mechanics Archives

AppWizard

October 1, 2026

TIL what may or may not be the oldest board game in recorded history is also, perhaps inevitably, now a roguelike

Oh!Ware is a newly launched deckbuilder game on Steam that has received 23 reviews in its first week. The game draws inspiration from the ancient game of mancala, which dates back between 1,500 and 7,000 years. Instead of traditional cards, Oh!Ware uses marbles, leading to questions about its classification as a bagbuilder. The gameplay includes moving marbles, collecting mana, and defeating opponents, featuring a "pick three" mechanic with options like "blessing marble" and "aggro marble." Players can explore different playstyles and strategies in the game.

Winsage

September 30, 2026

WSL containers is now generally available

WSL has introduced a new feature called WSL containers, enabling users to build, run, and deploy Linux containers on Windows. Users can access this feature by executing wsl --update or downloading the latest release from GitHub. Key capabilities include: - WSL containers CLI (PLACEHOLDER8a7e9b6f37799ba2 and PLACEHOLDERcff917ded0a54dfd) for managing Linux containers. - WSL containers API for programmatic execution of Linux containers within Windows applications. New commands and enhancements include: - PLACEHOLDER9a5ce8c0763b7886, PLACEHOLDER3ee1e1334fe287fb, PLACEHOLDER4860ddbd841eef41, PLACEHOLDERe699cb1a0eaadb6e, wslc network disconnect, and support for container health checks. - Integration of Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for security and governance in container workflows. - New settings in Intune for managing WSL container access and registry controls. Community integrations include support for VS Code dev containers and various tools for managing WSL containers. Future plans involve adding wslc compose support and improving core platform capabilities for WSL, including networking and cross-OS file performance.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

Google Play Cuts Game Fee to 15%, Day-One Rule [2026]

Starting September 30, 2026, Google will implement changes to the Android game distribution economics through the Google Play Games Level Up program, reducing the commission on game revenue exceeding million annually from 20% to 15%. Developers must launch their games on Android simultaneously with other platforms to qualify for this discount; otherwise, they will be ineligible for six months. The new fee structure includes a baseline rate cut to 10% on the first million and 20% on earnings above that, while the Level Up program allows qualifying titles to pay 15% on revenue beyond the first million. The rollout of the Level Up program will begin in Australia, the European Economic Area, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States on September 30, 2026, followed by South Korea on December 31, 2026, and the rest of the world on September 30, 2027. If a game launches on a non-Android platform first, it will face a six-month waiting period before qualifying for Level Up pricing. Existing games launched before September 30, 2026, are exempt from this penalty.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

One of my all-time favorite games just announced an expansion, yet all I feel is fear

Satisfactory has won the 2024 Best Sandbox Award, highlighting its enduring appeal and innovative gameplay. Player Wes Fenlon, who has logged over 400 hours in the game, expressed excitement about the award and his unfinished project involving a central tower for a train network. He noted the game's addictive nature and the challenge of optimizing production chains, which keeps players engaged.

AppWizard

September 30, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, Switch, PC: New Gameplay,

New video game releases this week include "Minecraft Dungeons II" on Tuesday and "Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve" on October 2. "Minecraft Dungeons II" allows players to explore a new dimension called the Sift, either solo or with up to three friends. "Ace Combat 8" features aerial combat in the alternate-universe Earth of Strangereal, where players defend against an invasion. Analysts predict that AI tools could significantly reduce game development costs, potentially unlocking billions in profits for developers. Global consumer spending on video games is projected to reach 0 billion this year, with billion reinvested in development. "Grand Theft Auto VI" is set for a November 2026 launch, having been in development since 2018.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Tempest Rising has just launched an expansion that lets you play as the bad guys

