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Half-Life 3 re-re-re-confirmed: A Valve dev just said 'HLX' out loud
AppWizard
October 23, 2026

Half-Life 3 re-re-re-confirmed: A Valve dev just said ‘HLX’ out loud

The gaming community is buzzing about "HLX," a rumored codename for a potential new installment in the Half-Life franchise, which surfaced in a recent update for Counter-Strike 2. This update included data resembling "HLVR," the internal name for Half-Life: Alyx. Valve's composer, Mike Morasky, referenced HLX during a panel at GameSoundCon, mentioning it has its own version of Valve's HDR system. His comment prompted a reaction from fellow panelist David Feise, suggesting that the topic may not have been meant for public discussion. PC Gamer's editor, Tyler Wilde, believes Valve is working on a new Half-Life title, though it may not be Half-Life 3, and he hinted that an announcement could be forthcoming.
Canadian politician calls on government to help BioWare employees buy the studio and run it themselves
AppWizard
October 23, 2026

Canadian politician calls on government to help BioWare employees buy the studio and run it themselves

BioWare, an Edmonton-based game studio known for its popular franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, has recently closed down after being acquired by Electronic Arts, leading to criticism from figures such as Avi Lewis of the New Democratic Party. Lewis condemned the practices of private equity in the gaming industry, expressing concerns about their impact on local economies. The closure has elicited a mixed response from the community, with many lamenting the loss of a studio that significantly influenced the gaming landscape.
Someone leaked a Mass Effect 5 trailer and now I feel even worse, because it looks really good
AppWizard
October 22, 2026

Someone leaked a Mass Effect 5 trailer and now I feel even worse, because it looks really good

BioWare has closed, leading to the cancellation of the next Mass Effect installment. A trailer for a project called Mass Effect: Universe appeared on Reddit shortly after the closure announcement, though its authenticity is unconfirmed. Industry journalist Jason Schreier stated that the trailer is genuine and that BioWare had been working on the game before its closure. The trailer features a mix of action, drama, and elements familiar to Mass Effect fans, generating excitement among viewers.
Splash Damage acquired this studio just 3 months after laying off a bunch of people—now it's laying them off, too
AppWizard
October 22, 2026

Splash Damage acquired this studio just 3 months after laying off a bunch of people—now it’s laying them off, too

Gamepires announced a significant reduction in its workforce to adapt to challenging market conditions and ensure long-term sustainability. This decision reflects broader trends in the gaming industry, where studios are facing market pressures. Gamepires was acquired by Splash Damage Group eight months ago, which has also experienced layoffs. Despite these challenges, the game Scum continues to thrive on Steam with regular updates. The specific number of layoffs at Gamepires has not been disclosed, but Splash Damage acknowledged the impact on affected employees.
Can you identify the horror game by its horrors?
AppWizard
October 22, 2026

Can you identify the horror game by its horrors?

An individual with a fear of the T-Rex from Tomb Raider finds excitement in horror games, drawn to grotesque creatures and eerie atmospheres. They enjoy the thrill of unsettling sounds and bizarre visuals, leading to a desire to explore horror gaming. Quizzes related to horror games are available, including one that challenges participants to identify games based on screenshots of their monsters within a 12-minute time limit. This fosters discussions about memorable encounters in horror gaming and encourages players to share their experiences.
The next Mass Effect would have had 'a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match', according to BioWare veteran
AppWizard
October 22, 2026

The next Mass Effect would have had ‘a level of autonomy and choice that no other game has been able to match’, according to BioWare veteran

Tony de Waal, a former cinematic supervisor at BioWare, revealed that around 50 individuals were working on the now-canceled Mass Effect 4 before the studio's closure. He believed the team was close to creating a game with unprecedented player autonomy and choice. De Waal also discussed the challenges faced while developing Dragon Age: The Veilguard using EA and DICE's Frostbite engine, describing the effort as "herculean" and highlighting the complexity of managing variable player characters across cinematics. BioWare's closure is part of a larger restructuring at Electronic Arts, resulting in over 400 layoffs as the company shifts focus toward live service shooters and sports games. De Waal expressed disappointment over the cancellation and emphasized the dedication of the remaining developers. He is currently seeking new opportunities in the gaming industry.
Hades II ported to Android - fan port released based on macOS version
BetaBeacon
October 21, 2026

Hades II ported to Android – fan port released based on macOS version

- Enthusiasts in the gaming community have released an unofficial Android port of Hades II based on the macOS version. - The Android port supports touch controls and external gamepads, showing decent performance even on less powerful devices. - Users have reported positive feedback on performance, with some achieving 30-50 frames per second on budget devices. - Some players have encountered issues such as black screens and control problems, but developers are actively working to address these. - The latest update, version 1.1-beta, has resolved some issues and optimized the game for a variety of hardware configurations. - Players need to have their own files from the macOS version of the game to play the Android port.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
October 20, 2026

Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, The Séance of Blake Manor, and More

- Sandustry (Game Preview) (PC) – October 21: Available with Game Pass Premium, Ultimate, and PC Game Pass. - Dodo Duckie (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – October 22: Accessible through Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. - Scramble Knights Online (Game Preview) (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – October 26: Available on day one with XBOX Game Pass. - The Séance of Blake Manor (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – October 27: Included in Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. - Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – October 29: Part of Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. - Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted (Cloud, Console, and PC) – October 29: Available for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. - Terrible Lizards (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – October 29: Launching on day one with XBOX Game Pass. - Pit of Goblin (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – November 3: Included in Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. - The Elder Scrolls Online: Season 2 Update: Echoes of Skyrim – October 21: Includes new solo dungeons and gameplay enhancements. - The Finals: Welcome Pack – Available Now: Accessible to Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential, and PC Game Pass subscribers. - World of Tanks Modern Armor: XP Stock – November 3: Available for Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential, and PC Game Pass. - Leaving October 31: Day of the Tentacle Remastered, Dead Static Drive, Deep Rock Galactic, Full Throttle Remastered, Grim Fandango Remastered, Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris, Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Wartales, Wildgate. - Leaving November 10: Football Manager 26 (PC) and Football Manager 26 – Console Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC).
PS5 open-world RPG lands rave 9/10 score, as game praised as the next Minecraft
AppWizard
October 20, 2026

PS5 open-world RPG lands rave 9/10 score, as game praised as the next Minecraft

Enshrouded has transitioned from early access to a full launch on PC and PlayStation 5, receiving a Metacritic score of 89 and a 4.81-star rating on the PlayStation Store. Developed by Keen Games, it features both solo and cooperative gameplay, set in the kingdom of Embervale, where players face the Shroud, a threatening fog. The game includes a handcrafted map with quests and exploration opportunities, allowing players to level up, unlock skills, and gather resources. Reviews highlight its successful integration of survival crafting mechanics with ARPG exploration, with scores of 90 from GamingBolt and a perfect score from Try Hard Guides. Many players consider it a worthy successor to Minecraft, emphasizing its innovative approach to voxel-based gameplay. 92% of players on the PlayStation Store rated it five stars.
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