figures Archives

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker sold 1 million copies in just 3 days

On September 5, Rebel Wolves announced on Twitter that their RPG, Blood of Dawnwalker, sold over one million copies within three days of its launch on September 2. The game received positive feedback, with Australian editor Shaun Prescott rating it 83% and praising its storytelling and combat mechanics. Blood of Dawnwalker has 8,296 reviews on Steam, while Zero Company has 15,562 reviews and a "Very Positive" rating. Despite the success of Blood of Dawnwalker, 80% of Bit Reactor's staff is reportedly on furlough, highlighting challenges in the gaming industry.

Tech Optimizer

September 5, 2026

Malwarebytes vs Norton 2026: Which Should You Use?

Norton and Malwarebytes serve different purposes in cybersecurity. Malwarebytes Free is an on-demand scanner that lacks real-time protection, while Malwarebytes Premium offers a lightweight app with minimal settings. Norton provides comprehensive protection with a resident scanner included in all tiers. Norton excels in real-time protection, lab test scores, and features such as a firewall and parental controls, while Malwarebytes is effective at removing existing infections and has a free tier. Users can run Norton and Malwarebytes together, but it's recommended to use only one resident scanner to avoid conflicts. Malwarebytes maintains consistent pricing, while Norton has higher renewal costs. Malwarebytes is known for its user-friendly interface and quick installation, whereas Norton offers 24/7 support. In tests, both products effectively detected and removed threats, but Malwarebytes performed better in cleanup tasks.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

A popular streamer turned down a 6-figure deal to play Arc Raiders because ‘the game frustrated me so much’

TimTheTatman declined a six-figure deal for a collaboration between Arc Raiders and Subway during a stream, stating, "I just can't do it, I'm sorry." His decision received mixed reactions from his audience, with some expressing disbelief at his choice. The developers of Arc Raiders are preparing for a major update titled Frozen Trails to reignite player interest in the game.

Tech Optimizer

September 2, 2026

Gen Digital stock dips after valuation call amid steady cybersecurity momentum

Gen Digital stock (ISIN US3687361044) traded at 30.02 dollars on September 1, 2026, reflecting a 3.2 percent decline from the previous close. The stock is within a 52-week trading range of 17.78 to 31.29 dollars, currently less than 4 percent below the 52-week high of 31.29 dollars. The intrinsic GF Value for the shares is estimated at 33.22 dollars, indicating the current price is 9.6 percent below this fair value. The stock has increased approximately 69 percent from its 52-week low of 17.78 dollars. Gen Digital introduced the Fearless Planet Index, showing North America with an average digital risk score of 29.6 percent, Europe at 28.5 percent, Asia-Pacific at 27.4 percent, the Middle East and Africa at 25.6 percent, and Latin America at 22.0 percent. The stock is quoted at 30.02 dollars on Nasdaq as of September 1, 2026.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Former id Software producer says the team faced the ‘worst crunch’ in the series’ history on Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations: ‘There were days where I didn’t see my son’

Following the launch of the expansion for Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations, Xbox eliminated 136 positions at id Software, affecting many who contributed to the expansion. Former producer Andrew Willis described the intense crunch leading up to the release, with the team dedicating countless hours, only to face layoffs the day before the launch. Sales figures showed that The Dark Ages did not perform as well as Doom Eternal, and there are questions about whether the rush to deliver the expansion was due to internal decisions or external pressures from Xbox. Hugo Martin from id Software reassured stakeholders about the studio's stability despite the layoffs.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Good reviews are a ‘great relief,’ says Blood of Dawnwalker director, as former CD Projekt coworkers line up to offer congratulations

The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 2, with early reviews being largely favorable, including an 83% rating from our publication and an aggregate score of 83/100 on Metacritic. Creative director Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz expressed relief about the reviews on social media, highlighting the emotional toll of waiting for them. He has a significant background at CD Projekt, having worked on The Witcher 2, The Witcher 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. His announcement received congratulations from industry peers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among developers. The game will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG at 6 PM ET on September 2.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Crumbl Builds Minecraft in Cookie Form, One Square Block at a Time

Crumbl is collaborating with Minecraft for its first character licensing venture, offering a limited-time menu from August 31 to September 5 featuring six square-shaped treats inspired by the game. Pre-orders opened on August 30. The desserts include: 1. Grass Block Cake: Cinnamon vanilla cake with chocolate crumb streusel and brown cream cheese frosting. 2. Creeper Key Lime Sandwich: Lime cookies filled with lime icing and topped with a creeper figure. 3. Lemon Poppyseed Cookie: Lemon base with lemon curd and buttercream, topped with a bee. 4. Cookies & Cream Sandwich: Purple marshmallow mousse with brownie and cookies & cream crumbs, topped with an Enderman. 5. Cherry Blossom Cookie: Pink dough with maraschino cherries and cherry cream cheese frosting, topped with a pig. 6. Cookie Butter Cookie: Spiced marbled cookie-butter square with melted cookie butter and topped with a chicken figure. The packaging resembles earth blocks from the game. The first 200 customers on launch day will receive a Launch Day Exclusive spoon, while pre-orders will include an in-store Mystery Spoon. A 12-pack will feature two spoons with rotating designs. Pre-orders do not come with a spoon.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

One of Elden Ring’s top sleuths has already unmasked its new DLC characters

Zullie the Witch has released a video showcasing two new NPC invaders in the Tarnished Edition DLC of Elden Ring: Knight Leontiel and Noble Broken Mask. Knight Leontiel is a homage to Lucatiel of Mirrah from Dark Souls 2, featuring a high-definition remaster of her attire and a burn mark over her left eye. Zullie provides character creation slider information for both NPCs, enabling players to recreate them accurately. The Tarnished Edition is generating excitement in the gaming community, with an increase in player activity expected on the servers.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword review

Miyamoto Musashi is the central character in Capcom's upcoming game, Way of the Sword, set to release on September 3, 2026, for £60. The game features a physics-driven combat system that emphasizes parrying and timing, with players building a "burning" meter to increase damage. Notable encounters include battles against a demon named Byakue. The game allows for straightforward controls while encouraging players to utilize environmental elements strategically. Musashi's Oni Armaments serve as secondary weapons that add depth to combat. The visuals are impressive, particularly on high-end hardware, achieving 120 fps, and the narrative explores Musashi's evolution as a warrior.