multiplayer gaming Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Arc Raiders players have been trading guns for binoculars, and it’s making for some incredibly cinematic on-field reporting that’s hauntingly good

Arc Raiders is a multiplayer game that features thrilling encounters with terrifying robots, fostering both camaraderie and betrayal among players. The game creates a cinematic atmosphere, with players documenting their experiences using binoculars and framing their recordings as in-world reports. These recordings mimic war correspondents' styles, utilizing claustrophobic angles, shaky camera work, VHS noise, and retro color correction to enhance the 70s sci-fi aesthetic. Players capture intense battles against robotic foes and other players, with notable moments including a massive Matriarch and a stealthy Leaper. The trend of cinematic storytelling is also seen in other games like Helldivers 2. There is excitement for future Arc Raiders documentaries, with suggestions for unique press costumes and 35mm film cameras to enhance player storytelling.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

Qualcomm Overhauls Windows on Arm Gaming with Downloadable GPU Drivers and AVX2 Support

Qualcomm has decoupled GPU updates from Microsoft's OS release cycle, allowing Snapdragon X Elite owners to download graphics drivers directly, which aligns the company with industry standards set by Nvidia and AMD. The company has transitioned to a direct "Upgradable Graphics Drivers" (UGD) model, enabling immediate access to driver updates through Qualcomm’s portal. The beta "Adreno Control Panel" has been rebranded to the "Snapdragon Control Panel," which now includes game-specific profiling and optimization features. Qualcomm has also integrated support for AVX and AVX2 instruction sets, addressing compatibility issues with games like God of War and Control. Kernel-level anti-cheat support has been introduced, making multiplayer gaming more accessible on Arm-based systems. The Snapdragon X2 Elite is set to launch in the first half of 2026, promising "Day 0" driver support and the ability to run 90% of top games, with performance expectations to outperform Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

The best artillery-themed party game is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and you can get all the series’ best entries for less than five bucks

Worms, originally launched on the Amiga, has been a staple in multiplayer gaming for nearly three decades, with Team17 celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025 through a Steam sale featuring many titles at low prices. Worms WMD is available for .49, while Worms Armageddon and Worms Reloaded are also offered at discounted prices. Team17 has expanded its portfolio with various spin-offs, and the total value of the sale is nearly 0 for around . Development on new projects has faced challenges, including personal setbacks for developer Davidson, who noted difficulties in working with older code but is making progress.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Grab a free Steam key for Fellowship, the dungeon-diving RPG mixing the best bits of WoW and Diablo 4

Fellowship is a new MMO that offers a streamlined raiding experience through manageable missions, reminiscent of World of Warcraft and other popular games. Players choose from a roster of heroes to complete quests and collect loot, with fast-paced combat similar to Diablo and strategic elements akin to Dota 2. The development team, Chief Rebel, has improved the game post-launch with a new user interface and server enhancements. Fellowship has gained popularity, with over 14,000 concurrent players on Steam. A giveaway for ten Steam keys and supporter's packs is being offered, with entries accepted until November 18. The base game is priced at £20.99, and supporter's packs cost £16.75.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Even the developers of Steam fave Deep Rock Galactic feel the heat from this year’s popular multiplayer games: ‘Competition is fierce’

Deep Rock Galactic developer Ghost Ship Games is working on a new game called Rogue Core, set for release next year. The multiplayer gaming market has become highly competitive, with notable competitors like Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders gaining player interest. Casual games such as Peak and RV There Yet? are also impacting the landscape, while some titles like FBC: Firebreak are struggling. Despite these challenges, Ghost Ship Games aims to maintain the unique identity of Deep Rock Galactic and cater to both dedicated fans and new players.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Valve just quietly redefined what PC gaming can be all while an increasingly delusional Microsoft desperately tries to tell everyone their PC is an Xbox now

Valve has announced a new ecosystem that aims to reduce Microsoft's influence in the PC gaming market, introducing SteamOS on Arm architecture, which may eliminate the need for x86 CPUs. The new Steam Controller improves upon its predecessor and is designed for use with the Steam Deck. The Steam Frame is a high-speed streaming device that allows wireless access to gaming content, functioning as a versatile headset for both VR and traditional games. It operates on an Arm-based architecture with a version of SteamOS and includes the FEX translation layer for compatibility with Windows games. Valve is collaborating with companies like Lenovo for hardware compatibility and is focusing on supporting AMD graphics in the new Steam Machine, while also working on enhancing gaming experiences across various Linux distributions. Despite challenges like Windows' dominance in multiplayer gaming, Valve's initiatives indicate a shift towards a more open gaming ecosystem.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Shroud just started a GOTY war between Arc Raiders and Expedition 33: “we all have to band together”

Predicting Clair Obscur Expedition 33 as the frontrunner for Game of the Year at The Game Awards seems almost a foregone conclusion, as critics have praised the title and it has sold millions of copies. Prominent livestreamer Michael 'Shroud' Grzesiek is advocating for Arc Raiders to win the award, rallying fans of multiplayer gaming to support it during public voting. Shroud admires Arc Raiders for creating memorable gaming experiences and believes it deserves the top honor despite acknowledging the competition from Expedition 33. He has urged his followers to vote for Arc Raiders, emphasizing the importance of their support as multiplayer gamers. Arc Raiders has an average Metacritic score of 87 and faces competition from several titles, including Expedition 33 and others. Historically, only one purely multiplayer game, Overwatch, has won Game of the Year at the Game Awards. If nominated, Arc Raiders could potentially win the Players' Voice award, determined solely by fan votes.

Winsage

November 5, 2025

Linux gaming just hit a major milestone — is Windows in trouble?

Linux has reached 3.05% of all Steam users, up from approximately 2% last year. Windows' share has declined from around 95% to 94.84%, while macOS holds 2.11%. SteamOS accounts for about 27% of all Linux installations on Steam, aided by the popularity of the Steam Deck. Although SteamOS faces limitations with competitive multiplayer games due to a lack of support for kernel-level anti-cheat systems, nearly 90% of Steam's game library is accessible on Linux through Proton. Despite Linux's gains, Windows remains the dominant platform with nearly 95% market share.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Arc Raiders and Battlefield 6 prove that great performance and low system requirements are king for multiplayer PC games in 2025

Arc Raiders had over 350,000 simultaneous players during its launch weekend. It is designed to run on older hardware, requiring a minimum CPU of Intel Core i5 6600K and a GPU like the GTX 1050 Ti or RX 580. The RTX 3060 is the most commonly used desktop GPU among gamers, while the RTX 4060 is gaining popularity. The high cost of PC upgrades and inflation make it difficult for many players to keep up with the latest hardware. Battlefield 6 is playable on older hardware like the 4 GB AMD Radeon RX 570, while Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford described Borderlands 4 as "a premium game for premium gamers," which may limit its audience. Performance optimization is crucial for attracting a broad player base in multiplayer games.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

New data shows most Windows games now work on Linux – and I hope the same will soon apply to anti-cheat titles

Recent data indicates that nearly 90% of Windows games can now launch on Linux, particularly through SteamOS, marking a significant advancement in Linux gaming compatibility. However, games with kernel-level anti-cheat systems, such as the Call of Duty series and EA's Battlefield 6, remain incompatible with Linux. Some titles, like Helldivers 2 and Splitgate 2, have successfully integrated anti-cheat systems that work on Linux. The reliance on kernel-level anti-cheat has raised concerns about security vulnerabilities and gaming performance, as it restricts legitimate gamers while failing to effectively combat cheating.