genres Archives

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

‘Sidequests are almost my reason for doing videogames in the first place:’ The dev behind one of the coolest upcoming RPGs says its word count is ballooning because they just love side stories so much

Entropy is an early access role-playing game featuring experimental, JRPG-style combat in a bizarre, fallen world. It is developed by Lovely Hellplace, the team behind the acclaimed Dread Delusion. Dread Delusion was praised for its first-person gameplay and engaging side quests, including themes of ethical dilemmas and memory. The writer Harry Tuffs contributed significantly to the game's narrative, while Io Brindle returns to help with Entropy. Initially intended to have a shorter narrative, the game's writing expanded due to rich character development. Entropy features a diverse party system with permadeath for all characters and is available on Steam for £8.99, along with a demo.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

New Roguelikes & Roguelites in September 2026: The Monthly Update

- Serious Sam: Shatterverse was released on August 31 for PC (Win). - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault was released on September 2 for PC (Win), PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox. - Cosmo Tales entered Early Access on September 3 for PC (Win). - Rutrum was released on September 3 for PC (Win). - Mewgenics was released on September 8 for PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series. - Wanderburg entered Early Access on September 8 for PC (Win). - Ex Sanguis entered Early Access on September 10 for PC (Win). - Roguecraft DX was released on September 10 for PC (Win). - Forsworn was released on September 10 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fresh Tracks VR was released on September 10 for PC VR. - Shroom and Gloom entered Early Access on September 11 for PC (Mac, Win). - Dunebound Tactics was released on September 14 for PC (Win). - Cloudbreaker was released on September 15 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fleetbreakers entered Early Access on September 15 for PC (Win). - Sublight was released on September 15 for PC (Win). - Two Sides of Hell was released on September 17 for PC (Win). - Furyball: Rogue Revenge entered Early Access on September 23 for PC (Win). - Stick It to the Stickman was released on September 23 for PC (Win).

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

How have the genres of hit PC games changed since 2021?

- The unreleased Steam game Wardogs, a 100-player FPS, is trending at #1 with a peak of 105,000 concurrent users during its playtest. - Sally Face 2 is at #2, Dear Passengers at #3, Phantom Blade Zero at #4, Rerouted at #5, Tulpa The Unseen Lover at #7, and Heatwarped at #10. - Steam is testing personalized recommendations for its Midweek Deals for logged-in users. - Silent Hill: Townfall will be a PS5 exclusive for at least six months post-release. - Valve was founded 30 years ago. - There is a decline in physical retail for games, particularly with fewer Xbox consoles in big box stores. - Indie developer Kernel Hearts announced 50,000 pre-orders on the Epic Games Store, influenced by a promotional Fortnite skin. - Steam updated its documentation for pre-orders, advising developers to enable encrypted preloads for anticipated games. - Roblox has blocked certain bots, leading to decreased concurrent users, while the game Steal an Egg set a record for reaching 500,000 concurrent users quickly. - Entity raised .8 million to develop console-quality games for web browsers. - The issue of 'keyword squatting' on consoles continues, with the release of Lethal Corporation drawing attention for its misleading title. - The PC game market has shifted from survival games, city builders, and action RPGs in 2021 to a rise in Roguelite and Roguelike genres by 2025. - Roguelite gained 39 spots, Roguelike gained 37 spots, and Life Sim games climbed 31 spots to #6. - The Idler genre rose 46 spots to #15, while Survival Horror dropped to #26. - The 2025 list of top games includes three titles priced below , compared to only one in 2021.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Nearly 500k players showed up for the Wardogs beta: ‘The reaction from the FPS community has been insane’

Wardogs is a 100-player military simulation first-person shooter (FPS) that has gained over a million wishlists and conducted a successful closed beta with nearly 500,000 participants and peak player counts exceeding 100,000 on Steam. The game features an innovative economic system where players manage a persistent in-game wallet to purchase weapons, unlock gear, and tip or bribe for assistance. Wardogs is set to launch in early access on September 10.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company And Galactic Racer Clashed, Lucasfilm Could Have Prevented It

