events Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Red Dead Redemption 2 Feels Like A Whole New Game With These 3 Free Expansions

Many gamers are reflecting on the charm of Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) as they await Grand Theft Auto VI. For PC players, three new mods are set to enhance the RDR2 experience: 1. The Random Events Mod by knoxien introduces new ambient encounters, including predator attacks, runaway wagons, public hangings, drunken townsfolk, and bounty hunter pursuits. 2. The Ultimate Free Climbing Overhaul by alejahH allows players to freely scale buildings, trees, and mountains, enhancing exploration similar to mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. 3. The Blackwater - Town Overhaul by Rixus724 transforms the town of Blackwater by restoring content from Red Dead Redemption 1, adding classic structures, expanded streets, and improved interiors, with two versions available for players. Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch on 19 November, with pre-orders allowing players to pre-load the game starting 12 November.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Invincible VS devs would like to have guest characters like Spider-Man and Sub Zero: ‘If we have that opportunity, we will definitely take it’

Invincible VS, a superhero tag battler based on Robert Kirkman's Image comic series, is exploring the possibility of character crossovers, with game director Dave Hall and lead combat designer Bau Bautista expressing enthusiasm for such ideas. They noted that Spider-Man has appeared in Invincible comics, making crossovers feel like a natural evolution. Hall and Bautista also expressed interest in including characters from the Mortal Kombat franchise, specifically Sub-Zero and Scorpion. Currently, the game focuses on characters from the Image comic universe, with Immortal and Universa set to join on June 30, coinciding with the launch of its first season.

Winsage

June 28, 2026

Upgrade like an insider — Windows 11 Pro is just $10 through June 28

Microsoft is offering Windows 11 Pro for .97, down from the regular price of 9, as part of its Deal Days promotion running until June 28. This offer includes a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro, which features advanced capabilities such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support. The operating system also includes enhancements like Snap Layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and a Copilot AI Assistant. Users must ensure their PC meets the necessary system requirements before purchasing. Prices are subject to change.

AppWizard

June 28, 2026

Quantic Dream’s Star Wars: Eclipse is struggling: ‘We’re understaffed,’ say devs

Quantic Dream employees have raised concerns about staffing and project viability for Star Wars: Eclipse, following significant layoffs of 115 employees after the cancellation of their live-service game, Spellcaster Chronicles. Remaining staff believe these layoffs threaten the game's future and staged a strike during a LucasFilm visit to seek support. Employees are frustrated with management's lack of communication with parent company NetEase regarding project resources. They plan further protests, called the “Summer Strike Fest,” to advocate for additional staff needed to complete the game.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Steam Summer Sale 2026 Edition

The Epic Games Store is offering RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwrought for free until July 2, after which I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream and River City Girls 2 will be available. The Humble Store has launched new game bundles, including the Going Rogue collection featuring Rogue Legacy, UnderMine, and None Shall Intrude, along with an Arc System Works Evo bundle with titles like Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code and Guilty Gear -STRIVE-. The Steam Summer Sale has started, offering discounts on nearly all PC games. The GOG store is also having a summer sale with various highlights. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Riot teases League of Legends Classic, with a full reveal coming in two weeks

Riot Games has confirmed the existence of League of Legends Classic after low-poly character models were leaked from public test servers. The announcement was made by executive producer Paul "Pabro" Bellezza in a skit titled "200 Years of Experience." A full reveal of the Classic mode is scheduled for July 11 during the MSI Finals. The video description suggests that the Classic mode may evolve over time, raising questions about the use of original currencies, the potential return of the Twisted Treeline 3v3 map, and the fate of old rune pages and quintessences. The announcement taps into nostalgia for the game's earlier versions, which had different mechanics and visuals compared to the current game. A previous fan-made server called Chronoshift was shut down by Riot, who indicated that a retro version was forthcoming.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Ticketmaster’s ‘customizable pass’ collab with Google Wallet sounds great for gameday

Ticketmaster has partnered with Google Wallet to introduce "customizable passes" for Android users, allowing event clients to personalize digital passes with designs and up to 12 links for venue details. These passes can provide information on parking, food, drinks, merchandise, and VIP access. The collaboration also includes an update to Google Wallet that uses "context-aware" technology to display relevant passes automatically as users approach specific locations, enhancing user convenience.

Tech Optimizer

June 27, 2026

How AI and Visual Tools Improve PostgreSQL Query Performance and Schema Management

PostgreSQL performance tuning and schema synchronization can be time-consuming and complex, often involving manual queries, EXPLAIN plans, and schema drift. The release of dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL 2026.1 introduces AI-assisted query optimization, a visual query builder, improved schema comparison and synchronization, and a visual table editor. The AI Assistant analyzes database indexes and suggests query optimizations, providing specific recommendations rather than generic advice. The new Query Builder allows users to visually assemble queries, simplifying the process of creating multi-table joins. The Schema Compare feature enables users to compare and synchronize schemas visually, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual synchronization. The visual Table Editor facilitates table design and maintenance, automatically identifying indexes and offering auto-completion for index names. The transition from traditional methods to these new capabilities enhances efficiency, allowing developers to save time on query writing, tuning, and schema changes. The integration of AI and visual tools streamlines workflows and reduces guesswork in performance tuning and schema management.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Steam Summer Sale 2026 Is Live: 90% Deals on PC Games as Machine Lottery Closes

Valve's Steam Summer Sale 2026 began today at 1:00 PM ET and will run until July 9, 2026, featuring discounts on over 4,000 titles. The average discount is around 45%, with reductions of up to 90% on older catalog titles. New releases like Gothic 1 Remake, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert are included in the sale. Discounts are locked for the entire duration of the sale, and there is a minimum 30-day cooldown between promotional events for specific games, except for the four major seasonal sales. The Steam Machine lottery closed today, with invitations for winners to purchase starting the week of June 29. Those who missed the deadline will be placed on a waitlist, with processing expected by the end of 2026.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

New York Has a Gamer Mayor Now — and a $2.6 Billion Game Industry to Match

In June, New York City celebrated the NYC Battle of the Boroughs Champions at a press conference on June 10, recognizing the winners of the 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs. Among the winners was Team Hyper Pigmentation, an all-girl squad that won back-to-back titles. The city's digital games sector supports approximately 7,600 jobs, contributing billion in wages and generating a total economic output of billion. The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) has established the Game Development Industry Council, launched the NYC Summer of Games campaign, and funded grants for developers. New York City's digital gaming ecosystem has an annual economic impact of .6 billion, with around 380 digital gaming firms, 65 percent of which are small or indie studios. The share of open roles in the gaming industry increased from 15.1 percent to 29.2 percent between Q3 2024 and Q1 2026. The Summer of Games features events from May through September, including the NYC Video Game Festival and the Tribeca Games Gallery. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is recognized as the first "Gamer Mayor," engaging with gaming culture and platforms like Twitch. Jones-Harvey emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability issues to retain talent in the gaming industry. She advocates for recognizing video games as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, alongside music, film, and theater.