global launch Archives

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword launch times and release date

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is set to launch on PC at 12 am EDT / 5 am BST on Friday, September 4. The unlock times for various regions are as follows: Los Angeles: 9 pm PDT on Thursday, September 3; New York: 12 am EDT on Friday, September 4; London: 5 am BST on Friday, September 4; Berlin: 6 am CEST on Friday, September 4; New Delhi: 9:30 am IST on Friday, September 4; Sydney: 2 pm AEST on Friday, September 4; Auckland: 4 pm NZST on Friday, September 4. Preloading is available for players purchasing on Steam, but not for those buying on the Epic Games Store.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Back to the Start: How Microsoft launched Windows 95 to the world

In 1995, Microsoft launched Windows 95, an operating system designed to transition users from 16-bit to 32-bit computing, with a marketing budget estimated between 0 million and 0 million. Windows 95 featured a 32-bit architecture capable of managing up to 4GB of memory, the Start button, taskbar, Microsoft Exchange, and Plug and Play technology. The global launch event occurred on August 24 at Microsoft's headquarters, featuring Bill Gates and a promotional campaign that included The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" and a videotape guide with Friends stars. In Malaysia, the official launch was on August 29, with some dealers organizing midnight sales, although turnout was disappointing. Microsoft hosted a Windows 95 Expo in Kuala Lumpur, leading to strong sales of additional products. By 1996, Microsoft announced the shipment of 40 million units of Windows 95 worldwide.

AppWizard

August 23, 2026

Minecraft, Harry Potter inspire WeCool creative play

WeCool Toys has secured licensing agreements with Minecraft and Harry Potter to launch a range of creative play products in Fall/Winter 2026. The Minecraft collection will feature the Butter Cloudz compound platform, including the Creeper Cube kit with lime-scented compound and block-inspired molds. The Harry Potter collection will offer slime kits, including a cauldron-style set and potion-making activities themed around various potions, along with a Hedwig-inspired 3D sticker and card maker. Jeff Osnato, President of WeCool Toys, highlighted the significance of these partnerships in catering to engaged fanbases while introducing new concepts. The products will be available through leading retailers globally.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

H2 Interactive launches IGS Classic Arcade Collection worldwide on PC via Steam

H2 Interactive launched the IGS Classic Arcade Collection for PC via Steam on August 13, 2026, featuring eight iconic arcade titles, including the Knights of Valour series, Demon Front, and Martial Masters. The collection is available at a 10% discount for the first two weeks and supports multiple languages: English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. It includes online multiplayer support for up to four players, modern quality-of-life features like adjustable difficulty and customizable key mapping, and various display modes. The included titles are: - Knights of Valour: Super Heroes - Knights of Valour Plus - Knights of Valour 2 - Nine Dragons - Oriental Legend - Oriental Legend Spooky - Martial Masters - Demon Front - The Gladiator The collection was developed by International Games System Co., Ltd. (IGS) and published by H2 Interactive.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Google Play’s got a new system for letting apps deliver age-appropriate experiences

Google Play is launching its Age Signals API globally, allowing parents to share their children's age ranges without revealing personal information. This API enables developers to customize app experiences based on broad age categories (0-12, 13-15, 16-17, and 18+), enhancing age-appropriate interactions. Users retain control over the age data shared, and parents can disable the feature if desired. The API has already been rolled out in Brazil and will expand to Canada and Australia soon, with a global launch expected by the end of the year. Developers are required to use age-related data solely to improve user experiences, with restrictions against using it for advertising or analytics.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Fit For a Spartan: Win a 1:18 Replica of a Special Halo-Inspired Ride

Halo and Automobili Lamborghini have launched the Lamborghini Urus SE Master Chief 117 Edition to commemorate the global launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved on July 28, 2026. The vehicle features gold-tinted windows, visor-inspired headlights, a signature armor-green exterior, and the iconic “117” number on both sides. The Master Chief 117 Edition will be available in Forza Horizon 6 starting July 30, 2026, for download through the in-game Message Center. Limited 1:18-scale collectible replicas will be produced, and fans can enter a sweepstakes to win one by following Xbox on X and using the hashtag #MasterChief117Sweepstakes. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches globally on July 28, 2026, with early access from July 23 for Premium Edition owners, and will be available on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X|S and PC, with cross-play and cross-progression support. Pre-purchasers will receive the Foundry Armory Pack, which includes classic armor and weapon skins. The game features a complete campaign with high-definition visuals, new cinematics, expanded combat options, and online co-op gameplay for up to four players.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Halo: Campaign Evolved is Now Available in Early Access

Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, is in early access on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. The Premium Edition is priced at .99, with the base game available for Game Pass subscribers. Multiplayer supports up to four players with cross-platform play, and weapon spawns scale with player count. New missions, Operation: Meteorite, feature Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson, set a year before the original game. Visuals are enhanced in 60FPS Performance mode, and gameplay changes include the removal of health kits and the addition of a sprint button and third-person play. This is the first Halo title on PlayStation, with cross-play and cross-progression. The global launch is scheduled for July 28, 2026, with availability on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch.

BetaBeacon

July 1, 2026

Hardbit sets late summer global launch for Grand Outlaws with open beta already live on Android

Hardbit's Grand Outlaws: RP Life Online is set to launch globally on Android and iOS in late summer 2026 after an extensive eight-month beta testing period focused on player engagement and technical performance.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Google reveals new timeline for Android’s app sideloading changes

Google is rolling out a new system service for Android devices to enhance app sideloading safety, starting this month. In July, the Android Developer ID Status API and early access to the Android Developer Console API will be introduced globally, along with limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists. By August, these accounts and the new API will be fully launched. The developer verification protections will take effect by September 30 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, requiring app registration for participating app stores. Options for sideloading unregistered apps will still be available through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). By 2027, Google plans to expand the developer verification requirement globally. Developers in the initial countries must complete the verification process by September.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Google sets timeline for Android developer verification enforcement

Android's developer verification initiative will officially roll out on September 30, 2026, initially targeting users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Developers in these regions must complete the verification process by the deadline. Participating app stores, including Google Play and others, will begin verifying app installations, with a global implementation planned for 2027. The initiative aims to enhance security by linking apps to verified identities. Google is introducing new APIs to facilitate app registration, including the Android Developer ID Status API and the Android Developer Console API, which will support OAuth delegation for third-party platforms. A new system service will be installed on most Android devices to verify developer registrations later this year. The Android Developer ID Status API is set for global launch in July 2026, with early access to the Android Developer Console API. Limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists will launch globally in August 2026. Starting September 30, 2026, only apps registered by verified developers will be allowed for installation and updates on certified Android devices, although unregistered apps can still be sideloaded. Google has reported that over 99% of Play developers have completed the verification process, and developers can check their verification status in the Play Console.