influence Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is currently Metacritic users’ top-rated game of all time

Resident Evil Requiem has achieved a 9.5 average user score on Metacritic, matching Clair Obscur Expedition 33, and has an average critic score of 88, positioning it as a top contender for Game of the Year. It shares the top spot on the 2026 charts with Mewgenics, both holding an average score of 89 on Opencritic. Requiem is currently ranked number one on Metacritic's 'Best Games by User Score' page, indicating strong public sentiment. The game has received close to 2,500 user reviews, while Expedition 33 has over 24,000. On Steam, it has an 'overwhelmingly positive' user score of 96%, based on 18,000 English-language reviews.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Bungie share top feedback from Marathon’s playtest, including PC performance, UI issues and ammo shortages

Bungie conducted a "server slam" for the reboot of Marathon to stress-test its online capabilities ahead of the release on March 5th. Players provided feedback on various aspects, including: - UI Feedback: Bungie is collecting user input on the user interface and plans to iterate post-launch. - PC Performance: Issues reported include high CPU usage, low GPU utilization, FPS ceilings around 80-100, and stuttering. - PvP Frequency: Bungie is investigating player density on maps and welcomes feedback on gameplay experiences. - Movement and Heat Generation: Discussions about heat generation and momentum are ongoing, with players encouraged to share thoughts on movement mechanics. - Med and Ammo Economy: Feedback on the economy of medical supplies and ammunition, particularly regarding stack sizes and item effectiveness, is being collected. - Weasel Error Codes: Players have encountered Weasel error codes related to network disruptions, and Bungie is investigating these issues. The author expressed mixed feelings about the gameplay experience, noting issues with extraction-shooting mechanics and ammunition shortages, while appreciating the art direction.

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11 continues gaining traction, nears 75% market share — Windows 10 finally on the way out, some five months after Microsoft axes support

Windows 11 has an installation rate of nearly 75% on desktop PCs globally, with a market share of 72.78%, up from just over 50% in late 2025. Windows 10's installations have decreased to 26.27% from around 45% during the same period. Launched in October 2021, Windows 11 gained popularity after Microsoft announced the end of support for Windows 10, although its adoption faced challenges due to hardware requirements and the need for a Microsoft account. Users have sought workarounds for these limitations, but Microsoft has tightened restrictions. Some former Windows 10 users are switching to alternatives like macOS or Linux instead of upgrading to new Microsoft-promoted PCs. Windows 11 has also encountered technical issues, including a missing sign-in password icon, reduced gaming performance on certain Nvidia GPUs, and data loss due to BitLocker recovery. Microsoft has committed to addressing these issues in the near future.

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.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Minecraft Meets No Man’s Sky In New Sci-Fi RPG You Can Try Free

SpaceCraft is an upcoming space exploration game from Shiro Games, set to launch into Steam Early Access in the second quarter of 2026. The game will allow players to explore a vast galaxy with diverse planets, mine and craft resources, design and build ships, and engage in trade with other factions and players.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

I tried ‘Data Center,’ a new game that makes you boss of your own compute farm. I failed miserably.

Business Insider delivers compelling narratives that resonate with its audience, focusing on innovative stories that shape industries and influence market trends. The publication covers a diverse array of topics, including technology breakthroughs and entrepreneurial success stories, aiming to inform and inspire readers. It provides insightful analysis and thought-provoking commentary to enhance understanding of complex issues and foster a community of informed individuals. Articles are designed to captivate and educate, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the business landscape while building a network of readers passionate about innovation. Business Insider prioritizes depth and relevance, distinguishing itself as a reliable source in the fast-paced business environment.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

Facebook designed an app for teens called Bell but never launched it, court records reveal

In 2018, Facebook proposed an app named Bell aimed at high school students to create a safe space for communication about school events and social interactions. Internal documents indicated that Facebook intended for Bell to engage teens and transition them to the main platform after graduation. The app was designed to include features like group chats, event organization, and an anonymous confessions section. Facebook aimed for Bell to reach 80% of U.S. high schools by the end of 2020, with plans to expand globally. However, the app was never developed, and a spokesperson described it as an early exploratory idea dependent on strong content moderation. Meta has faced legal challenges regarding the impact of its platforms on minors' mental health and has implemented features in its Teen Accounts to empower parental control.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

RedOctane Games announces rhythm action game Stage Tour for consoles, PC

RedOctane Games has announced its new rhythm action game, Stage Tour, set to launch this fall for consoles and PC via Steam. The game combines traditional note-highway gameplay with modern elements and will feature partnerships with brands like Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. Stage Tour aims to enhance the rhythm game experience with new instruments, intricate charting systems, and a focus on community engagement. Players can build their bands, customize their ensembles with official designs, and compete for high scores while unlocking unique bandmates and rewards. Further details about supported platforms will be revealed later.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

PlayStation May Be ‘Backing Away From Putting Their Traditional Single-Player Games on PC’

A trend has emerged where many PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 exclusive titles, including The Last of Us, Marvel's Spider-Man, Horizon, and God of War, have been released on PC. Speculation suggests that only PlayStation live service games may be released on PC in the future, while traditional single-player experiences are likely to remain console exclusives. Journalist Jason Schreier indicated that SIE is backing away from putting exclusive console titles on PC. He mentioned that Marvel's Wolverine, set to release on September 15, 2026, is currently planned as a PlayStation 5 exclusive with no PC version announced. Schreier expressed doubt that it would ever come to PC and noted that the impact of a retreat from PC releases might not be significant, as previous PC releases were not very successful. Recent announcements included several titles headed to PC, but these were not developed by internal PlayStation Studios, suggesting that first-party titles will influence the future of console exclusivity.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

‘Zootopia 2’ Overtakes ‘Minecraft’ As 2025’s Top Domestic Release

Zootopia 2 has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2025, earning over .2 million in North America and approximately .85 billion globally after 13 weeks in theaters. The film surpassed A Minecraft Movie and set records as the fastest animated PG release to reach billion in just 17 days. It is now the top-grossing Disney animated film, the highest-grossing animated film in Hollywood history, and the highest-grossing MPA release of all time in China. Zootopia 2 maintained a position in the domestic top ten for 13 consecutive weeks and has outpaced the worldwide earnings of the original Zootopia. It holds a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and won the animated feature BAFTA.