map Archives

AppWizard

October 11, 2026

Deadlock’s City Never Sleeps update makes Valve’s MOBA my favorite videogame setting in years

Deadlock is a game currently accessible through beta invites distributed by Valve. The recent update, City Never Sleeps, features a transformed map with new neutral monsters and a redesign that enhances its landscapes. The update introduces new characters, including Deadman Danny, Nurse Harrow, Rat King, Solomon, and Baba, each with unique designs and voice lines. The update also expands the existing cast with new conversations and lore, contributing to the game's depth. The author has invested over 350 hours into Deadlock and recommends it for its captivating atmosphere, despite it being in the MOBA genre.

AppWizard

October 8, 2026

How to complete Sizing Things Up in Arc Raiders

Players in Arc Raiders assist Celeste in examining the remains of the Emperor, a giant robot at Pendola Pass, in the quest "Sizing Things Up." The quest involves capturing a photograph of the Emperor's leg on a bridge east of Old Town, analyzing the exposed area atop the leg near Railroad Junction, and searching for the Buried Harvester Payload at the base of the Emperor, located east of the Fallen Emperor marker near Piazza Della Rupe. Interacting with a chest at this location yields the Arc Conductive Coupler.

AppWizard

October 8, 2026

How to complete Boarding the Frigate in Arc Raiders

In the latest update for Arc Raiders, players can participate in a new quest called "Boarding the Frigate," which involves ascending to the Arc Frigate, a massive flying fortress. Players must prepare by gathering ammunition and healing supplies. The quest begins by locating a circular Arc drone released by the frigate, which players can board or reach using a Grappling Hook. Interacting with the drone disrupts its function, allowing access to the frigate's interior. Inside the frigate, players will face various enemies, including Rocketeers, Vaporizers, and Hydra turrets. To complete the quest, players need to inflict damage on all three enemy types, but securing the final blow is not necessary. Rocketeers launch rockets, Vaporizers fire lasers, and Hydra turrets pose a significant threat with multiple guns. The frigate is considered the best location to engage these foes, especially the Hydra turret. Players can unlock new platforms by activating switches or shooting yellow nodes, and a Grappling Hook can help navigate challenging areas.

BetaBeacon

October 8, 2026

Medieval Strategy Game in the Spirit of Tetris, Drop Duchy, Released on Android and iOS

Drop Duchy is a game that combines elements from Tetris, city-building simulators, and card roguelikes. It involves strategically placing forests, rivers, and plains on the field, constructing production buildings, and building an army to defend territory. Players engage in battles where they must strategically combine allied units and plan attacks based on strengths and weaknesses of different units. The mobile version follows a "try before you buy" model, allowing players to download for free and purchase the full version for 475 rubles.

BetaBeacon

October 8, 2026

Original Metroid Prime Ported to Android and PC – GameCube Version Runs Without Emulator

An enthusiast named Odrannnn has created an unofficial native port of the classic game Metroid Prime for Android, Windows, and Linux systems. The port includes touch controls, radial menus, gesture-based controls, widescreen display support, adjustable field of view, mods, save transfers from the Dolphin emulator, uncapped frame rate, and customizable gameplay options. Users need a device running Android 9 or newer with ARM64 support and their own copy of the American version of Metroid Prime 1.00 for the GameCube to play.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

2026 is a low-key revolutionary year for player movement in games

Several iconic titles from over a decade ago, such as Mirror's Edge, Titanfall 2, Dishonored 2, Doom Eternal, and ARMA 3, have set high standards for in-game mobility, each offering distinct approaches to player movement. At GDC 2026, designer Gabe Cuzillo discussed his game Baby Steps, which draws inspiration from the challenging mod Stratocubulus for Mirror's Edge, encouraging players to rethink movement and level design. This year's standout titles, including Cairn, Control Resonant, Vholume, Doom: The Dark Ages' Revelations DLC, and Cicadamata, continue to innovate in movement mechanics. Big Walk focuses on traversing a vast map with friends, emphasizing nuanced movement mechanics. The evolution of movement in gaming has shifted from complex actions to simplified controls, as seen in Grand Theft Auto 3, influencing games like Assassin's Creed and Uncharted. However, new titles like Cairn, Baby Steps, and Big Walk challenge this trend by inviting deeper engagement with movement mechanics. The future of movement in gaming suggests potential for more granular explorations of human movement, offering immersive experiences.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

