launchers Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

Rockstar Games Launcher 2026: 18.3M Players, GTA 6 PC Signals

As of January 2026, the Rockstar Games Launcher has 18.3 million monthly active users engaged with Grand Theft Auto V. A software update on March 31, 2026, introduced support for Windows 11 and various performance improvements. The anticipated launch of GTA 6 is scheduled for November 19, 2026. Since its launch in September 2019, the launcher has focused exclusively on Rockstar titles, facing competition from platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. As of March 2026, GTA Online recorded 17.9 million players across major platforms, with 4.2 million daily active users. In 2026, PC players accounted for 42% of GTA V's global player base, translating to approximately 7.7 million monthly active PC players. The March 2026 update included enhancements such as an upgraded embedded browser and a new Discord Social SDK. Players in Brazil faced restrictions on purchasing through the launcher due to local consumer protection laws. The GTA+ subscription service had 878,284 active subscribers as of early 2026.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

The new Epic Games Launcher might not suck so much thanks to ‘ground-up’ rebuild with 5–6.5x improved performance—still a long way to catch up with Steam

User sentiment towards the Epic Games Store is largely negative, with many gamers recognizing its shortcomings. A significant update is planned that includes a complete redesign of the launcher, promising a five times faster cold start time and a 6.5 times quicker restoration from the system tray. The update will also introduce new features such as personalized game recommendations, quick-access categories, tailored product detail pages, and patch notes on the storefront. Additional enhancements include community forums, player profiles, private messaging, voice chat, game-independent parties, cross-region game gifting, publisher-funded coupons, and a tool for assessing game compatibility.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Prism Launcher Setup 2026: Install Modpacks in 12 Steps

Prism Launcher is an open-source Minecraft launcher, a fork of MultiMC, licensed under GPL-3. It allows users to manage multiple isolated game instances, each capable of running different versions of Minecraft, mod loaders, and mod sets. The latest version, 11.0.2, was released in June 2026 and includes features such as integrated browsing for CurseForge and Modrinth, automatic Java switching, and support for mod loaders like Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt. It operates without ads and is cross-platform, compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. Key features include: - Multiple instances: Unlimited isolated instances of Minecraft. - Integrated mod browsers: Direct installation from Modrinth and CurseForge. - Automatic Java management: Switches Java versions as needed. - Support for major mod loaders: Easy instance creation with Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt. - No ads: Self-contained experience without interruptions. - Prerequisites: Requires a paid Minecraft: Java Edition license, specific operating systems, minimum RAM and disk space, and an internet connection. Installation steps vary by operating system, with detailed instructions provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users must log in with a Microsoft account linked to their Minecraft license and can create instances for vanilla gameplay or install modpacks from Modrinth or CurseForge. Memory allocation settings can be configured per instance for optimal performance.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Minecraft 26.2 Chaos Cubed Drops Tomorrow: Hardcore Exploit Closed, Vulkan Renderer Ships

Minecraft Java Edition 26.2, titled Chaos Cubed, will be released on June 16, 2026, featuring a new underground biome called sulfur caves, a unique mob named sulfur cube, and an experimental Vulkan graphics renderer. The sulfur caves introduce pale-yellow sulfur blocks and deep-red cinnabar, along with geysers that erupt every 50 seconds and sulfur spikes that can inflict damage. The sulfur cube is a passive mob that absorbs blocks, altering its behavior, and can transform into a mobile explosive when it absorbs TNT. The Vulkan renderer allows players to switch between OpenGL and Vulkan for improved performance, utilizing multiple CPU cores. A friends list feature will be added, enabling players to send friend requests and check online statuses, but peer-to-peer world hosting will not be included. Hardcore mode will now enforce permadeath by disabling certain options in the Open to LAN menu. The update also includes six new music tracks and the /unpublish command.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

New Android Phone? Change These 4 Settings Right Away

In 2026, Android phones introduced a refined setup process that allows for extensive customization. Users can enhance performance by discovering hidden settings and decluttering home screens by removing pre-installed apps. Key adjustments include turning off adaptive brightness, increasing screen timeout, enabling screen pinning for security, and locking the SIM card for protection. Additional recommendations involve enabling the Find My Device service, customizing the quick settings tray, installing new apps like Gboard and Google Messages, using privacy-focused browsers, and disabling RAM Plus on devices with over 8GB of RAM for better performance.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

