gaming services Archives

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

From $39.99 to $0: Zelda-inspired open-world RPG goes free-to-play on PC for a limited time — and you can keep it forever starting this date

To download Immortals Fenyx Rising for free on PC, visit the official Ubisoft website to download the Ubisoft Connect client, install and open it, sign in or create a new account, search for the game, click on Claim when the promotional offer is activated, and then download it from your Game Library. Ubisoft Connect has been a hub for gaming services since 2019, introducing cross-progression features and cross-play capabilities. In 2024, Ubisoft launched cross-platform achievements starting with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, allowing synchronization of progress across Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The PC client has been revamped with a new user interface, and Ubisoft is seeking player feedback through its official Discord channel.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

How I turned a cheap mini PC into a AAA gaming machine — tips for inexpensive and reliable cloud gaming with NVIDIA and Xbox

A mini PC is an effective budget gaming option that allows gamers to play high-performance AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, and Elden Ring using modest hardware by leveraging cloud gaming services such as NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass. To set up GeForce NOW on a mini PC, users need to connect the device to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, complete the Windows setup, download and install the GeForce NOW app, log in, connect digital stores, and select games to play. Key considerations for cloud gaming on mini PCs include the need for a stable internet connection (at least 25 Mbps download speed), potential subscription costs for enhanced experiences, the lack of a game library with GeForce NOW, and the importance of researching trusted brands to avoid malware in budget mini PCs. Additionally, dedicated gaming mini PCs exist but are often more expensive.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Claim Monthly PC Games with Prime — Now via Amazon Luna

Amazon has launched an updated version of Amazon Luna, offering Prime members access to over 50 cloud games at no additional cost. Prime members can enjoy monthly benefits of PC games, accessible in regions where Luna's services are not yet available. The monthly Twitch subscription, valued at .99, is also available for Prime members. The November lineup of PC games has been announced on the Amazon Game Studios blog. Currently, cloud-delivered games are available in the United States, UK, Canada, and several European countries, with plans to expand to more regions in the future.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Microsoft Azure global service outage impacts Minecraft and Xbox services worldwide

Microsoft experienced a significant Azure cloud outage starting around 16:00 UTC on October 29, 2025, affecting services like Microsoft 365, Xbox, and Minecraft, as well as companies such as Capital One, Alaska Airlines, and Starbucks. The outage was caused by an inadvertent configuration change, leading to latencies, timeouts, and errors for customers using Azure Front Door (AFD). AFD services have since recovered to over 98% availability, with full restoration expected by October 30, 2025. Xbox Support confirmed that all gaming services are back online, although some players needed to restart their consoles. UK internet provider Community Fibre reported connectivity issues for its customers due to the Microsoft outage, which was linked to DNS problems.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Is ‘Minecraft’ Down? Popular Game Servers Hit By Azure Front Door Outage

Minecraft's servers went offline due to a broader outage affecting Azure Front Door, which also impacted other gaming platforms like Xbox and services such as Microsoft 365 and Outlook. Microsoft attributed the outage to an inadvertent configuration change and is working to resolve the issue by halting all changes to Azure Front Door services and reverting to the last known stable state. The timeline for complete restoration is uncertain. This outage follows a recent significant Amazon Web Services (AWS) outage that affected various games and websites. While Minecraft is down, players can explore alternatives like Terraria, Creativerse, Vintage Story, Colony Survival, Eco, Valheim, Subnautica, The Forest, No Man’s Sky, Don’t Starve Together, LEGO Worlds, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Portal Knights, and Trove.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Amazon Web Services, Minecraft Face Outage? Cloud disruptions impact users globally

On Wednesday, a significant outage affected Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Minecraft, coinciding with disruptions in Microsoft Azure. Users globally reported difficulties accessing various websites, applications, and games reliant on these cloud platforms. Over 250 users in India reported issues with AWS, while Minecraft players faced login problems, with over 3,500 complaints recorded. The Azure outage was linked to issues within its global content delivery network and a configuration change. Popular platforms such as Microsoft 365, Outlook, Starbucks, and Costco also experienced slow performance or unavailability. This incident followed a similar outage on October 20, which disrupted services for games, apps, and banking due to issues with Amazon's servers.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Microsoft Azure outage Knocks Xbox and Minecraft offline, here’s the latest update

A significant outage of Microsoft's Azure cloud services occurred due to a configuration error, affecting millions of users and various platforms, including gaming services and business applications. Gamers experienced issues signing into Xbox Live, halted multiplayer sessions, and offline Minecraft servers. Major corporations, such as Alaska Airlines, also reported service interruptions. Microsoft has implemented a fix to restore traffic through its Azure Front Door network, and as of Thursday morning, access to Xbox and Minecraft services has largely been reinstated, though some users may still face intermittent issues. The engineering team is actively monitoring the situation.

BetaBeacon

October 10, 2025

Netflix turns your TV into a game console! You can control it using your iPhone or Android

Netflix is launching five new party games for TV users, designed for family and friends gatherings during the holiday season. The games will be available on all TVs that support Netflix Games and can also be played through integration with iPhone or Android devices.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Microsoft reveal massive Game Pass Ultimate and PC Pass price hike, concede that price hikes are “never fun”

Microsoft is increasing the monthly fees for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to .99 (a 50% increase) and for PC Game Pass to .99 (approximately a 40% rise). The Xbox Game Pass Core is being rebranded to Xbox Game Pass Essential at .99 per month, offering around 50 games, while the Standard plan is now Xbox Game Pass Premium at .99 per month with about 200 games. Ultimate subscribers will gain access to Ubisoft games through Ubisoft Plus Classics and improved cloud gaming features. Microsoft reported record earnings from Game Pass, generating .6 billion last year, with an overall revenue increase of 18% to .4 billion. The company is also facing a consumer boycott related to its partnerships with the Israeli military and has announced plans to block Israeli military access to certain services.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Microsoft slaps Game Pass Ultimate with a 50% price hike — PC Game Pass is now almost 38% more expensive, with hardly any new benefits

Microsoft is restructuring its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, implementing price increases of up to 50% for the Game Pass Ultimate tier and approximately 38% for PC Game Pass plans. The new price for the Game Pass Ultimate tier is set at .99, effective immediately. Microsoft justifies the price hike by emphasizing the addition of numerous new titles, claiming it to be the "biggest upgrade yet" for the service.