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After its disastrous launch last year, I'm here to tell you that 2025's most promising auto-battler finally lives up to its potential
AppWizard
March 1, 2026

After its disastrous launch last year, I’m here to tell you that 2025’s most promising auto-battler finally lives up to its potential

The Bazaar is an auto-battler game released in March of the previous year, which faced backlash due to its monetization strategies and microtransactions. The game features a whimsical galactic marketplace where players select heroes and acquire items to enhance their boards. Players engage in automatic battles, refining their strategies with various item synergies, such as assembling teams of aquatic and robotic creatures. The current meta favors weapon builds, and players enjoy the randomness of hero selection and item discovery. Developer Tempo has made significant improvements, addressing community concerns, refining the monetization model, and introducing ranked matchmaking to enhance the experience for both newcomers and seasoned players.
My love for Arc Raiders is starting to wane, and that plays right into Marathon's hands
AppWizard
February 19, 2026

My love for Arc Raiders is starting to wane, and that plays right into Marathon’s hands

Arc Raiders has been a dominant presence in the author's gaming time since its launch at the end of October, even with new seasons for other games like Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6. The author has experienced some fatigue with Arc Raiders recently, despite previously believing it would succeed. Key features of Arc Raiders include emergent gameplay, flexible engagement options, and a free loadout system. However, the author notes a lack of new content, such as weapons, maps, and enemy types, since the launch of Stella Montis, leading to diminished interest. Upcoming updates, including the Shrouded Sky update, promise new content, but the author expresses concern that if this update does not reignite excitement, they may shift their focus to Marathon, which offers polished gameplay and customization options that Arc Raiders currently lacks.
Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience
AppWizard
February 13, 2026

Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience

Bungie's new title, Marathon, will launch on March 5, marking the company's first release outside the Destiny universe in over a decade. Players will have the option to disable cross-platform matchmaking, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users to avoid competing against PC players. Marathon will feature a mix of PvP, PvE, and PvPvE gameplay elements, but will not use matchmaking strategies from other titles like Arc Raiders. A server slam is scheduled for February 26 to preview the game. Sony has received positive feedback from playtests, which has informed adjustments to improve the game before its release.
If I could change one thing in Arc Raiders this year, I'd abolish late spawns
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

If I could change one thing in Arc Raiders this year, I’d abolish late spawns

The author completed their Expedition by acquiring the last Ion Sputter and reflected on their experiences in Stella Montis. They noted that late spawns in Arc Raiders, while previously a minor inconvenience, have become a significant hurdle due to the game's focus on Expeditions and resource collection. Specifically, late spawns drastically reduce the chances of obtaining necessary items like Ion Sputters and Frequency Modulation Boxes. The introduction of aggression-based matchmaking has further complicated resource gathering. The author argues that late spawns disrupt strategic planning and introduce randomness, making it difficult to achieve specific objectives. They suggest that if the game continues to emphasize resource pursuit, the late spawn mechanics should be reconsidered to align with other extraction shooters.
Rainbow Six Siege X seemingly compromised again as players hit with brain rot-inspired 67-day 'bans'
AppWizard
January 5, 2026

Rainbow Six Siege X seemingly compromised again as players hit with brain rot-inspired 67-day ‘bans’

Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege X has experienced multiple security breaches, leading to the game being taken offline, a server rollback, and a temporary marketplace shutdown. Following a significant hack that flooded players with in-game currency, a subsequent incident involved players receiving false notifications of in-game bans for harassment, with absurd durations like 67 days. Players also encountered modified messages mimicking standard reporting notifications. The official server status page indicates ongoing authentication and matchmaking outages, with connectivity marked as 'degraded.' Ubisoft has not yet provided a detailed response to these hacking attempts.
Ark Survival Ascended's future DLC tests "every risky feature" in its far-off sequel, but I'm wondering if we already have Ark 2
AppWizard
January 2, 2026

Ark Survival Ascended’s future DLC tests “every risky feature” in its far-off sequel, but I’m wondering if we already have Ark 2

As of late 2025, Ark Survival Ascended released the Lost Colony DLC, its first expansion featuring new content instead of remastered elements from Survival Evolved. Studio Wildcard announced a roadmap for the next two years, promising seven releases, including revamped game modes and expansions leading to Ark 2's launch, now expected in 2028. Jeremey Stieglitz, co-founder of Studio Wildcard, noted improvements in meeting deadlines, with Lost Colony now managed by the live-support team and a pirate-themed expansion, Bob's True Tales: Tides of Fortune, set for late Q2. A World Editor tool for user-generated content is also in development for early Q3. The reboot of Survival of the Fittest aims to enhance player experience with features like meta progression and background matchmaking. Upcoming expansions include Dragontopia in late 2026 and Atlantis in 2027, created with modder 'Nekatus.' The final expansion, Legacy of Santiago, will test new gameplay features in a live environment, potentially bridging to Ark 2.
Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices
AppWizard
January 2, 2026

Google’s AI Android Updates Spark Phone App Glitches on Pixel Devices

The phone app within Google's ecosystem has faced significant user frustration due to recent updates that disrupt essential functions like dialing and contact management. Users report issues such as the app failing to register incoming calls and cumbersome navigation following software patches. AI features introduced to enhance user experience often misfire, raising privacy concerns. The Pixel series has experienced bugs, including one that automatically declined calls. Updates to Google's search algorithm have inadvertently affected app performance, leading to instabilities. Monthly system updates prioritize new features over rigorous testing, resulting in a bloated app with sporadic functionality. Policy changes regarding data handling complicate app interactions, making simple tasks more laborious. Google's rapid release cycle has led to volatility in app performance, with security patches sometimes introducing new bugs. The integration of third-party services has created inconsistencies, and the overall Android ecosystem suffers from misalignment between updates. Users express dissatisfaction with the prioritization of aesthetics over functionality in updates. Critics argue that Google's approach mirrors past missteps, and experts recommend proactive user measures and improved developer practices to enhance app reliability.
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