Halo Archives

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Sometimes, an FPS really is better with a controller

The text discusses the ongoing debate between using a mouse and keyboard versus a controller in first-person shooters (FPS). The author reflects on their experiences with various games, noting that gameplay dynamics can differ significantly based on the input method. In particular, they found that while playing Halo with a mouse and keyboard was enjoyable, it lacked the immersive intensity experienced with a controller. The design of Halo's enemies is noted to complement controller use, enhancing combat engagement. The author also mentions their experience with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, where they found the controller more intuitive due to design choices favoring controller users, such as analog movement and aim assist. They express surprise at how well classic titles like Doom adapted to controller play, leading to a reevaluation of input preferences in FPS games.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Unreal Engine 5.7 Venice Next-Gen Tech Demo Released

Scans Factory has released a tech demo using Unreal Engine 5.7, featuring the city of Venice, which is available for download. The demo includes over 500 assets, allowing players to explore various aspects of Venetian life. Performance testing on a high-end gaming rig showed 40FPS at Native 4K resolution with Cinematic Settings, and over 65FPS at Ultra settings. A walkthrough video and performance comparison between UE5.4 and UE5.7 are also provided. Additionally, various free fan-made projects in Unreal Engine 5 include remakes of popular games and other tech demos.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Squared Media

David R.B. created the YouTube channel Squared Media over a decade ago, focusing on Minecraft animations that have evolved from episodic content to grand cinematic experiences. The channel's standout video, “Animation Life,” has 250 million views, while other notable videos include “Song of War” with 64 million views and “Worlds Apart” with 41 million views. The animations feature unique storylines, improved quality, and themes of sacrifice and battling evil, with five tutorials available for aspiring animators using Blender. The content includes frequent violence, minimal blood, and darker themes typical of the Minecraft universe, such as potion-drinking and battles against necromancers. The oldest series, a Halo animation, contains some mild language, while the Minecraft content is generally suitable for a younger audience despite its violent elements.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

New Steam Deck rivals are getting ridiculous, with 9-inch screens and 5x the performance, and I need one right now

The Ayaneo Next 2 is a handheld gaming device featuring AMD's Strix Halo processor, which has a GPU over five times more powerful than the Steam Deck. It includes a 9-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 pixels and a 165Hz refresh rate. The device has an ergonomic design, larger than many current handhelds, with features like touchpads, ABXY buttons, a d-pad, analog sticks, dual-mode triggers, and an extra-large battery. The Strix Halo chip has shown impressive 1080p gaming performance in previous reviews, while concerns exist regarding battery life, heat management, and noise levels. The Ayaneo Next 2 is expected to be priced similarly to other handhelds with the Strix Halo chip, which may exceed ,000. An upcoming video stream will showcase its features in more detail.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The 20 Best Xbox 360 Games of All Time

Microsoft transformed the Xbox brand from a traditional gaming console into a multifaceted platform emphasizing software accessibility across various devices, with the Game Pass subscription model allowing users to access a vast library of games on mobile phones and rival consoles. The Xbox 360 was launched on November 22, 2005, a year ahead of competitors, and became the most advanced console for a year despite technical challenges like the Red Ring of Death. Strategic partnerships and a diverse range of titles, including blockbuster franchises like Halo and Gears of War, contributed to its success. The Xbox 360's architecture resembled that of a personal computer, providing a technological edge over the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. Innovations such as Xbox Live and Xbox Live Arcade distinguished the console, making it a hub for competitive and indie gaming. The Xbox 360 remains the best-selling device in the Xbox lineup, with defining titles including Perfect Dark Zero, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Dead or Alive 4, Viva Piñata, Fable II, Ninja Gaiden II, Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Fez, and Oblivion, highlighting its lasting legacy in gaming culture.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Helldivers 2 players exercise managed democracy to rename destroyed city ‘New York Supreme’ rather than the infinitely better ‘Bernard’

