facility Archives

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Space sandbox game sequel gets the transformative update I’ve been waiting for, with a full star system and planets

The latest update for Space Engineers 2, known as the Vertical Slice 2 (VS2), introduces the first full implementation of planets and enhances the survival experience. The update features the Almagest star system, including the brown dwarf star Delfos and the planets Verdure and Kemik, which offer diverse biomes and destructible elements. A new survival mode is introduced with a storyline, base contract systems, and an innovative building system that allows players to create holographic designs before committing resources. The update also includes a grid power system, various consumables, and tools for ore detection and drilling. The VS2 update will launch on December 1 and is currently available at a 20% discount until December 8. Future features, such as wheels, weapons, and mechanical blocks, are planned for the VS2.2 'Survival Extensions.'

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

A new Half-Life game has just launched a demo on Steam, but Valve’s not involved

Half-Life: Element 64 is a community-driven mod developed by Dark Vector, which has released a demo on Steam. Players need to own a copy of the original Half-Life to access the mod, which takes place in the Black Mesa Research facility and features gameplay inspired by classic first-person shooters like Doom and Quake. The mod consists of four episodes, beginning with players fighting through medical bays and research facilities overrun by alien invaders and zombified staff. The demo is available for free on Steam, and while a full release date has not been announced, it captures the essence of the original Half-Life game from 1998.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

New Star Citizen update finally removes one of the most frustrating ways for a mission to go wrong

Star Citizen version 4.4 has introduced significant changes to the injury mechanics, moving away from random injury occurrences to defined "binary thresholds," which require approximately 1.5 times more damage for injuries to occur, resulting in a lower frequency of injuries. The maximum health reduction for initial tier-three injuries has been decreased, while various negative effects remain based on the injured body part: leg injuries cause slower movement, arm injuries lead to unstable weapon aim, chest injuries result in stamina penalties and wheezing, and head injuries impair vision and hearing. Other features in the patch include a requirement for rank-one reputation with Intersec for the Vanduul-Tech smugglers mission, activation of the IAE Expo Hall in Orison for testing, new weaponry such as the 'Triple Threat' and 'Boomtube,' and the introduction of the Nyx system with the asteroid Delamar and the mining facility of Levski. The patch is currently accessible for testing via the Public Test Universe (PTU).

Tech Optimizer

November 11, 2025

Percona announces Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL to support open source databases

Percona has launched the Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL, based on version 11.5, aimed at enhancing support for open-source databases. This distribution supports both cloud and on-premises deployments and will be officially launched at Percona Live Europe from September 30 to October 2. Key features include: - pg_repack: Allows rebuilding of database objects without table locks. - pgaudit: Provides session and object audit logging for compliance. - pgBackRest: A backup tool that scales for large workloads and uses streaming compression. - Patroni: A high availability solution for production deployments. The distribution includes various extensions supported by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group and signifies a commitment to enterprise-level support for open-source database instances. Percona Monitoring and Management will now also support PostgreSQL.

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 zyranium gas explained and how to protect yourself

Eden and Arcadia in The Outer Worlds 2 present challenges including combat with Raptidons and the environmental hazard of zyranium gas, which can be lethal upon contact. Players must find alternative routes to complete the quest The Saboteur of Paradise due to the presence of zyranium gas on the west coast bridge. Zyranium gas appears as fine particles or viscous pools that cause gradual poisoning or immediate death if contacted. Players need to complete the Zyranium Collector side quest to obtain the Gas-Energy Deflection Apparatus, which provides temporary protection against zyranium gas but depletes quickly when running through it. The Zyranium Collector quest involves gathering components for Chief Deviser Delphinia Bryant at the Euphoria Coast Automech Repair Center, which is accessed by acquiring a pass from the Ministry of Accuracy. Players must engage in specific dialogue options to assist Delphinia and gather samples from a zyranium cloud. After obtaining a catalytic amplifier from Chief Mechanist Woodrow Contos, players return to Delphinia to finalize the Gas-Energy Deflection Apparatus, enabling safe navigation through zyranium gas areas.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

96%-rated survival sensation eating Half-Life 3’s lunch is far from done, as massive roadmap reveals DLC and free updates

Abiotic Factor has launched a successful 1.0 version and will release a free community update this fall featuring revamped enemy behaviors, a hardcore mode, an 'iron mode', sandbox settings, improved trader mechanics, and armor durability indicators. New additions include exercise equipment for player stats and electricity generation, a battery-charging crate, a wall-mountable item stand, mushroom cultivation, improved weapon reloads, an industrial crossbow, and a hardlight spear. The first paid DLC, 'Temple of Stone', will introduce a new home world inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman architecture. A complimentary Winter Cabin home world and the Holiday Cryosphere update will also be released, featuring new entities and plantable resources. In 2026, a mystery crossover is planned for spring, and a significant story-driven DLC will be released in summer, adding new facility sectors, portal worlds, enemy types, traders, and recipes, along with a free patch introducing multi-quest functionality, boats, a brewing system, improved pets, enhanced fishing mechanics, upgraded enemy behavior, trait presets, and customizable emotes. Developer 'Zag' hinted at boating and fishing features related to the mystery DLC.