I had 3 hours with Arc Raiders Frozen Trails update and spent most of it playing with the new grapple hook

Morgan Park discusses the recent gaming session of Arc Raiders, highlighting the introduction of a grapple hook that operates with a simulated rope, allowing players to climb, swing, and descend with versatility. The grapple hook can adhere to various surfaces and be redeployed midair without cooldown, enhancing movement options significantly. The Frozen Trail update also includes a launcher that tethers objects and a grenade for pulling down Arc bots, though testing of these features is limited. The skill tree has been reworked, allowing players to invest XP points in abilities, but the changes provide only incremental boosts rather than transformative gameplay alterations. The focus remains on loot and crafting rather than combat enhancements. Pendola Pass is visually appealing but feels familiar compared to other maps like Marathon, lacking unique gameplay elements. The snowy landscape introduces some challenges, such as flash freezes and a new enemy, the Bully Arc, but overall, the gameplay revisits familiar territory. The Emperor is mentioned as a significant draw for players, though it was not explored during the preview.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Pixel 11 users are reporting Google Maps freezes and strange visual glitches in Android Auto

Users of Google's Pixel 11 series are experiencing significant issues with Google Maps while using Android Auto, including freezing, flickering, and graphical glitches. Reports describe "pixelated black static" appearing in place of the map, affecting both wired and wireless connections. Attempts to resolve the issue by uninstalling the app or clearing its cache have been ineffective. The root cause is unclear, and it is uncertain if Google is addressing the problem. Some users have found that keeping their device unlocked improves performance, while others report no issues. An earlier update to Google Play Services aimed to fix connection bugs, but feedback on its effectiveness has been mixed.

AppWizard

October 6, 2026

Warhammer Survivors is more than just a Vampire Survivors spin-off

Warhammer Survivors is developed by Auroch Digital and is seen as a worthy sequel to Vampire Survivors. It features detailed hero designs, expansive maps, and grotesque creatures. The game introduces fresh elements like followers and enhanced boss encounters. Familiar mechanics from Vampire Survivors are present, such as weapon evolutions and challenging bosses, with unique adaptations like experience skulls and Extremis bosses. Nuln oil is used as a weapon in the game, damaging and slowing enemies. Each map has a distinct theme, with one set in a WH40k battlefield and another in Age of Sigmar. Players can rescue unlockable characters to aid them in battles, adding a strategic element. The game presents a tougher challenge compared to its predecessor, with enemy factions exhibiting unique traits. Players must choose between WH40k and AoS universes, which have tailored characters and upgrades. Warhammer Survivors runs well on Steam Deck and is set to launch on November 10.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

How to Integrate Unity ARCore Geospatial Into a Native Android App

The integration of AR capabilities into an app using Unity involves several steps. Initially, a Geospatial sample project is created in Unity, starting as a 3D project and switching the platform to Android. Key steps include downloading and importing the Cesium and ARCore Extensions packages, setting project settings for Android, enabling Google ARCore, and configuring API keys. For 3D model integration, a model is selected from the Unity Store, positioned correctly on the map using AR Geospatial Creator Anchor, and adjustments are made for visibility. Animation is added through an Animator Controller, and potential build issues may require adjustments in Unity preferences. When importing Unity as a library into an Android project, the minSdk version must align with Unity settings, and resolved libraries should be deleted to avoid complications. The unityLibrary is included in the project’s settings.gradle file, and modifications to build.gradle files may be necessary to resolve NDK visibility issues. A missing string resource can cause crashes, which can be fixed by adding a string to strings.xml.