Arc has introduced its first gaming handheld, the Arc X1, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chipset and running on OwlOS, a custom Android-based operating system.
- LDPlayer is a general-purpose performance emulator
- MEmu is a multi-instance workhorse for players juggling several accounts
- GameLoop is Tencent's first-party tool built almost exclusively around its own mobile titles
- LDPlayer, MEmu, and GameLoop are all designed around mobile gaming rather than general Android app testing
- LDPlayer is actively patching graphics driver bugs, MEmu is quietly polishing quality-of-life features, and GameLoop's update cadence has slowed
- GameLoop is specifically tuned for Tencent-published titles like PUBG Mobile
- LDPlayer runs two branches, with LDPlayer 14 being the most actively patched version
- MEmu's defining feature is multi-instance management for running multiple Android sessions
- MEmu's release cadence has been steady in 2026, with the latest build adding a toggle to disable Android system sounds
The Blood of Dawnwalker features a time mechanic that serves as a limited resource, creating a sense of urgency that some players find restrictive. Shaun Prescott expressed a desire for a more leisurely gameplay experience, which has led to the creation of the "Better Story Timer" mod, the most popular modification for the game. Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the studio CEO, acknowledged player feedback regarding the time mechanic and indicated that it may be adjusted in the sequel, aiming to enhance urgency without compromising the overall experience. He noted that players can complete around 80 percent of the content despite the time constraint and observed a decline in complaints as more players finished the game, discovering they had more time than expected. The studio is also seeking a lead writer for the next installment in the Dawnwalker series.
Hideo Kojima announced that Bill Skarsgård will star as the lead in his stealth-action game, Physint, which has transitioned from PlayStation to Xbox. The cast includes Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hambe. Kojima shared a new poster featuring Skarsgård and Fraser with the tagline, "The Next Cold War Begins." Yoji Shinkawa is part of the production team. Initially, there was speculation about Robert Pattinson being cast. Concerns exist regarding the game's development due to the shift to Xbox, which may affect the release timeline. Kojima is also working on another project titled O.D. under Xbox.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is now available on Android and iOS for .99 globally, but players in the Philippines can get it for ₱319. The game revisits the story of the 2010 Wii classic where Mickey causes chaos in Wasteland. The publisher, THQ Nordic Mobile, is known for quality ports like Wreckfest and Titan Quest.
Valve has opened the source code for Lepton, a compatibility layer for running Android games on Linux. Lepton is designed to work with the Steam client and focuses on getting Android games to run seamlessly on the Linux operating system. It is not intended for general Android use, but specifically for launching games. Lepton also offers features to assist game developers in bringing their VR Android games to Steam. Valve's commitment to open-source projects like Lepton benefits the wider Linux gaming community.
Dave the Diver, a popular game with a 96% positive review rating on Steam, has been released worldwide for mobile devices by Mintrocket studio. The game combines underwater exploration with sushi bar management, offering players a diverse gaming experience. The mobile version has revamped interface and optimized controls for touch screens, with in-game actions utilizing device capabilities. The game is available on both Android and iOS platforms globally, with a free initial part and full version priced at 699 rubles on the App Store and 899 rubles on Google Play.
Drop Duchy is a mobile game that combines mechanics of "Tetris", city-building simulator, and card roguelike. The player transforms falling "Tetris" pieces into plots of a medieval duchy, places buildings and assembles an army. The game will be distributed under a "try before you buy" model, with the full version costing 475 rubles.
Rastar Games is launching a pre-registration campaign for their upcoming strategy game Three Kingdoms: Conquest of Nine Kingdoms. The game will have a closed beta test for Android users on September 22, featuring dynamic combat and strategic elements. The game's monetization strategy focuses on player skill rather than pay-to-win mechanics. Players who pre-register on iOS can unlock special rewards and have the chance to win prizes through physical giveaway events.
Windows is the only desktop platform where antivirus software is essential. Microsoft has patched many vulnerabilities, but the OS still allows installations from unverified sources and connects to potentially untrustworthy networks. As of 2026, the top antivirus solutions for Windows include:
- Norton 360: Best overall, with a full scan time of 13 minutes and 22 seconds, robust firewall, and up to 250 GB cloud backup.
- Bitdefender: Best for older PCs, maintaining peak CPU usage at 11% and memory at 183 MB during scans.
- Avast One: Best free option for Windows 11, achieving a perfect score in AV-TEST.
- NordVPN Threat Protection Pro: Best for VPN users, blocking 90% of malware.
- McAfee+: Best for households with multiple devices, offering unlimited coverage but is the slowest scanner.
- Microsoft Defender: Best free option included with Windows, awarded Top Product by AV-TEST.
Norton 360 has a 99.8% detection rate and offers a 60-day refund window. Bitdefender also has a 99.8% detection rate with low resource usage. Avast's free version is effective, while NordVPN provides integrated malware protection for existing VPN users. McAfee is suitable for large households but has slower performance. Microsoft Defender is adequate for single users practicing safe browsing but lacks multi-device support. Kaspersky is unavailable in the U.S. due to supply chain concerns.