faction Archives

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Dawn of War 4 just got a release date (or 2), a DLC roadmap, and Crusade Mode plans

Dawn of War 4 is set to be released on September 17, with early access for the Commander Edition available on September 14. The Commander Edition includes advanced access and additional downloadable content, such as a story prologue, a campaign expansion, and a new faction. The Blood Ravens Story Prologue follows a Blood Ravens strike force returning to their homeworld of Aurelia. The expansion will introduce a new faction and campaign, along with new commanders and features in the Crusade Mode. Free updates will include new modes, map packs, and a Mission Editor for custom battles. Both editions will have a 10% preorder discount, but specific pricing details are not yet available.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Dawn of War 4 now has a release date and a roadmap, with Crusade Mode making a much-awaited comeback

The release date for Dawn of War 4 is set for Thursday, September 17, 2026. Players can choose between two editions: the Standard Edition and the Commander Edition, which offers a three-day early access period and all year-one content. The game will feature various modes, map packs, and a mission editor, with the return of Crusade Mode. A new faction will be introduced within the first year, with speculation about playable Xenos. Players can wishlist the game in anticipation of its launch.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

Marathon’s Game Director admits it’s “overwhelming to learn” and too sweaty

Marathon, developed by Bungie, has a specialized appeal that may hinder sustainable growth, as noted by Game Director Joe Ziegler. He described the game's learning curve as "overwhelming" and gameplay as a "hardcore sweat-fiesta," indicating a need for more relaxed options. Since its launch nearly three months ago, the game has fostered a growing core community, with players contributing fan art and lore videos. Key observations from Season 1 include the overwhelming experience for newcomers, the chaotic endgame balance, and the demand for less intense gameplay. For Season 2, two new PvE-focused modes will be introduced, including one that blends PvE with PvP and another emphasizing cooperative gameplay. New features will include the Night Marsh zone, a defensive Runner shell named 'Sentinel,' fresh weapons, and improved customization options. Additional anticipated features are a Duos rotating zone queue, a revamped matchmaking system, and an expansion of Vault size. Bungie is also working on enhancing the onboarding experience and contract system. Season 2 is set to launch on June 2, with more details to be revealed in late May.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

A PvE-only mode is coming to Marathon as Bungie lays out plans for seasons 3, 4 and 5

Marathon director Joe Ziegler discussed Bungie's plans for upcoming seasons of Marathon, highlighting the introduction of a new map featuring "alien elements and mind-warping debuffs" and the next Runner shell, Sentinel, which will offer a defensive kit. Two new PvE-focused modes will debut in Season 2: one experimental mode at the beginning of the season that combines PvE with a light touch of PvP, and a second PvE-only mode focused on crew objectives. Ziegler emphasized that while PvE options are being introduced, PvP will remain a core aspect of the game. Further details on Season 2 changes, including faction progression enhancements and new runner stat boosts, will be revealed the week of May 25.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Bungie is turning Marathon’s loot dial to 11 ahead of its first wipe, opening up Cryo Archive 24/7

Marathon's upcoming "end of season" update will be released on May 19 and will include several key changes to improve gameplay. Locked room keys will now be guaranteed rewards from on-map events, allowing access to coveted loot rooms on Tau Ceti. Map events such as Intercept, Lockdown, Warden spawns, Convoy, and Anomaly will be guaranteed on each run. Warden bosses will appear in more locations, increasing the frequency of room keys. The Cryo Archive entrance restrictions will be removed, and a new Ranked Cryo Archive playlist will be introduced. Faction experience gains will increase, key templates will remain intact if players are downed, wall safes will have a chance to yield deluxe keys, and the Signal Mask ability will have an extended duration while sprinting. Season 2: Nightfall will launch on June 2, introducing a new Night Marsh zone, a fresh Runner shell, new weaponry, and a system for customizing Runner shell stats. Full details will be revealed during the week of May 25.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Elder Scrolls 6 is a ways off, but who needs it? The world’s most specific game jam is back with 40 playable entries all based off Oblivion’s wonderful/awful persuade-o-wheel

Nostalgia significantly influences player experiences in video games, exemplified by the wheel system for NPC disposition in Oblivion, which allowed players to engage in a minigame to affect relationships with NPCs. This system differed from Skyrim's approach, which focused on quest completions and faction memberships. The fondness for Oblivion's mechanics has led to the creation of Wheeljam 2, a game jam where participants submitted 40 playable experiences incorporating the lockpicking minigame or persuasion wheel. Many of these entries embrace the original mechanics' charm, with 27 games available to play in web browsers. The voting for Wheeljam 2 will conclude in about five days, but the games will remain accessible for players.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Age of Empire 4’s new DLC drops today, and the Jin Dynasty is a beautifully-realized civ

Age of Empires 4's latest expansion, Yue Fei's Legacy, introduces a new campaign featuring eight missions centered on the general Yue Fei and his ally Han Shizhong, tasked with protecting the Song Dynasty's last prince from Jin forces. The campaign begins with the Jiankang Incident of 1127 and includes various challenges such as evading Jin pursuers and reclaiming territory. The expansion also adds the Jin Dynasty as a new civilization, characterized by efficient horse-mounted villagers and the elite Iron Pagoda cavalry units. The Jin Dynasty features a unique defensive mechanism called the Meng'an Mouke Emplacement, which automatically deploys defensive cavalry units when enemies approach.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Despite Gothic Remake’s glow-up, it’s still the scrappy eurojank RPG it always was, and that’s fine with me

Gothic Remake revisits the original Gothic game, which established a foundation for future RPGs. Players start as a nameless convict in a penal colony controlled by inmates, facing challenges without weapons or clear direction. The game emphasizes exploration, NPC interaction, and skill development rather than immediate action. The Colony, originally a penal facility, is divided into three factions: the organized Old Camp, the ruthless New Camp, and the eccentric Swamp Camp. Players encounter dangers and must navigate the environment without a minimap, relying on NPC guidance. Combat mechanics reflect the protagonist's initial lack of skill, and the game retains a sense of discovery and immersion characteristic of traditional RPGs.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Sega Game From 2024 Free for Millions Next 72 Hours

Sega's Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties is available for free to Amazon Prime subscribers until May 6. Players can download the game at no cost and keep it indefinitely, even if they cancel their Prime subscription. The game is set in the New Kingdom of Egypt and is the 16th installment in the Total War series. Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties has a Metacritic score of 83 and an 80% approval rating on Steam, while its predecessor, Total War: Pharaoh, received a score of 74 and a 64% approval rating. Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties is currently the only Sega title available for free through Prime Gaming, with potential for more free offerings in the future due to the partnership between Sega and Amazon.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Space strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire 2 drops its gen-AI artwork amid a huge new UI overhaul

A substantial update for Sins of a Solar Empire 2, named 'UI Horizons,' has been released, removing AI-generated art and replacing it with portraits created by human artists. The update includes a redesigned front-end menu, the return of an in-game map editor, and a new faction selection screen with detailed faction information. Enhancements have been made to single-player and multiplayer lobby screens, along with improved customization options for the random map function. New defensive tools for all factions and balance adjustments have been implemented, including increased costs for certain Vasari capital ships and construction expenses. The Advent faction's AI has received improvements for better strategic use of abilities. Save game files have been compressed by over 70%, and engine improvements have enhanced missile targeting and unit formation handling. Modders will need to update existing mods for compatibility, and players can revert to earlier game versions through Steam if needed.