launch Archives

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Minecraft for Switch 2 has a closed beta available to selected players

The enhanced version of Minecraft for the Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch in October. Mojang and Microsoft are conducting a closed beta test for this version to refine gameplay and address bugs before the official release. The number of beta testers is undisclosed.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Minecraft just got a Nintendo Switch 2 closed beta, here’s a first look

Minecraft will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, 2026. A closed beta is currently underway, with select players receiving notifications to download the beta version. The Nintendo Switch 2 version features support for Vibrant Visuals, allowing a maximum render distance of 16 chunks, while disabling this feature increases the render distance to 28 chunks. The performance target is set at 60 frames per second, with stable performance reported when Vibrant Visuals are off, though enabling them may cause fluctuations.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Fields of Mistria’s cast has me head over heels in a way no farm sim has since Stardew Valley

Players can transform an overgrown property into a flourishing industrial vineyard within a year in the game Fields of Mistria. The game features a diverse cast of characters, including the blacksmith March, the witch Juniper, the town leader Adeline, and the carpenter Ryis. It offers a narrative depth that emphasizes community and relationships, showcasing connections like the friendship between rancher Hayden and doctor Valen, and the memories of bartender Hemlock and his wife Josephine. The game's 1.0 launch allows players to complete the main story and marry, enhancing engagement with the evolving narrative and character growth.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Upcoming PS5 Games: The Future of PlayStation Exclusives

In May 2026, Sony announced that future single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation 5, although some games currently in development will launch across platforms. Upcoming PS5 games include: - Spider-Man franchise: A new narrative featuring a character from the Marvel universe, expected to carry an M-rating. - Phantom Blade Zero: Set to launch on October 29, 2026, as a timed PS5 and PC exclusive, with a later release on Xbox and Switch 2 in Fall 2027. - God of War Laufey: Scheduled for release on February 16, 2027, as a PS5 exclusive, featuring Faye on a journey through the Everywhen. - Until Dawn 2: A sequel with a new cast, set for release in 2027 as a PS5 exclusive, focusing on amateur ghost hunters. - Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: An upcoming PS5 exclusive from Naughty Dog, featuring a rogue bounty hunter in a retro-futuristic world. - Fairgame$: A multiplayer heist shooter for PS5 and PC, facing development challenges but still anticipated. - GTA 6: A timed console exclusive launching on November 19, 2026, not exclusive to PS5 but available solely on consoles for a limited time.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Bethesda 40th anniversary sale knocks 50% off Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations just a month after launch

Bethesda has launched a 40th anniversary sale on Steam, running until August 13, featuring discounts on its entire catalog, including games from id Software and Arkane Studios. The Doom: The Dark Ages expansion, Revelations, is available at a 50% discount, while the base game is reduced by 67%. Skyrim is also discounted, though Dark Messiah of Might and Magic remains at its regular price. Recent layoffs at Bethesda Game Studios, Zenimax Online, and id Software raise concerns about the company's future.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

id co-founder John Carmack revisits Doom at QuakeCon: ‘Still a great game after all these years!’

At QuakeCon in Gaylord, Texas, John Carmack, a key figure in gaming, played the Evercade port of Doom and shared his experience on X, noting he reached level four and spent 15 minutes on levels four and five, expressing that it remains a great game after many years. In contrast, Larian Studios' Swen Vincke mentioned he has never revisited Ultima 7 due to concerns it might not match his fond memories, preferring to focus on his own game development. Carmack's enjoyment of replaying classic games reflects a common sentiment among gamers who appreciate revisiting their favorites.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

This free Steam cozy game offering will bring back fond childhood memories

Stickers evoke nostalgia for many, especially among Gen Z and Millennials, who often decorate their MacBook covers with them. The free Steam game My Cozy Cube, developed by Potato Sprouts, allows players to decorate a virtual room using sticker-like items and includes a light puzzling element. Players can choose between a guided 'normal mode' and a freeform 'sandbox mode,' with features like auto-snapping for accurate placement. A demo is currently available, but the full release date has not been announced. Another game in this genre is Little Corners, priced at £5.99, which lets players decorate various scenes and offers a simple yet enjoyable experience.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

WoW developers reflect on Midnight’s first season—a world without AddOns, task overload, and Prey

The first season of World of Warcraft: Midnight has received mixed reviews, with initial offerings being impressive but subsequent patch content eliciting varied reactions. This expansion is significant as it introduces restrictions on combat AddOns and redesigns every class. Player housing has been added, which has exceeded expectations despite concerns about microtransactions. The developers have expressed positive feedback about the season, highlighting Mythic+, solo content like delves, and the new Prey feature as standout elements. Lead encounter designer Paul Kubit shared his enjoyment of the season and personal goals within Mythic+. The upcoming Curse of Ula'tek expansion is anticipated.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

The indie parkour game from one of the French brothers behind 2024’s best FPS is coming out in just two weeks

Vholume is a "melancholic first-person parkour adventure" set to launch on August 21. The game features an introspective soundtrack with atmospheric synths and sounds of footsteps and labored breaths. It includes striking environments with overgrown, brutalist structures and a multiplayer aspect that allows players to race against friends or compete with recorded performances. Developed by a small team of three, one of whom is associated with the acclaimed game Straftat, Vholume has a demo available on its Steam page.

Winsage

August 8, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 is a small update with big quality-of-life improvements, expected around October 2026

Windows 11 will undergo a significant transformation with the upcoming annual update, version 26H2, which introduces enhancements to the interface, search functionality, backup processes, and AI integration. The update will allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen and adopt a smaller layout with reduced icon sizes. The Start menu will have new configuration options and a privacy feature for hiding account details during screen sharing. Search functionality will prioritize local content over web results, with an option to disable web results entirely. Cloud-assisted setup and recovery will become a default setting for eligible Microsoft Entra devices, automatically saving configuration settings and app lists. Copilot will be more integrated into daily operations, including a dockable side panel in File Explorer. Updates will also be made to traditional system tools, including a modernized Run dialog and enhanced security for administrator-level operations. The support timeline for Windows 11 installations will reset, with Home and Pro editions receiving 24 months of support and Enterprise and Education editions receiving 36 months. The hardware requirements remain unchanged, and the rollout of 26H2 is anticipated in the latter half of 2026, likely around October.