Mass Effect Archives

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

Request for comment: Which way did you go when you reached the controversial ending of Mass Effect 3?

At the climax of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, players faced a choice between buttons that determined the game's ending, which drew mixed reactions. Six months later, Mass Effect 3 introduced a similar mechanic for its finale, leading to confusion among fans. The ending choices in Mass Effect 3 included: Destroy the Reapers, which eradicated all synthetic life; Control the Reapers, sacrificing Shepard's humanity; and Synthesize all life, merging organic and synthetic beings. Despite the release of a free extended cut DLC that added a fourth option to refuse to choose, many players remained dissatisfied with the endings. Over time, the fervor surrounding Mass Effect 3's ending has diminished, allowing fans to reflect on their choices with a calmer perspective.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Steam Codes for Game of the Year Being Given Away for Free

On August 19, Lenovo Gaming will distribute free Steam codes for the 2012 game The Walking Dead, which won the Game of the Year award at the VGAs, surpassing titles like Mass Effect 3 and Dishonored. To claim a code, users must create a free Lenovo account and queue when the giveaway starts, with a 10-minute window to secure their key. The Walking Dead is an episodic adventure game based on Robert Kirkman's comic series, known for its interactive storytelling and decision-making mechanics.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

August is the calm before the storm for this year’s new game releases

August 2026 is a calm month for PC gaming, with several notable releases and updates. The full release of Fields of Mistria 1.0 is scheduled for August 5. Other new titles include ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair and Sovereign Tower on August 6, and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which also releases on August 6. The Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection 2 and Star Wars Zero Company are set to launch on August 27. Key gaming events include Quakecon's 30th anniversary starting on August 6 and Gamescom beginning on August 26. The month features themed Steam sales, including Cyberpunk Fest from August 3-10, Pins and Pegs Fest from August 17-20, and PvE Survival Crafting Fest from August 31 to September 7. Updates and DLCs include the Man of Honor DLC for Mafia: The Old Country on August 14, Hell Rising DLC for Nioh 3 on August 19, and the Cost of Hope DLC for Stalker 2 on August 20. The Tarnished Pack for Elden Ring will be available on August 28.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Owlcat co-founder says the studio won’t turn its back on hardcore RPGs as it hits 600 employees and preps its own Mass Effect killer

Owlcat Games, co-founded by Alexander Mishulin, has expanded its workforce to around 600 employees, allowing the studio to work on two projects simultaneously. The studio remains committed to the hardcore CRPG genre, with upcoming titles like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy. Owlcat's growth positions it competitively alongside other RPG developers, such as Larian Studios and Obsidian Entertainment. The studio was originally founded in Moscow and is now headquartered in Paphos, Cyprus.

AppWizard

August 1, 2026

The voice of Lady D and Orin the Red will be back for the next D&D videogame

Baldur's Gate 3 showcases the successful adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons principles into a video game RPG. Wizards of the Coast is developing a new title called Warlock, a third-person action-adventure game inspired by God of War, through its internal studio, Invoke. Maggie Robertson will voice the protagonist's patron, Tasha, who is an archfey and will grant players eldritch abilities. Tricia Helfer is also involved in the game. Gameplay is expected to be revealed at Gamescom, scheduled for August 26–30 in Cologne.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

EA is ‘a hedge fund with a videogame hobby,’ former Dragon Age boss says, and that’s why he reckons the series is probably dead and buried

Electronic Arts (EA) has decided to stop development of the Dragon Age RPG series due to the poor sales performance of the latest installment, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This decision puts BioWare in a difficult position, and former executive producer Mark Darrah believes it may signify the end of the series. Darrah described EA's approach to game development as challenging, likening it to a "hedge fund with a videogame hobby." EA is facing financial pressures, including a potential takeover by Saudi Arabia, which raises concerns about the future of its game titles. While Dragon Age's future is uncertain, a new Mass Effect installment is in development. Former BioWare writer David Gaider noted that EA has historically struggled to understand the Dragon Age series, often dismissing its successes.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

The toughest choices in PC games

PC gaming has explored moral dilemmas since 1985 with Ultima 4, which introduced a moral compass for players. The genre expanded in 2003 with Knights of the Old Republic, emphasizing light versus dark choices. Fable presented morality as whimsical, while BioShock's choices lacked depth due to enticing rewards for "good" actions. The ending of Far Cry 3 confused players rather than provoking deep thought. In The Walking Dead, players must protect refugees and make critical decisions during a siege, affecting character fates. Dishonored presents chaos where high chaos leads to grim realities, while alternative choices can also have disturbing consequences. Mass Effect 2 challenges players with the fate of the heretic geth, balancing noble actions against future threats. The Witcher 3 features a decision in the Whispering Hillock quest where Geralt must choose between killing a tree spirit or freeing it, impacting many lives. Batman: The Telltale Series allows players to shape Bruce Wayne's early interactions with villains, affecting future relationships. Dragon Age: Origins places players in political turmoil, deciding between supporting different leaders, each with significant consequences. Frostpunk presents a moral dilemma regarding child labor laws, weighing the innocence of youth against community survival. Fallout 3 features Harold, where players must decide between granting him peace or keeping him alive for potential future benefits, highlighting moral ambiguity in a post-apocalyptic setting.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs

ZeniMax Online Studios has experienced a significant workforce reduction, returning to headcount levels similar to those from 2015-2018, following layoffs of 213 and 136 employees, with an additional 62 positions cut in 2025 after the cancellation of the MMO Blackbird. Senior developers, including Brandon Adler, have expressed concerns about perceptions of the studio's talent pool amidst these changes. The layoffs at ZeniMax and id Software were strategic responses to the evolving game development landscape. Other companies like Bungie and BioWare have also seen similar workforce adjustments without necessarily improving productivity or creative output. There are concerns that this narrative may be used as a public relations strategy by Microsoft, potentially perpetuating negative stereotypes about laid-off employees.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

The Steam Summer Sale goes live with ‘deep-a** discounts’ across thousands of games

Preorders for Grand Theft Auto 6 opened on June 25 for a select group of enthusiasts. The 2026 Steam Summer Sale, featuring significant discounts on various games, coincides with this event and runs until July 9. Notable discounted titles include Mass Effect Legendary Edition (92% off), Red Dead Redemption 2 (75% off), Warhammer 40,000: Darktide (75% off), Morels: The Hunt 2 (75% off), Mewgenics (25% off), Creature Kitchen (20% off), Herdling (50% off), and Ghostwire: Tokyo (90% off). Players can also earn stickers and loot in the Steam Points Shop during the sale.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Makes Incredible 140 Hour RPG Free

Xbox Game Pass has added Persona 5 Royal, an acclaimed RPG with a Metacritic score of 95, available for subscribers on PC, Premium, and Ultimate tiers. The game offers up to 140 hours of gameplay, requiring at least 100 hours to complete the main storyline. It features a blend of social simulation, narrative, anime-inspired aesthetics, and turn-based combat. Persona 5 Royal is a standalone experience, allowing new players to start without prior knowledge of the series. The duration of its availability on Game Pass is uncertain, but titles typically remain for 12 to 24 months.