game Archives

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Big Changes Are Coming To Android’s Google Play Store This Month

In October 2024, a judge ordered Google to allow third-party app stores on the Android platform. Google has now decided to comply with this ruling, retracting its motion to amend the injunction. Changes are set to be implemented starting July 22, 2026, allowing third-party app stores to operate within the Play Store in the U.S. Developers' app listings will automatically be available to these stores unless they opt out. Third-party stores can offer apps from the Play Catalog if they pay an annual fee and meet certain criteria. However, questions remain regarding the integration of Play Protect security features and the assessment of third-party store security.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Epic Games drops new free PC line-up with RPG and horror that’ll save you $55

A selection of complimentary games is available at the Epic Games Store for PC users until July 23 at 4 PM BST. The first game, Luto, is a psychological horror title developed by Broken Bird Games, typically priced at .99, with a gameplay duration of three to five hours. It has a Metacritic score of 79 and 85% of Steam reviews categorized as very positive. The second game, Echo Generation: Midnight Edition, is a turn-based RPG developed by Cococucumber, usually priced at .99, with a gameplay duration of approximately 10 to 12 hours. It has a Metacritic score of 75 and a Steam rating of 92%.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

GTA 6’s Lack of a PC Port Isn’t Out of Greed, According to a Former Rockstar Producer

Former Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio discussed the development timeline for PC versions of games in relation to console releases. He explained that starting with console development is advantageous due to their limited hardware capabilities, making it easier to create a game within specific constraints. Ricchio noted that while a PC build of Red Dead Redemption existed during its development, the decision to delay its release was influenced by prioritizing resources for Grand Theft Auto 5. He emphasized the need for a strong business rationale for porting games to different platforms, as the complexity of development often requires significant resource allocation. As Rockstar prepares for the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19th for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, the focus is on delivering a polished product.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

RPG players are conditioned to think they’re ‘built different’, says Josh Sawyer, so some of them hate it when games like Pillars of Eternity tell them they can’t do something

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is ranked #40 on the PC Gamer Top 100 and is favored by RPG enthusiasts, though it has received criticism for its unsatisfactory conclusion. The game's narrative revolves around the resurrection of the god Eothas and the protagonist's mission to stop him, which ultimately proves futile. Director Josh Sawyer explained that players cannot stop Eothas, as he exists on a plane beyond their capabilities, challenging the conventional RPG expectation that players can overcome any obstacle. While players can influence the game world and make impactful choices, the gods, including Eothas, remain indifferent to mortal concerns. This theme highlights the limitations of power and the complexities of human challenges, which may have contributed to mixed reactions regarding the game's ending.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

PC gamer made “physical copies” of Steam games – they launch from SSD cartridges

Sony has decided not to release PlayStation games on discs, reigniting discussions about the value of physical game copies. A tech enthusiast named Jibril-sama has created "Steam Game Cartridges," which use affordable 2.5-inch SSD drives to store game distributions. Each mini-SSD has a capacity of 128 GB and can be programmed to open and launch games on Steam automatically. Jibril-sama repurposed used cartridges, transforming them into stylish storage solutions that resemble physical game copies for the Nintendo Switch. This approach addresses limited SSD space while appealing to gamers' nostalgia for physical media.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

As Sony prepares to end game disc production, GOG jumps up to remind PC gamers that you can just make your own

GOG specializes in reviving classic games for modern PCs and promoting DRM-free gaming. The company recently commented on Sony's plan to stop producing game discs by 2028, highlighting that users can download offline installers of their games from GOG, save them to a disc, and own them permanently without needing permission from a storefront. Although many modern PCs lack optical drives, GOG's installers provide a solution for users. The process of creating personal game discs involves downloading backup installers from GOG's game pages and burning them onto a disc. Users can also combine multiple games onto a single disc. YouTuber Archades Games offers a guide on advanced techniques for this DIY approach.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Moonlight Peaks review

Players can immerse themselves in a nocturnal farming simulation world inhabited by supernatural beings, cultivating crops and raising animals under moonlight. The game is priced at in the United States and £30 in the United Kingdom. It is developed by Little Chicken and published by Xseed Games and Marvelous Europe. For optimal performance, it is recommended to use an Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor, an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. The game is designed for solo play and is verified for compatibility with the Steam Deck. Additional information is available on the official site.

BetaBeacon

July 15, 2026

MANGMI drops new details for its upcoming Game Boy-style Android handhelds

The MANGMI Air Y series will feature a 4.2-inch IPS touch display with a 1,280 x 960 resolution, 500 nits of brightness, and cover 110% of the sRGB color gamut.

BetaBeacon

July 15, 2026

Digimon Up is Now Available on iOS and Android

Bandai Namco has released Digimon Up for iOS and Android, bringing the classic monster raising virtual pet experience to mobile. Each Digimon is unique and can be fed and trained to become stronger, eventually reaching Mega Digivolution. Players can raise and battle Digimon to claim victory.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Third-party app stores are coming to Android soon

Beginning next week, third-party Android app stores in the United States will gain access to the Google Play Store through the Play Catalog Access Program. This program allows developers to submit app and game listings for external Android app stores, which will be downloadable directly from the Google Play Store. Google Play's service fees will still apply to these transactions. This change follows a court order resulting from a legal dispute between Epic Games and Google, which began in 2020. A U.S. District Court judge mandated changes to the Play Store in 2024 after ruling against Google. In November, Google and Epic reached a settlement proposing modifications to enhance developer choice and competition. Third-party app stores will incur a service fee of ,000 for an onboarding security review and an annual fee of ,000 to maintain access to the Play catalog. However, these app stores cannot use the Play Store for distributing their apps outside the United States. Earlier this year, Google announced a reduction in its commission for app purchases to 10% and introduced outside billing options within the Play Store.