulnerabilities in Office products, with 17 classified as critical RCE vulnerabilities, and four vulnerabilities in Exchange Server, including CVE-2026-55008. The latest Microsoft Edge update addresses 27 vulnerabilities related to Chromium, and a vulnerability in Minecraft Bedrock servers has been patched.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Final Boss: The Video Game announced for PC – adaptation of Image Comics series

Bit Bot Media, in collaboration with Mecanimal Games, is set to release Final Boss: The Video Game on PC via Steam in the fourth quarter of 2028. The game combines pixel art side-scrolling beat 'em up mechanics with 3D fighting game elements, inspired by the Final Boss Image Comics series by Tyler Kirkham. Players will control characters like Tommy Brazen, Rabak, Masked Vigilante, and Midnight Lily, navigating various environments and facing formidable villains. The gameplay features cooperative play for up to four players, with each stage introducing new mechanics and culminating in 3D boss battles. Key features include animated comic book sequences, an original score by Celldweller, and a nostalgic experience built for modern players.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Fanatical’s Field of Glory Bundle nets you 10 games and DLC for less than $30

Fanatical has launched a Bundle for the Field of Glory series, allowing players to choose from titles such as Kingdoms, Empires, and Field of Glory II, along with various DLCs. Discounts increase with the number of selections: three games or DLCs cost .33 each, ten or more drop to .75 each, and the full bundle of 18 items totals .49, down from a retail price of 7.13. The bundle includes various products from the Field of Glory series. The promotion runs until August 9, 2026, and spending over .00 in a single transaction grants a random game for free.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Valve’s magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil

Valve has launched Proton 11, which is based on Wine 11 and available to Linux users through Steam settings. This version includes support for several games, such as "Deadly Premonition," "Resident Evil," and "DCS World Steam Edition." Key fixes in Proton 11 include improved KDE window maximization support, video playback fixes, and enhanced controller support. The update also addresses various rendering issues, game crashes, and performance improvements for multiple titles. Proton 11 is rebased on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, enhancing the gaming experience on Linux platforms.

AppWizard

June 29, 2026

PC Game Pass: Rethink buying games

PC Game Pass from XBOX offers access to over 500 high-quality PC games for a monthly fee of .90. It includes new releases available on launch day, classic AAA titles, and indie games, allowing players to explore various genres without the need for an XBOX console. Gamers can download and play multiple titles simultaneously, with no restrictions on installations. The library features popular games like Forza Horizon 6, EA SPORTS FC 26, Age of Empires IV, and Minecraft. PC Game Pass is part of a tiered subscription model, with trial promotions available for the first 14 days. Game Pass Ultimate offers additional benefits, including access to Ubisoft+ Classics and online multiplayer features.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Down with tactical rocks

The evolution of miniature design in tabletop gaming has shifted from simple character representation to exaggerated poses and precarious placements. Miniatures like the ork, once depicted in dynamic stances, now feature characters such as a dwarf leaping off a statue for dramatic effect. Maugan Ra, the Phoenix Lord, is shown straddling two tactical rocks, resembling a politician rather than a harbinger of doom. Games Workshop has popularized the trend of "tactical rocks," which are intended to elevate characters for visual impact but have become excessive. Originally, key figures were distinguished by size or mounting, but now even imposing figures like Kragnos awkwardly perch on these rocks. There is a growing sentiment among enthusiasts that this trend detracts from the artistry of miniatures, with many preferring to use color schemes and banners for distinction rather than relying on exaggerated poses. The balance between creativity and practicality in miniature design continues to be a topic of discussion.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition now available

Age of Empires Mobile is now available on Steam and the Microsoft Store for PCs, allowing players to transition seamlessly between mobile devices and PCs while retaining their progress. The PC Edition has been optimized for enhanced gameplay, featuring mouse control and full keyboard navigation for improved strategic maneuvers and resource management. Further details and updates about the game are available for interested players.

BetaBeacon

June 23, 2026

Mane City Mobile Lands On iOS And Android In 100+ Countries

Loaded Lions has opened pre-registration for Mane City Mobile, a competitive strategy game that is now available on iOS and Android. The mobile version offers territory building, real-time PvP combat, and marketplace trading, operating on a separate server from the desktop version to ensure fair gameplay. Mane City Mobile is free to play with optional in-game purchases, and players can choose between the Legion and Void factions to build empires and climb ranked leaderboards.