gaming landscape Archives

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

This PS3 emulator for PC can now play games straight from physical discs

RPCS3 has introduced a feature that allows users to play PlayStation 3 games directly from physical discs, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. This feature supports specific Blu-ray disc drives from manufacturers like LG, Samsung, Asus, Sony, and Lite-On, with encouragement for users to experiment with other drives. The development comes as Sony plans to phase out physical discs by 2028, highlighting the importance of game preservation. Additionally, RPCS3 has optimized package installation times for PS3 game discs, achieving a 70 percent playable rate for games. A firmware mod named OmniDrive has also been released, enabling certain Blu-ray drives to rip games from Wii, GameCube, and Xbox.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

You Can Now Play Your Physical PS3 Games on PC Straight from the Disc

The RPCS3 emulator has added physical Blu-ray support for PlayStation 3 games, enabling users to play many PS3 titles directly from the disc on their PCs. Players need a compatible Blu-ray disc drive, and the emulator supports over 75% of the PS3 library, including titles like Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time and inFAMOUS 2. This development occurs as Sony plans to phase out physical media by January 2028 and will disable the PS3’s online storefront next summer. The introduction of Blu-ray support by RPCS3 reflects growing frustration among fans regarding access to PS3 games on newer platforms, particularly the PS5, which lacks native support for PS3 titles outside of PS Plus Premium cloud streaming.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Steam Week in Review: 54 idle games released on Steam last week, and many look eerily similar

In 2013, Cookie Clicker and Candy Box emerged as popular games, with Cookie Clicker gaining significant attention and leading to widespread addiction among players on social media. Cookie Clicker, inspired by Cow Clicker, features simple gameplay where players click to generate cookies and enhance production. New games like Next Reign: Kingdom and We Need More Humans! have been released, competing with established titles such as Bongo Cat and Task Bar Hero. The number of games tagged as idlers has increased from 100 in 2020 to 1,811 in 2024, with 1,119 more in development. The Blood of Dawnwalker sold a million units in three days, while the Elden Ring Tarnished Pack received mixed reviews.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

I’ve Been Gaming On Linux For Five Years – Is It Ready To Replace Windows?

Steam Deck debuted in early 2022 with SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system that uses the Wine-based Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. This development has significantly advanced Linux gaming, with approximately 95% of games functioning well on Linux. Steam's Verified program lists nearly 9,000 Verified games, and around 30,000 playable titles, with only about 1% of popular games failing to run entirely. Anti-cheat systems remain a major limitation, preventing popular titles like "Fortnite" and "League of Legends" from being playable on Linux. Game streaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW offer alternatives for playing anti-cheat games on Linux. Linux distributions provide better controller support compared to Windows, particularly for handhelds and living room PCs. Accessing non-Steam games can be cumbersome, though tools like Heroic Launcher help. Compatibility issues with proprietary standards, such as HDMI 2.1 support, persist in Linux gaming.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

Peak studio Aggro Crab is publishing a sick-looking platformer about a blue collar guy doing dirty work on an alien world

Nick Kaman from Aggro Crab expressed enthusiasm for co-op "friendslop" games and indicated a desire to explore this genre further. Aggro Crab is developing a new platformer titled Rebounder, which features a color-limited, comic book aesthetic and draws inspiration from kaizo games. The gameplay will include tricky jumps and precise timing, incorporating unique sci-fi elements. Rebounder is set for general release in 2027 and is available for wishlist on Steam.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

September’s schedule of new games, events, and updates refuses to let 2026 go down in history as a slow year for new releases

In September 2026, notable game releases include The Blood of Dawnwalker, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Control Resonant. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered is available for free to existing owners. Key gaming events include PAX West from September 4, Blizzcon on September 12, and the Tokyo Game Show starting September 17. Significant updates include Final Fantasy 14's 7.56 update on September 8, Valheim's 1.0 launch on September 9, RuneScape: Dragonwilds reaching 1.0 on September 15, Endless Legend 2 launching on September 17, and Dune: Awakening adding a single-player mode on September 22. The games calendar highlights new releases and events throughout the month.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Guild Wars 3 is a lot smaller scale than Guild Wars 2 because of the new approach to combat and movement: ‘You would probably see about 20 players in a large combat scenario’

Guild Wars 3 will enter beta next year and features a maximum player count of around 20 in large combat scenarios, aimed at providing a more focused and visceral gameplay experience. The game emphasizes meaningful collaboration among players and promises a seamless interaction experience with fewer loading screens. Cities and towns will have no player cap, creating bustling social hubs, while traditional server barriers will be removed for easier play with friends. Party sizes will be limited to four players, which may affect regular gaming groups.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Onimusha on Steam Deck is the definition of ‘playable’: Surprisingly pleasant, so long as 30 fps isn’t a dealbreaker

The Steam Deck has proven to be a competent platform for playing Onimusha: Way of the Sword, showing commendable performance compared to other recent releases like Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon's Dogma 2. Testing in the Kyoto hub area demonstrated the strengths of the Capcom proprietary engine, resulting in an enjoyable gameplay experience. While a high-end RTX 5090 PC offers enhanced visuals, the difference in gameplay enjoyment is not as significant as expected. Onimusha exemplifies a game that is "playable" on the Steam Deck, providing enough satisfaction for gaming on the go, even if it doesn't surpass the experience of a PC setup at home.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft extended Windows 10, but Nvidia just made the extension meaningless for gamers

Windows 10 will receive support until October 2027 under the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, with approximately 30% of PCs still operating on this system. Nvidia will stop releasing Game Ready Drivers for Windows 10 in October 2026, and from November 2026, users will not receive game-related fixes or optimizations. Security updates will remain available until at least October 2029, but the lack of patches for new bugs may affect gaming experiences. HP reports that around 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and the company expects these users to transition to Windows 11 or invest in new hardware. Microsoft acknowledges that the growth of Windows 11 has slowed and is focusing on enhancing its features.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

The most anticipated PC game on Steam in September 2026 has been named – players are not only waiting for the new game from The Witcher 3 game director

- The Blood of Dawnwalker, an action-RPG by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, will launch on September 3, 2026. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword will be released on September 4, 2026. - WARDOGS, a first-person shooter, is set to release on September 10, 2026. - CONTROL Resonant will debut on September 24, 2026. - Nivalis Nights, a life simulator in a cyberpunk city, will be available on September 29, 2026. - BOMBANANA! will be released on September 2, 2026. - Aniimo, an open-world RPG, is scheduled for September 16, 2026. - Graveyard Keeper 2 will launch on September 22, 2026. - Wanderburg, a roguelike adventure, will be available on September 8, 2026. - Active Matter, an extraction shooter, is set for release on September 15, 2026. - Transport Fever 3, a transport tycoon simulator, will be released on September 29, 2026. - Crimson Moon, featuring a Nephilim character, will be available on September 1, 2026.