friends Archives

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Resident Evil 2’s director believes Capcom has become ‘completely numb to how scary’ recent games have been and wants a ‘non-horror mode’

Players of horror games, particularly those with extensive experience, are becoming desensitized to fear, as noted by one player who found the latest Resident Evil installment lacking in genuine scares. Hideki Kamiya, director of Resident Evil 2, believes Capcom has become oblivious to horror elements in recent titles and admits to his own inability to handle scary content. He humorously suggested a lighter version of the franchise with non-scary modes. This raises questions about accessibility in horror gaming, as many players find it difficult to introduce friends to the genre due to its intense fear factor. Kamiya expressed a desire for a non-horror mode, highlighting a disconnect between developers and their audience. The player hopes Capcom will maintain the horror essence of the franchise, longing for a return to the intense fear experienced in Resident Evil 7.

AppWizard

September 2, 2026

Marketplace Content September 2026

During a summer internship at a fireworks factory, the author noted that celebrations are enhanced by vibrant colors. The Rainbow Eclipse PvP Pack by CubeCraft Games includes animated swords and armor with various colors, low fire, and short swords. The Steampunk - Original Textures pack by The Craft Stars features a retrofuturistic steampunk aesthetic. Pastel Adventures by Pathway Studios offers a pastel color palette, a custom user interface, adorable mobs, and 12 unique pastel skins. The Cube Chaos texture pack by Pathway Studios captures the essence of classic comic books. The Cherry Bonsai Treehouse by CrackedCubes provides a treetop base with cherry blossoms and unique textures. The Cute Cozy House by Heropixel Games features a dreamy design and adorable furniture. The Cityscapes Las Vegas pack by Octovon allows exploration of iconic landmarks and opulent resorts. The City Life pack by Kora Studios showcases sprawling apartment complexes and bustling city streets. The Cursed Woodland Mansion by Pathway Studios is a cleverly designed escape room set in a haunting woodland mansion. Space Mini-Golf by Waypoint Studios includes 100 distinct holes for intergalactic golfing. Mega Prehistoric Parkour by Jigarbov Productions combines parkour with baby dinosaurs. The Cute in Pink! pack by Pixel Squared offers 10 fashionable pink skins. Sakura Bliss by Yeggs features 12 cherry blossom-themed skins. The Angels vs Devils pack by Pixel Squared includes 12 skins embodying heavenly or hellish aesthetics. The Spooky Season pack by StudioU provides 13 eerie skins for Halloween. Additionally, there is a selection of Character Creator items crafted from gold.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded are officially over as 1047 Games says it’s probably done making arena shooters

1047 Games has announced it will cease development on the PvP arena shooter Empulse and its predecessor Splitgate: Arena Reloaded due to insufficient revenue to cover operational expenses. The studio will continue to exist but will shift its strategic focus to future projects. The original Splitgate: Arena Warfare launched in 2019 and gained significant popularity, but the follow-up titles did not achieve similar success, resulting in layoffs shortly after Empulse's launch. Despite discontinuing dedicated servers, the studio will support both Empulse and Splitgate: Arena Reloaded through peer-to-peer matchmaking, allowing players to host matches indefinitely. Empulse will receive a final new map and a price reduction. 1047 Games expressed gratitude to its team members and players for their contributions and support.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 31 to September 4

