fans Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

75% of PS3 Games Reportedly Playable on PC

The RPCS3 initiative has successfully enabled the emulation of over 75% of PlayStation 3 titles on PC since its inception in 2011. Sony announced the closure of the PS3 Store in 2027 and will cease new physical disc production for the PlayStation platform starting January 2028.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

5 Classic PC Games That Are Unplayable Today

"Dune II," released in 1992, is credited with laying the foundation for real-time strategy games, featuring base-building and military maneuvers on the planet Arrakis. It has not been re-released due to licensing issues after Westwood Studios closed in 2003. Interplay Entertainment released two video games based on "The Lord of the Rings" in the early '90s, allowing players to guide Frodo Baggins through Middle-earth. Low sales led to the cancellation of a planned trilogy, and both titles have since faded into obscurity. "Star Trek: The Next Generation — A Final Unity," a point-and-click adventure from 1995, features Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew on a mission to recover an ancient scroll. It has not received a modern re-release. Sid Meier's "Civilization II," released in 1996, has not been officially re-released, despite the series' significant evolution and availability of later entries. The absence of these formative titles leaves a gap in strategy gaming history. "Black & White," released in 2001, is a god simulator that allows players to influence tribes on islands. It has not been optimized for modern platforms following the acquisition of Lionhead Studios by Microsoft, limiting access to those with original discs.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

75% of PS3 Games Reportedly Playable on PC

RPCS3 has successfully emulated over 75% of PlayStation 3 titles on PC. Sony announced the closure of the PS3 Store in 2027 and will cease new physical disc production for PlayStation titles in January 2028.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: ‘Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size’

Studio ZA/UM announced layoffs two months after the launch of their game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, due to sales not meeting expectations. The studio issued redundancy notices affecting up to 32 employees, despite the game receiving critical acclaim. The game did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, Disco Elysium, with mixed reviews highlighting its shortcomings. Key figures from Disco Elysium had left the studio prior to the game's release, contributing to a challenging environment. Critics noted that the cultural context surrounding the game has impacted its reception, turning it into a symbol of industry practices rather than a standalone experience.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Loot, Battle, Repeat: Minecraft Dungeons II Launches Soon

Minecraft Dungeons II is set to be released on September 29, 2026, by Mojang Studios and Double Eleven. The game will expand gameplay across two unique realms, introducing new biomes and aggressive mob variants. It retains the fast-paced, isometric, top-down action of the original while enhancing RPG mechanics and exploration opportunities. The game will feature full cross-platform support for online multiplayer and local couch co-op play.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: ‘I’ll be heading to something new, somewhere else’

Joe Ziegler, the game director of Marathon, has left Bungie and the game effective immediately, just four months after its release. Del Chafe III will take over Ziegler's role, working with creative director Julia Nardin. Ziegler expressed gratitude to fans in a message on X and hinted at new opportunities ahead. Marathon's player counts on Steam have not matched those of Destiny 2, and the game faces challenges in establishing itself in a competitive market. Ziegler joined Bungie in 2022 and became the leader of Marathon two years ago. His departure, along with that of Lars Bakken, former design lead for Marathon, raises concerns about Bungie's stability and future direction.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Doom director Hugo Martin says id Software is fine, and anyway, ‘what matters the most is that the games are good’

Recent layoffs at Xbox have raised concerns about id Software's ability to develop new games and maintain its idTech engine. However, id Software stated that its current workforce is comparable to that of a decade ago, during the development of the 2016 Doom reboot. Studio director Hugo Martin refuted claims that the studio has been significantly downsized, asserting that reports of having only 50 employees are false. Despite layoffs affecting the Frankfurt office, where the team was reduced from 12 to 6 employees, Martin's comments aim to reassure fans and stakeholders about the studio's stability.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Bethesda confirms Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, makes Obsidian collaboration official, and says Fallout 5 is in ‘pre-production’

Bethesda Softworks has announced a new Fallout game in collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment, with Fallout 5 identified as a long-term goal and multiple projects in active development. Remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are also planned, although release dates are not yet available. Additionally, a new expansion for Fallout 76, titled Raven Rock, is set to launch in 2027 as a prequel to Fallout 3. Bethesda is committed to ongoing updates for Starfield and hinted at future developments for The Elder Scrolls Online.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Fallout 5: Everything Todd Howard Has Said About Bethesda’s New Game

Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that Fallout 5 has officially entered pre-production. Todd Howard, the director of Bethesda, hinted at the game's existence in 2021 and stated that Fallout 5 will be released after The Elder Scrolls 6. The Fallout show on Prime Video's crew is aware of Fallout 5's development, and Howard has ensured that the show's narrative will not interfere with the game's storyline. The game is expected to remain set in the United States, in line with the franchise's tradition. Howard has expressed a desire not to rush the development of Fallout 5, emphasizing the importance of creating a meaningful single-player experience. He reassured fans that Bethesda is actively developing new content, even as the timeline for Fallout 5 remains uncertain. The events of the Fallout show will influence the game's narrative. Fallout 5 is being developed on the Creation Engine 3, and it is too early to determine if it will be an Xbox exclusive.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

‘Lord Of The Rings’ and ‘Minecraft’ inspired Au/Ra’s alt-pop debut

Alt-pop artist Au/Ra has released her debut album, ‘Heartcore,’ inspired by her childhood experiences and escapism into fantasy worlds. The album reflects her journey of healing from childhood traumas, which she began addressing through therapy. Growing up between Ibiza and Antigua, she found solace in video games and creative writing, particularly influenced by titles like Final Fantasy 15 and The Lord Of The Rings. Au/Ra debuted with the track ‘Concrete Jungle’ at age 14 and faced challenges with her label, Sony, which affected her music release. Despite these obstacles, she maintained a connection with her fans through gaming and community engagement. The first song she wrote for ‘Heartcore’ was ‘Blah,’ expressing her feelings of betrayal and abandonment, which helped her gain clarity for the album's creative process.