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Epic Games

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AppWizard
July 29, 2026

Blizzard’s former Battle.net lead is moving his expertise over to the Epic Games Store to ‘elevate player, creator, and developer experiences’

Epic Games has appointed Martin Keely as the new Vice President and General Manager of the Epic Games Store following Steve Allison's departure. Keely previously worked at Activision Blizzard for seven years, overseeing the Battle.net launcher. He expressed enthusiasm for his new role and aims to enhance player, creator, and developer experiences. The Epic Games Store faces challenges regarding user experience and competition, particularly as the company prepares for Unreal Engine 6 and seeks to improve cross-platform functionality.
5TH Cell Reveals Broke Wizards, a New 6-Player Co-Op Game for PC
AppWizard
July 29, 2026

5TH Cell Reveals Broke Wizards, a New 6-Player Co-Op Game for PC

5TH Cell is developing a new co-op adventure game called Broke Wizards, set to launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. In the game, players can team up as one to six Wizard roommates to complete whimsical jobs and gather funds to pay rent before the week's end. They face challenges from an Imp Landlord and engage in various magical tasks such as rescuing towns, exploring backrooms, racing enchanted ravens, and playing a wizard-themed mobile game. Combat involves using spells while avoiding collateral damage. After work, players can relax with activities like watching videos, playing instruments, and competing in PvP matches. The game features customization options, including outfits and companions, and progression is based on collecting Magic Keys through jobs and paying rent to unlock a treasure chest that grants ownership of their home.
After leaving Epic Games last month, its former 'Unreal evangelist' is now building his own game engine
AppWizard
July 28, 2026

After leaving Epic Games last month, its former ‘Unreal evangelist’ is now building his own game engine

Sjoerd De Jong left Epic Games after 12 years as the lead evangelist for Unreal in June. He plans to create his own game engine, tentatively named Immens, to address the complexities of established engines like Unreal and Unity. De Jong believes there is a need for a modern engine designed from the ground up and envisions incorporating large language models and generative AI tools into the gaming ecosystem. He aims for Immens to be adaptable for AI integration while emphasizing the importance of developers in maintaining the artistry of game creation.
Epic taps Blizzard's Battle.net lead to fix the Epic Games Store as Steam dominates
AppWizard
July 28, 2026

Epic taps Blizzard’s Battle.net lead to fix the Epic Games Store as Steam dominates

Epic Games has appointed Martin Keely as the new Vice President and General Manager of the Epic Games Store, succeeding Steve Allison, who left the company in July. Keely previously worked as Senior Vice President overseeing the Battle.net launcher at Blizzard for seven years. His appointment aims to strengthen Epic's competitive position against Valve's Steam in the PC gaming market. Keely expressed enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunity to enhance player, creator, and developer experiences. Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, has acknowledged the challenges the company faces in gaining market share against Steam.
What does GTA Online 2.0 even look like—and, more to the point, what do we even want from Grand Theft Auto 6 multiplayer?
AppWizard
July 26, 2026

What does GTA Online 2.0 even look like—and, more to the point, what do we even want from Grand Theft Auto 6 multiplayer?

Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated to be released, with a focus on a single-player experience, although there are indications of an evolving multiplayer component. Rockstar has acquired Cfx.re and is discussing Project Rome, suggesting a broader vision for Vice City. GTA Online has transformed into a social hub with diverse subcultures, raising questions about the future of Online 2.0, including content moderation, creator ownership, and the relationship between the new and original versions. Rockstar's acquisition of FiveM indicates a shift towards a community-driven approach, potentially adopting a model similar to Fortnite with a creator economy and live events. The next iteration of GTA Online will face a different environment compared to its predecessor, and the release of GTA 6's first single-player installment in nearly 15 years may provide a distraction during this transitional period.
10 Games We'd Love To See Added To Xbox Backwards Compatibility On PC
AppWizard
July 26, 2026

10 Games We’d Love To See Added To Xbox Backwards Compatibility On PC

Xbox has announced backwards compatibility for PC, allowing fans to vote on classic titles they want to see made available. Current favorites among voters include Fable 2, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Fable 3, Sonic Unleashed, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Gears of War 3, Lost Odyssey, and Ninja Gaiden Black. A curated list of ten highly sought-after titles already enjoying backwards compatibility on consoles includes Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Lost Odyssey, Ninja Gaiden Black, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Sonic Unleashed, Gears of War 3, Banjo-Tooie, SSX 3, and Fable 3.
Weekend PC Game Deals: Anno, Civilization, Monster Hunter, and more
AppWizard
July 25, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Anno, Civilization, Monster Hunter, and more

Gamers can claim the narrative-driven card game Foretales for free on the Epic Games Store until July 30. The Humble Store has launched several bundles, including the Twin Sails Interactive collection, the Point Click Package bundle, and the Animal Style Bundle. Steam is featuring the Train Festival promotion with significant discounts. GOG is also hosting various sales this weekend. Availability and pricing may vary by region.
LG kills McAfee pop-up after Windows boss steps in
Winsage
July 24, 2026

LG kills McAfee pop-up after Windows boss steps in

LG has decided to stop the McAfee pop-up notifications in its Monitor App Installer following intervention from Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows at Microsoft. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, had previously highlighted the annoyance caused by these advertisements. The pop-ups appeared when certain LG devices, like the LG UltraGear, were connected to a Windows device for the first time. Windows allows hardware manufacturers to silently add software during external device installations, which can lead to advertising and mixed user experiences. LG is not exploiting vulnerabilities for software installation, and the automatic process is well-documented. This incident raises questions about review procedures and the implications of advertising within the Windows ecosystem.
Microsoft is cracking down on Windows 11 bloatware ads, forces LG to pull McAfee popup
Winsage
July 24, 2026

Microsoft is cracking down on Windows 11 bloatware ads, forces LG to pull McAfee popup

LG will disable the McAfee ad pop-up in its Monitor App Installer following consumer dissatisfaction and Microsoft's intervention. Users reported that the app was silently installed via Windows Update, leading to unsolicited McAfee trial ads. LG stated that McAfee is not installed without user consent and blamed Microsoft's distribution process, but many users experienced the pop-up without prior consent. Microsoft confirmed LG's agreement to disable the pop-up within three days, emphasizing a commitment to improving user experience. The incident highlights concerns over silent installations and the necessity of third-party antivirus software for Windows 11 users.
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