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Halo

The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I've gone from 'meh' to believer
AppWizard
March 3, 2026

The Marathon server slam consumed my weekend: 21 hours later, I’ve gone from ‘meh’ to believer

Last year, Embark and Bungie conducted playtests for their extraction shooters, with Bungie's Marathon being their first project outside the Destiny universe in over 15 years. Arc Raiders, developed by Embark, launched as the first mainstream title in the genre, while Marathon faced delays. The author initially felt indifferent towards Marathon but grew enthusiastic after playing for over four days. The game features a PvP experience with looting mechanics, weapon upgrades, and unique gun modifications. Critics compare Marathon to Call of Duty and Apex Legends, but the author finds its pacing more similar to Halo, emphasizing positioning and timing. The game includes movement shooter elements, allowing creative navigation techniques. Weapon designs are visually appealing and feature a variety of modifications. The game's progression system encourages experimentation with builds, and the vendor system aids in resource management. The upcoming full version will include a third map, Outpost, and additional content like the Cryo Archive.
For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over
AppWizard
March 1, 2026

For Project Zomboid players, the year-long wait for a stable build is nearly over

Project Zomboid's build 42 was released in an 'unstable' form in December 2024 and has not yet transitioned to a 'stable' state, despite the addition of multiplayer support in late 2025. Concerns have arisen within the community regarding the team's communication during this prolonged development. Christian 'Serellan' Allen became the new design director in late 2025 and aims to address these issues. He acknowledges the complexity of the game and the need for dedicated design leadership. The team is currently focused on bug fixes, balancing, and polishing build 42, with no specific release date for the stable version. Enhancements made under Allen's direction include a revamped right-click menu and planned balance adjustments for game modes. He emphasizes the importance of community feedback and intends to improve communication about the game's direction.
The impact of the Fallout series on Fallout PC game sales from 2024-2026
AppWizard
February 24, 2026

The impact of the Fallout series on Fallout PC game sales from 2024-2026

On February 24, 2026, G2A.com released an analysis on the Fallout franchise's television series and its impact on PC game sales. Key findings include: - Sales stabilized at a higher baseline in 2025 following an initial surge from Season 1 in April 2024. - Sales volume increased by 78% in the month before Season 2 premiered, demonstrating the 'Halo Effect.' - Interest in the franchise remained significantly higher than early 2024 levels even between seasons. - 'Complete' variants of games accounted for over 60% of total franchise orders on G2A. - Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition saw a 12.5% increase in market share during Season 2 compared to Season 1. - Interest in classic titles like the Fallout Classic Collection and Fallout 2 remained consistent. The analysis included sales data for various Fallout titles and their editions.
NVIDIA-powered Windows on Arm laptops may launch in 2026 — new report suggests it's actually happening
Winsage
January 20, 2026

NVIDIA-powered Windows on Arm laptops may launch in 2026 — new report suggests it’s actually happening

NVIDIA's N1X laptops are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026, shifting from an initial 2025 timeline. The NVIDIA N1 chip is currently operational in the DGX Spark AI supercomputer, showcasing performance capabilities. The N1X is anticipated to target the high-end market, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips remain aimed at budget-conscious consumers. The introduction of N1X-powered devices could enhance the Windows on Arm ecosystem and increase competition in the market.
Windows on Arm had another good year
Winsage
December 29, 2025

Windows on Arm had another good year

The tech landscape is expected to see significant advancements in chips and software by 2026, particularly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series enhancing Arm-based Windows laptops. The Snapdragon X chips improved performance and battery life, making Windows on Arm laptops more viable, especially in Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines. However, challenges with app compatibility persisted, limiting users to simplified versions of software like Adobe Lightroom. In 2025, software enhancements allowed more creative applications to run natively or through improved emulation, including Adobe Premiere Pro and a functioning version of Lightroom Classic on lower-end Snapdragon X Plus chips. Gaming options improved with advancements in emulator technology, and compatibility for Epic's Easy Anti-Cheat was established. The Xbox game launcher expanded to support local installations on Arm devices. Despite the growing appeal of Windows on Arm laptops, traditional x86 options remain dominant for gaming. The first generation of Snapdragon X chips set new benchmarks for battery life, but competition from Intel’s Lunar Lake and AMD’s Strix Point chips is emerging. Nvidia is rumored to be developing an Arm-based chip for Alienware laptops, indicating a competitive landscape. The gap between x86 and Arm Windows laptops is narrowing, with Arm laptops becoming more accessible, though x86 systems are likely to remain preferred for gamers. Microsoft’s evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” raises questions about the future of Windows laptops.
Steam’s winter sales are here, with incredible discounts on these amazing PC games
AppWizard
December 19, 2025

Steam’s winter sales are here, with incredible discounts on these amazing PC games

The Steam winter sales have started, offering discounts on various games until January 5. Notable offers include: - Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown for .79 (92% off) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows for .99 (50% off) - Avowed for .99 (50% off) - Crusader Kings 3 for .99 (70% off) - Dead Island 2 for .99 (90% off) - Devil May Cry 5 for .49 (75% off) - Doom: The Dark Ages for .99 (50% off) - EA Sports FC 26 for .99 (60% off) - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves for .79 (67% off) - Forza Horizon 5 for .99 (50% off) - Halo The Master Chief Collection for .99 (75% off) - Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 for .99 (50% off) - Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth for .99 (70% off) - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii for .99 (60% off) - Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy for .99 (85% off) - Metaphor: ReFantazio for .99 (50% off) - Monster Hunter Stories for .68 (67% off) - NBA 2K26 for .99 (60% off) - Nioh Complete Edition for .99 (90% off) - Resident Evil Village for .99 (75% off) - Silent Hill f for .99 (40% off) - Tekken 8 for .99 (60% off) - Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 +4 for .99 (40% off) - V Rising for .74 (55% off) The sale format has changed this year, with a static catalog of offers instead of daily rotations or flash deals.
Splitgate 2 returns with a new name, no heroes, and a focus on capturing the arena FPS magic of Quake and Halo
AppWizard
December 6, 2025

Splitgate 2 returns with a new name, no heroes, and a focus on capturing the arena FPS magic of Quake and Halo

Splitgate 2 was reverted to a beta state after two months due to a lukewarm reception caused by an overload of features that detracted from its core appeal. The game is being relaunched as Splitgate Arena Reloaded, with a new release date and gameplay perspective. Key changes include the removal of hero characters and their abilities, a focus on classic shooter gameplay, the introduction of new arena modes, five new maps, six reworked maps, and three new primary weapons, including the Railgun. The progression system and Ranked play have been overhauled, and store prices have been reduced. Splitgate Arena Reloaded is set to launch as a free-to-play title on Steam and the Epic Games Store on December 17.
Sometimes, an FPS really is better with a controller
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.
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