holiday season Archives

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Steam’s Most-Wishlisted Games Forced Into Early Release As Subnautica 2 Pulls A Hollow Knight: Silksong

Developers are adjusting their release schedules due to the impending launch of major titles like GTA 6 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. The release date for Hollow Knight: Silksong in September 2025 has caused over eight games to delay their launches, with some moving to November and others, like Aeterna Lucis, postponing until 2026. The early access release of Subnautica 2, confirmed for May 14, has led other games, including Outbound, to change their release dates. Outbound, originally set for May 14, will now launch on May 11 for Steam and Xbox, while keeping May 14 for Epic Games Store and PlayStation.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Google Translate turns 20, and it’s making me practice my speech with AI

Google is introducing a new feature called Pronunciation Practice in its Translate app, allowing users to write phrases and receive guidance on correct pronunciation. The app uses AI technology to analyze speech and identify errors. Google Translate has 1 billion users and translates approximately 1 trillion words each month. The Pronunciation Practice feature aims to enhance user confidence in speaking new languages and aligns the app with language-learning platforms like Duolingo. Last holiday season, Google Translate received three major updates focusing on slang and local expressions to provide more authentic translations.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

A New ‘Minecraft’ Character Is Coming, Says New Leak—Here’s What You May Expect

A leak from Hallmark's website suggests that Mojang Studios is preparing to introduce a new character named "Blub" to the "Minecraft" universe. The character is featured in a Keepsake Ornament priced at .99, available for pre-order starting October 10, 2026. Blub is described as a creature standing on all fours with long ears. However, it has been clarified that Blub will not appear in "Minecraft Dungeons 2." The listing's authenticity as a leak remains uncertain, and Mojang has not officially confirmed the character.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Microsoft lowers Game Pass prices, drops Call of Duty from day-one offerings

Microsoft's subscription gaming service is reducing the price of Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and the PC Game Pass subscription from .49 to .99 per month. These changes are part of a global pricing strategy and will be reflected in the next billing cycle for current subscribers. New Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch but will be added during the subsequent holiday season. The price adjustment reduces the annual cost of Game Pass Ultimate from 4 to 0, saving subscribers . The total number of subscribers reached 34 million in early 2024.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Xbox Announces Price Reductions For Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass

Microsoft has announced a reduction in the pricing of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. In the United States, the monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass will decrease from .99 to .99, and PC Game Pass will drop from .99 to .99. Adjustments in pricing for other regions are being implemented. Additionally, future installments of the Call of Duty franchise will no longer be available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on their launch day, but will be accessible approximately one year after their initial release.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Xbox Lowers Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Prices

The company is changing its strategy for major first-party releases, specifically the Call of Duty franchise. New entries will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass on launch day; instead, they will be added to the subscription service about a year later, around the next holiday season. This shift is likely a response to the challenges of the subscription service's lower price point and aims to stabilize revenue, though it may risk subscriber cancellations. Existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible to current subscribers. The adjustment reflects a hybrid strategy in development and publishing, balancing subscription models with traditional sales to manage rising production costs. Microsoft is also lowering the barrier to entry to maintain platform appeal while delaying premium launches to protect revenue opportunities.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

PC and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions just dropped around the world—here are the new prices in Australia

Microsoft has adjusted its subscription pricing for PC and Xbox Game Pass, reducing prices from the increases implemented in October, but still above previous rates. New releases of Call of Duty games will no longer be available at launch on any Game Pass tiers, with access expected about a year later. The updated pricing for Xbox Game Pass in Australia as of April 2026 is as follows: - Xbox Game Pass Essential: n/a - Xbox Game Pass Premium: n/a - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: AU.95 - PC Game Pass: AU.95 (previously AU.45) Recent additions to the PC Game Pass library include titles like Albion Online, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Replaced, Tiny Bookshop, Planet of Lana 2, and Super Meat Boy 3D. Subscribers can choose a month-to-month plan without long-term commitments.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Xbox Drops the Price of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, But Loses Day One Call of Duty Games

Microsoft has reduced the subscription prices for Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and for PC Game Pass from .99 to .99 per month. Future Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass at launch; instead, they will be added during the subsequent holiday season, approximately one year after their initial release. Existing Call of Duty titles will remain accessible to subscribers. The changes were made in response to financial considerations and feedback from players regarding the previous pricing. Asha Sharma, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, stated that Game Pass Ultimate had become too expensive for many players.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass gets a price cut, but there’s a catch

The newly appointed CEO of Xbox has reduced the monthly subscription price for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and for PC Game Pass from .99 to .99, effective immediately. The other tiers of the Game Pass lineup will maintain their current pricing. Future Call of Duty titles will not be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch but will be added during the following holiday season, while existing Call of Duty titles will remain available.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Xbox Just Dropped The Price Of Game Pass Ultimate, But There’s A Catch

Microsoft has reduced the monthly fee for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and for PC Game Pass from .49 to .99. Subscribers will lose immediate access to new releases of the "Call of Duty" series, which will now be available on Game Pass approximately a year after their initial release. Despite these changes, most aspects of the Game Pass services will remain unchanged, including day-one access to other gaming titles, online multiplayer capabilities, and in-game perks. The service has over 20 million users as of November 2022.