Fire Archives

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Master the elements in Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, out now on PC, PS5, and Switch (with surprise delay for Xbox)

Gameplay Group International, Paramount Games Studio, and Avatar Studios have released Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for .99. The Xbox version has been postponed until September 3. The game is a 2D, 1v1 fighting game set in the Avatar universe, featuring 12 playable characters, including Aang, Sokka, Katara, Korra, and Zuko, with hand-drawn animations. It includes a single-player Story Mode, Training Mode, Lessons, Trials, Online Ranked and Casual lobbies, and local multiplayer options. The game is available in Standard and Deluxe Editions, priced at .99, with the Deluxe Edition offering additional content. A physical edition and a version for the Switch 2 are planned for later this year. The game has an E10+ rating for Fantasy Violence.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

A new expansion and the ability to be a crow wizard has me enjoying a 10-year-old action RPG for the first time

Grim Dawn is a polished action RPG developed by Crate Entertainment, celebrating its ten-year milestone. The recent expansion, Fangs of Asterkarn, introduces quality-of-life improvements, including full WASD movement support. The expansion also adds a new class, the berserker, which features a skill tree node for transformation into a werewolf. Grim Dawn offers a more relaxed gameplay experience compared to titles like Diablo 4. The game's ongoing development includes plans for Grim Dawn 2, as stated by founder Arthur Bruno. Fangs of Asterkarn is available on Steam.

BetaBeacon

July 23, 2026

Amazon Prime Video adds game streaming to its list of features

Amazon has integrated its Luna cloud gaming platform directly into Prime Video, allowing users to play games within the app at no extra cost. The integration includes a new "Games" tab and aims to turn Prime Video into a "one-stop entertainment destination." Initially available to US and UK users with Fire TVs, Amazon plans to expand Luna integration to more devices and countries in the future.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Darkest Dungeon—the original—is getting surprise DLC in August

Darkest Dungeon is set to expand with a new DLC titled The Fire's Edge, releasing on August 18th. This DLC introduces two new hero classes, the Duelist and the Runaway, along with new Trinket mechanics and three additional districts. The Duelist is a complex damage dealer, while the Runaway features a new Burn damage type. Both heroes are re-envisioned from their appearances in Darkest Dungeon II. The game has received an 88% review score and won the "Best RPG" award in 2016.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

X launches ground-up rebuilt Android app after year-long development

The digital entertainment landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in India, where mobile-first consumption and value for money are critical. Insights from Amazon MX Player's leadership reveal that the integration of MX Player into Amazon's ecosystem has advanced technology, data utilization, and content distribution. Karan Bedi noted the swift integration process and highlighted the benefits in monetization through Amazon's ad technology, including the “Personas” feature for targeted advertising. MX Player has expanded its distribution across various Amazon platforms, transitioning to a multi-device approach. The platform emphasizes brand safety and has increased its content diversity, focusing on advertiser-friendly shows. Bedi introduced the concept of “micro-genres” with the upcoming MX Fatafat product, featuring short episodes to cater to varying viewer time constraints. MX Player utilizes a robust analytics framework to create content that resonates with diverse audiences, including regional offerings in multiple languages. Girish Prabhu discussed innovative advertising opportunities, emphasizing the integration of brands into content narratives and interactive formats for immediate consumer engagement. MX Player is positioned on major connected TV platforms, aligning with the trend for high-quality, free entertainment. The platform enables direct-to-consumer brands to access larger video formats, leveraging Amazon's consumer insights for personalized advertising and focusing on outcomes rather than impressions. Advertisers are increasingly seeking targeted messages that drive brand growth, highlighting the importance of platforms like MX Player.

BetaBeacon

July 19, 2026

Tired of free-to-play trash? These 6 Android games are worth paying for in 2026

- Minecraft Bedrock for Android offers full cross-play gameplay support with Bedrock PC and console users, as well as the same marketplace and servers. - Stardew Valley on Android has a more stable multiplayer scene and supports extensive modding, but there is no official mod support for the Android version. - Animal Crossing Pocket Camp Complete offers a mobile-first design focused on a cozy camp experience, and progression is tied to leveling up friendships with villagers. - Balatro is an addictive rogue-like deck builder game that feels like a cross between poker and solitaire. - Siralim Ultimate is a monster-catching RPG with over 1,200 creatures to engage with and places an emphasis on strategic squad-building. - Dead Cells is a unique game with smooth and responsive combat that can be challenging and addictive, offering a decent narrative and dark humor.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

The team behind Windows NT sent ‘black cardboard coffins’ and fake dog poop to their rivals back in the 90s, because nerds

Dave Plummer and Dave Cutler discussed a humorous incident from the late 1990s involving the rivalry between Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. Cutler recounted how they sent black cardboard coffins to Scott McNealy and Lee Reiswig as a playful gesture, accompanied by a birthday card that played the "Death March." They also included fake dog feces in the box as a response to Sun's advertising antics, where McNealy's dog urinated on a fire hydrant with the Microsoft logo. Cutler mentioned a third coffin intended for another tech figure, possibly Larry Ellison, which was never sent.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

GOG gently reminds us that it’s the leading PC gaming platform to offer full DRM-free games — yes, you can keep them forever

Sony is phasing out physical game discs and has removed 500 movies from its platform without compensation. Microsoft has laid off 3,200 Xbox game developers and suspended gamer accounts for reasons beyond users' control. GOG.com offers games without Digital Rights Management (DRM), allowing users to download standalone, offline installers and gain permanent ownership of their games. GOG's "Preservation Program" aims to keep games free from DRM.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

GOG is now my go-to storefront for buying PC games since Sony and Microsoft are seemingly against it

Major players in the gaming industry, such as Sony and Microsoft, have recently made controversial decisions, including Sony discontinuing physical game discs and removing 500 movies without refunds, and Microsoft laying off around 3,200 Xbox game developers while suspending user accounts without justification. In contrast, GOG.com has emerged as a proponent of digital preservation, offering DRM-free games that come with standalone offline installers, allowing users to own their games permanently and play them without an online store's permissions. GOG encourages users to save their games to discs for sharing and backup purposes.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Pastor turns Minecraft into a mission field for the unchurched

A Reformed pastor in Switzerland, Florian Homberger, conducts weekly devotionals in Minecraft, attracting around 20 participants each session, nearly half of whom have no prior ties to the church. Homberger began using Minecraft after being inspired by the strong connections within an online gaming community. He created a virtual city named Convento and initiated the devotionals in summer 2025, with sessions lasting about 30 minutes. The format is interactive, involving in-game activities related to biblical themes, such as obstacle courses representing trust during challenges. Each session ends with participants launching virtual fireworks as a symbolic gesture of prayers. Homberger believes this virtual setting helps dismantle barriers to church attendance, providing a comfortable space for young people. He has also set up laptops in the parish hall for young people to log on together, viewing Minecraft as a legitimate social space.