modding Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Modders use reverse engineering to bring Mario Party 4 to PC, more GameCube games to follow

The gaming community has seen a rise in reverse-engineering source code from retro console games, particularly from the Nintendo 64 era and earlier, leading to native PC ports. The decompilation of Mario Party 4 is nearly complete, making it the first fully decompiled GameCube title, which will facilitate unofficial PC ports. A port of Mario Party 4 with online multiplayer is in development. Other GameCube titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime are also being targeted for decompilation. An unofficial PC port of the Xbox 360 game Sonic Unleashed has been completed. Previous titles such as Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have received PC ports with enhanced features. Modders are experimenting with advanced technologies like ray tracing for classic games. A modding tool has improved the recompilation process, but technical challenges remain. Nintendo has not taken legal action against these decompilation efforts, and modders use clean room tactics to avoid legal issues, requiring ownership of the original game for PC ports.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Everyone is a boat in this ‘MOBA meets Vampire Survivors’ game inspired by a Warcraft 3 mod

The mod Battleships for Warcraft 3 features players controlling upgradable warships that autonomously fire weapons, allowing for strategic gameplay focused on maneuvering and managing cooldowns. Players can engage in harassment tactics and creep farming while their ships handle offensive actions, creating a dynamic environment that encourages tactical decision-making. The mod exemplifies the thriving modding scene and community-driven projects in the gaming industry.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2025

This Majora’s Mask port now supports mods, and more recompiled N64 games are coming

The N64: Recompiled tool has been updated by Wiseguy, making it easier to create native ports of N64 games. The latest update improves the renderer, allowing N64 games to run at full speed with 4K texture packs even on older hardware. Mod-supporting ports of various games are coming soon, with the ability for modders to change virtually anything in the game. Currently, Zelda 64: Recompiled supports Majora's Mask, with Ocarina of Time on the way. Other recomps for games like Kirby 64, Quest 64, and Banjo-Kazooie are also in progress.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Larian boss Swen Vincke says the studio is ‘deep in the trenches’ on its ‘crazy-ambitious’ follow up to Baldur’s Gate 3, hopes to show it off no later than 2030 because ‘my wife will divorce me if it takes longer’

Larian Studios' founder and CEO, Swen Vincke, discussed the studio's future plans and development process in a conversation with GameSpot. After eight years with Baldur's Gate 3, Larian is preparing to release Patch Eight, which will introduce new features before transitioning support to the modding community. While Larian will continue to provide bug fixes and compatibility support, Vincke hinted at potential surprises in the future. He compared Larian's development approach to that of Obsidian Entertainment, aiming for a disciplined project scope and a steady release of quality games without compromising team well-being. Vincke expressed hope that in five years, Larian will have successfully established a rhythm for producing innovative RPGs simultaneously. He also mentioned the playful speculation of sequels to titles like "Divinity: Original Sin 3," with a tentative timeline around 2030.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Bethesda gave Oblivion Remastered game keys to the entire Skyblivion development team and ‘made it clear that they have no intention of shutting down our project’

Bethesda did not terminate the Skyblivion project and instead provided game keys for Oblivion Remastered to the modding team. The Skyblivion team expressed gratitude for this support. Despite the competition from Oblivion Remastered, they maintained a positive outlook. Oblivion Remastered launched successfully, surpassing 150,000 concurrent players on Steam within 12 hours and receiving overwhelmingly positive user reviews.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

5 Star Wars PC Games That Need to Be Remastered Now

Star Wars: Empire at War, released on February 16, 2006, by Petroglyph Games for PC and Mac, is a real-time strategy game set during the Galactic Civil War, allowing players to command armies in battles across various planets and space. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, released in December 1996 by LucasArts for Nintendo 64 and PC, is a multimedia event that features a video game with a PC version that includes fully voiced cutscenes, but has not been remastered. The X-Wing and TIE Fighter series, developed by Totally Games and released on April 30, 1997 for PC, emphasizes simulation gameplay and intense dogfights, yet has not received a remaster. Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, released on September 30, 1997 by LucasArts for PC, is a first-person shooter that introduces Kyle Katarn and features lightsaber combat and multiplayer modes, but remains unremastered. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron 3D, released on November 17, 1998 by LucasArts & Factor 5 for Nintendo 64 and PC, is a flight action game where players join Luke Skywalker in missions for the Rebel Alliance, and has not been remastered.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Crusader Kings 3 has hit 4 million sales, but all that tells me is that not enough of you have played the best game

Crusader Kings 3 has surpassed four million sales just over four years after its launch. The game is noted for its unique storytelling capabilities and has a vibrant modding community. The latest expansion, Roads to Power, is considered one of Paradox's finest DLCs, enhancing RPG elements. An upcoming expansion, Khans of the Steppe, will allow players to lead a nomadic horde. The game continues to evolve in depth and complexity since its release in 2020.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Oblivion Remastered Is Already on Sale for PC

Bethesda has released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Xbox, PS5, and PC, with discounts available for PC gamers and Steam Deck owners. Retailers like Fanatical and Green Man Gaming are offering up to 17% off the Steam version. The standard edition includes the base game, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine expansions, and additional downloadable content. A digital deluxe edition is also available at a discount, featuring new quests, digital armors, a digital artbook, and a soundtrack app. The remaster includes enhanced visuals, improved combat mechanics, support for widescreen displays, comprehensive controller support, and upgraded modding tools, all built on Unreal Engine 5.