The Helldivers 2 community voted to rename a devastated city from York Supreme to New York Supreme, receiving 62,674 votes, while the alternative name "Bernard" received 53,480 votes. The vote took place on the game's official Discord server, raising discussions about player engagement and democracy within the game. Previously, another city was named "Gun." The developer, Arrowhead, acknowledged player involvement by celebrating 'Avengement Day' and hosting a one-day event called "Liberty Day" featuring a browser game.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

Phil Spencer reminds everyone that Xbox is ‘one of the largest publishers on Steam’ as he congratulates Valve on its new hardware with all the enthusiasm of a man paying his taxes

Valve has unveiled a new lineup of hardware, including the Steam Controller, Steam Frame VR headset, and the Steam Machine, which aims to integrate Steam libraries into living rooms. Phil Spencer from Microsoft praised Valve's initiative, emphasizing the importance of expanding access across devices. There are concerns about the future of Xbox, with remarks suggesting uncertainty about next-generation console ambitions. Industry observers note a shift in consumer perception, with some feeling there is no reason to buy an Xbox again. The Steam Machine will bring an entire Steam library into the living room and is set to launch in 2026, a year ahead of Microsoft's new console hardware in 2027. Valve's pricing strategy for the Steam Machine has yet to be disclosed.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

How a former NASA employee became the world’s foremost author of videogame cookbooks: ‘It can’t look like you’re eating a Pokémon’

Victoria Rosenthal is a culinary author known for her video game-themed cookbooks, starting with her blog, Pixelated Provisions. Her notable work includes the 2018 release of "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook," which established her reputation in the niche market. She creatively collaborates with lore authors to align recipes with game narratives, as seen in "God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms" and "Halo: The Official Cookbook." Her project "My Pokémon Cookbook" focused on vegetarian dishes due to a restriction against resembling Pokémon. Since becoming a full-time cookbook writer in 2021, she has two new titles planned for 2025: "Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria" and a second volume of "Final Fantasy 14" recipes. Rosenthal is interested in future projects involving franchises like "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" and "Baldur's Gate." She aims to inspire readers to embrace cooking, emphasizing that cooking can be made less intimidating, similar to leveling up skills in video games.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

How a former NASA employee became the world’s foremost author of videogame cookbooks: ‘It can’t look like you’re eating a Pokémon’

Victoria Rosenthal has created recipes inspired by video game universes for over a decade, starting with her blog, Pixelated Provisions, and leading to official cookbooks. Her first major success was "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook," released in 2018. She has worked on various titles, including "God of War: The Official Cookbook of the Nine Realms" and "Halo: The Official Cookbook," where she introduced a character inspired by Anthony Bourdain. Rosenthal faced unique challenges with "My Pokémon Cookbook," which required vegetarian recipes that did not resemble Pokémon. Since 2021, she has focused on her blog and cookbooks, with two new books planned for 2025: "Guild Wars 2: Feasts of Tyria" and a second volume for "Final Fantasy 14." She aims to explore more gaming franchises, including the "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" series and titles from Larian Studios. Rosenthal has received positive feedback from parents whose children have been inspired to cook through her work.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Halo Infinite is entering maintenance mode: ‘With multiple Halo titles in development, we’ll need our whole team’s combined focus’

Halo Studios has announced the cessation of new updates for Halo Infinite four years post-launch, shifting focus to Halo: Campaign Evolved. The final update will be released on November 18, featuring accelerated XP, Spartan Points, and rank progression. The game will transition to smaller updates, which has raised concerns about its long-term viability. The June update introduced a nostalgic Halo 3 mode that received positive feedback. Former director Chris Lee had stated that Halo Infinite would be the last standalone release for the foreseeable future, and Microsoft has not yet revealed the next chapter in the Halo series, which will be developed using Unreal Engine. Halo: Campaign Evolved is the only upcoming title in the franchise. Halo Infinite explored innovative modes, including a third-person perspective, and influenced perceptions about battle passes and user-generated content.