landscapes Archives

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

PC users can claim a $25 game for free, limited-time only

Sable, an exploration adventure game developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, is available for free on the Epic Games storefront until July 3rd, 2025. The game focuses on exploration rather than combat, inviting players to traverse its visually stunning landscapes and engage with non-playable characters. It features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the experience.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Watch us game on a $1,300 PC with Asus’ new RX 9060 XT card

Michael has a decade of experience in technology journalism, covering topics from Apple to ZTE. He is a keyboard enthusiast at PCWorld, focusing on achieving the perfect typing experience and often customizing mechanical keyboards. His portfolio includes contributions to publications like Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he has covered major tech events such as CES and Mobile World Congress. He resides in Pennsylvania and enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

4 classic PC games that prove just how well pixel art can age

Pixel graphics emerged as a limitation of hardware capabilities but have been embraced as an artistic choice, especially in indie games. A criterion of at least ten years since release is used to define "retro" games. Papers, Please: Players act as a border checkpoint officer in a totalitarian state, balancing duty and family needs. The game utilizes pixel art for its static user interface and characters, maintaining its unique visual identity over a decade later. Platform: Steam. RollerCoaster Tycoon: Known for its iconic pixel art, the game features vibrant landscapes that complement its amusement park theme. Its late-90s aesthetic remains impressive even two decades after release. Shovel Knight: Launched over a decade ago, it pays homage to retro 2D platformers with an 8-bit-inspired aesthetic. The game blends nostalgia with originality, featuring backgrounds that enhance gameplay. Backyard Baseball: A late '90s arcade-style baseball simulation known for its distinctive art style and memorable characters. The pixelated character models are well-defined, showcasing impressive pixel artistry. Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch. PC games may not always match the pixel artistry of console games from the 80s and 90s, but there are many iconic pixel art games from that era and the early 2010s.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

The Most Relaxing Open-World Game Ever Is Free On PC For A Limited Time

Sable is available for free on PC from June 26 to July 3 on the Epic Games Store. The game, released in 2021, features a striking visual aesthetic and a soundtrack by Japanese Breakfast. It emphasizes exploration and personal growth without combat, allowing players to engage with various guilds and pursue activities at their own pace. Sable is also available on PlayStation and Xbox.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Epic Games Store’s First Free Game of Summer Is a Good One

From June 26 to July 3, 2023, Epic Games Store users can download the open-world exploration game Sable for free. Developed by Shedworks and published by Raw Fury, Sable was released in 2021 and is available on PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PS5. The game has Metacritic scores between 71 and 76, with an Epic Games Store user rating of 4.5 out of 5 and an 87% approval rating on Steam. The main storyline takes approximately 7 to 8 hours to complete, while side quests can extend gameplay to 15 to 16 hours, and completionists may spend up to 24 hours. Normally, Sable costs .99 on the Epic Games Store, and users can keep the game permanently once claimed with a free Epic Games Store account.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 26/06/2025

Sable will be available for free on the Epic Games Store from 4 PM BST on June 26, 2025, until 4 PM BST on July 3, 2025. The game is published by Raw Fury and developed by Shedworks.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

Half of Enterprise Windows Endpoints Have Not Yet Migrated to Windows 11, According to ControlUp Study

As of June 2025, 50% of enterprise Windows endpoints have migrated to Windows 11, an improvement from 82% still on Windows 10 the previous year. The Education and Technology sectors lead in migration rates at 77% and 73%, while Healthcare and Finance lag at 41% and 45%. In the Americas, only 43% of endpoints are upgraded, compared to 70% in Europe and 66% in other regions. Larger organizations with over 10,000 devices are the least prepared, with only 42% of migrations completed. ControlUp's analysis is based on over one million enterprise endpoints.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

HOW DISGUISE BUILT OUT THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR A MINECRAFT MOVIE

A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, utilizes 3D voxel art to create its unique visual style, moving away from photorealistic graphics. The production involved a collaboration with Disguise, led by Dan Lemmon, and features a cast including Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Talia Finlayson, a Senior Unreal Artist at Disguise, emphasized the integration of the Virtual Art Department (VAD) throughout production, allowing for real-time live-compositing of the Minecraft world using Simulcam. Set designs were created in Rhinoceros 3D and transformed into interactive environments with Unreal Engine, incorporating assets from talented artists and the game itself. Flexibility was crucial, enabling rapid iteration based on feedback, with adjustments made to accommodate filming needs, such as removing a second story from a building. The design process considered practical aspects like camera movements and stunt choreography, ensuring cohesion with the Minecraft aesthetic. The use of Simulcam allowed for the merging of physical and virtual environments, enhancing production efficiency and creativity.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Will Death Stranding 2 release on PC and Xbox?

Death Stranding 2 is a PlayStation exclusive with no current plans for a release on PC or Xbox. It is designed to utilize the advanced capabilities of the PS5 and PS5 Pro, making it incompatible with the PS4. Sony is the exclusive publisher for this title. There have been no official announcements regarding a PC release. Hideo Kojima's studio is also working on another project titled OD (Overdose) in collaboration with Xbox Games Studios, but it is still in early development.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

It’s been so long since I played a 30 fps console game, it took me a week to realize Death Stranding 2 was literally giving me headaches

The author experienced persistent headaches after playing Death Stranding 2, initially attributing them to various factors like dehydration and hunger. The headaches intensified after playing the game at its default 30 frames per second setting, which contrasted with the author's usual gaming experience on PC at 60 fps. After discovering the performance mode that locks the framerate at 60 fps, the author switched to it and noticed an immediate improvement in gameplay responsiveness and a reduction in headaches. The author reflects on how accustomed they have become to higher frame rates, noting that the camera movement at 30 fps contributed to feelings of queasiness. After adjusting to the performance mode, the author was headache-free after over 20 hours of gameplay. The author appreciates that Death Stranding 2 offers a performance mode and anticipates that the eventual PC port will provide an even better experience.