Mass Effect Archives

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.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Alongside its new expansion, Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader got a massive patch buffing its weakest classes and companion

Owlcat Games is developing multiple RPG projects, including The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Warhammer 40K: Dark Heresy, while expanding its 2023 release, Rogue Trader. The latest update for Rogue Trader, titled The Infinite Museion, includes a significant patch that balances gameplay, particularly for the Operatives and Assassins classes, which have been underperforming compared to the Soldier and Executioner classes. Owlcat Games has a history of providing post-launch support, enhancing the longevity and player engagement of its titles, such as Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Xbox ‘console exclusives’ are strictly about console releases, Xbox exec affirms: Games will ‘still show up on all the normal places where we sell the PC version’

During the Xbox Games Showcase, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma referred to Gears of War: E-Day as an "Xbox console exclusive." Xbox's chief content officer, Matt Booty, clarified that while the game will be exclusive to the Xbox console, it will also be available on PC and through Xbox Cloud streaming services. This strategy aims to enhance Xbox's presence in the PC gaming market, which Booty acknowledges is currently lacking. Microsoft is reassessing its approach to exclusivity, contrasting with Sony's more isolated strategy. Sharma emphasized the importance of reaching large audiences through exclusive content and services to establish Xbox as a platform.

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

A Baldur’s Gate 2 remake is apparently in development, with the original co-lead designer returning

Wizards of the Coast is planning a revival of classic titles, specifically focusing on remakes of Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2. Kevin Martens, a former BioWare developer known for his work on Baldur's Gate 2, is involved with Archetype Entertainment, a subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast. Fans are hoping for gameplay that combines nostalgia with modern mechanics, including real-time-with-pause battles and an optional turn-based mode. Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast's parent company, has faced challenges in leveraging the success of Baldur's Gate 3 and has canceled a Dungeons & Dragons game while leaving Warlock as the only remaining project outside the traditional Baldur's Gate experience.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

A trio of former BioWare devs are making ‘a neon-noir supernatural mystery game set in a stylized Canadian cityscape’

A trio of former BioWare developers, Kaelin Lavallée, Kris Schoneberg, and Francis Lacuna, has founded Studio Reset. The studio's debut project is a neon-noir supernatural mystery game set in a stylized Canadian cityscape. The founders aim for a "smaller, more intentional" approach to game development, focusing on original ideas and sustainable practices. They hope to explore unconventional Canadian locales for their narrative. Details about the project's release timeline are currently undisclosed, but updates will be shared in the coming months, with more information available on their website, studioreset.io.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Witchfire

PC Gamer has previewed the upcoming dark fantasy RPG shooter Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts, which is set to release its version 1.0 after a decade of development and positive user reviews on Steam. The issue also discusses the legacy of MMOs on PC, listing major titles available as of 2026, including World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. Additionally, it features previews of upcoming games like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and reviews of titles such as Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred and Vampire Crawlers. Digital editions of the magazine are available in PDF and EPUB formats through Pocketmags.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Hasbro cancelled a D&D game from the Jedi: Fallen Order director

Hasbro has decided to discontinue a Dungeons & Dragons video game in early development at Giant Skull, a studio led by Stig Asmussen. The collaboration between Wizards of the Coast and Giant Skull was announced last summer but has now been halted. Despite this cancellation, another Dungeons & Dragons title, Warlock, is still in development by Invoke Studios and is set for release in 2027. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast may be planning a new D&D CRPG and is exploring other projects, including an HBO series and a prequel novel based on the character Astarion.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

The Aliens co-op shooter that ate up way too much of my time is going bigger for its sequel

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 will expand from a three-player co-op format to a four-player setup, introducing new classes to enhance tactical gameplay. The sequel promises a variety of new Xenomorphs, multiple dedicated horde maps, and a customizable class called the Specialist. The game is set to be released in summer 2026 on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Players can wishlist the game for notifications upon its availability. Game Director Chris Cross expressed enthusiasm for creating a sequel that honors the Alien franchise.