franchises Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Deadlock isn’t a death sentence for Dota 2 – it’s “a gateway,” according to caster and ESL product manager ‘Avo+’

The Dota 2 ESL One Birmingham 2026 tournament features a significant patch, 7.41, released by Valve just before the playoffs, which has sparked discussions about its impact on the competitive scene. ESL product manager Álvaro 'Avo+' Sánchez Velasco notes that this approach tests teams' adaptability and acknowledges the stress it places on players and production teams. He praises the patch's design philosophy, highlighting Valve's experimentation with game mechanics and the importance of player independence. Velasco believes the new game, Deadlock, could positively influence Dota 2 by attracting new players and enhancing community engagement. He observes an uptick in player interest and viewership, indicating a stable audience for Dota 2. As the grand finals approach, three teams remain in contention: Tundra Esports, Team Yandex, and Xtreme Gaming, with Velasco expressing particular support for XG and its star player, Wang 'Ame' Chunyu.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate’s FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find out

In the early 2010s, PC strategy and tactics enthusiasts expressed discontent as mainstream publishers, like EA and Take-Two, rebooted classic '90s franchises such as XCOM and Syndicate into first-person shooters, disappointing dedicated fans. These reboots were criticized for straying from the original gameplay experience, which allowed for exploration and strategy, and instead confined players to tight spaces with wave-spawning enemies. Despite the backlash against these reboots, it led to a resurgence of strategy games, exemplified by Mike Diskett's launch of Satellite Reign, a tactical successor to Syndicate that received critical acclaim three years later.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Saros Director Dodges Question About Sony Ditching PC Ports

Sony's upcoming first-party title, Saros, is being developed by Housemarque and follows the release of the critically acclaimed game Returnal. There is speculation about whether Saros will be a console exclusive or also released on PC, but the game's director, Gregory Louden, has not provided clarity on this issue. Reports indicate that Sony is reconsidering its strategy for releasing single-player titles on PC, influenced by disappointing sales of previous PC ports and a desire to reinforce its PlayStation ecosystem. Notably, there are no plans to release anticipated titles like Ghost of Yotei and Wolverine on Steam. These developments suggest Sony is cautious about making its games available on non-PlayStation platforms.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Ranking the 13 Best PC Games Of All Time

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a popular CRPG known for deep character development and engaging narrative, best experienced on PC due to its intricate menus and modding potential. Planescape: Torment is a CRPG set in a unique Dungeons & Dragons universe, recognized for its gripping narrative and unconventional themes. Theme Hospital is a simulation game that humorously parodies the American healthcare system, combining humor with business management challenges. Unreal Tournament 2004 is regarded as the pinnacle of the series, featuring fluid gameplay and intricate maps, although it has become abandonware. Thief: The Dark Project is praised for its dark atmosphere and innovative level design, particularly the iconic Sword level. World of Warcraft captivated the MMO community in the mid-2000s with polished gameplay and continuous content updates, maintaining a robust player base. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is known for its expansive open world and RPG mechanics, with a wealth of mods available on PC to enhance gameplay. Deus Ex is a pioneer of the immersive sim genre, emphasizing player choice and strategic gameplay with intricate level design. The Sims 2 is considered the crowning achievement of The Sims franchise, introducing fully 3D environments and refined gameplay mechanics. Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a highly regarded real-time strategy game that has maintained its appeal for nearly three decades, revitalized by the 2019 Definitive Edition. Minecraft is a leading sandbox game known for its limitless creativity and exploration, with applications extending into education and various professional fields. Doom, released in 1993, revolutionized the first-person shooter genre and remains relevant due to its expertly designed levels and engaging gameplay. Half-Life 2 is celebrated for its innovative game design, including physics-based puzzles and a compelling narrative, offering a satisfying experience with additional episodes.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Minecraft World Is A New Theme Park With Its Own Roller Coaster

Mojang Studios and Merlin Entertainment are collaborating to create a theme park called Minecraft World, set to open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London. The project will require an investment of £50 million and will feature a Minecraft-themed roller coaster, retail and dining options, and various attractions inspired by the game. The park's design will involve collaboration with notable Minecraft creators, though specific details about them have not been revealed. Minecraft World will be the first official video game theme park in the UK.

AppWizard

March 17, 2026

DRAGONKIN: THE BANISHED IS NOW AVAILABLE ON PC

NACON and Eko Software have released Dragonkin: The Banished, a Hack’N’Slash adventure game, now available on PC via Steam as of March 16, 2026. The Digital Deluxe Edition for consoles is also accessible today, with a broader release for PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S set for March 19. The game features four dragon hunters, a unique skill system called the Ancestral Grid, and a vibrant city hub named Montescail. It has received an 85% positive review rate on Steam since its last update. The early access phase began on March 6, 2025.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

This indie gem blends Devil May Cry and Darksiders, and it’s only $1 right now

Soulstice is a character action game set in the Holy Kingdom of Keidas, where players confront Wraiths as a Chimera, controlling two characters: Briar, who uses various weapons, and Lute, who provides supernatural abilities. The game features a gothic aesthetic and combo-heavy gameplay reminiscent of titles like Devil May Cry. It is currently available for £1 during the Fanatical Spring Sale, allowing players to customize their gaming experience by adding other titles from the Build Your Own Spring Bundle.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Free Sega Game Now Available to Download for Millions

Sega is offering Total War: Rome II – Emperor Edition for free download on PC through Amazon's Luna service for a limited time. This promotion requires an active Amazon Prime subscription. Total War: Rome II, released in 2013, is the eighth installment in the Total War series. Additionally, Total War: Attila was made available for free on Luna and can also be redeemed through the Epic Games Store. Total War: Attila will be available until April 1st, while Total War: Rome II can be claimed until April 15th.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Starfield’s composer says the game will become ‘legendary’, Todd Howard’s a ‘visionary’, and maybe you ‘were just not ready for it’

Composer Inon Zur has worked in the gaming industry for nearly three decades, contributing to numerous titles, including Bethesda's Fallout series and Starfield. In an interview, he praised Todd Howard for his creativity and vision, despite mixed reviews for Starfield, which received a 75% score from PC Gamer. Zur described the score for Starfield as a standout feature, emphasizing the duality of vastness and motion in space. He used unconventional orchestration techniques, with woodwinds creating rapid patterns and brass and strings providing a stable backdrop. Zur aimed to capture the relationship between individuals and the enormity of space, which influenced his compositional process.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

In two years, PC games will surpass console games in revenue

The PC gaming segment is projected to grow at an average annual revenue rate of 6.6% from 2025 to 2028, while the console segment is expected to grow at 4.4% annually. By 2028, combined revenue from console and PC gaming is anticipated to exceed .7 billion, with PC games accounting for over half of this total for the first time in 13 years, up from an estimated .3 billion at the end of 2025. Microtransactions will contribute 48% of PC revenue in 2025, while game sales will make up half of console revenue. In 2025, 20 games generated two-thirds of console revenue across major markets. The PC gaming audience is expected to reach 966 million by the end of 2026 and surpass one billion by 2028, with significant growth from China and other Asian countries. The console gaming audience is projected to grow from 662 million in 2026 to 688 million by 2028. In 2025, gamers spent 1% less time on console and PC games compared to 2024, dedicating 48% of their gaming time to PCs, 34% to PlayStation, and 18% to Xbox. Over half (54%) of playtime in 2025 was on games older than six years, with 33% on titles aged one to five years, and only 13% on new releases. There is a trend among PC users towards less mainstream titles, with 42% of playtime in 2025 spent on games outside the top 20. Popular gaming IPs in 2025 included Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.