game studios Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

What’s new on Xbox Game Pass? Check out the latest.

Xbox Game Pass is evolving with a variety of gaming experiences. Forza Horizon 6 is set in Japan, features 550 cars, and allows players to race at speeds up to 100 mph. Hades 2 allows players to control Melinoë, expanding on the original's themes and gameplay while maintaining engaging combat and narrative. Vampire Crawlers combines gameplay from Vampire Survivors with roguelike deckbuilding, offering strategic gameplay and unique mechanics. Subnautica 2 is the most wish-listed game on Steam, enhancing exploration and survival mechanics from the original game. Mixtape is an indie game that offers a three-hour experience filled with nostalgic storytelling and a vibrant soundtrack reminiscent of the '90s.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

PC Game From 2025 Free Less Than 24 Hours via Epic Games Store

Apex Game Studios has made their horror game Spirit Catcher 93' available for free on the Epic Games Store until May 16 at 6:00 PM ET. The game, released on November 12, 2025, has received four user reviews on Steam, all of which are positive. It offers a single-player, first-person experience set in a retro-futuristic digital nightmare, where players navigate as a fragmented echo of consciousness. User playtimes vary significantly, with reports ranging from 2.6 to 29.8 hours. Creating an Epic Games Store account is free, allowing access to the game without subscription barriers.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Adds 3 New Day One Games Including New #1 Seller

Subscribers to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass can access three new day-one games, including a standout title that sold two million copies within 12 hours of its launch, making it one of the best-selling games of 2026. These games are not available to Premium subscribers or those on the standard tier. They are not permanent fixtures in the subscription service, as none are published by Xbox Game Studios. Subscribers can purchase them at a 20% discount. Subnautica 2, the sequel from Unknown Worlds Entertainment, has launched and is currently the best-selling game on Steam, although it is in early access and does not yet have a Metacritic score. It is available through both PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Call of the Elder Gods, a sequel to 2020’s Call of the Sea, has a Metacritic score of 80 and is available on Xbox Series X and PC via the subscription services. Outbound, an open-world exploration game developed by Square Glade Games, has a Metacritic score of 65 and is also accessible through the Ultimate and PC tiers of the subscription service.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

15 PC Games That Rely More on CPU Than GPU

In competitive gaming, unique character abilities combined with a 5v5 format create innovative experiences, with high stakes in competitive shooters where low frame rates can lead to defeat, demanding on CPU resources. Baldur’s Gate 3 features an immersive storyline and expansive world, requiring a robust CPU due to its intricate physics and character interactions. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 onwards) is a CPU-intensive simulation game that offers real-time world streaming, dynamic weather, and air traffic management. GTA Online allows players to engage in a sprawling open world of crime, with complex AI interactions that demand substantial processing power. Civilization VI, while not graphically intensive, requires significant CPU load for its intricate gameplay mechanics and constant calculations. Counter-Strike 2 demands high FPS and stable frame rates, making it extremely CPU-intensive due to its tactical team-based combat. World of Warcraft is one of the most CPU-intensive MMOs, requiring significant processing power for large-scale battles and exploration. Total War: WARHAMMER III places considerable demands on CPU performance due to its real-time warfare mechanics with vast armies. Overwatch relies on steady frame rates and real-time calculations, necessitating a powerful CPU, while also depending on the GPU for optimal performance. Minecraft's resource generation and real-time world building place significant demands on the CPU across various modes. Call of Duty: Warzone requires a powerful CPU to maintain fast frame rates and execute numerous physics-related calculations on a massive map. Starfield is one of the most demanding PC games of 2023, emphasizing the need for a capable CPU to handle its complex mechanics and expansive environments.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Game industry lobby group that argued against preservation efforts from libraries is now pushing back on Stop Killing Games, saying it could prevent ‘new games, features, and technology’