AppWizard

October 7, 2025

Co-op dino survival horror game Deathground prepares to launch with one final reminder that, no, ‘you won’t be able to play as a dinosaur’

Deathground is a co-op survival horror game where up to four players navigate an abandoned research facility while being pursued by dinosaurs, including T-Rex, Allosaurus, Compsognathus, and raptors. Players can toggle off the depiction of feathered dinosaurs based on community feedback. The game features various gameplay mechanics, including items like a motion detector and tranquilizer rifle, with missions that vary in objectives. Locations of objectives change with each session for replayability, and players can choose to play solo or in co-op mode, with adjustments made for solo players. Deathground is set to launch in early access on Steam on October 7.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Apple removes ICEBlock app after criticism from Trump administration

Apple removed the ICEBlock app from its App Store due to safety concerns raised by ICE's leadership and law enforcement about potential risks associated with the app. The app, which allowed users to report sightings of ICE agents, gained popularity after its launch in April and had over 1 million downloads. The removal was influenced by a request from the Department of Justice, with Attorney General Pamela Bondi stating that the app endangered ICE agents. Following a shooting incident at a Dallas ICE facility, criticism of ICEBlock intensified. Google also removed similar applications from its Android platform, although ICEBlock was never available there.

AppWizard

September 29, 2025

PC Gaming Show @ TGS 2025 Coverage

The PC Gaming Show at TGS 2025 showcased over 30 upcoming PC games. Key announcements include: - Nightdive Studios is remaking "Blood," set to launch on December 4th. - "Earth Must Die," a point-and-click adventure, features a voice cast including Ben Starr and Tamsin Greig; release date TBA. - A demo for "Minos," where players build labyrinths, is available now. - "Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth," a sequel to Snufkin, is in development. - "Awaysis," a dungeon brawler, has playtest sign-ups available. - "Billie Bust Up," a 3D platformer, has a new gameplay trailer; release date TBA. - "Yakuza Kiwami 3" will launch on February 11th, 2026, featuring an alternative storyline. - "Gravebound," an online extraction shooter, has a free playtest available now. - "Kaiju Cleanup" has playtest signups available. - "HOTEL BARCELONA" is out now, blending horror and action. - "Mars Tactics" will release in May 2026. - "CLAWPUNK," a roguelite, is set to launch on November 14th. - "Killing Floor 3" will receive a major update on Halloween. - "Farmbotic," a co-op farming game, is launching in 2026. - "Denshattack!" is a train stunt game coming in 2026. - "Doomspire," a roguelike deckbuilder, is out now. - "MotionRec," a puzzle platformer, is coming later this year. - "Mind Diver," a mystery adventure, is out now. - "JOIN US," a cult simulation game, is set for 2026. - "Threads of Time," a visually stunning title, has no release date yet. - "Soulmask" will leave Early Access in Q4 2025. - "Outward 2" is set for a Summer 2026 release. - "House Flipper 2" will introduce a Pets DLC next year. - "OKU," a narrative-driven game, has no release date yet. - "Morbid Metal," a single-player hack and slash roguelite, will open playtests soon. - "Huntsman," a horror game featuring giant spiders, is set to release in November 2025. - "RAEV: Kingdom on the Distant Shores" is coming in 2026. - "Absolum," a beat 'em up roguelite, launches on October 9th. - "Task Time," a competitive party game, has a playtest available now. - "BrokenLore: DON'T LIE," a psychological horror game, is in development.

AppWizard

September 24, 2025

D-topia – Puzzle-Adventure game from Annapurna, Coming to PC and Consoles

A new indie game developed by Marumittu Games will debut next year, with a playable version available at the Tokyo Game Show 2025. Annapurna Interactive will host its first booth at the event, showcasing three indie titles, including D-topia. In D-topia, players act as a 'facilitator' in a utopian society governed by AI, helping residents with various challenges through puzzle-solving and exploration. The game will be accessible at the Tokyo Game Show from September 25th to 28th at Hall 6, 06-C01, in Makuhari Messe. D-topia is scheduled for release in 2026 on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.