- The Blood of Dawnwalker: Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S., Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game: Developer: PM-Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NBA 2K27: Developer: 2K, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword: Developer: CAPCOM CO., LTD., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NHL® 27 Deluxe Edition: Developer: Electronic Arts, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Halloween – Digital Deluxe Edition: Developer: IllFonic Publishing, Co-Publisher: Gun Media, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Young Suns (Game Preview): Developer: KO_OP, Release Date: August 31, Price: .99, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Shelldiver: Developer: Gagonfe, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault (Game Preview): Developer: 11 bit studios, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Game Pass / Handheld Optimized. - Angeline Era: Developer: Analgesic Productions, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - BioEden: Developer: Focus Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .79, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Puzzledorf: Developer: Stuart's Pixel Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Salvation: Echoes of War: Developer: Infinite Entropy, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Sticker Picker (Xbox Series): Developer: Afil Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Crimson Moon: Developer: ProbablyMonsters, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Tintle's Great Colorful Adventure: Developer: Midnight Pounce Studios, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Eden Coil: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Feed Your Cat: New Paths: Developer: Tribus Games Indie, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia: Developer: Microids, Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Pharmacy Store Simulator: Developer: Art Games Studio S.A., Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Radiation Caterpillar: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Super Woden Rally Edge: Developer: Eastasiasoft Limited, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Asdivine Knot: Developer: KEMCO, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Brainrot Kart: Developer: Skibidi Studios, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Bus Simulator 27 – Year 1 Edition: Developer: astragon Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space: Developer: Flynn's Arcade, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Doctor: Developer: Bad Minions, Little Giant, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fight School Simulator: Developer: Ultimate Games S.A., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Galactic Vault: Developer: Take IT Studio!, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Hearthstorm: Developer: NOSTRA GAMES LTD, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Komorebi: A Furry Visual Novel: Developer: Top Hat Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: Developer: tinyBuild, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Shoe it All!: Developer: Bright Gambit, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Cage: Developer: JanduSoft, Release Date: September 4, Price: .49, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Fear The Timeloop: Developer: PlayWay S.A., Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play. - Flute Of Gobelin: Developer: RainForest Game Studio, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fortress Merge: Developer: QubicGames S.A., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Hockey Beasts: Developer: Revulo Games LLC, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - I Am Angel: Developer: PortingGuru, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Isle of Reveries: Developer: Electric Airship, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonbringer: Developer: 2dragontails, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Order Automatica: Developer: better. publishing, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Railbreak DX: Developer: Dead Drop Studios LLC, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Tales of Formentera: Developer: Ratalaika Games S.L., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Motorola details everything coming with its big Android 17 update

Motorola is set to enhance its smartphones with the upcoming Android 17 software update, which includes features such as stackable widgets, themed icons, and the ability to hide labels from Quick Settings tiles. The update will integrate support for Live Updates and AI-driven notification summaries, as well as machine learning models to identify low-priority notifications. Display capabilities will improve for HDR content, with adjustable brightness settings. New sharing methods include Tap to Share for one-on-one sharing and Quick Drop for group sharing. The update also promises enhanced security, app compatibility, performance improvements, bug fixes, and additional features like cross-platform Quick Share capabilities and Audio Sharing. Over 50 Motorola devices, including recent Razr and Edge models, will receive the update.

BetaBeacon

August 25, 2026

New GameHub update brings mod support for PC games to your Android phone

GameHub has rolled out a new update, version 6.2.0, which includes mod support for Steam titles and locally imported games.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Big Walk is a new co-op puzzle game classic

Big Walk is a collaborative puzzle-adventure game designed for up to 12 players, best enjoyed with smaller groups of three or four. It features built-in proximity chat that encourages in-game communication, adding complexity to problem-solving. Players must navigate puzzles while adhering to communication restrictions, often leading to creative non-verbal solutions. One puzzle involves players matching sounds from booths to speakers while relying on visual cues and limited communication. The game is available on Steam and is recommended for dedicated groups, as a full playthrough may take around 12 hours without achieving 100% completion.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Video: Minecraft Dungeons II Official Gameplay Trailer Released

Minecraft Dungeons II will officially release on the Switch and Switch 2 on September 29, 2026. Mojang has released an official gameplay trailer showcasing a new dimension called the Sift, which features new adversaries, collaborative gameplay, and customizable gear. Pre-orders for the game are currently available. The original Minecraft Dungeons debuted on the Switch in 2020 and has received multiple updates and downloadable content since then.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Flight Simulator, Stalker 2, Persona 5, and more

The Epic Games Store is giving away the game Cardpocalypse, developed by Gambrinous, until August 27. The Humble Store has launched several new bundles, including the Ready Player One and Two bundle, which features games like Mimesis and Killing Floor 3, and offers a second copy of each game for sharing. The Yes Chef Cooking Bundle includes titles such as Brewmaster and Food Truck Simulator, while the Summer Island Getaway collection features Islanders and its sequel. Green Man Gaming is offering a WB Games collection with titles like Middle Earth: Shadow of War for a discounted price. The GOG store has various discounts on DRM-free games available this weekend.