Halloween Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

I asked the man in charge of a major live service game if ugly crossover skins are a problem, and I didn’t care for his answer

Alex Karpazis, the creative director of Rainbow Six Siege X, discussed the impact of crossover skins on the gaming experience, noting a significant shift in the game's aesthetic since its launch. Initially focused on realistic tactical gear, the game has incorporated eclectic cosmetics influenced by franchises like The Boys, Iron Maiden, and Rick & Morty since 2018. Karpazis highlighted the new elite skin for Clash as a return to tactical roots, while also defending the Paragon skin for Valkyrie as a blend of tactical and fantastical elements. He acknowledged community concerns about the disjointed aesthetic and mentioned that the idea of an "immersion mode" allowing players to use default skins is under discussion, though no plans have been finalized.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Every game, trailer, and announcement in the PC Gaming Show 2025

The PC Gaming Show 2025 featured a variety of game trailers, announcements, and interviews. Key highlights include: - Ambrosia Sky: A narrative-driven game with stunning visuals. - Far Far West: An immersive world filled with adventure. - Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition: An enhanced version of the classic RPG. - Fresh Tracks: A rhythm game with combat and heavy metal music, featuring voice work from Peter Stormare. - Terminull Brigade: An action roguelike with contrasting aesthetic styles. - Ratatan: A roguelike rhythm game with online co-op for up to four players. - Moomintroll: A whimsical game based on its source material. - Necesse: A procedurally generated world supporting hundreds of players. - Den of Wolves: A four-player co-op heist FPS set in a techno-thriller future. - All Systems Dance: A rhythm and strategy game about toppling a tech billionaire, entering early access in August. - Spooky Express: A puzzle game set in a Halloween-themed amusement park. - The Rogue Prince of Persia: A fast-paced action game returning with a new trailer. - Enginefall: A survival and crafting game set on trains, releasing in 2026. - EVE Frontier: A hardcore space survival MMO with a Founders Access program. - SkyRig: A game promising an engaging experience in a unique setting. - Kaizen: A Factory Story: A factory management puzzle game with a demo available soon. - Dawn Apart: A space colonization and factory simulation game arriving on Steam later this year. - Modulus: A factory simulation game with intricate mechanics. - Generation Exile: A game about rebuilding society on a generation ship. - The Alters: A sci-fi survival game from the developers of Frostpunk. - Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults: A fantasy RPG with magic and combat specialists. - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault: A game combining store management with action. - Barotrauma: Home and Harbor: An expansion of underwater survival mechanics. - No, I'm Not a Human: A game where players navigate a world that only allows humans. - Botsu: A playful sports game with ragdoll physics. - No More Room in Hell 2: Updates and new content promised for summer. - Farever: A game with unique gameplay mechanics. - Mandrake: A fresh take on familiar genres. - Pizza Bandit: A quirky third-person shooter combining pizza cooking and alien shooting. - Demonschool: A game with an engaging narrative. - The Last Caretaker: A survival shooter with a unique aesthetic. - Railborn: A game developing intriguing gameplay elements. - Voyagers of Nera: A vibrant world exploration game. - ICARUS: Great Hunts: A DLC expanding the PvE survival experience. - Garbage Country: A tower defense game in a post-apocalyptic setting. - DarkSwitch: A fast-paced action game. - Spirit X Strike: A game with a dynamic combo system. - Worship: Players act as a cult leader. - Stars of Icarus: Building anticipation among fans. - 007 First Light: Behind-the-scenes look at the new game from IO Interactive. - goblinAmerica: A psychedelic FPS experience. - EverSiege: Untold Ages: Continuing to develop unique gameplay mechanics. - PIGFACE: A gritty assassination sandbox FPS. - TerraTech Legion: Expanding its universe with new features. - Paralives: Showcasing life simulation features. - Lost Rift: A survival and extraction shooter. - Hell Clock: A dark action RPG. - Militsioner: An immersive sim under constant surveillance. - Arcane Eats: A cooking simulation with deckbuilding. - Guntouchables: A co-op roguelike emphasizing action. - Ultrakill: Showcasing impressive level design. - Stario Haven Tower: A city-building game in the sky. - Dispatch: Managing a team of former supervillains. - Wheel World: An open world exploration game. - FBC Firebreak: A cooperative shooter set in the Oldest House. - Anno 117: Pax Romana: Launching on November 17, allowing city management. - Baby Steps: A unique twist on the power fantasy. - Warhammer 40K: Darktide: New class addition. - Endless Legend 2: Early access on August 7, 2025. - Berserk or Die: A chaotic retro-style battlefield game. - Mycopunk: A co-op FPS with humorous gameplay. - Blippo+: Navigating an alien TV network. - Morbid Metal: Controlling multiple characters simultaneously. - Love Eternal: A psychological horror experience. - Bus Bound: Cozy gameplay mechanics. - Atmosfar: Early access in 2026 for a serene survival experience. - Void/Breaker: Engaging gameplay with destructible environments. - Grave Seasons: Unique gameplay mechanics. - Eyes of Hellfire: Dark themes and engaging narrative. - Deadwire: Fast-paced action with a top-down perspective. - Dinkum: Life simulation and exploration. - Abyssus: A cooperative FPS adventure releasing on August 12. - Ascendant: Chaotic multiplayer shooting experiences. - Mewgenics: An endless cat breeding RPG releasing on February 10, 2026. - Dead Reset: Developing intriguing gameplay mechanics. - Bernband: Showcasing unique gameplay elements. - Wanderburg: A captivating world to explore. - Void Martyrs: A grimdark narrative. - CloverPit: Combining slot machine mechanics with action gameplay. - Eclipsium: Haunting visuals and atmosphere. - Trash Goblin: Transitioned to a full story campaign. - Whiskerwood: A whimsical city-building experience. - Outbound: A cozy camper van simulation. - Capy Castaway: An exploration adventure aiming for release in 2026.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

