game content Archives

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

PayPal pulls Steam support for most currencies

Valve has announced that PayPal is no longer facilitating transactions on its Steam platform in numerous countries due to its acquiring bank ceasing to process Steam transactions in various currencies. Currently, Valve can only accept PayPal payments in Euros, Canadian Dollars, British Pounds, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollars, and US Dollars. Valve hopes to reinstate PayPal for additional currencies in the future and is exploring alternative payment methods. The withdrawal of PayPal's support is linked to content available on the platform and follows a campaign by the anti-pornography group Collective Shout, which has targeted platforms like Steam over their NSFW game content.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

Revolutionizing Android Casino Apps with Hybrid Monetization

In 2025, Android casino apps are adopting a hybrid monetization model that combines free play, in-app purchases, advertising, and subscription services, moving away from traditional revenue streams like paid downloads. This model allows for free downloads and offers players various options, such as watching ads for rewards or subscribing for premium features. Developers are utilizing online casino content aggregators to access a wide range of games without the need for in-house development, which streamlines licensing and updates. The success of this model relies on selecting the right content aggregator, which can vary in terms of game library size, certification coverage, API integration, analytics capabilities, and revenue share structures. Continuous analysis of player behavior is essential to optimize monetization strategies, allowing developers to adjust ad frequency, subscription pricing, and game offerings based on user feedback.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Minecraft teases Smurfs crossover with new in-game content

Mojang and Microsoft are collaborating with The Smurfs for a crossover in Minecraft, teased through a social media post featuring a pixelated Smurf and a mushroom emoji. The announcement is linked to the upcoming Smurfs film set for release in 2025. Expected additions to Minecraft include skins and costumes based on Smurfs characters, new mobs or NPCs like Papa Smurf and Smurfette, a themed world or map featuring a Smurf village, and size-shifting mechanics for gameplay. Players hope the update will be available on both Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions and accessible on the Minecraft Marketplace. Previous collaborations with films have included themed content, suggesting a similar approach for this crossover. The Minecraft content is anticipated to release shortly after the Smurfs movie in mid-July 2025.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4733 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.4733 (KB5062651) has been released to the Beta Channel for Windows 11, version 24H2. This update includes new features such as the "describe image" action in Click to Do, which provides detailed descriptions of images and is currently available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel devices expected soon. An upcoming administrator protection feature will secure floating admin rights for users and is disabled by default. Improvements include updated privacy dialog designs for app permissions, activation of Smart App Control in evaluation mode, and various fixes for issues in File Explorer, taskbar, live captions, Dynamic Lighting, graphics, and settings. Known issues include potential rollback errors during installation, touch navigation problems in the new Start menu, Xbox Controller issues, and problems with the Microsoft Changjie Input method. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel will receive updates based on Windows 11, version 24H2, and features may be rolled out gradually.

Winsage

July 14, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5702 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5702 (KB5062653) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. A new "describe image" action in Click to Do is now available for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs, with support for AMD and Intel-powered PCs expected soon. An upcoming security feature called Administrator protection allows for just-in-time admin privileges and is disabled by default. The design of privacy dialogs for app permissions has been updated, and Smart App Control may be activated in Windows Security for Insiders in evaluation mode. Windows PowerShell 2.0 has been deprecated and removed in this build. Fixes include resolving issues with File Explorer, search animations, live captions, Dynamic Lighting, and graphics synchronization. Known issues include error pop-ups in Group Policy Editor, touch navigation problems in the new Start menu, and Xbox Controller bugs via Bluetooth. Windows Insiders may experience a rollback error (0x80070005) when installing this update.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Amazon is giving away four free games for Prime Day

