mechanics Archives

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.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Great, haystack slop is a thing now

Clones are common in the gaming industry, with many games mirroring successful titles. The original game "Needle In A Haystack Simulator" is set to launch in Q4 2026 and had about 23,000 players during a recent playtest. The game features sorting and incremental mechanics where players sift through hay to find a needle while uncovering sellable items. Two other haystack-themed games have launched: "Needle In A Haystack - A Time For Goats," which sold 1,000 copies in its first week, and "A Needle In A Haystack: Sorting Game," which received poor reviews. Another title, "Story of The Needle In a Haystack," is scheduled for release on November 28. The creator of "Needle In The Haystack Simulator" humorously referred to it as a "slop game," acknowledging the trend's absurdity.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Minecraft Live unveils new dimension, Dungeons II release date and a real-world theme park

Mojang Studios hosted its annual Minecraft Live event on September 26, announcing several significant updates and projects. The highlight was the introduction of The Sift, a new dimension set to launch next year for both Java and Bedrock editions, marking the first new dimension in over 14 years. Additionally, Minecraft Dungeons II is scheduled for release on September 29, featuring enhanced character customization and cooperative multiplayer options, allowing players to explore The Sift before its full integration into the main game. Mojang also provided an update on Minecraft World, a UK-based amusement park set to open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, which will include a coaster named Escape the Nether and a themed hotel. The studio announced a new initiative to foster creativity within the community, with ongoing improvements to tools for creators. Upcoming game updates include a new biome called Frozen Caves, the Wilderness Bound community challenge, and new Sound Effects Packs launching on the Minecraft Marketplace before the end of 2026. Minecraft is also set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 27, and the Minecraft: Education Edition is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

19 years later, the shooter The Darkness has been ported to PC

The Darkness has been officially released on PC, marking its first availability on this platform since its original launch in 2007 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The port was developed by portingpete, who adapted the Xbox 360 version for the Windows 64-bit operating system without using emulation. The game features original gameplay mechanics, support for gamepad and mouse controls, comprehensive video settings, and fully functional sound and save systems. Portingpete has also made the source code of the project available on GitHub, but players must provide their own Xbox 360 game files to play.

AppWizard

September 27, 2026

After 12 years, Dark Souls 2 is finally playable in co-op without interruptions

Yui, a modder, has released an alpha version of a mod called Dark Souls 2: Seamless Co-op, which allows players to team up with up to five others without interruptions from fog walls. The mod enables a full playthrough from the tutorial to the final boss in one co-op session, with synchronized progression and respawning at the last bonfire after dying. Unique items like "Pharros' Heliograph" and "Petrified Fingers" have been added to maintain some of the game's traditional challenge. Yui is actively supporting the mod and addressing performance issues, particularly for players using Intel processors.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online’s devs are pushing through hard times after layoffs and delays: ‘We didn’t want to rush to just hit a date’

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has faced significant challenges, including the cancellation of Project Blackbird in July 2025, which led to the layoff of 62 employees. In July 2026, Xbox's restructuring resulted in a reduction of 213 positions at Zenimax Online, shrinking the studio's workforce by approximately 60% within a year. Despite expressing optimism earlier in the year about refreshing animations and introducing new gameplay mechanics, the layoffs have led to the postponement of several updates until 2027. A representative from the development team emphasized the importance of maintaining quality over meeting deadlines.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

#1 Best-Selling Steam Game Just Achieved Something No PC Game Has Since Palworld

The top-selling title on Steam from September 8 to September 22, 2026, is War Dogs, which has achieved significant sales and a peak of over 428,000 concurrent players. It ranks as the 36th biggest title on Steam and has received a "Very Positive" rating based on an 82% approval rating from nearly 52,000 user reviews. War Dogs is an online tactical first-person shooter featuring three teams in strategic combat, emphasizing collaboration and requiring players to invest time to master its mechanics. The game is currently in early access and is priced at .99, with expectations for a higher retail price upon final release.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2026

This Mac malware is somehow using iCloud calendar invites to try and steal your data

Cybercriminals have developed an infostealer called MacSync, targeting Mac devices by using iCloud calendar events and cloud storage. This malware disguises itself as fake cryptocurrency wallets and pirated software. It begins with a loader that retrieves instructions from calendar entries and deploys malware to exfiltrate sensitive information, including credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. Recent versions have introduced an Objective-C backdoor that mimics Finder. Victims are often tricked into downloading these malicious applications, and effective antivirus solutions can prevent damage. Cybercriminals use tactics like SEO poisoning and phishing to direct victims to fraudulent websites or social media promoting pirated software. In one case, the loader was marketed as a cryptocurrency wallet, and victims encountered a misleading ClickFix error message that prompted them to execute a command in the Terminal.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

8 strong Elder Scrolls opinions: With over 2,500 combined hours (and not all as stealth archers), we shout at each other about Skyrim, Morrowind, and Oblivion

Players in The Elder Scrolls series have taken on roles such as the Nerevarine and defeated characters like Dagoth Ur and Mehrunes Dagon. They have collectively spent over 2,500 hours reflecting on the franchise's past and future. Notable quests include Oblivion's The Ultimate Heist, Morrowind's atmosphere, and Skyrim's side quests, particularly A Night to Remember. Some players prefer older RPGs for their depth, while there are mixed feelings about Bethesda's recent titles, with calls for improved storytelling in games like Starfield. The editors advocate for a focus on interactivity, highlighting the immersive experience of manipulating the game environment. They also express interest in an Elder Scrolls television series, suggesting it could explore the franchise's lore while fans await The Elder Scrolls 6.