Halo Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

This month 25 years ago in PC gaming, our biggest concerns were pro gaming, moral panics about violent games… and we still thought Halo was a PC exclusive

In June 2000, PC Gamer UK highlighted the emerging world of esports, featuring professional gamers Amir Haleem and Sujoy Roy, who had earned significant prize money and were considering transitioning to full-time gaming careers. The magazine suggested that gaming could become a viable profession, drawing parallels to sports figures like David Beckham. By 2025, Haleem became CEO of a blockchain company, while Roy led partnerships at OG esports, reflecting the evolution of professional gaming careers amid ongoing concerns about sustainability and burnout. The 2000 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary 'Video Nasties' sparked debates about violent video games, claiming they could influence players' perceptions of real-world situations. Anticipation for Team Fortress 2 was high, with promises of innovative gameplay elements, while Bungie's Halo was initially expected as a PC-exclusive but was designed for console controls. The summer of 2000 saw few notable game releases, with The Longest Journey receiving modest reviews. Additionally, Bluetooth technology was beginning to gain traction in the market, although its use in competitive gaming was met with skepticism.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Splitgate 2 review

Splitgate 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by 1047 Games, featuring portals in its gameplay. It is free-to-play and offers cosmetic bundles and a battle pass, and is compatible with the Steam Deck. The game includes a class system with three distinct classes, each having unique abilities, but with minimal differences in weaponry. The maps are designed with narrow corridors and expansive plazas but lack depth and character. The monetization strategy includes multiple tiers of season passes and a cosmetic store, which some find excessive. The battle pass system feels uninspired, and the game struggles to differentiate itself in the battle royale genre, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The FPS genre is addicted to sprinting and clambering, but Halo just proved we’re better off without them

Halo Infinite remains active in 2025, with new content from Halo Studios, including battle passes, weapons, and community-driven map packs. A recent event celebrating Halo 3 features the return of iconic armor sets and remakes of eleven classic maps in a special playlist. The new mode eliminates sprinting and clambering, reintroduces player collision, and enhances jump height, fostering a slower, more strategic gameplay experience. Players must master movement without the automatic ledge-catching feature, rediscovering techniques like crouch-jumping. The game starts with an SMG, emphasizing strategic depth and encouraging players to reconsider their weapon choices. This shift raises questions about the franchise's direction and highlights the potential benefits of returning to classic mechanics.

Winsage

June 10, 2025

Intel Stock (NASDAQ:INTC) Blasts Up as Mac Support Dies

Intel Corporation's stock price surged over 8% during Tuesday afternoon trading, despite the impending loss of support from Apple for its Intel processors in Mac computers. The latest version of MacOS, Tahoe, will end compatibility for several older Mac models powered by Intel chips. Investors reacted positively to this news, viewing it as an opportunity, while the transition to Apple's own silicon has been ongoing for five years. Additionally, renewed trade discussions between the U.S. and China have sparked optimism among investors, contributing to Intel's stock gains. Intel is also expected to benefit from initiatives at the Department of Defense aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures. Analysts maintain a Hold consensus rating on Intel's stock, with one Buy, 26 Holds, and four Sells over the past three months. The average price target for INTC is .29 per share, indicating a potential downside risk of 3.88% from current levels.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I grew up playing Halo, I’m tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year, and I wish we could have Titanfall 3!’: Splitgate 2 boss slams the state of shooters as he surprise launches a battle royale mode

Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, announced a battle royale mode for Splitgate 2 at the Summer Game Fest. This new mode introduces portals into the battle royale format, promising a unique gameplay experience. The game aims to blend elements from popular franchises while maintaining its distinct charm. The announcement has generated significant anticipation among players.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I grew up playing Halo, I’m tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year, and I wish we could have Titanfall 3!’: Splitgate 2 boss slams the state of shooters as he surprise launches a battle royale mode

Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, announced at the Summer Game Fest that Splitgate 2 now features a battle royale mode, available for players immediately. This new mode has been anticipated by the gaming community, and Proulx noted the game's evolution while expressing nostalgia for classic round-based modes. The integration of portals into the battle royale format aims to provide a unique gameplay experience.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Xbox Games Showcase 2025 preview: The big games and developers to expect on Sunday’s livestream

The Xbox Games Showcase is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at 10 AM Pacific. Anticipated titles include Gears of War: E-Day, Perfect Dark, Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Everwild, and State of Decay 3. The Outer Worlds 2 will have its own dedicated stream following the main showcase. Expected announcements include Forza Horizon 6 or a new Forza Motorsport, and a new Call of Duty game, likely Modern Warfare 4. There may be updates on Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 from Blizzard, and a look at upcoming DLC for Starfield from Bethesda Game Studios. Other studios like Ninja Theory and Double Fine are also expected to provide insights into their projects.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Minecraft Is Getting A D&D-Style Tabletop RPG – Preorder The Adventure Book

Minecraft is expanding into tabletop gaming with the release of "Minecraft: Roll for Adventure - The Temple of the Charged Creeper" on July 8. The gamebook, priced with a 20% preorder discount, features a 224-page adventure where players track down Illagers in the Overworld. It includes rules, a bestiary, a removable character sheet, and four dice. The author, Matt Forbeck, has experience with titles like Dungeons & Dragons and Halo. The game is recommended for ages 10 and up. Additionally, a Junior edition of "Minecraft: Builders and Biomes" will be released on August 1 for players aged 5 and up. Other Minecraft-themed games include "Portal Dash," the Mattel Minecraft Card Game, and the Minecraft Explorers card game. Various Minecraft book box sets, graphic novels, and novels are also available, including "The Island" by Max Brooks. Upcoming releases include "A Minecraft Movie: From Block to Big Screen" and the "Minecraft Official Blocks Guide," with the film adaptation set to release on June 24 in multiple formats.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Quake finally makes it into the World Videogame Hall of Fame

Quake has been officially recognized as one of the four inductees into the World Videogame Hall of Fame for 2025. It is a pioneering first-person shooter that introduced mouse controls and real-time 3D graphics, and its extensive mod support contributed to its longevity. Quake's server-client architecture laid the foundation for online gaming and esports. The game's legacy code has influenced many franchises, including Heretic, Hexen, Doom, and Call of Duty. John Romero, co-creator of Quake, expressed his delight at the induction. The 2025 inductees also include Defender, GoldenEye 007, and Tamagotchi.