Pick up the Left 4 Dead games for cheaper than a pack of gum in the new Steam sale that’s all about zombies, and also vampires

The Zombies vs. Vampires Fest on Steam is currently running through June 2 and features a variety of games centered around zombies and vampires. Notable titles include The Last of Us, Dying Light 2, Telltale's The Walking Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Killing Floor 2, V Rising, Evil West, and Vampire Survivors. Left 4 Dead is available for one dollar. The sale ends on June 2 at 10 am PT.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

RiverDogs release 2025 Promo Schedule, headlined by Drone Light Show, A Minecraft Movie Night

The RiverDogs will begin their 2025 season on April 4th with a 66-game home slate, featuring various promotional events. Highlights include: - Opening Weekend (April 4-6) with giveaways such as a magnet schedule, limited-edition replica jerseys, and a "comeback" yo-yo for children. - Fight Night (April 19) with a Pillow Fight Night and a live boxing match. - Golf Night (May 10) with golf-themed games and a giveaway. - Minecraft Movie Night (May 11) with themed activities for Mother's Day. - TP/Mischief Night (May 31) encouraging playful toilet papering. - Charlie’s Not-So-Spooky Halloween (June 1) for kids' trick-or-treating. - Dino Night (June 14) featuring life-sized dinosaurs. - Carolina Day (June 28) with a drone light show. - Star Wars Night (June 29) with themed activities. - Margaritaville Night (July 12) honoring Jimmy Buffett. - A Knight at The Joe (August 2) with medieval-themed activities. Weekly promotions include: - Dog Day Tuesday - Wild Card Wednesday - Thirsty Thursday - Boeing Red Shirt Friday with post-game fireworks - Saturday Show at The Joe - MUSC Health Family Sunday with family-friendly activities.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

Minecraft 1.23 on PlayStation

Players can download the latest update, Bedrock Edition 1.23, on PlayStation for Minecraft, which introduces new seeds and harvesting items. The update allows players to cultivate diverse crops, including cabbage, grapes, and rye, and introduces new gameplay elements such as scarecrows for crop protection and tractors for harvesting. Cabbage can be shared with rabbits, grapes can be used for crafting drinks and enhancing aesthetics, and rye offers an alternative to wheat. The update enhances the agricultural experience significantly compared to version 1.21.51.

Winsage

February 6, 2025

Canonical Delivers Ubuntu Tar Archives for Easy Installation in the Windows Subsystem for Linux

Canonical has introduced a new tar-format archive for installing Ubuntu on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), allowing users to bypass the Microsoft Store. This enhancement facilitates easier customization and deployment, particularly beneficial for enterprises needing tailored Linux environments. Developers and system administrators can now distribute, install, and manage Ubuntu WSL instances directly from tar files. The new capability is available for WSL version 2.4.8 and higher, enabling installation with the command "wsl --install ubuntu" and allowing for manual downloading and installation of tar archives.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

Xbox Game Pass loses eight games in December 2024

On December 15, 2024, the following games will leave Xbox Game Pass: Forza Horizon 4, Rise of the Tomb Raider, The Quarry, Amnesia: The Bunker, Hello Neighbor 2, Forager, Tin Hearts, and Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan. Forza Horizon 4 has five discontinued achievements. Rise of the Tomb Raider has two partly discontinued achievements and typically requires 40 to 50 hours to complete the main storyline. The Quarry requires approximately 40 to 50 hours to unlock all achievements, with 22 being missable. Hello Neighbor 2 allows players to unlock all 14 achievements in about two hours. Amnesia: The Bunker can be completed in around ten hours, featuring unique achievements. Forager has 23 achievements that usually take 40 to 50 hours to unlock, but can be completed in 15 to 20 hours with a walkthrough. Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan has 39 achievements, estimated to take 15 to 20 hours for completion, with several missable achievements. Tin Hearts has one discontinued achievement, affecting its completion status. Only one game has been confirmed for the December Game Pass lineup so far.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Google could soon let you bring Santa into your phone calls (APK teardown)

Google is enhancing its Phone app with two new festive Audio Emoji sounds for the holiday season: a New Year-themed sound featuring fireworks, a cheering crowd, and party horns, and a Christmas-themed sound with sleigh bells and Santa saying “ho ho ho.” These additions will be available in early to mid-December, following the removal of a Halloween Audio Emoji.

AppWizard

November 12, 2024

Tripwire says it’s ‘leaving no game behind’ as it releases a surprise update for the 7-year-old Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

Tripwire Interactive released a significant update for Rising Storm 2: Vietnam on October 24, 2023, marking the first major update since June 2021. The update improves server behavior and security and fixes various VOIP-related bugs. Player engagement has increased, with concurrent users peaking at 1,390, a rise from previous months' few hundred players. The base game is currently available on Steam for .24, and the digital deluxe edition for .49, both representing a 95% discount off the regular price.

BetaBeacon

November 11, 2024

A horror game after Halloween? This one hit all the right marks

Metro Awakening is a 12-hour campaign with unique environments and a compelling story. Players take on the role of a doctor whose wife hears the voice of their long-dead son, leading to a mysterious journey. The game features radioactive areas where players must wear a gas mask and find filters to explore further. Despite not being a horror fan, the macabre scenes and creatures in the game were intriguing. Horror plays a significant role in the story and atmosphere of the game, making it worth a try even for non-horror fans.