game store Archives

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta dates: How to sign up for both MW4 beta weekends

Players can participate in beta tests for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 before its official release in October. - Early Access Beta starts on August 21 for pre-order customers. - Open Beta begins on August 28 for all players. - Pre-order customers may need a beta code, depending on their purchase method. - Codes will be available during the Call of Duty: Next Showcase on August 21 at 9 am PDT. - Most maps and modes will be available during both beta weekends, with some exclusives. - Pre-loading for the open beta starts on August 26 at 9 am PDT. Players who participated in the early access beta will not need to download the game again but may receive updates.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

The Best Places to Buy and Rent PC Games Online in 2026

The digital landscape for purchasing PC games has evolved, offering various online stores for Linux, macOS, and Windows games, with some also featuring e-books, movies, and software. Notable platforms include Steam, Epic Games Store, Humble Bundle, and Xbox, each with diverse game libraries. Some publishers, like Blizzard and EA, initially required exclusive downloads but are now allowing games across multiple storefronts. Steam offers extensive titles and a Verified program for Steam Deck users, while GOG.com focuses on classic games and itch.io on indie titles. Consumers can purchase games from different platforms and use tools like CheapShark to compare prices and find deals.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Modders are working on porting Xbox and PC Game Pass to Linux

Xodus is an open-source project aimed at enabling Linux and macOS users to access Xbox PC and PC Game Pass subscriptions without Windows. Developed by the team behind the Heroic Game Launcher, Xodus builds on existing functionalities to allow gameplay from various platforms. The project has successfully created an Xbox authorization system for users to log in, verify licenses, and identify available Game Pass titles. However, challenges remain in launching games, requiring reverse engineering of Microsoft technologies like the Game Development Kit (GDK) and MSIXVC format. Compatibility issues are anticipated, particularly with older Universal Windows Platform (UWP) games, such as Forza Horizon 3. Additionally, launching games will necessitate the use of Linux technologies like Wine, DXVK, or VKD3D-Proton, complicating full compatibility with the Game Pass catalog.

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

The first rival Android app store just arrived in the US Play Store

Aptoide, a game store specializing in mobile games, is now available through Google's Play Store in the US.

BetaBeacon

July 15, 2026

After Google Vs Epic Games, Xbox Finally Gets Its Shot On Android

Google's grip over the Play Store was ruled as an illegal monopoly, leading to the opening up of Android to approved third-party app stores. This change allows developers to use their own payment systems and skip Google's cut in many cases, making it easier for other app stores to compete. This is significant news for Xbox, as it now has the opportunity to launch its own mobile game store on Android, which has been a goal for the company for years. The loosening of rules on Android provides Xbox with a chance to bring its mobile store to life and potentially increase revenue by selling games directly, running promotions, and offering better prices without Google taking a cut. The history of Xbox's fight against Google and Apple in the mobile app store market is also highlighted, with Xbox having faced obstacles in launching its mobile store features on Android in the past. With the recent changes, Xbox now has fewer roadblocks in its way and a real opportunity to establish a mobile storefront on Android.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

PC game store GOG explains how digital ownership should be as PlayStation announces end of physical discs

PlayStation plans to phase out physical discs for its consoles starting in January 2028, coinciding with the digital-only release of GTA 6. This shift reflects the industry's move toward a digital-only future, impacting collectors and enthusiasts of physical media. Meanwhile, GOG offers a DRM-free gaming experience, allowing users to retain access to purchased games even if they are removed from the store, as long as the files are installed. GOG's model enables personal backups on physical media and does not require an internet connection for gameplay, although online multiplayer may vary. The future of PlayStation adopting a similar DRM-free approach remains uncertain.

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Windows Weekly 981: Semi-Sophisticated

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed developments in the Windows Insider Program, Snapdragon X2 gaming, artificial intelligence, and Xbox. Two changes in the Insider Program were noted. Microsoft has open-sourced early MS-DOS source code. Intel reported a .7 billion loss, which Paul attributes to 'collusion.' Microsoft and OpenAI are revising their partnership, with Microsoft 365 Copilot gaining enhanced AI features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and GitHub Copilot moving to a usage-based billing model starting June 1. OpenAI is reportedly entering the mobile phone market, while Adobe's Firefly AI Assistant is in preview, and Anthropic is increasing its creator space involvement. Microsoft Gaming has rebranded to Xbox, with new leadership focused on future plans, including a mobile game store pending changes in Apple's policies. Valve will release its Steam Controller next week. A listener inquired about purchasing Windows 11 on Arm for Mac virtualization, leading to suggestions for cost-saving options. PowerToys 0.99 introduces new utilities and improvements. This week’s episode of RunAs Radio compares M365 Copilot and Claude Cowork. Reifel Rye is recommended as the brown liquor of the week.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

We owe Fallout to an admiral and his officers teaching its designer to play D&D in 1979

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG designer known for the Fallout series, shared his first experience with Dungeons & Dragons during the Carter administration, guided by his mother’s colleagues in the U.S. Navy. He contrasted this experience with modern gaming, noting that players starting on computers lack the direct interaction that comes with a Dungeon Master. Cain was captivated by the novelty of polyhedral dice and expressed excitement about the game. His mother supported his interest by suggesting a stop at a game store, leading him to acquire the AD&D Monster Manual and a boxed set. This engagement with D&D significantly influenced his career, particularly his expertise in the 2E AD&D's THAC0 system, which helped him secure a position at Interplay and lead the development of The Temple of Elemental Evil. His introduction to tabletop roleplaying was facilitated by a DM known as “Captain Dave,” whose influence extended to Cain's later work in game development.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

It Looks Like Steam Will Soon Use Frame Rate Data Gathered by Its Millions of Users to Estimate How Well a Gam

Valve is collecting frame rate data from its user base to predict game performance on individual systems. This initiative started with a SteamOS beta that gathers performance metrics. A code string in a recent Steam update suggests that Valve plans to use this data to estimate game performance based on users' CPU, GPU, and RAM specifications. Users will have the option to input their hardware details or receive projections based on their existing configuration. This feature aims to provide more comprehensive performance estimates compared to existing offerings from other digital game stores. The current data collection is limited to the beta client, but the rollout of this feature is expected to help gamers assess their hardware's capability to run new titles.

AppWizard

March 6, 2026

“Where does Xbox fit all of a sudden?”: Former Microsoft VP says it “maybe” should have taken “full advantage of Minecraft” while it had a chance instead of getting distracted by Bethesda exclusives

Peter Moore, the former head of Xbox and Sega, believes that Microsoft has not fully utilized the potential of Minecraft since acquiring Mojang. He highlighted that Minecraft was designed for user-generated content and the integration of artificial intelligence, similar to games like Fortnite. Moore noted that Microsoft's focus has shifted to high-profile acquisitions like Activision Blizzard and Bethesda, which complicates the integration of new acquisitions with Xbox's strategy. He stated that the extensive spending on acquisitions makes it difficult to maintain exclusivity on the console. While Minecraft has an in-game store for user-generated content, it lacks the expansive platform capabilities of Roblox or Fortnite. Despite this, Minecraft remains the best-selling game of all time, indicating that Microsoft likely does not regret its investment in the franchise.