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Ubisoft Just Gave Away 13 PC Games for “Free” to Xbox Users, But It Comes With a Huge Downside
AppWizard
July 27, 2026

Ubisoft Just Gave Away 13 PC Games for “Free” to Xbox Users, But It Comes With a Huge Downside

Ubisoft is offering a giveaway of 13 games for Xbox users who have previously purchased digital versions on Xbox consoles, allowing them to play these titles on PC at no additional cost. The games included are: - Assassin’s Creed Mirage - Assassin’s Creed Valhalla - Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora - Far Cry 6 - Immortals Fenyx Rising - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Riders Republic - Skull and Bones - The Crew 2 - The Crew Motorfest - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction - Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege - Watch Dogs Legion Players must download these games via Ubisoft Connect, as they are not accessible through the Xbox App for PC. Additionally, owning a game on PC does not grant access to the Xbox console version. Critics have expressed disappointment that the games are not compatible with the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which would have allowed for cross-buy functionality.
Halo: Campaign Evolved and Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation Lead Xbox Game Pass July 2026 Wave 2 Lineup
AppWizard
July 22, 2026

Halo: Campaign Evolved and Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation Lead Xbox Game Pass July 2026 Wave 2 Lineup

Xbox Game Pass will add several titles in late July and early August, including: - Shift at Midnight (July 22) - Hell is Us (July 23) - Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28) - Mistfall Hunter (July 30) - Corsair Cove (July 31) - Heretic + Hexen (August 4) - Beast of Reincarnation (August 4) Halo: Campaign Evolved and Beast of Reincarnation will be available on day one for subscribers of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Several titles will leave Xbox Game Pass on July 31: - Back to the Dawn - Celeste - Crusader Kings 3 - Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord - My Friendly Neighborhood - Rain World - Sniper Elite Resistance - Whiskerwood
Google accidentally leaves a Pixel 11a clue in its Phone app
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

Google accidentally leaves a Pixel 11a clue in its Phone app

The beta version of Google’s Phone app (version 230.0.946661649-publicbeta-pixel) reveals internal codenames for the upcoming Pixel 11 lineup, including "cubs," "grizzly," "kodiak," "yogi," and "formosan." The first four are believed to correspond to the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold models. The codename "formosan" is associated with the budget-friendly Pixel 11a, indicating that its development is underway. The Pixel 11a is expected to launch around March 2027, following the pattern of previous A-series phones. No specifications or features have been disclosed for these codenames, but their emergence suggests active preparation for the next generation of Pixel devices. The Pixel 11 series is set to be revealed on August 12.
Steam has raked in an estimated $11.1 billion gross revenue so far this year, says market analyst—its 'biggest-ever six months'
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

Steam has raked in an estimated $11.1 billion gross revenue so far this year, says market analyst—its ‘biggest-ever six months’

Steam generated .1 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, a 14.5% increase from the same period in 2025. Since 2017, Steam's annual earnings have risen from .5 billion to an estimated billion in 2025. In 2026, only 21% of Steam's revenue came from games released that year, down from 29% in 2024. The top five new games generating the most income in 2026 are Forza Horizon 6, Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert, Slay the Spire 2, and Subnautica 2.
This Windows feature has been eating users' RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn't fixed it
Winsage
July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.
Microsoft needs to "reset Xbox," says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees
AppWizard
July 7, 2026

Microsoft needs to “reset Xbox,” says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees

Xbox plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,200 employees by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027, with an initial layoff of around 1,600 positions. CEO Asha Sharma expressed concerns about the company's health and announced a transition of four studios to new management. Xbox is facing financial challenges, operating at margins significantly lower than comparable entities, and the expected growth of Game Pass has not occurred. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to independent status, retaining ownership of their intellectual properties. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will also join new ownership structures. Bethesda is refocusing on its major franchises, and there are no cancellations of first-party games due to these reductions. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions expressed gratitude for support during this transition.
Heaps of gamepads are discounted as part of Amazon Prime Day 2026, but there's only one I'd unreservedly recommend
AppWizard
July 7, 2026

Heaps of gamepads are discounted as part of Amazon Prime Day 2026, but there’s only one I’d unreservedly recommend

Amazon is becoming a competitive destination for affordable PC-compatible gamepads, influenced by reputable brands like Razer, 8BitDo, Turtle Beach, and GameSir. Today's third-party gamepads often outperform first-party console controllers, featuring advancements such as drift-free Hall effect analog sticks, rear paddle buttons, and customizable options. The GameSir G7 Pro, available for AU7 during Amazon's Prime Day, includes features like two rear paddle buttons, trigger stops, gyro support, and a 1000Hz polling rate. The TMR technology in the G7 Pro enhances precision and reduces power consumption. The GameSir Nova Lite Wireless controller is also available at a reduced price for budget-conscious gamers.
My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is
Winsage
July 6, 2026

My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is

The Xbox community is reacting to the announcement of a restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 roles within Xbox. CEO Asha Sharma has introduced a strategy to mitigate losses, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine operating independently, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will seek new publishing partners. No projects have been canceled, and no studios have closed. State of Decay 3 is no longer required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, which may also apply to future Ninja Theory projects. Undead Labs must decide whether to launch titles on Xbox Game Pass or independently. Players are encouraged to support studios by purchasing games at retail prices. State of Decay 3 is gaining popularity on the Steam Most Wishlisted games list, highlighting interest in mid-sized and experimental games. The success of these studios now depends on community support.
PlayStation’s PC port era appears over as Sony scrubs key policy language
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

PlayStation’s PC port era appears over as Sony scrubs key policy language

Sony's recent annual business report indicates a shift in its strategy for first-party titles, removing the previous commitment to release PlayStation games on PC after console launches. Analysts suggest this change signals a focus on PS5 exclusivity for upcoming single-player titles. Reports have indicated that future games like Ghost of Yotei, Saros, and Marvel’s Wolverine may remain exclusive to the PS5. Additionally, the report highlights Sony's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence in game development to enhance creativity. The company has also revised its business outlook, removing the term "profitable" due to ongoing supply chain challenges and rising hardware costs, which have affected its ability to expand the PS5 installed base.
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