lanes Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Deadlock new midlane objective turned games into such a mid-only fiasco that it only lasted one weekend, though Valve’s still experimenting

Valve has made adjustments to the urn, a key objective in the game, following a recent patch. The urn was historically placed on one side of the map with a drop-off point on the opposite end, causing delays for carriers and allowing opposing teams to reclaim soul orbs. Players have expressed concerns that these mechanics exacerbate existing issues in the game's meta, particularly regarding team dynamics and gameplay pace. In response, Valve has relocated the urn to spawn under the bridge in one of the side-lanes to promote a more balanced experience. The urn now appears at the previous drop-off point for the team trailing in souls, and the bullet and spirit resist aura for the favored team has been reduced from 50% to 35% to encourage strategic play.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

All-girls Kingsbridge Heights team shines in NYC Minecraft sustainability competition

A group of six fifth-grade girls from P.S. 86 Kingsbridge Heights School won the Bronx championship in the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs,” competing against 3,395 students from 679 teams. They reached the Mayor’s Cup Final, where they presented a design for a cleaner, safer version of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. The team utilized Microsoft’s MakeCode for coding and emphasized teamwork and communication during their project. Key roles included Leeah Gonzalez as the speaker, Yafatou Bayo as the primary coder, and Zurisadai Quiroga-Vazquez as the presenter. The girls created a virtual version of their school with sustainable features and prioritized accessibility. Their teacher noted significant personal growth among the girls throughout the competition.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

5 New Features Coming To Android Auto In 2026

Android Auto will undergo a significant redesign in 2026, featuring a comprehensive visual overhaul that includes personal design elements, glanceable widgets, and edge-to-edge Google Maps integration using the Material 3 Expressive Google design system. The update aims to enhance the GPS experience across various screen types and introduce widget support for interactive applications on dashboard displays, promoting safer driving. Immersive navigation will shift from 2-D to 3-D views, providing clearer terrain understanding and displaying critical information for urban driving. Users will also be able to watch videos from platforms like YouTube on their car screens, with safety measures in place for when the vehicle is in motion. Popular media apps will receive visual updates, and Android Auto will integrate Gemini AI features, allowing context recognition, suggested responses, and access to vehicle information. The Magic Cue system will offer intelligent message interpretation and lane guidance using the car's cameras.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Todd Howard says Starfield’s NG+ was misunderstood and defends Bethesda’s new U-turn on how it works: ‘You can tell us if we’re done our job right’

Starfield's Free Lanes update enhances the New Game Plus (NG+) mode by allowing players to retain up to 50 items when entering The Unity, a multiverse nexus that resets the game while keeping character skills and abilities. This change addresses player concerns about losing hard-earned possessions, which was previously seen as a daunting sacrifice. The update also introduces X-Tech for further upgrades to existing gear, aiming to reward players without frustrating them by losing progress. Bethesda's director, Todd Howard, and creative producer, Tim Lamb, emphasize the importance of evolving the gameplay experience and encouraging players to engage with the game's NG+ features.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

What are we all playing this weekend?

The atmosphere has shifted to a warmer state, causing indecision about wardrobe choices as winter clothing remains in use. James is exploring new games, including Skull Horde and the RPG Neverway, after being encouraged by Julian to diversify his gaming. Callum is engaged in Pokémon Nuzlockes on Pokémon Black and White, with a character named Bazooka, and is preparing for revenge against a trainer named Timmy. Mark is concluding his Atomfall playthrough and plans to play Dirt Rally 2.0, Automobilista 2, and revisit Starfield after its updates. Edwin has been sent outdoors to reconnect with nature after his last adventure and is expected to return to normal by teatime on Tuesday. Jeremy has returned from family outings in London and Paris and is busy completing a secret upcoming game for a walkthrough, while also enjoying Franco-Belgium comics. Ollie has escaped the Maw but needs time to recuperate after an encounter with Edwin. Julian anticipates a busy weekend due to a stag do but looks forward to playing strategy games afterward.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Starfield’s Terran Armada DLC is here, accompanied by its transformative Free Lanes update

