landscape Archives

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

An oldie but a goodie: John Carmack once told us Quake Arena ‘was my favourite id Software game… always the one that I looked at as a pure game’

In a 2008 interview, John Carmack expressed a deep personal connection to Quake Arena, stating it was his favorite id Software game and considered it a "pure game." He acknowledged that Quake Arena might represent the peak of his design skills, reflecting on his evolution as a designer. Carmack noted, “My skills probably tapped out a decade ago,” indicating he felt he had nothing more to contribute beyond the Quake III level. He highlighted the enduring appeal of Quake Arena, which allows players to experience "pure play."

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Kingdom Come 2 director welcomes LGBT award nomination, then spends around 175 words explaining that it doesn’t make him ‘Woke’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been awarded Game of the Year for 2025 and is nominated for the "Gayming Fan Favorite Award" at the 2026 Gayming Awards, with character Hans nominated for "Best LGBTQ+ Character Award." The game's director, Daniel Vávra, emphasizes the importance of authenticity in representing the relationship between characters Henry and Hans, which explores gay romance in a nuanced way. Vávra believes the game's approach contrasts with other titles' heavy-handed methods and highlights player agency. The development team aimed for a realistic depiction of the Middle Ages while allowing for personal expression through gay romances. Despite positive reception, Vávra's past associations with certain gaming communities have led to backlash from some groups due to the inclusion of diverse characters. He expresses frustration with what he sees as "forced 'woke' nonsense" while advocating for authentic storytelling.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Legendary strategy franchise Heroes of Might and Magic is back in the first new entry in over a decade — ‘This is one of those generational games’ developer says

The upcoming title, Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, is a prequel developed by Unfrozen with support from Hooded Horse and Ubisoft. It has gained significant attention, ranking tenth on Steam's most wishlisted titles after a free demo was released in October 2025. The game is set in the continent of Jadame, previously featured in Might and Magic 8: Day of the Destroyer. The early access launch is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Charlie Cox has finally played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—a bit

Actor Walton Goggins has not played the video game franchise Fallout and does not intend to. Charlie Cox, known for his role as Daredevil, initially had not played the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, where he voices the character Gustave, but later explored the game briefly, only experiencing the introductory segment. He reflected on the evolution of storytelling in games compared to titles from his youth, such as Goldeneye and Mario Kart. Cox noted that voicing Gustave felt different from his own identity and expressed disbelief at the dedication of players who have completed the game, which can take over 50 hours.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Nvidia’s ‘new’ budget gaming GPU has 12GB VRAM, arrives in June, according to leak

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 may return to retail by June, following leaks about Nvidia's GPU production plans. Production of the GA106 GPU has resumed at Samsung, as current-generation GPUs are primarily made by TSMC, which is at full capacity. The RTX 3060 is expected to be priced between the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, more than both the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050. The anticipated launch of a new RTX 5050 with 9GB of VRAM may be delayed or canceled. The RTX 3060 will support DLSS upscaling but not frame generation.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Roblox’s age verification checks are “unpopular,” but chief safety officer Matt Kaufman says they’re worth the cost

Roblox developers face challenges due to new mandatory security measures and age verification restrictions, which have sparked debate among them. To publish games aimed at younger players, developers must now meet specific criteria tied to the new Roblox Plus subscription service, which has replaced the previous Premium model. Concerns have been raised about the impact of these changes on the platform's future, with players expressing frustration over the lack of concessions made in response to feedback. Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman acknowledged the unpopularity of the changes but emphasized their necessity for ensuring age-appropriate content. Additionally, Roblox recently settled a proposed lawsuit from Nevada for million, which will fund children's programs and an online safety awareness campaign. Proposed changes to game publishing are set to take effect in June, allowing developers to create games without a subscription, but those games will only be visible to users aged 16 and older.

Winsage

April 17, 2026

“Over 3.3 million downloads”: This Linux alternative to Windows 11 is winning over Microsoft’s customers with a huge update

Zorin OS, a Linux-based operating system, launched late last year alongside Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, leading to approximately 780,000 users migrating to Linux and a surge in Zorin OS downloads to 1 million. Three months later, Zorin OS 18 was released, increasing downloads to 2 million, and six months post-launch, total downloads reached 3.3 million. The latest version, Zorin OS 18.1, includes new features and improved hardware support, expanding its database to support over 240 Windows applications. Zorin Lite has also been updated to version 17.3, designed for older computers, featuring support for fingerprint readers and a redesigned File Manager. Meanwhile, Windows 11 has struggled with adoption due to strict hardware requirements but is gaining traction after the end-of-life status of Windows 10. Microsoft is working to improve user sentiment around Windows 11 by allowing users to bypass updates during setup and reintroducing features like a movable Taskbar. Some experts suggest that Microsoft should focus on developing Windows 12 instead of enhancing Windows 11, as significant improvements may require more drastic changes. Alternative operating systems like Zorin OS are becoming increasingly appealing to users dissatisfied with Windows.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2026

The Best Mobile Games on Google Play Are Becoming Harder to Put in One Box

Developers in the mobile gaming industry are now comfortable borrowing elements from various genres, resulting in games that are harder to define by a single genre. The best mobile games cater to different levels of commitment simultaneously, offering a surface loop for beginners and deeper systems for serious players. Mobile games now borrow structure from various sources, including console design, tabletop mechanics, and social media behavior. The diversity in mobile gaming has increased, with games offering a variety of tones and tempos within genres. The best mobile games are less predictable and offer a combination of different elements, making the platform more expansive and appealing to a wider audience.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

European civil servants are being forced off WhatsApp

Apps like Signal and WhatsApp are recognized for their end-to-end encryption but are increasingly seen as inadequate for organizational communication due to their consumer-grade design. Benjamin Schilz, CEO of Wire, points out the risks of using such apps for professional purposes. Recent cybersecurity threats, including a Russian espionage campaign targeting these applications, highlight the importance of advanced features like access controls and metadata management, especially for large organizations. Belgium's De Waele advocates for controlled communication environments that include only government employees to mitigate risks. Transparency advocates have raised concerns about the privacy features of consumer apps obscuring important decision-making processes, as exemplified by a situation involving Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a vaccine deal. The re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump has prompted a shift in priorities towards secure communication channels within European governments.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

More than half of PC gaming revenue comes from games outside the top 20, according to analysts

Every year, a significant portion of players' engagement on consoles remains concentrated within the top 20 games, primarily in genres like sports, shooters, and sandbox experiences. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2026, over half of the total revenue from PC gaming now comes from titles outside the top 20, with playtime for these games increasing by 44%, while engagement with the top 20 has plateaued. The PC ecosystem supports long-term interest in diverse titles, exemplified by games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Skyrim, which thrive years after release due to ongoing sales and community modifications. Survival games and action RPGs benefit from substantial content updates that attract new players. In contrast, PlayStation users tend to revisit classic first-party exclusives, while Xbox games not in the Game Pass library struggle for attention, with new free-to-play offerings accounting for less than 1% of overall playtime. The PC platform allows games to generate sales long after leaving bestseller lists, leading to frequent discounts on platforms like Steam to maintain sales momentum.