Stop Killing Games has evolved from a grassroots initiative to a significant international player, with presentations at the European Parliament and collaborations with global NGOs expected by 2026. In April, the organization endorsed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), which aims to require game developers to inform consumers of server shutdowns and provide options such as offline versions, patches, or refunds. Smaller game studios are adapting their titles to remain playable post-server closure, with examples including Lunarch Studios and 1047 Games. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposes the bill, claiming it burdens developers, while Stop Killing Games clarifies that the legislation does not require perpetual server maintenance. Historically, the ESA has lobbied against measures to preserve game access, including opposing a DMCA exemption for libraries and museums. The ESA's concerns mirror those of Video Games Europe, warning that Stop Killing Games' demands could lead to unsafe content and financial burdens on developers.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 leaks early, developer responds by banning the IPs of anyone playing it for just under 8 thousand years

A full build of Forza Horizon 6 was accidentally uploaded to Steam, leading to its premature release and subsequent downloads by fans. Microsoft quickly removed the build, but it had already spread to piracy sites. Playground Games, the developer, acknowledged the situation on social media, humorously addressing those who downloaded it early. The game, which is heavily reliant on online features, is officially set to launch on May 19, with preorders providing early access on May 15. The leak was due to a misstep, and the listing can still be viewed on SteamDB. There are warnings about the risks of downloading unauthorized versions, including a potential lengthy ban. Early reviews of the game have been positive.

TrendTechie

May 11, 2026

Полная версия Forza Horizon 6 утекла на торренты за неделю до релиза

The complete working build of Forza Horizon 6 has been leaked on piracy platforms over a week before its official release on May 19, 2026, due to the developers' accidental publication of unencrypted preload files in the Steam database. The leak occurred on May 10, allowing users to access the game’s content and leading to the distribution of torrent files. The game requires 155.63 GB of free disk space for installation on Windows. Early access for premium edition owners was scheduled to start on May 15. Microsoft and Playground Games have not commented on the leak, which has become one of the largest gaming leaks of the year, with ongoing discussions in global forums.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Xbox Launches New Free PC Game Perfect For Achievement Hunters

Xbox gamers on PC can now access a new free game called Microsoft Jewel, a sliding puzzle game from Xbox Game Studios. The game allows players to fill a meter and collect Bonus Jewels by making matches, creating Power Jewels, and clearing jewels from the board. It does not require Xbox Game Pass, but having it eliminates ads during gameplay. Players can unlock achievements in the game, which contribute to their gamerscore and can earn them points through the Xbox Rewards Hub. These points can be exchanged for in-store credit vouchers, and players with both Xbox and PC can earn double the points.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Adds 5 Day-One Games

Microsoft's subscription service has introduced five new day-one titles for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The titles are: 1. Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era - Developed by Unfrozen, Hooded Horse, and Ubisoft, this is the eighth installment in the series, currently in early access on PC Game Pass, with a 90% approval rating on Steam. 2. Aphelion - A sci-fi action-adventure game from Don’t Nod, with mixed reviews and a Metacritic score range of 63 to 72, available on both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. 3. Inkonbini: One Stores. Many Stories - A narrative-driven simulation game developed by Nagai Industries, it has an 85 Metacritic score and is available on both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. 4. TerraTech Legion - A roguelite action game and the third entry in the TerraTech series, currently in early access with an 89% approval rating on Steam, available on both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. 5. Sledding Game - An early access title with a 97% approval rating on Steam, developed by The Sledding Corporation, available on both Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Subscribers can access a 20% discount on these games while they are available, although the duration of their availability is not specified.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Xbox admits its PC gaming presence is not strong enough

Microsoft is retiring the term "Microsoft Gaming," which was introduced in 2022, and will revert to using the Xbox brand as the primary identifier for all gaming-related endeavors. A memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty, released on April 23, acknowledges that the company's presence in the PC gaming market is lacking. The memo outlines a strategy focused on "flexible pricing," being "open to all creators," and increasing "daily active players," but lacks specific commitments or timelines. It highlights Windows as a crucial battleground for gaming, noting that it now represents more players and hours, amidst competition from platforms like Steam. The memo also reflects on Microsoft's historical challenges in executing a competitive PC gaming ecosystem and coincides with an announcement of an early-retirement buyout program for employees as the company reallocates resources toward AI initiatives.