Tempest Rising, developed by Slipgate Ironworks, is a real-time strategy (RTS) game that successfully revives the essence of 90's-style RTS games. Set in an alternate history post-World War III in 1997, players compete for control over a resource called Tempest. The game has received positive reviews, including an 85 score from PC Gamer. The recently released Veti's Wrath expansion introduces a new faction, the Veti, featuring an 11-mission campaign where players can transform fallen enemies into thralls for strategic advantages. The Veti cultivate Tempest through Refinement Altars and possess unique units like flying Caretakers and the Gorgon mech. Tempest Rising will be re-released as a Gold Edition on September 29, including both the base game and the expansion, with the Veti faction available as a free multiplayer option. The base game is currently available on Steam.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Review (PS5) – A Stripped Back Dungeon Crawler Which Earns It Keep With New And…

The author has never played Minecraft and has mixed feelings about dungeon crawlers, finding titles like Diablo IV overly complex. They discovered Minecraft Dungeons 2, which offers a simpler dungeon-crawling experience without the usual complexities of the genre. The game's narrative involves the Illagers opening a portal to a realm called the Sift, where players must reclaim the Overworld. Minecraft Dungeons 2 lacks traditional class systems and deep character customization, instead allowing players to create characters from presets and use a straightforward equipment system. The game features fast travel, clear objectives, and a polished visual style, with responsive combat and a variety of weapons and armor. While it may feel shallow to some veteran players, it is designed for cooperative play and prioritizes accessibility. Minecraft Dungeons 2 is set to release for PS5 on September 29, 2026.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Windows 11 can keep thumbnails of photos you deleted. Here’s how to remove them

Windows retains thumbnails in a cache file named thumbcache_256.db, but it does not save a thumbnail of every deleted photo. Other operating systems, including macOS and Linux, also use thumbnail caching. Users can access their thumbnail cache by navigating to %LOCALAPPDATA%MicrosoftWindowsExplorer, but this will not show deleted images. Thumbnails are created only when images are displayed in Explorer’s thumbnail view. Windows allows users to clear the thumbnail cache using the Disk Cleanup tool, and there is an option to disable thumbnail caching in Windows 11 Pro and higher. The cached thumbnails do not guarantee persistence and do not represent original files. Windows also keeps records of application launches in Prefetch, maintains entries for USB devices in the USBSTOR registry key, saves Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and can keep clipboard history and recent file shortcuts.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Here’s The Witcher 3 Remastered release time for your region

The Witcher 3 Remastered is set to release on September 29, featuring updated visuals, a reimagined skill system, an expanded photo mode, enhanced combat mechanics, an armor transmog feature, and various quality-of-life improvements. The release will occur at different times across time zones: 3 am PDT for the West Coast US, 6 am EDT for the East Coast US, 11 am BST for the UK, 12 pm CEST for Europe, 8 pm AEST for Australia, and 11 pm NZDT for New Zealand. There will be no preload option for most platforms, except for Battlenet users, who can preload the approximately 45GB update.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

This week in PC games: new Ace Combat, Transport Fever 3, and a System Shock-alike set on a disco space station

The world of video game journalism is thriving, with a variety of new PC game releases showcasing creativity and innovation. Notable new titles include: - Camp Whittlewood: A pixel-art horror RPG featuring cub scouts on a camping adventure without typical horror tropes. - HR: Human Remains: Players navigate Hell as an office clerk managing a to-do list amidst a war between humans and demons. - Yots: A co-op extraction game set in a procedurally generated city reminiscent of the PS1 era and Silent Hill. - Drop Command: Combines cockpit combat with 90s Mechwarrior and 4X gameplay elements. - Nivalis Nights: A cyberpunk restaurant management simulation with lush visuals. - Toem 2: A sequel featuring gentle platforming and photography puzzles. - Transport Fever 3: A detailed simulation game focused on trains. - Tiny Flock: A VR shepherding simulation with whimsical elements. - Radiosol: Players control a mechanical spider in a world of dusty megastructures, utilizing generative AI for multilingual support. - Okko The Exiled: A 2D visual game featuring a small protagonist with a large club. - Songs of Glimmerwick: A witch school RPG combining magic and music. - By God Alone: An expansion for Crusader Kings 3 allowing players to control the Vatican. - Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered: Revives the classic musou experience with enhanced graphics. - RetroSpace: A survival game set aboard a space station drawn into a black hole. - Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: The latest installment in the aerial combat franchise.