franchises Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Tune into XBOX Games Showcase June 7

On June 7, the XBOX Games Showcase will take place, celebrating 25 years of XBOX. The event will feature world premieres, new gameplay mechanics, and updates on existing franchises. Following the Showcase, there will be a streaming event for Gears of War: E-Day Direct. Details on how to watch will be provided on XBOX Wire.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Valve reportedly threatened Ubisoft with a total delisting of Rainbow Six Siege “by end of day tomorrow” when it tried selling it cheaper on Uplay

A recent study found that 72% of game developers view Steam as a monopoly. Valve allegedly threatened to delist Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege after the company promoted a cheaper bundle on its own Uplay storefront. Warner Bros. Games also faced scrutiny from Valve due to sales strategies that did not meet the company's expectations. These incidents are part of an ongoing class-action antitrust lawsuit against Valve.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney slams Valve over Steam Deck price hikes — mocks founder Gabe Newell over rising costs of megayachts

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Valve for increasing the price of the Steam Deck's 1TB model to 9, attributing the price hike to shortages in memory and chips. He acknowledged the overall rise in component costs but deemed Valve's increases excessive. Valve's CEO Gabe Newell is known for his luxury yacht collection, including a 365-foot superyacht valued at around a billion dollars. Valve has not yet announced pricing for the Steam Machine, which is expected to be priced similarly to other gaming PC builds, potentially exceeding ,000, without subsidies to compete with PlayStation or Xbox.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Can you identify these 15 console games that found their way to PC after years of waiting?

The release timelines of console games on PC have changed, with many titles now launching simultaneously with their console versions or within a year of their initial release. Major developers like Sony are leading this shift, although some franchises, such as Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series, may still have longer delays for PC releases, with speculation that Grand Theft Auto 6 might not arrive on PC until late 2027 or 2028. A quiz focused on PC ports, including remasters and HD collections, is being offered, where participants identify cropped screenshots from various games within a 14-minute time limit.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Remedy’s CEO isn’t worried about Control Resonant launching close to GTA 6: ‘It’s going to put the spotlight even more on games than maybe in past years’

The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is generating anticipation and anxiety among game developers, particularly regarding competition for upcoming titles in 2026, including Remedy Entertainment's Control Resonant. Jean-Charles Gaudechon, the new CEO of Remedy, remains calm about the competition and emphasizes the importance of cross-media partnerships to enhance the visibility of their franchises like Alan Wake and Control. His appointment has sparked mixed reactions due to his previous experience at EA, but he is focused on the future and confident in Remedy's ability to offer unique gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

Remedy’s new CEO thinks cross-media deals will help its games sell more, and for once I think I agree

Remedy Entertainment appointed Jean-Charles Gaudechon as CEO earlier this year. Gaudechon has a background in EA and the sports betting industry and emphasizes scaling operations for lasting value. He aims to maximize the potential of existing franchises like Alan Wake and Control before expanding the portfolio. Gaudechon stated that the focus is not solely on driving revenue but on making existing games shine and reaching new audiences. Remedy is also pursuing a "Remedy Connected Universe" to explore cross-media opportunities, including television and film, to broaden the reach of its narratives and characters.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Before Dishonored, Arkane was tapped to make Thief 4, and my heart weeps for what might have been: ‘We had an amazing pitch for Thief’

The Dishonored series is inspired by the Thief franchise, with Stephen Russell, the voice actor for Thief's protagonist Garrett, voicing Corvo Attano in Dishonored 2. Before creating Dishonored, Arkane Studios was approached by Bethesda to develop Thief 4, as they were seen as the ideal candidate for the project. Co-directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith have discussed this potential project, expressing nostalgia for an Arkane-crafted Thief game. Thief 4 was eventually developed by Eidos Montreal but received a lukewarm reception. A recent spiritual successor, Thick as Thieves, has also been released with mixed reviews.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Top 11 Most Anticipated Upcoming PC Games in 2026 You Should Keep on Your Radar

In 2026, PC gamers can expect a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles across various genres, including action RPGs, strategic games, and open-world adventures. Notable upcoming games include: 1. "Light No Fire" - A large-scale exploration title with ambitious world design. 2. "Phantom Blade Zero" - An action game known for fast-paced combat and stylish visuals. 3. "Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis" - A continuation of the franchise focusing on exploration and puzzle-solving. 4. "007 First Light" - A cinematic spy adventure blending action with storytelling. 5. "Atomic Heart 2" - A sequel expanding on its surreal setting and action gameplay. 6. "Onimusha: Way of the Sword" - A revival of a classic series focusing on sword-based combat. 7. "Fable" - A fantasy RPG known for humor and choice-driven gameplay. 8. "Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000" - A strategy title combining large-scale warfare with sci-fi lore. 9. "Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2" - A fast-paced sequel with retro-style shooting gameplay. 10. "Kingmakers" - A unique concept mixing modern weaponry with historical battlefields. 11. "Tides of Annihilation" - A fantasy action title with a focus on cinematic combat in a dark fantasy world. The variety of these anticipated titles ensures that players will have experiences tailored to their preferences, whether they enjoy story-driven adventures or strategic battles. Players can track upcoming releases by focusing on preferred genres, following official trailers, and utilizing release calendars and wishlists.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Our readers are clear: They want Destiny 3, which is awkward, because Bungie reportedly isn’t making Destiny 3

A recent poll revealed that 74% of respondents want a continuation of the Destiny saga in the form of Destiny 3, while 14% prefer a new intellectual property, 6% wish for Halo 7, 4% want a deeper commitment to Marathon, and 2% hope for a reboot of the RTS series Myth. However, reports indicate that Destiny 3 is not currently in active production due to budget constraints, and a release may not occur until the 2030s. The project known as Gummy Bears has been spun off into its own studio, limiting Bungie's immediate options for new franchises.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Today’s Top Deals: $15 Resident Evil PS5 Games, Xbox Core Controller, LEGO Batman for PC, and More

- Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition for PS5 is available at its lowest price on Amazon. - Resident Evil 4 is on sale for .99. - Velocity Green Xbox Core Wireless Controller is priced at .99. - Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle is available for 9.99. - 256GB Samsung P9 Express microSD Express Card for Switch 2 is on sale. - LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Deluxe Edition is available at a 12% discount. - 3-piece Samsonite luggage set is priced at 9.99. - 8th-gen Apple iPad Air is available for 9.99. - Acer Swift X RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop is discounted by 0. - ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is available for 9.99. - Pokémon TCG: Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is available for preorder on Amazon. - Alan Wake 2 Deluxe Edition for PS5 is priced at .99. - Funko Pop! Comic Cover: Transformers x MTG - Optimus Prime is at its lowest price of .40. - 65” LG EVO C5 OLED TV is available for ,299.99. - Target is offering a buy one, get one 50% off promotion on board games and puzzles.