heist Archives

BetaBeacon

August 20, 2026

Payday: Aces High first impressions: VR is so back, baby!

The game Payday: Aces High is the fourth entry in the Payday series, where players choose one of the Aces to seek revenge on billionaire Warren Jupiter. The game features six missions with randomized objectives, immersive VR mechanics, and a high level of replayability. It will be available on Meta Quest 3 and Steam VR with full crossplay between platforms.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after ‘negative player feedback’

Guerilla Games is rethinking their live service co-op game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, due to negative feedback from playtests. The game will shift from a live service model to a more traditional co-op format focused on storytelling. Sony has set a deadline for the team to present a milestone by December, or the project may be canceled. Many developers have been reassigned to other projects, with a smaller group working on the next single-player Horizon installment. Sony is moving away from live service games, with only Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show performing well. The future of another live service game, Fairgames, is uncertain due to development challenges.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Upcoming PS5 Games: The Future of PlayStation Exclusives

In May 2026, Sony announced that future single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation 5, although some games currently in development will launch across platforms. Upcoming PS5 games include: - Spider-Man franchise: A new narrative featuring a character from the Marvel universe, expected to carry an M-rating. - Phantom Blade Zero: Set to launch on October 29, 2026, as a timed PS5 and PC exclusive, with a later release on Xbox and Switch 2 in Fall 2027. - God of War Laufey: Scheduled for release on February 16, 2027, as a PS5 exclusive, featuring Faye on a journey through the Everywhen. - Until Dawn 2: A sequel with a new cast, set for release in 2027 as a PS5 exclusive, focusing on amateur ghost hunters. - Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: An upcoming PS5 exclusive from Naughty Dog, featuring a rogue bounty hunter in a retro-futuristic world. - Fairgame$: A multiplayer heist shooter for PS5 and PC, facing development challenges but still anticipated. - GTA 6: A timed console exclusive launching on November 19, 2026, not exclusive to PS5 but available solely on consoles for a limited time.

Tech Optimizer

August 6, 2026

Antivirus software alone does not guarantee protection, this expert warns

Hackers have stolen over 0 million USD in Bitcoin by exploiting vulnerabilities in Canadian-made hardware wallet keys. The breach involved sophisticated tactics, including the use of an AI agent that deceived targets into installing malware and could alter its identity to avoid detection. Ritesh Kotak emphasized that reliance solely on antivirus software is insufficient, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. The incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of current protective measures and the growing threat landscape in the digital economy.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Free Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

This week, the Free Play Days lineup includes Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, and Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members from July 16 to July 19. Grand Theft Auto Online and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are available for all XBOX members from July 14 to July 21 without a Game Pass subscription. After the Free Play Days, players can purchase the games at a limited-time discount while retaining their Gamerscore and achievements. Crisol: Theater of Idols offers a survival horror experience optimized for XBOX Series X|S. Planet Zoo: Console Edition allows players to create and manage their own zoos. Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports features classic sports in a chaotic 4-player local co-op format. Grand Theft Auto Online allows up to 30 players to collaborate or compete in a dynamic universe, while Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets players train with iconic characters and tackle raid missions online.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

GTA Online The Kortz Center Heist release time and how to start the heist

GTA Online has released the Kortz Center Heist update, which went live on July 14, 2026, at 10am BST / 5am ET / 2am PT. Players must enroll in the Fine Art Collector program and purchase the Art Studio expansion for their Mansion for 0,000 to start the heist. They will meet Raf De Angelis in their mansion to begin Tier 1 of the heist progression and can then scope out the Kortz Center. Players who log in before the update receive 0,000 in-game currency and a Benefactor Turreted Limo, while completing any heist grants the exclusive NOOSE Outfit and a ,000,000 in-game bonus.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The designer of cult classic King of Dragon Pass says his upcoming hellish heist game is pushing the boundaries of a concept he invented in 1999: ‘There’s really nothing else quite like it’

In 1999, designer David Dunham and his studio A Sharp released King of Dragon Pass, which combines mythic fantasy RPG and cattle management simulation. Although it initially faced commercial disappointment, it gained a dedicated following for its narrative experience. Later in 2023, Dunham and A Sharp will launch Thousand Hells: The Underworld Heists, described as a "systemic storybook experience" by its publisher, Kitfox Games. Dunham calls it a "tactical narrative game," emphasizing its unconventional classification. The game features gameplay elements where players use traits of party members in conflict resolution, set in a fantastical representation of Byzantium. It introduces conditional, rearrangeable storytelling elements, which Dunham claims to have pioneered in the '90s, although he acknowledges that King of Chicago may have predated him. Thousand Hells offers a unique experience in each playthrough and can be completed in one to two hours, contrasting with the longer narratives of its predecessors.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

GTA Online The Kortz Center Heist release time and how to start the heist

The Kortz Center Heist update for GTA Online was released on July 14, 2026, at 10am BST / 5am ET / 2am PT. Players must enroll in the Fine Art Collector program and acquire the Art Studio expansion for their mansion, costing 0,000, to start the heist. The first step involves meeting Raf De Angelis in the mansion, followed by scouting the Kortz Center. Players who logged in before the update received 0,000 in-game currency and a Benefactor Turreted Limo. Completing any heist grants players the NOOSE Outfit and a bonus of ,000,000 in-game currency.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Dragon Age setting creator David Gaider is pitching a heist RPG that’s ‘make or break’ for his studio

David Gaider, the creator of Thedas and the Dragon Age series, is developing a new RPG centered on a crew of rogues performing heists. He chose not to engage with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in 2024, due to concerns over the challenges faced by the team and constraints from Electronic Arts. A review by PC Gamer praised The Veilguard but noted a lack of ideological conflict, which Gaider believes is essential for character agency and authenticity in games. He critiques the trend of creating agreeable companions, advocating for complex characters that resonate with players. Gaider expresses uncertainty about his new project but desires to focus on creativity rather than studio management pressures. He is open to revisiting the Dragon Age franchise, envisioning a return to its roots with darker storytelling.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Payday 2’s next update is “a massive undertaking” to modernize the FPS, stop crashes, and cut its install size by 60%

Starbreeze has transferred the ongoing support of Payday 2 to Sidetrack Games, allowing the original developers to focus on Payday 3. Payday 2 continues to attract around 30,000 players on Steam, while Payday 3 struggles with about 1,000 players. Sidetrack Games is planning a significant overhaul, migrating the game to a new 64-bit engine called Diesel 3.0, which aims to improve gameplay and reduce file size from 86 GB to 32 GB. An open beta for this upgrade is scheduled to start on June 30 and run until the end of July. The transition will require a complete re-download of the game, and some mods may break due to the engine change.