game launchers Archives

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

Steam Machine release date speculation, specs and latest news

Valve is set to launch the Steam Machine in early 2026, potentially up to April 2026, though delays may occur due to a RAM crisis affecting component prices. Pre-orders are currently unavailable, but customers can add it to their Steam wishlist for notifications. The Steam Machine is a PC-hybrid console, running SteamOS, and offers a desktop environment for flexibility. It has performance specifications between the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5, with 16GB of system memory and 8GB of video memory. Key specifications include a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, semi-custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, and storage options of 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD. The Steam Machine will come with a Steam Controller, featuring standard controls and enhanced precision through dual trackpads and a gyroscope.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Half Life 3 Steam Machine rumors just won’t go away, with high RAM prices now somehow connected

Valve initially intended to unveil Half-Life 3 alongside the Steam Machine, but rising RAM prices led to a change in plans. The Steam Machine, powered by SteamOS, has generated hype, but lacks a confirmed release date or pricing. Insider sources suggest that Half-Life 3 could still be a launch title for the Steam Machine, though delays are attributed to increased PC RAM prices due to AI data centers consuming supply. This price surge has affected the tech industry, leading to speculation about potential delays or price increases for gaming products. Experts suggest Valve may separate the launches of the Steam Machine and Half-Life 3, as the success of the game appears independent of the hardware's debut. There are currently no definitive hints or leaks confirming the development of Half-Life 3.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

RIP Windows: Linux GPU Gaming Benchmarks on Bazzite

The shift from Windows to Linux, particularly with SteamOS, has increased interest in Linux testing among gamers. After three weeks of testing the Bazzite distribution, initial GPU results were obtained, revealing various issues such as crashes and lengthy shader compilation times. Bazzite was chosen for its popularity and developer engagement, offering two main versions: NVIDIA and non-NVIDIA, both with pre-installed drivers. The testing methodology was sensitive to change and not directly comparable to Windows due to different measurement tools. Benchmarking results showed that the RTX 5090 achieved an average of 176 FPS in Dragon’s Dogma 2 at 1080p, while performance disparities were noted in Black Myth: Wukong, where NVIDIA cards struggled with consistency. AMD GPUs often outperformed NVIDIA counterparts in several titles, indicating that while high-end NVIDIA hardware is capable, the Linux software environment may not fully utilize its potential. Ray tracing benchmarks in Cyberpunk 2077 also highlighted inconsistencies in performance. Overall, the Linux gaming environment is evolving, with expectations for improved compatibility and performance in the future.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

You haven’t truly experienced PC gaming until you’ve done these 8 things

The author reflects on nostalgic moments from PC gaming, including early experiences in Rust where they learned about trap bases. They mention the humorous "door stuck" video and the persistence of antisocial behavior in competitive gaming, highlighting various griefing techniques documented on the Team Fortress 2 wiki. Ted Litchfield describes the frustrating process of troubleshooting a new desktop build, often leading to unhelpful advice and a rite of passage for PC gamers. Andrea Shearon shares a memorable experience in Final Fantasy 14, successfully clearing a challenging trial with strangers, fostering camaraderie. Lincoln Carpenter discusses the immersive flavor text in the roguelike game Caves of Qud, enhancing the gameplay experience. Evan Lahti emphasizes the camaraderie in the military simulation game Arma, while Tyler Wilde mentions memorable moments in Battlefield 6 and Sea of Thieves. Christopher Livingston notes the frustration of managing multiple digital game launchers, which can deter players from gaming. Morgan Park reflects on the joy of playing lesser-known multiplayer games like Gotham City Impostors and Knockout City, fostering a unique sense of community.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Valve isn’t slowing down with its Steam Labs updates – this one might be the best yet

Valve has introduced a Personal Calendar feature for Steam users through its Steam Labs experiment, designed to help gamers track recently released and upcoming titles based on their gaming activity and wishlists. This tool allows users to view newly launched games, wishlist items, and receive game suggestions based on individual playtime. Currently accessible via Steam Labs, it may be integrated into the Steam platform if it gains popularity. The feature is particularly effective for users with large collections of roguelite and action games. This update comes as Microsoft launches a 'full-screen experience' mode for the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming PC, increasing competition among PC game launchers.

Winsage

September 18, 2025

Xbox’s ‘Handheld Mode’ Available to install on any Current Windows Handheld

The Windows team at Microsoft has released the “25H2” update for Windows 11 Insider Program users, which includes Xbox’s ‘Handheld Mode’ that can now be installed on any current Windows handheld device. This mode enhances the gaming experience by streamlining the interface and freeing up around 2GB of memory for gaming. Users can boot directly into the Xbox Full Screen Experience, which aggregates games from various platforms. The setup process involves joining the ‘Release Preview’ ring of the Windows Insider program, updating to the latest 25H2 build, and making some registry tweaks. However, it lacks certain features, such as the Xbox Nexus button for easy access to the Game Bar. The ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are set to launch on October 16th.

Winsage

August 22, 2025

Windows is putting all your game launchers on the Xbox app to create a central hub for PC and handheld gamers

Microsoft is enhancing the Xbox app for PC gamers by introducing a feature called “My apps,” which consolidates various launchers and gaming tools into a single interface. This feature allows gamers to manage applications like Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, Chrome, and GOG Galaxy from the Xbox app. It is particularly beneficial for handheld gaming PCs, enabling access to all launchers in full-screen mode while minimizing background activity for improved gameplay. Currently, “My apps” is in testing with a limited selection of applications, and initial tests show that the Xbox app can open installed launchers or facilitate their installation without exiting the interface. Microsoft plans to expand support for more applications over time, aiming to make the Xbox app a central hub for PC gaming. The Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X are set to launch on October 16, with pre-orders expected in September.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

I’m sick to death of PC gaming’s endless launchers

The proliferation of game launchers such as Epic Game Store, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, EA App, Rockstar Social Club, and Paradox Launcher has caused frustration among players, who experience issues like unresponsiveness and crashes. Gamers desire a streamlined experience with fewer intrusive launchers and prefer to share data without the presence of multiple platforms. They would appreciate options to bypass launchers entirely or simplify access to games, contrasting with the ease of console gaming, where games can be accessed with a single button press. The gaming community hopes developers will address these concerns for a more user-friendly experience.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Report: Microsoft Gives Windows-Based Gaming Handhelds the Priority Over its Own Xbox Model

Microsoft has decided to prioritize enhancing Windows 11's performance for third-party gaming handhelds over its own Xbox handheld project, which may delay its launch originally planned for 2027. The company remains committed to developing its Xbox handheld in the long term but is currently focusing on optimizing Windows 11 for devices like ASUS's upcoming “Project Kennan.” This shift may be influenced by the competitive landscape, particularly the rise of Valve’s SteamOS, which offers advantages such as being free for hardware manufacturers and providing a user-friendly experience. SteamOS is currently supported on devices like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go S, and Valve is working to expand its compatibility. Jason Ronald, Microsoft's VP of Next Generation, indicated the company's goal to create a seamless Xbox-like experience on PCs, but the competitiveness of Windows 11 against SteamOS for gaming handhelds remains uncertain.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.