Amazon's Prime Day 2025 is scheduled from July 8 to July 11. Prime Gaming members can access a selection of free PC games, including: - Saints Row IV - Star Wars: Rebellion - Saints Row 2 - Toem - Dungeon of the Endless Definitive Edition - Tomb Raider I-III Remastered - Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II - Marvel's Midnight Suns - Amnesia: The Dark Descent - Football Manager 2024 Additionally, July's standard lineup of free titles includes: - Boxes: Lost Fragments - Paquerette Down the Bunburrows - Endless Space 2 - Besiege: The Splintered Sea DLC - Venba - I Love Finding Wild Friends - Heroes of Loot Prime Gaming offers a rotating selection of free downloadable PC games each month, which members can keep forever, and includes a free monthly subscription to a Twitch channel and access to free in-game content for various titles. An Amazon Prime subscription costs £8.99 per month or £95 annually.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Ready or Not Review-Bombed on Steam as PC Players Claim Shooter Was ‘Censored’ to Satisfy Console Makers

Ready or Not, a tactical first-person shooter by VOID Interactive, is experiencing backlash on Steam due to recent changes made for its console release. VOID stated that modifications to the game's levels of gore, nudity, violence, and depictions of child mistreatment were necessary to meet console manufacturers' requirements. Players can no longer dismember defeated enemies, instances of torture and nudity have been reduced, and a child character now appears "unconscious/sleeping" instead of in a violent animation. Despite the developers claiming these changes are minor, community response has been negative, with some players accusing the studio of censorship and calling for a boycott. The game's overall user review rating remains 'very positive,' but recent reviews have shifted to 'mixed.' Ready or Not previously faced challenges, including a temporary removal from Steam in 2022 due to a trademark dispute and a controversial announcement about a school shooting level.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Prime Gaming deal for July: Download Mass Effect for free

Prime Gaming will offer over 30 free games for its members in July, coinciding with Amazon's Prime Day sale from July 8 to July 11. Notable titles include Mass Effect Legendary Edition, GRID Legends, Need for Speed Heat, and several classic Star Wars games. Members will also have access to more than 25 indie games, such as Death Squared and Samurai Shodown II. Any games added to a member's account are theirs to keep indefinitely, even after canceling their Prime subscription. The complete list of free games for July includes titles like 10 Second Ninja X, 8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure, and The Metronomicon: Slay the Dance Floor. An Amazon Prime subscription costs £8.99 per month or £95 annually and includes additional benefits like free Twitch subscriptions and access to Prime Video.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

We Love Every Game wants to solve Steam’s discoverability problem

We Love Every Game is a platform created by Boston-based Totally Human Media to help players discover quality PC games on Steam, which sees nearly 20,000 new titles each year. The initiative is led by Ichiro Lambe, a game developer with 30 years of experience, including founding Sony Online Entertainment Denver and Dejobaan Games. The platform recommends games that have at least an 80% positive review rating on Steam with a minimum of 30 reviews. It aims to connect gamers with titles that match their preferences and is exploring the use of generative AI to summarize game content. The founders plan to expand the platform to include other forms of entertainment media and are seeking a sustainable business model that respects user experience.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Are Roblox and Minecraft Safe? A Parent’s Guide to Online Gaming

Kids worldwide are increasingly engaged in online games like Roblox and Minecraft, which can enhance creativity and social interaction but may also negatively impact health, emotional well-being, and academic performance if not managed properly. Roblox is a platform for user-generated games, while Minecraft allows players to build and explore in a pixelated world. Factors contributing to children's addiction to these games include vivid graphics, a sense of achievement, social connections, and emotional comfort. Excessive gaming can lead to a lack of interest in other activities, poor sleep, concentration difficulties, and emotional dependency. Both games pose risks such as interaction with strangers, exposure to inappropriate content, and potential financial implications from in-game purchases. Parents can mitigate these risks by enabling privacy controls, setting spending limits, monitoring game content, and discussing online safety with their children. Warning signs of excessive gaming include mood swings when screen time is limited, loss of interest in other hobbies, and excessive focus on gaming. Parents are encouraged to engage in conversations about gaming, seek offline activities, establish screen time limits, and create screen-free family traditions.