Starfield's rating on Steam is approximately 57%, with recent reviews improving to about 67%. The Terran Armada DLC, the first major expansion since September 2024, introduces a new faction claiming to be the "true" descendants of Earth, unsettling robots, and a new companion named Delta. The Free Lanes update adds a cruise control feature for ships, an X-Tech upgrade system for refining weapons and gear, new enemy tiers, and the Moon Buggy vehicle. The Terran Armada DLC is priced at .99 / £8.99, and players can start the questline after reaching Akila City. Starfield is now available on PlayStation 5.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

New Starfield achievements hint at unannounced secrets in its Terran Armada DLC

The upcoming Starfield DLC, Terran Armada, will be released on April 7, priced at .99, alongside the Free Lanes update available to all players. New insights include 20 Steam achievements that hint at gameplay enhancements. Achievements involve completing Incursions against the Terran Armada, engaging with a reprogrammed robot named Delta, and potentially facilitating an 'evil playthrough.' Other achievements suggest new gameplay mechanics, such as using a magnet to destroy a robot in a location called New Babylon, and a more interactive outpost system. The achievements also reference narrative elements and familiar encounters from the game.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

The new PC games of April 2026: Pragmata, the next Diablo 4 expansion, and Final Fantasy 14’s big month

In April 2026, the pace of new game releases has slowed compared to March. Notable releases include: - Samson (April 8) - An open-world crime game with a focused narrative. - Mouse: P.I. For Hire (April 16) - A quirky boomer shooter with a 1930s cartoon aesthetic. - Pragmata (April 16) - A Capcom title set in a dystopian future featuring an AI doomsday scenario. - Vampire Crawlers (April 21) - A card game similar to Slay the Spire 2. - Outbound (April 23) - A mobile base-building game focused on exploration and cooperative gameplay. Upcoming events include: - The Triple-I Initiative indie showcase on April 9. - The London Games Festival starting April 13. - The BAFTA Game Awards on April 17. - The Final Fantasy 14 Fan Festival on April 24. Steam sales in April are: - March 30 – April 6: House & Home Fest - April 9 – April 13: Hidden Object Fest - April 20 – April 27: Medieval Fest Early access and full releases include: - Temtem: Swarm (April 2) - Transitions to 1.0 with new features. - Road to Vostok (April 7) - A survival FPS entering early access. - Spark in the Dark (April 7) - A hardcore dungeon crawler in early access. - Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era (April 30) - Launching in early access. Major updates include: - Starfield (April 7) - Free Lanes update and new story DLC. - The Expanse: Osiris Reborn (April 22) - First closed beta test. - Final Fantasy 14 (April 28) - Patch 7.5 launching. - Marathon - Updates expected throughout the month. Additional game releases: - April 1: Breath of Fire 4 (Steam) - April 1: Resident Evil (1996) (Steam) - April 2: Darwin's Paradox (Steam) - April 15: Cleaning Up! (Steam) - April 28: He-Man: Dragon Pearl of Destruction (Steam)

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

I’m sad Deadlock is ‘just’ a MOBA—not because I don’t like them, but because I’m in love with Valve’s lore and characters enough to want any other game instead

The author is currently engaged with the game Deadlock, which has rekindled their interest in MOBAs after a significant time spent on Dota 2. They have logged 183 hours in Deadlock and are captivated by its gameplay, voice lines, lore, and worldbuilding. Deadlock is still in development, featuring an incomplete roster and some subpar character models, but it also showcases impressive designs and evolving visuals. The game is structured around three lanes and a single map, leading the author to express a desire for a standalone single-player experience or expanded universe content. They believe Deadlock has the potential for a deeper exploration, including possibilities for an MMO or tabletop RPG.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Cities: Skylines 2’s bicycle update adds a lot more than just bikes, as Colossal Order prepares to hand over development to a new studio

Colossal Order is transitioning the development of Cities: Skylines 2 to Iceflake Studios. Before this handover, a new bike patch has been introduced, adding bicycles and electric scooters to the game, along with infrastructure for a bicycle-friendly environment. Players can now create dedicated bicycle paths and lanes, and various types of bike parks have been added for secure parking. The update also includes a new campfire area, business plazas, and new transportation buildings such as a train depot, railway terminus station, cargo transfer station, and three new tram stations. Additionally, two new types of wind turbines and a small cemetery have been introduced. Colossal Order plans to implement Asset Mods before the official transition at the beginning of next year, after which Iceflake Studios will take over development. The reasons for this transfer remain unclear, but Paradox Interactive has a history of reallocating projects among developers.