holiday season Archives

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

Grand Theft Auto 6 puts another body in the trunk: Lords of the Fallen 2 is delayed to early 2027

Lords of the Fallen 2 has been postponed from its original fall 2023 launch to early 2027. CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski stated that the delay provides the development team with additional time for integration, iteration, and polishing. The decision also avoids competition with the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November. Tyminski highlighted collaboration with the Gameplay Feedback Team to enhance the gaming experience. A specific release date has not been announced, but the game is expected to debut in the first quarter of 2027.

Winsage

June 21, 2026

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 26H2 for fall 2026 release, reveals supported PCs and other details

Microsoft has confirmed the upcoming Windows 11 26H2 feature update, set to roll out in fall 2026, likely in October. This update will not be a major overhaul and will utilize an enablement package (eKB) for installation, similar to the previous Windows 11 25H2 version. The last major update was the 24H2 version, released on October 1, 2024, while 25H2 launched in 2025 and reset the OS life cycle, extending support by an additional year. Support for Windows 11 24H2 ends on October 13, 2026, and for 25H2 until October 12, 2027. Windows 11 26H2 will be supported until October 2028 for Home, Pro, Pro EDU, and Pro for Workstations editions, and until October 2029 for Enterprise, Education, or IoT Enterprise editions. Devices running Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2 will transition to 26H2 without new hardware requirements, maintaining specifications of 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 1GHz or faster 64-bit dual-core processor. Windows 11 26H1, another update, requires new silicon but does not introduce exclusive features. Major changes will be delivered through monthly cumulative updates rather than annual feature updates.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Path of Exile 2 director says players exploiting system to become in-game millionaires ‘ruined Christmas for me’ and joked that he’s ‘lost all sympathy’ for everyone who took advantage of it

The player trading economy of Path of Exile 2 experienced turmoil due to a new loot-gathering technique that allowed players to quickly accumulate in-game wealth. This led Grinding Gear Games to interrupt their holiday break to address the issue. The introduction of the "temple" feature enabled players to construct dungeons and exploit the system for excessive rewards by locking characters in the campaign and resetting levels. Mark Roberts, co-director of PoE 2, expressed frustration over the need for emergency patches and highlighted ongoing player exploits related to the temple. A patch was released to mitigate a temple strategy that threatened the game's economy. Roberts indicated a lack of sympathy for the temple due to the critical nature of the exploits. Players often aim to accumulate wealth for upgrading builds, but solo self-found mode limits access to rare items. The incident raises questions about future league launches during the holiday season.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Fable gets pushed back into 2027, but we’re at least getting a “major new look” at it at the Xbox Games Showcase

Xbox has announced that the release of Fable has been delayed to February 2027, originally planned for 2025 and then for this year. The delay was made to ensure the game receives the necessary attention and to avoid competition with other major titles during the busy holiday season. Xbox will provide more details about Fable at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7.

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.