One of the best PC gaming apps for Android just hit its v1 milestone

GameNative has released version 1.0.0 of their application, featuring a new Vulkan renderer to reduce input latency, offline support for Epic Games titles, a revamped storage manager, a new Steam implementation for online play, and improvements in lossless scaling frame generation. The app has expanded compatibility with platforms like GOG and Amazon Games, and supports Mali and PowerVR GPUs, as well as DeX capabilities. Future updates will include support for EA and Rockstar launchers and enhanced online play across Steam and other platforms.

Winsage

June 1, 2026

NVIDIA N1 and N1X: new leak data show multiple Windows-on-Arm chips for notebooks

NVIDIA is preparing to enter the Windows PC market with at least two distinct ARM chip product tiers, the N1 and N1X, although these remain unverified. The N1X will have two configurations: a larger variant with 20 CPU cores (10+10 layout), 48 Blackwell Streaming Multiprocessors (6,144 CUDA cores), and a smaller variant with 18 CPU cores (9+9 layout) and 40 SMs (5,120 CUDA cores). The power envelope for the N1X models is projected to be between 45 to 80 watts. The smaller N1 variant is expected to have a power range of 18 to 45 watts and up to 20 SMs. Retailer listings suggest that Lenovo may offer models like the Yoga Pro 7 15.3 with NVIDIA N1X configurations and options for 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD. NVIDIA and Microsoft plan to unveil the first Windows PCs featuring NVIDIA chips, with potential vendors including Microsoft’s Surface brand and Dell. The success of the Windows-on-Arm platform will depend on factors beyond CUDA core count, such as native applications, drivers, power management, and gaming compatibility. NVIDIA's extensive resources, including CUDA and AI frameworks, may give it an advantage over competitors like Qualcomm.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Valve’s new-look Steam Workshop just made modding your games easier than ever

The Steam Workshop has undergone a redesign in 2026, transitioning from beta to full availability. The updated interface features a home page that highlights popular mods, including essential mods like SkyUI for Skyrim. Enhanced search and filter tools have been introduced, allowing users to save search queries with customizable tags. The search functionality scans both titles and descriptions, with adjustable settings for modifiers. A new 'quick view' feature provides essential information about mods without navigating away from the browse section. Users can subscribe, favorite, or add mods to collections directly from this quick view. The update is live, with future enhancements planned but no specific timelines announced.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs

GameNative allows users to play PC games on Android devices without an internet connection, supporting Steam titles, Epic Games Store, Good Old Games (GOG), and standalone game files. It features a known configs capability that optimizes game settings for better performance. The app's creator, Utkarsh Dalal, aims for GameNative to replace handheld PCs within two years, despite challenges related to compatibility with ARM-based chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gen 5 processors promise significant enhancements, and the release of Turnip drivers in early 2026 has improved gaming experiences on these devices. GameNative is free and open-source, with a monetization strategy focused on partnerships with game stores. It has recently added support for the Pixel 10 family, which uses an Imagination PowerVR GPU. The app collects user feedback to refine game configurations and plans to improve compatibility and support for third-party launchers.

Winsage

May 21, 2026

Winhanced is getting better, but I still use Xbox Mode with my Windows 11 handheld

The ROG Xbox Ally X, branded as a portable Xbox by Microsoft, has a complex update process involving Xbox Mode, Asus' Armory Crate, and Windows 11. Xbox Mode has improved recently, adding features like third-party launcher integration and enhanced stability. Winhanced, a third-party launcher for Windows 11 handhelds, offers a customizable interface and supports cloud gaming, but has reliability issues and struggles with automatic artwork sourcing. Users can save battery life by adjusting settings for Winhanced's sleep/wake feature. Despite its advantages, Winhanced is not yet a reliable alternative to Xbox Mode, which remains the preferred launcher for handheld gaming. Winhanced is developed by a small team and has shown significant improvement, but it still has limitations compared to Xbox Mode.