monetization Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Heartopia (PC) Review

Heartopia is a life-simulation game that blends cozy simulation elements with MMO features, allowing players to cultivate a town and interact with locals. However, the MMO aspects dilute the individuality typically found in cozy games, as multiple players receive the same accolades for completing quests. Gameplay involves repetitive fetch quests to unlock activities like home decoration and fishing, which can feel tedious. The game features a community aspect, but players may find their neighbors' homes replaced or their own home relocated between sessions, undermining familiarity. Character design is uninspired, and the user interface resembles a mobile game, lacking polish. As a free-to-play title, it includes multiple currencies that create confusion, with microtransactions for premium items. Despite these issues, the game offers engaging home-building mechanics and unique hobbies like Birdwatching and Pet Care. Overall, Heartopia struggles to effectively merge MMO elements with cozy simulation, making it a less appealing option compared to established titles like Animal Crossing.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Promising Bully mod, which mirrored GTA Online multiplayer, gets axed just one month after launching

Bully, a cult classic from Rockstar Games, remains popular two decades after its release. A group of modders, led by YouTuber Swegta, attempted to create a multiplayer version called Bully Online, featuring various minigames. However, the project was shut down, with an announcement stating that the Bully Online project is shutting down forever, leading to the closure of its server and removal of all associated data. The reasons for the shutdown are unclear, but monetization efforts may have raised legal concerns. Despite this, Bully's legacy endures, and there is hope for a sequel, Bully 2, in the future.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Deezer delivers a reimagined music experience on Android TV

Deezer has redesigned its Android TV app to enhance the music experience for users, featuring a modern interface, seamless navigation, vibrant visuals, and improved music discovery. The app now includes features such as Flow, track mixes, 100% artist playlists, HiFi sound quality, and word-by-word lyrics for karaoke. The updated app is available on compatible devices via the Google Play Store, with plans to launch on Fire TV through the Amazon Appstore soon. Users can transition their music library to Deezer using the Tune My Music service, which ensures data protection during the transfer process. Deezer is a global music platform founded in 2007, offering high-quality music access in over 180 countries and is publicly traded on Euronext Paris.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

2026 Shift: Professionals Ditch Windows 11 for Linux’s Speed and Savings

Professionals are increasingly moving away from Windows 11 to various Linux distributions due to dissatisfaction with performance issues and intrusive features in Windows. A 2025 analysis showed Linux distributions outperforming Windows by an average of 19.5% in everyday tasks. Performance tests indicated that SteamOS, a Linux-based platform, often matched or exceeded Windows 11 in gaming performance. Linux's lightweight nature and superior system administration tools appeal to those managing servers and virtual environments. Security concerns regarding Windows 11, including privacy issues and forced updates, have led users to prefer Linux's open-source model, which allows for greater transparency and customization. Economic factors also play a role, as Linux is free and open-source, eliminating licensing fees associated with Windows 11. User-friendly distributions like Linux Mint facilitate the transition for new users, and community support helps address common challenges. Large organizations are increasingly adopting Linux for its stability and responsiveness, while the Linux community fosters rapid improvements and adaptability. User feedback highlights privacy, performance, and customizability as key benefits of switching to Linux.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

Five new Steam games you probably missed (January 12, 2026)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily, creating a challenging environment for gamers to find hidden gems. - Oddcore - Release: January 7 - Developer: Oddcorp - Features: A wave-based sci-fi shoot 'em up with customizable mechs and a nostalgic '90s aesthetic. - Dungeon Antiqua 2 - Release: January 8 - Developers: Shiromofu Factory - Features: A sequel to an 8-bit JRPG dungeon crawler with top-down exploration and turn-based combat. - Dreadmyst - Release: January 10 - Developer: dreadmyst.com - Features: A free fantasy MMO with no monetization, offering isometric gameplay and four character classes. - Blood Money: Lethal Eden - Release: January 10 - Developer: Jade Flame - Features: An FMV thriller about a catfishing scheme, receiving positive early reviews.

