franchises Archives

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says ‘Quake ruined id Software,’ and for once John Romero doesn’t tell Sandy he’s wrong

The 30th anniversary of Quake on June 22, 2026, led to reflections from its creators, particularly Sandy Petersen and John Carmack. Petersen stated, "Quake ruined id Software," acknowledging the game's achievements but highlighting the intense workload that drained the team. Carmack described the project as "overly ambitious technically" and admitted to pushing the team too hard, recognizing the need for a more balanced approach to ownership and work environment. He noted that the original corporate stock arrangement created poor incentives. Petersen mentioned that working in a large room eliminated spaces for relaxation, contributing to team stress. John Romero echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the culture at id Software and praising designer American McGee's contributions. The founders recognized their past mistakes while appreciating the legacy of their work, with id Software continuing to thrive with franchises like Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.

AppWizard

June 24, 2026

Grand Theft Auto 6 ‘VIP early access’ scam sites are already popping up, Malwarebytes warns

Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to release on November 19, with official preorders starting on June 25. Fraudulent websites are offering "VIP early access" for high fees, primarily in cryptocurrency. Malwarebytes has warned that these scams exploit the game's popularity, charging inflated prices for nonexistent access and mimicking legitimate platforms. The scams target younger audiences, using persuasive language to encourage impulsive decisions. Consumers are advised to be cautious, as there is currently no legitimate early access available.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game’s copyright next year

Electronic Arts (EA) filed new trademarks for the Ultima franchise, indicating a potential revival after nearly eight years since the last installment, Underworld Ascendant. Series creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott has expressed his desire to resurrect Ultima and is optimistic about reclaiming copyright in 2027, as creators can reclaim rights after 35 years under U.S. copyright law. However, while Garriott may regain copyright over his original works, EA retains the trademark for the Ultima name. Garriott plans to discuss the franchise's future at Dragon Con later this year.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Sony confirms PS5 and PC are still “the standard” platforms for live-service PlayStation games

PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that live-service PlayStation games will remain available on both PS5 and PC, while single-player games developed in-house will become exclusive to PlayStation. Each game will be evaluated individually for its release platforms, with a focus on expanding the audience for live-service titles. Sony aims to enhance the unique experiences of single-player games on its hardware, suggesting future exclusivity for narrative-driven titles. This marks a shift from previous strategies where several major titles were released on PC after console exclusivity. The acquisition of Nixxes Software supports Sony's dual-platform approach.

BetaBeacon

June 17, 2026

Pokémon Champions Available Now on iOS and Android Devices

The Pokémon Company International has released Pokémon Champions for mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Players can participate in a special in-game campaign featuring Raichu until September 2, 2026, to receive Raichu and Mega Stones. The game is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all players, with free downloads and cross-play compatibility.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2026

Subscription twist: Norton 360 Deluxe adds more than just antivirus

Norton 360 Deluxe is a mid-tier security subscription from Gen Digital that offers antivirus protection, a VPN, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and parental controls for up to five devices. It includes real-time threat protection, a firewall, ransomware shielding, and cloud backup of up to 50 GB for Windows users. The parental controls, known as Norton Family, allow monitoring of children's online activities. The Secure VPN encrypts internet traffic on public Wi-Fi and masks IP addresses. The package also features PC SafeCam for webcam security and a smart firewall. Norton 360 Deluxe is marketed with a promotional first-year rate, with higher renewal prices, and is available through digital subscriptions, app stores, and major retailers. The product is designed for households and individuals seeking comprehensive security solutions.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers earlier this year

Compulsion Games, known for titles like We Happy Few and South of Midnight, may be facing imminent closure as Microsoft’s gaming division undergoes significant layoffs and restructuring. Reports indicate that Compulsion and Double Fine are in negotiations to potentially spin off to avoid shutdown. Employees have expressed concern over job security, with many searching for new opportunities. Compulsion Games, founded in 2009 and based in Montreal, received critical acclaim for its recent title, South of Midnight, which won several awards. Despite previous praise from Xbox executives for the studio's achievements, the future remains uncertain amid corporate changes.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

As Dead by Daylight turns 10, Behavior unveils game-changing overhaul that will “make the next ten better than the first”

Dead by Daylight has evolved over ten years from a lineup of three characters to 43, including iconic horror figures. The game has expanded into comic books, spin-offs, and music. Executive Producer José Ramos confirmed there will not be a Dead by Daylight 2, focusing instead on evolving the existing game. A significant visual update is planned for 2027, enhancing character animations, environments, and audio. New creative modding capabilities and prototypes for new game modes, including a 1v1 experience and a zombie mode, are in development. The anniversary event will introduce a new survivor, Shane Wiigwaas, the first Indigenous character, and improvements to voiceovers for existing survivors. A new zone related to Dwight Fairfield's backstory will be added, and upcoming content includes new horror icons and collaborations with various franchises.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Sim racing is flourishing, but what happened to the arcade racer?

The author began playing racing games at age five with Lego Racers on a Windows 95 PC, which sparked a passion for cars. They later played Gran Turismo 2 and invested in a Thrustmaster T150 RS racing rig during the pandemic, immersing themselves in Forza Horizon 4. The racing game landscape has shifted towards a dominance of sim racing, overshadowing traditional arcade racing games like Need for Speed and Burnout. Despite the rise of sim racing, it has alienated casual gamers, and even successful sim titles struggle to match the sales of older arcade franchises. Real-world motorsport has become more accessible, attracting new fans, and sim racing serves as an affordable entry point into motorsport. Representatives from the sim racing industry note that many newcomers may transition to real racing, exemplified by YouTubers who have moved from gaming to professional racing. The decline of traditional car games may reflect broader changes in car culture, with fewer young people obtaining driver's licenses, making sim racing a more viable option for motorsport engagement.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

New HD-2D Final Fantasy Announced For Consoles And PC

Final Fantasy Resonance is the first game in the Final Fantasy series to adopt the HD-2D style. It is a new addition inspired by the story arc of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, not a direct port. The game features turn-based combat, airships, chocobos, and characters like Cloud Strife and Tidus. It showcases HD pixel art and is set to launch on October 22, 2026, for PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S.