heat Archives

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 25, 2025

Stellaris Infernals brings the heat to the strategy game’s universe, and I can’t wait to burn it all down

The Stellaris Infernals Species Pack introduces new playable alien races adapted to volcanic worlds, including bird-like, crocodilian, and insectoid forms. It features a new Crisis Path with the Galactic Hyperthermia mechanic, allowing players to terraform stars into red giants and create Entropy Conduits. The DLC also adds four new Civics focused on fire and heat, such as the Fire Cult and Scorched World Heralds. The new species possess the Thermophilic trait, thriving on hot planets and consuming alloys instead of traditional food sources, but they struggle on Arctic worlds. The DLC is available for purchase on Steam.

BetaBeacon

November 25, 2025

Can you really improve game performance with a spoof emulator?

Developers are creating spoof APK versions of game emulators to maximize performance on smartphones.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Hardcore space sim Ostranauts just joined the legendary patch notes canon: ‘Corpses should no longer become hotter than the Sun and explode the ships/stations they are on’

Ostranauts, an early access hardcore space simulation by Blue Bottle Games, released Update v0.14.5.18, which includes a patch note stating that "Corpses should no longer become hotter than the Sun and explode the ships/stations they are on." This update addresses a flaw in the body heat code that allowed temperatures to rise indefinitely, potentially causing catastrophic thermal events. Blue Bottle founder Daniel Fedor explained that this overheating bug could lead to air inside EVA suits reaching extremely high temperatures, resulting in explosions if a helmet were removed.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Now that I’ve learned the cost per shot of weapons in Arc Raiders, I’m an even bigger fan of my beloved Stitcher

The Stitcher is the most efficient weapon in Arc Raiders, delivering 13,700 damage over 1,950 shots per full repair at a cost of two credits per shot. The Rattler IV averages 11,900 damage at 3.9 credits per shot. The Osprey is inefficient, becoming unusable after firing one and a half max ammo stacks. The Venator, a rare pistol, inflicts 16,400 damage and achieves 91 magazines per full repair, making it cheaper to repair on a per-damage basis than the Anvil.

BetaBeacon

November 19, 2025

Will OnePlus Gaming Technology Change Android Games?

OnePlus is focusing on creating lag-free, uninterrupted gaming experiences with their Gaming Technology initiative. They are developing hardware and software solutions to optimize the user's gaming experience, including the OP Gaming Core chip and the Tri-Chip system. These technologies aim to improve performance, touch response, and frame rates for mobile gamers. The upcoming OnePlus 15 is expected to feature these advancements, setting a new industry benchmark for fast and smooth gaming experiences.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

In defense of tab-targeting: MMO devs have been trying to put dodge rolls in their games for 10+ years to avoid WoW, and it’s never worked

PC Gamer's column on MMORPGs explores trends in the genre, particularly the shift from tab-targeting systems to action combat systems among MMO designers. This trend emerged in the late 2010s and 2020s, with a prevailing belief that tab-targeting is outdated. The Old School RuneScape (OSRS) wiki highlights a mechanic called "tick eating," where players can consume food just before taking lethal damage, showcasing strategic gameplay. Action MMOs face challenges with tick rates that can hinder combat fluidity compared to single-player games, leading to a less stable experience. The author appreciates action combat but argues that tab-targeting and turn-based combat can also be engaging, emphasizing the complexity and depth of MMO combat in endgame content. The belief that action combat is superior is subjective, and the author suggests that developers should embrace traditional systems rather than reinventing them, as seen in the co-op PvE game Fellowship, which successfully integrates tab-targeting combat. The dominance of World of Warcraft in the MMO space raises questions about whether developers are overlooking the potential of established mechanics.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Even the developers of Steam fave Deep Rock Galactic feel the heat from this year’s popular multiplayer games: ‘Competition is fierce’

Deep Rock Galactic developer Ghost Ship Games is working on a new game called Rogue Core, set for release next year. The multiplayer gaming market has become highly competitive, with notable competitors like Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders gaining player interest. Casual games such as Peak and RV There Yet? are also impacting the landscape, while some titles like FBC: Firebreak are struggling. Despite these challenges, Ghost Ship Games aims to maintain the unique identity of Deep Rock Galactic and cater to both dedicated fans and new players.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

No Man’s Sky is rerunning all of its expeditions from 2025, while also giving players another chance to add Mass Effect’s Normandy to their spaceship collection

No Man's Sky has continued to engage its community in 2025 with updates including Worlds: Part 2, which reworked the universe simulation, and the Relics update, introducing space palaeontology. Players can manage stellar towns in the Beacon update and design multi-crew spacecraft in Voyagers, attracting the highest number of concurrent players since the game's launch. Hello Games is reintroducing all four expeditions linked to each update, allowing players to revisit past adventures. The Titan expedition focuses on new planet types and offers a "living ship" as a reward. Following Titan, the Relics expedition will begin on December 2, followed by the Corvette expedition starting December 17, where players will build a Corvette-class starship. The year will end with a redux of the Breach expedition. Co-founder Sean Murray hinted at more content planned for 2026, including a new project called Light No Fire, which will feature an Earth-sized planet with real oceans and require large boats and crews for exploration.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

If you’re sick of waiting for Fallout 5, this apocalyptic RPG is an underrated gem, especially at its lowest price yet

Atomfall is a survival FPS game set in an alternate reality based on the historical Windscale incident in the 1950s UK. Players take on the role of an amnesiac protagonist who wakes up in an underground bunker and must navigate a quarantine zone five years after its establishment. The game features a retro-futuristic 'atompunk' aesthetic and emphasizes strategic survival through scavenging for materials and managing heart rate during combat. Atomfall is currently available at a 45% discount, priced at .49 / £24.74 on Fanatical.