Gaming Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Call of Duty games coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one lasted all of two releases as Microsoft announces big changes and a welcome price cut

Xbox has reduced the prices of its Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass services. The monthly fee for Game Pass Ultimate decreased from .99 to .99, and the cost of PC Game Pass was adjusted from .99 to .99. New titles in the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on the platform at launch but will be accessible approximately one year after their initial release. Existing Call of Duty titles, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, will remain available to subscribers.

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Windows 11 Pro dropped to just $9.97 for a limited time

Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, featuring an organized interface with Snap Layouts for managing multiple windows, robust security with BitLocker encryption and secure login options, enhanced productivity tools including AI-powered Copilot, and support for modern graphics via DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming and media. It offers a lifetime license with a one-time payment, eliminating subscription fees.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Despite microtransaction woes at launch, MMO sequel Aion 2 will go global this year

Aion 2, launched in November of last year and set 200 years after the original game, has gained traction despite mixed reviews on its microtransaction strategies. It is preparing for a global release on Steam later this year, targeting players in North America, South America, Japan, and Europe by 2026. The game generated millions within the first month and a half of its release and has over 1 million subscribers, contributing to a 12% increase in NCSoft's revenue for the quarter.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Cupid Parasite Otome Game Headed to PC via Steam

Idea Factory International plans to release Cupid Parasite, an otome game, on PC via Steam in 2026. The game features Cupid, the Goddess of Love, disguised as Lynette Mirror, a Bridal Advisor at Cupid Corporation, tasked with helping clients find matches, including a group called the Parasite 5. The narrative unfolds in a romantic comedy format with a reality show twist. A trailer and screenshots showcasing the game's visuals have been released. This marks the first otome game release for PC by Idea Factory International in eight years, following previous titles on Steam. The game was last available on the Nintendo Switch in December 2021, with a follow-up fan disc set to release globally in May 2024.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 reviews are in, and there’s one glaring issue with this gaming CPU launch

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 was launched with a subdued announcement and limited review samples distributed to select publications and YouTubers, indicating its niche appeal rather than broad gaming market focus. The CPU features a second 3D V-Cache for its 16 cores, but performance enhancements are marginal, particularly in gaming. Initial reviews show slight performance gains in some titles, but overall improvements over its predecessor are minimal. The 9950X3D2 has an 8% performance increase in certain scenarios but also an 11% rise in power consumption. Its price is set at 9, making it a premium option for high-end PC builds.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

New CS2 update brings back CSGO’s silky smooth camera shake

Valve has released a mini-patch for Counter-Strike 2 that adjusts camera motion due to recoil to more closely match CS:GO, aiming to reduce camera shake during gameplay. This change is expected to enhance the experience for players familiar with both games. Demonstrations indicate a smoother gameplay experience, and Valve assures that bullet trajectories will remain consistent with CS2. The patch also includes fixes for various Animgraph 2 bugs, improvements to ladder movement mechanics, and a resolution for a crash issue during halftime transitions.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

All new prices for Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass in April 2026 revealed

Xbox Game Pass has reduced its subscription costs effective immediately: Game Pass Ultimate is now .99 per month, and PC Game Pass is .99, down from .49. The Premium and Essential tiers maintain their pricing from October 2025. Future releases of the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch, with new titles added nearly a year after their initial release, although existing titles will remain accessible.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Titanium Court review

Titanium Court is a game that combines match-three puzzles, autobattlers, and visual novels, developed by AP Thomson and published by Fellow Traveller, set to release on April 23, 2026. It features a narrative where the protagonist ascends to the throne of the Titanium Court amidst a war between two factions. Players engage in match-three mechanics to gather resources and eliminate enemy blocks, with gameplay transitioning to an autobattle phase where resource management affects soldier deployment. The game includes whimsical elements and random complications that influence strategy, while its writing and presentation offer humor and a surreal atmosphere. Despite the potential frustration from the match-three mechanics, the game is noted for its artistic vision and charm.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Peter Molyneux’s right about one thing: It’s sad how no one seems to care about god games anymore

Peter Molyneux, creator of Masters of Albion, expresses sadness over the decline of god games, a genre he pioneered with Populous. He notes that modern iterations are rare, leading to a perception that the genre is overlooked compared to others like first-person shooters and role-playing games. Molyneux identifies a vicious cycle where dwindling interest from developers results in less enthusiasm from publishers, further discouraging new projects in the genre. His studio, 22cans, has chosen to self-publish Masters of Albion, which blends elements from his previous works. Despite mixed initial impressions, there is hope that the game could revive interest in god games.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Fallout co-creator says non-linear design is all about never assuming how players will act, illustrates his point by fantasising about an NPC guard he seems to really hate

Tim Cain, co-creator of the Fallout series, shared insights on game design in a YouTube video titled Eight Level Design Guidelines, emphasizing the importance of understanding player behavior and intentions. He advocates for non-linear gameplay, warning against making assumptions about player choices and criticizing design documents that enforce linearity. Cain believes that understanding the purpose of game elements is crucial for designers. He also credits his experiences with Dungeons & Dragons, which began in 1979, as a significant influence on his design principles, particularly in storytelling and mechanics.