Two Star Wars titles, Star Wars Zero Company and Galactic Racer, are set to launch within months of each other, marking the first time in 15 years that games from different developers will share a release year. The simultaneous lifting of embargoes for both games occurred just an hour apart, creating a clash that disadvantaged the team behind Galactic Racer. The two titles are developed by independent studios Fuse Games/Secret Mode and Bit Reactor/EA, respectively, with Lucasfilm Games overseeing the process. The marketing strategies for the games have differed, with Zero Company announced at last year's Celebration and Galactic Racer unveiled in December. Star Wars Zero Company is set to launch on August 27th, while Galactic Racer will follow on October 6th. Pre-orders are available for both titles.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom, Little to the Left, Onigo Hunter, more

A selection of Android games and apps is on sale, including Blacksmith of the Sand Kingdom, A Little to the Left: Stars, A Little to the Left: Drawers, RPG Onigo Hunter, Premium-RPG Wizards of Brandel, and Data Defense. The Best Buy 60th Anniversary sale features price drops on select items from Nothing, an all-time low price on Anker’s SmartTrack Google Find Hub wallet card, and a 0 discount on Lenovo’s 2026 IdeaPad 2K touchscreen Copilot+ laptop. Additional Android app price drops include various genres and styles, providing limited-time offers for users.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Green Man Gaming brings 7 hit PC games together in its WB Games collection

Green Man Gaming has launched the Warner Bros Games Blood & Grit Collection, featuring seven PC games across various genres. The collection is divided into two tiers: the Survive tier, priced at €5/£4.50, includes three games—Mad Max, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor GOTY Edition, and Mortal Kombat XL. The Dominate tier, priced at €10/£9, unlocks all seven games, including enhanced editions like Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Edition and Middle-earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition. A portion of sales will be donated to Breakthrough T1D, a charity focused on type 1 diabetes. The games are provided as official Steam keys, and purchasers receive a 3% discount voucher for future transactions. The collection is available until September 1, 2026.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Take-Two’s former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: ‘The guy should be selling you the gold if he’s actually got the gold’

Take-Two Interactive laid off AI specialist Dicken and a significant portion of the AI team after a year, reflecting industry volatility. Dicken expressed skepticism about generative AI's role in creative processes, noting that many creatives view it as a departure from intentionality. He observed a divide in public perception, with Western audiences more resistant to generative AI compared to Asian audiences. Dicken highlighted challenges in integrating AI into workflows, including vendor lock-in and price volatility, drawing parallels to the Unity engine's pricing crisis. He noted a gold rush mentality among corporations eager to adopt AI, often without proper safeguards. Looking forward, Dicken believes AI will bring long-term changes to gaming but should be seen as a tool to enhance experiences rather than a revolutionary force. He advocated for a thoughtful approach to incorporating AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for alignment with a game's fundamental thesis.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

Warren Spector retires from game development, at least he thinks so

Warren Spector has announced his intention to retire from the game development industry after nearly 44 years, citing personal reflections on age, health, and a declining enthusiasm for the current gaming landscape. He has contributed to iconic titles such as the Ultima series, Wing Commander, Deus Ex, and Thief. Spector expressed a desire to create three specific games before retiring, with one being ambitious, another modest, and the third uncertain. There is speculation that System Shock 3 may be one of these projects. Despite some recent titles not achieving expected success, Spector's career is marked by significant achievements. He emphasized the importance of continued innovation in gaming and encouraged new developers to bring fresh ideas. Spector plans to focus on writing, reading, and possibly consulting, and hinted at exploring his musical interests. He left open the possibility of returning to the industry in the future.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

The Best Napoleonic Video Games On PC In 2026

Napoleon Bonaparte was a Corsican general who became the ruler of France, known for his military strategies and ambition. His campaigns in Europe have influenced historical fiction, art, and video games, particularly in the genre of Napoleonic wargames. These games have evolved to include advanced AI, historical accuracy, and immersive gameplay. Total War: Napoleon is a notable entry in this genre, combining tactical battles with strategic campaigns, allowing players to command armies and manage empires. It was the first in the series to use buildings as tactical assets and is praised for its visual appeal and historical representation. Empire: Total War expands the timeline from 1700 to 1815, incorporating naval battles alongside land combat, enhancing the strategic experience with a diverse range of nations and historical events. Imperial Glory, released in 2003, focuses on turn-based grand strategy and diplomacy within the Napoleonic era. It features a robust diplomacy system and unique regional maps, making it a classic choice for retro gaming enthusiasts despite its age.