game Archives

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve has introduced the Steam Machine, which operates on SteamOS and offers a console-like experience while functioning as a traditional PC. Users can install Windows on the Steam Machine, as Valve has released official drivers for essential hardware components, including graphics processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card reader. However, installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS, and Valve does not provide official technical support for Windows users. An official dual-boot setup wizard is planned for a future update of SteamOS. To install Windows, users must access the boot menu by powering off the Steam Machine and restarting it while pressing the Escape key. An internet connection is necessary during the setup process, and connecting via Ethernet is recommended.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Microsoft needs to “reset Xbox,” says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees

Xbox plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,200 employees by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027, with an initial layoff of around 1,600 positions. CEO Asha Sharma expressed concerns about the company's health and announced a transition of four studios to new management. Xbox is facing financial challenges, operating at margins significantly lower than comparable entities, and the expected growth of Game Pass has not occurred. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to independent status, retaining ownership of their intellectual properties. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will also join new ownership structures. Bethesda is refocusing on its major franchises, and there are no cancellations of first-party games due to these reductions. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions expressed gratitude for support during this transition.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Even Obsidian couldn’t escape the Xbox cuts, with losses ranging from a 21-year veteran artist to an engineer who’d only been there 2 months

On July 6, Kotaku reported that layoffs at Obsidian Entertainment affected between 60 to 70 employees, nearly a quarter of its workforce of 285. Current and former employees shared experiences on social media, indicating an indeterminate number of developers were let go, including long-time artist Daniel Alpert and recent hire Wenzheng Huang. Employee Kate Dollarhyde described the layoffs as significant, and while Obsidian is bound by the WARN Act to provide notice for layoffs exceeding 50 employees, the California WARN Act Tracker does not show that Obsidian reported these layoffs. Despite producing successful titles like Pentiment and The Outer Worlds 2, the studio's future is uncertain amid Xbox's anticipated layoffs and financial struggles.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Gravity Game Unite Launches 2nd Open Beta Test for PC MMORPG Ragnarok Zero: Global

Gravity Game Unite (GGU) has launched the 2nd Open Beta Test (OBT2) for its PC MMORPG, Ragnarok Zero: Global, from July 7, 2026, at 9:00 AM to July 15, 2026, at 7:59 AM (Malaysian Time). The OBT2 is available to players from Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania, featuring enhancements based on feedback from the initial OBT. New features include the mini-game Get Poring, the User-Generated Content system RO Factory, and MVP Raid events. Community engagement activities include pre-registration rewards, level milestone rewards, daily attendance checks, and a bug reporting event. Players can register and download the PC client from the official website.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

How do you reconcile your lore-heavy, dark sci-fi MMO with mod tools that might let people get way too goofy? ‘Everything’s canon,’ say the developers of EVE Frontier

EVE Frontier is an early access space survival MMO that features a contrast between its dystopian narrative and a vibrant modding ecosystem. Players inhabit cloned bodies known as "shells," which can be traded, upgraded, or sacrificed, adding strategic layers to gameplay. The origins of these consciousnesses are mysterious, possibly containing remnants of human culture. The game embraces player creativity, with everything created by players considered canon within the universe. The latest cycle of EVE Frontier launched on June 25, introducing fully modular ship building, an enhanced new player experience, a five-day free trial, and innovative gamepad controls.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft Bedrock Seed Map: Plan Your World Before Spawning

The Minecraft Bedrock and Java editions use different seed generation engines, resulting in distinct terrains even with the same seed. Bedrock employs unique noise parameters and biome blending algorithms, making cross-version seed comparisons unpredictable. Bedrock players typically look for seeds that offer proximity to mixed biomes, visibility of villages or outposts from spawn, and easy cave access. Popular seeds often showcase multiple biomes within a 500-block radius from the spawn point. Players often consult seed maps to assess nearby resources and plan their gameplay strategically, focusing on spawn biome, proximity to villages, locations of ruined portals, ocean monuments, woodland mansions, and strongholds. Bedrock is available on various platforms, and seeds work consistently across them. Console players benefit from checking seeds in advance, as worlds generated on consoles mirror those of PC Bedrock. Server performance is crucial for multiplayer enjoyment, and players should ensure their seed runs on capable hardware for optimal experience.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

‘Emotional cyber-noir adventure game’ MoonHack announced for PC

ASTRA, under Astro Production, has announced its upcoming project, MoonHack, an emotional cyber-noir adventure set to launch on PC via Steam in 2027. The game will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Set in the year 2125, MoonHack features a world where AI controls all aspects of life, and loving what you love is illegal. Players will collaborate with characters classified as illegal to navigate a digital realm governed by AI regulations, using music as a means to challenge the oppressive system. The gameplay combines storytelling with 3D rhythm-action mechanics, where vocal performances align with gameplay. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Compulsion Games is returning to independent management amid sweeping Xbox reorganization: ‘Our immediate priority is to support our team’

Xbox has announced a restructuring initiative that will eliminate 1,600 roles within its division, contributing to a total reduction of 3,200 positions planned for the 2027 financial year. Four game development studios, including Compulsion Games, will transition out of Microsoft’s ownership, allowing Compulsion Games to regain its independence and retain ownership of its intellectual property and game catalog. Compulsion Games expressed gratitude for its time with Xbox and emphasized its commitment to supporting its team during the transition, while remaining optimistic about its future and focus on creating unique games.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Xbox’s CEO wants its games to cater to ‘more than a billion people each day’, or 24 times more than the peak population of Steam, which is delusional

Asha Sharma, the newly appointed CEO of Xbox, announced a goal to achieve 24 times the peak user engagement of Steam, aiming for 984 million active users daily. This ambition follows the closure of several studios and plans to reduce the workforce by 3,200 employees by 2027. Sharma's vision has been met with criticism for its lack of realism, especially given the simultaneous demand for greater output from a smaller team.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is

The Xbox community is reacting to the announcement of a restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 roles within Xbox. CEO Asha Sharma has introduced a strategy to mitigate losses, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine operating independently, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will seek new publishing partners. No projects have been canceled, and no studios have closed. State of Decay 3 is no longer required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, which may also apply to future Ninja Theory projects. Undead Labs must decide whether to launch titles on Xbox Game Pass or independently. Players are encouraged to support studios by purchasing games at retail prices. State of Decay 3 is gaining popularity on the Steam Most Wishlisted games list, highlighting interest in mid-sized and experimental games. The success of these studios now depends on community support.