NBA Archives

AppWizard

August 8, 2025

Net bookings up 17% for Take-Two

Take-Two reported a 17 percent increase in net bookings for the first quarter of its financial year, totaling .42 billion, up from .22 billion the previous year. Recurrent consumer spending also rose by 17 percent, accounting for 83 percent of net bookings. Key titles contributing to this growth include Grand Theft Auto 5, NBA 2K25, Red Dead Redemption 2, and mobile games. The company has adjusted its Fiscal Year 2026 Net Bookings outlook to between .05 billion and .15 billion.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

Microsoft lifts Windows 11 update block for Easy Anti-Cheat users

Microsoft has lifted the compatibility hold that previously prevented some users of Easy Anti-Cheat from upgrading to the Windows 11 2024 Update due to issues causing unexpected restarts and blue screen of death (BSOD) errors. An emergency update (KB5063060) was released on June 11 to address these compatibility issues. As of July 24, 2025, eligible devices can now install Windows 11, version 24H2 via Windows Update, although users may see a warning about an incompatible version of Easy Anti-Cheat. Microsoft confirmed that older versions of Easy Anti-Cheat will not trigger a BSOD unless activated by a game. Additionally, a safeguard hold imposed in October for Intel Alder Lake+ and vPro systems was lifted in March after resolving related issues. Other compatibility holds affecting AutoCAD and Safe Exam Browser users have also been removed.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

GTA 5 finally launches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 12 years after its global release — will be age-rated 21+ as part of the new regulatory framework

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Simple Modern launches Minecraft product line

Minecraft has partnered with Simple Modern to launch a new line of themed merchandise for the back-to-school season, which includes a Minecraft-themed Fletcher backpack, Hadley lunchbox, and an insulated stainless-steel water bottle. Simple Modern has established collaborations with over 100 colleges and universities and major sports leagues, as well as brands like Disney, Marvel, and Fortnite.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

NBA 2K26 Gets Official PC System Requirements

2K Games has released the system requirements for NBA 2K26. Minimum Requirements: - OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (latest update) - Processor: Intel Core i3-9100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 - Memory: 8 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (5 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT (4 GB) or Intel Arc A580 - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 110 GB available space - Additional Notes: SSD required, dual-analog gamepad recommended, one-time internet connection for Steam authentication required, and installations for DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable 2019 included with the game. A processor supporting AVX2 and a graphics card supporting DirectX feature level 12.0 are necessary. Recommended Requirements: - OS: Windows 11 64-Bit (latest update) - Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X - Memory: 16 GB RAM - Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (8 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8 GB) or Intel Arc A770 - DirectX: Version 12 - Network: Broadband Internet connection - Storage: 110 GB available space - Additional Notes: SSD required, dual-analog gamepad recommended, one-time internet connection for Steam authentication required, and installations for DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable 2019 included with the game. A processor supporting AVX2 and a graphics card supporting DirectX feature level 12.0 are necessary. The Steam page for NBA 2K26 does not currently list Denuvo, similar to the pre-order phase of NBA 2K25. The specifications for NBA 2K26 are identical to those of NBA 2K25, suggesting no significant graphical enhancements.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

Take-Two and NBA form new company as part of licensing extension

Take-Two has established a new entertainment entity called NBA Take-Two Media in collaboration with the NBA, aiming to provide diverse content for fans, including social media, live events, esports, and original programming. This initiative extends Take-Two's partnership with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) related to the NBA 2K franchise and is set to last multiple years. Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, while NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the importance of engaging a new generation of basketball fans through this venture.

AppWizard

April 12, 2025

Unexpected Crossover: Minecraft Movie Comes To The NBA

Director Jared Hess attended the Utah Jazz's final home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, celebrating the success of the Minecraft movie. The Jazz Bear wore a zombie mask and rode a human chicken, referencing a viral meme from the film, while fans reacted positively to Jack Black's iconic line “chicken jockey.” The Jazz concluded their home schedule with a 133-126 overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers, breaking a nine-game losing streak, but held a 10-30 home record and 17-63 overall, tying for the lowest in the NBA. In contrast, the Thunder had a strong season with a 66-14 record and were resting key players for the playoffs. This game was the fourth matchup between the teams, with Oklahoma City winning the previous three by an average of over 17 points.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Climbs List of Top 10 Titles That Most Excite Audiences , But ‘Wicked’ Still Holds the Crown

This week, the Top 10 most-discussed entertainment options are as follows: 1. "Wicked" 2. "A Minecraft Movie" 3. "Snow White" 4. "Reacher" 5. "NCAA March Madness" 6. "Stranger Things" 7. "Major League Baseball" 8. "Grand Theft Auto VI" 9. "NBA Basketball" 10. "Severance" "Wicked" remains at No. 1, while "A Minecraft Movie" rises to No. 2 after a successful box office opening. "Snow White" drops to No. 3, and "Reacher" climbs to No. 4. "NCAA March Madness" moves up to No. 5, with Florida and UConn as champions. "Major League Baseball" debuts at No. 7, "Stranger Things" stays at No. 6, "Grand Theft Auto VI" returns at No. 8, "NBA Basketball" falls to No. 9, and "Severance" rounds out the list at No. 10.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Two thirds of total PC playtime last year was on games that are at least six years old, report says

A recent report from Newzoo indicates that 67% of total hours spent playing PC games last year were dedicated to titles six years old or more, with notable games including Counter Strike 2 and GO (7.1%), League of Legends (6.4%), Roblox (6.2%), DOTA 2 (5.8%), and Fortnite (5.4%). Additionally, 25% of playtime was on games aged two to five years, while only 8% was allocated to 2024 releases. On consoles, 44% of PlayStation and 49% of Xbox playtime was for games over six years old, with 2024 releases accounting for 15% of total playtime. Key 2024 titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, NBA 2K25, and EA Sports FC 25 made up about half of the playtime for new releases on console. The report notes a trend of players engaging with fewer games, averaging 10 on Steam and PlayStation and 9 on Xbox, with a requirement of at least two hours of play for a game to be counted. Financially, yearly console revenues from full-price games reached approximately billion, a 14% decline from 2023, attributed to the weaker release slate in 2024 compared to the previous year.

AppWizard

March 11, 2025

Should Age of Empires and Quake be in the ‘World Video Game Hall of Fame’? You can vote for them to be inducted this year

The Strong National Museum of Play has announced its nominees for the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The nominees are: - Age of Empires - Angry Birds - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) - Defender - Frogger - Goldeneye 007 - Golden Tee - Harvest Moon - Mattel Football - NBA 2K - Quake - Tamagotchi