BetaBeacon

January 7, 2026

Google could soon let you play paid Android games for free (APK teardown)

Google Play Store is testing a "Try before you buy" feature for premium games. This feature will allow users to play the full game for a set duration at no cost before committing to a purchase.

BetaBeacon

January 2, 2026

Best Mobile Games for 2026

- Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption was released on mobile in 2025, including the original story campaign and Undead Nightmare expansion, priced at .99 or available through a Netflix subscription. - Subnautica also transitioned to mobile, offering a survival adventure set on an alien oceanic planet, optimized for touch controls and supporting controllers, priced at .99. - Persona 5: The Phantom X delivered a mobile-specific RPG experience with gacha mechanics and turn-based combat, maintaining ties to the original Persona 5 storyline, and offering free-to-play mechanics. - Where Winds Meet is an open-world wuxia title on mobile with demanding hardware requirements, featuring cross-progression support and light monetization. - DREDGE brought its Eldritch fishing simulation to mobile, included in Google Play Pass for subscribers, priced at .99. - Cassette Beasts is a premium turn-based RPG inspired by Pokémon on mobile, offering cassette monster collection and combat, priced at .99. - Destiny: Rising brought the FPS MMO experience to mobile for free, with typical NetEase monetization strategies. - Enter the Gungeon and Exit the Gungeon were released on mobile simultaneously, offering bullet hell and platforming gameplay with touchscreen and controller support. - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown combined platforming and Metroidvania elements in a 2.5D action-adventure on mobile, offering offline play and full controller support.

BetaBeacon

January 1, 2026

These are my picks for the best mobile games of 2025 that you should play in 2026

- Red Dead Redemption is a popular open-world action game set in the Wild West that can now be played on smartphones. - The Android release includes the full game and the Undead Nightmare expansion, and is available for free with a Netflix subscription.

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Best Star Wars games 2026: play in a galaxy far, far away

Star Wars has a rich history of licensed games, with a curated list of the finest titles available on PC in 2025 including: 1. Star Wars Outlaws - Players assume the role of Kay Vess in a narrative set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, focusing on heists and adventures. 2. Star Wars Bounty Hunter Remaster - A remaster of the original game following Jango Fett, featuring updated controls and graphics, rated 'Very Positive' on Steam. 3. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga - Covers all nine mainline films in a Lego format, offering cooperative gameplay. 4. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords - A sequel with a complex narrative exploring the light and dark sides of the Force. 5. Star Wars: Republic Commando - A tactical shooter from the perspective of a special ops clone trooper during the Clone Wars. 6. Star Wars: Empire at War - A real-time strategy game focusing on the conflict between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. 7. Star Wars: The Old Republic - An MMO with single-player storytelling and various class narratives. 8. Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer - A racing game based on the pod race sequence from the film. 9. Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster - A remaster of the classic game featuring Kyle Katarn's first adventure. 10. Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast - Continues Kyle Katarn's journey with a mix of shooting and lightsaber combat. 11. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron - Players pilot starfighters in space battles. 12. Star Wars: TIE Fighter - Players experience the conflict from the perspective of an Imperial pilot. 13. Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017) - A multiplayer experience with stunning visuals and epic battles. 14. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - A sequel featuring a more mature Cal Kestis with refined combat mechanics. 15. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Allows players to wield the dark side of the Force as Starkiller. 16. Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith - A game capturing the essence of the prequel trilogy with dynamic saber combat. Upcoming titles include a remake of Knights of the Old Republic and a new project titled Fate of the Old Republic, led by KOTOR director Casey Hudson.

BetaBeacon

December 31, 2025

Best mobile games of 2025 for Android and iOS | 2025 in REVU

- Where Winds Meet is a Wuxia open-world RPG set in 10th-century China, featuring console-grade graphics and support for physical controllers. - Red Dead Redemption is an open-world Western game with intense gunfights and side activities, available as a faithful port on mobile with the Undead Nightmare expansion. - WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition is a wrestling simulation game available for Netflix subscribers, offering a premium experience without microtransactions or ads.