esports Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Riot Games Launches League of Legends 2026 Season 1 PC Café Event With Free Rewards, Skins and Esports Prizes

Riot Games has launched its first PC café promotion of 2026, coinciding with the Season 1 update for League of Legends. The promotion, running until January 21, offers in-game rewards, trial cosmetics, and sweepstakes for players at participating PC cafés. Players can earn tiered rewards based on playtime, with those logging 20 hours receiving up to 15 Hextech Chest and Key sets. Participants are also entered into prize drawings for tickets to major esports events. A separate reward track is available for ranked victories, offering randomized rewards. Additionally, players will have temporary access to 15 champion skins from the Demacia region until January 30.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

GTA 6’s ten-year development cycle would be a “very bad bet” for anyone but Rockstar, says former Bethesda dev

Concerns are rising about the release of GTA 6, with speculation that it may not launch until 2027 due to delays, ongoing leaks, and legal challenges faced by Rockstar. Former Bethesda lead artist Nate Purkeypile warns that the project's scale could be risky for any studio other than Rockstar, which has a track record of successfully managing large-scale games. The anticipated budget for GTA 6 is rumored to be around a billion dollars, with a development cycle exceeding a decade. Purkeypile emphasizes the importance of experience in handling ambitious projects, citing the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 as a cautionary example. He suggests that Rockstar's experience allows them to take their time, but warns that many studios fail when attempting similar large projects without the necessary background. Purkeypile also expressed a desire for a potential GTA 7 set in Texas, incorporating immersive sim elements, but noted that the current development pace might delay its arrival until the 2040s.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Steam Machine release date speculation, specs and latest news

Valve is set to launch the Steam Machine in early 2026, potentially up to April 2026, though delays may occur due to a RAM crisis affecting component prices. Pre-orders are currently unavailable, but customers can add it to their Steam wishlist for notifications. The Steam Machine is a PC-hybrid console, running SteamOS, and offers a desktop environment for flexibility. It has performance specifications between the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5, with 16GB of system memory and 8GB of video memory. Key specifications include a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, semi-custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, and storage options of 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD. The Steam Machine will come with a Steam Controller, featuring standard controls and enhanced precision through dual trackpads and a gyroscope.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Steam Makes 2025 Game Free To Keep For Limited Time

Key trends shaping the future of the gaming industry include: - Cloud Gaming: Revolutionizes access to games without high-end hardware. - Cross-Platform Play: Enables gamers to play with friends across different devices. - Esports Growth: Major tournaments attract millions of viewers and sponsorship deals. - Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): Enhance gameplay experiences. Businesses are employing strategies such as: - Personalized Experiences: Tailoring content to individual preferences. - Community Building: Fostering belonging among gamers through various platforms. - Subscription Models: Offering access to a library of games for a fixed monthly fee.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

After 200,000 Mobile Downloads, Classy Games Brings Orbital to PC

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the gaming industry to become a key player in the global market. The government has allocated resources for local game developers and is attracting international companies. Investment funds have been established to support startups and established firms in the gaming sector. Educational programs and partnerships with universities are being developed to train future game developers. The kingdom plans to host major gaming events to showcase local talent and enhance its reputation as a gaming hub. Additionally, there is a focus on integrating gaming into Saudi culture by promoting games that reflect local heritage and values, encouraging developers to explore themes related to Saudi culture, and fostering community involvement in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

December 27, 2025

Welcome to the FPS vibe shift

The FPS landscape is transforming, with trends indicating a shift away from high skill ceilings and expensive cosmetics in multiplayer FPS games. Gamers are expressing dissatisfaction with overpriced cosmetics, leading franchises like Call of Duty to reconsider their strategies. Activision announced that Black Ops 7 will not carry over skins from previous games, focusing instead on thematic cosmetics. Competitive shooters are broadening their appeal to casual audiences, with games like The Finals, Rainbow Six Siege, Splitgate 2, and Overwatch 2 introducing new modes that reduce competitive intensity. Purely co-op shooters, such as Helldivers 2 and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, continue to thrive, demonstrating lasting player engagement. Additionally, titles like Battlefield 6 and Black Ops 7 are being developed as premium products, indicating that gamers are willing to pay for complete, high-quality experiences rather than free-to-play models that lack content.

BetaBeacon

December 19, 2025

Top Mobile Games in 2025 for iOS and Android

- Fortnite and Call of Duty: Mobile are the top choices for mobile shooter games in 2025. - Standoff 2 is a must-play game in 2025 with tactical gameplay and competitive esports scene. - League of Legends: Wild Rift is the top choice for mobile MOBA games with refined gameplay and regular updates. - Spooky Express is a thrilling horror game for casual players. - Undecember is the best RPG mobile game with extensive customization options and visually stunning world.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

A market has emerged around streamer xQc potentially breaking Forsen's Minecraft speedrun record of 15:28:130 by December 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET during a live stream. The market will resolve to "Yes" if he breaks the record and "No" if he fails. The current trading volume is approximately ,219, with a 21% chance estimated for xQc to break the record. The speedrun involves defeating the Ender Dragon in Minecraft Java Edition version 1.16.1. The primary resolution source will be xQc's Twitch channel, with credible reporting also considered.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Stunning HDR gaming just hit a new low price with this miniLED 27-inch monitor deal from AOC

The AOC Q27G3XMN gaming monitor features a 27-inch QHD miniLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 and a refresh rate of 180Hz. It has a 336-zone miniLED backlight that meets the DisplayHDR 1000 standard, providing enhanced black levels and contrast. The monitor offers a maximum brightness of 1000cd/m2 and a contrast ratio exceeding 100,000:1. It covers 134% of the sRGB color space and 96% of the DCI-P3 color space. The AOC Q27G3XMN supports AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technologies for adaptive sync, and it has adjustable height, rotation, and tilt. It is currently priced at 9.99 in the USA and £228.95 in the UK after discounts of 17% and 23%, respectively.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The 20 Best Xbox 360 Games of All Time

Microsoft transformed the Xbox brand from a traditional gaming console into a multifaceted platform emphasizing software accessibility across various devices, with the Game Pass subscription model allowing users to access a vast library of games on mobile phones and rival consoles. The Xbox 360 was launched on November 22, 2005, a year ahead of competitors, and became the most advanced console for a year despite technical challenges like the Red Ring of Death. Strategic partnerships and a diverse range of titles, including blockbuster franchises like Halo and Gears of War, contributed to its success. The Xbox 360's architecture resembled that of a personal computer, providing a technological edge over the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Innovations such as Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade distinguished the console, making it a hub for competitive and indie gaming. The Xbox 360 remains the best-selling device in the Xbox lineup, with defining titles including Perfect Dark Zero, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Dead or Alive 4, Viva Piñata, Fable II, Ninja Gaiden II, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Fez, and Oblivion, highlighting its lasting legacy in gaming culture.