new releases Archives

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Gamers, let’s not pretend PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass multiplayer subscriptions are okay – they’re exactly why PC gaming is arguably cheaper in the long term

Transitioning from console gaming to PC gaming involves challenges such as file management and technical adjustments, but it offers benefits like no multiplayer subscription fees. Console gamers often need to subscribe to services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus for online play, with exceptions for free-to-play games. While gaming PC hardware is more expensive initially, the long-term costs of playing games are lower due to access to affordable titles and frequent discounts on platforms like the Epic Games Store and Steam. In contrast, PlayStation games often retain their retail prices longer, limiting discount availability. The basic PS Plus plan costs .99 annually, similar to the price of a new game, while the 'Premium' plan costs 9.99 and lacks day-one title access. Xbox Game Pass offers better value with new games available on release day. Overall, while the initial investment in a gaming PC is high, the savings on games and lack of subscription fees make it a worthwhile choice.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Games Inbox: Will Nintendo games ever come to PC?

Nintendo is being speculated to potentially embrace PC gaming, partly due to an incident where an Xbox website mistakenly listed Xenoblade Chronicles X, leading to discussions about a possible collaboration with Microsoft. Historically, Microsoft has attempted to acquire Nintendo twice, which could influence Nintendo's decisions on PC support. This relationship might allow Nintendo to utilize Microsoft's server capabilities for game streaming or share development costs for new titles. Meanwhile, Sony appears to be losing influence in the gaming market despite strong PlayStation 5 sales. The gaming community has mixed feelings about recent releases, with some expressing disappointment over the quality of titles like Elden Ring Nightreign. Players are also finding enjoyment in games like Horizon Zero Dawn, and there is a growing trend for gamers to seek affordable physical copies of games through platforms like Vinted. The anticipation for the Switch 2's midnight launch reflects a nostalgic aspect of gaming culture, while consumers are navigating the balance between supporting brands like Nintendo and managing personal finances amidst rising costs.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

I love that DOOM: The Dark Ages requires ray tracing, and I hope more games follow

DOOM: The Dark Ages requires a graphics card with ray tracing hardware, specifically at least an NVIDIA 20-series card, making older models like the GTX 1080 incompatible. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also necessitates ray tracing capabilities, raising concerns about performance on existing hardware. Billy Khan from id Software stated that ray tracing significantly reduces game development time, allowing for real-time adjustments. Ray tracing has been part of the graphics card landscape for over seven years, with all current consoles supporting it. NVIDIA's latest RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 cards have faced driver issues affecting gameplay, while alternatives from AMD and Intel, as well as NVIDIA’s 30 and 40-series cards, can still provide good performance. Other studios, like 4A Games, have begun incorporating ray tracing into their development processes.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?

Bethesda's latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is priced at £70 for both PC and console and can be completed in about 13 hours. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among gamers, especially since PC games typically have lower price points. Some gamers believe this may be an attempt by Microsoft to promote its subscription service, Game Pass, while others plan to wait for sales. Additionally, there are concerns about Bungie's management following its acquisition by Sony, with critics questioning the effectiveness of such corporate acquisitions in revitalizing franchises. In contrast, Nintendo is innovating with its upcoming Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, moving the series to an open-world format, which has generated excitement among fans. The gaming community remains engaged in discussions about pricing, management, and innovation as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Games Inbox: Would you buy a PlayStation that was a PC?

The next-generation Xbox may resemble a standard PC, leading to speculation that Sony's PlayStation 6 or 7 could also adopt a 'PC in a box' design due to rising hardware development costs. This shift towards a PC-like architecture could allow Sony to focus more on game development rather than hardware. Players have expressed mixed feelings about recent titles, with some prioritizing gameplay over storytelling. The launch of the Sea Of Stars DLC has been positively received for its free availability, and there is interest in purchasing Hogwarts Legacy on the Switch 2 at a discount for existing owners. Anticipation is building for the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, with fans hoping for new cities to explore. The pre-order situation for the Switch 2 appears more favorable compared to previous console launches, indicating better management of supply and demand by Nintendo.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

This week in PC games: Deliver At All Costs, Onimusha 2 reborn, more Monster Train and a touch of cat racing

New PC game releases this week include: - Champions Tactics Reforged: A turn-based PvP battler with nostalgic tabletop figurines. - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Enhanced Editions: Enhanced versions of the beloved series, including Shadow Of Chornobyl, Clear Sky, and Call Of Prypiat. - The Siege and the Sandfox: A sidescrolling stealth metroidvania with enchanting pixel art visuals. - Jumping Jazz Cats: A whimsical racing game featuring feline competitors. - Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer: A point-and-click adventure involving a serial killer and a biker detective. - Monster Train 2: A sequel combining tower defense and roguelite deck-building. - FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time: An RPG focused on life simulation and restoring a neglected island. - City Tales - Medieval Era: An early access title encouraging creative construction. - Deliver At All Costs: A 1950s toy-town game offering a GTA-style experience. - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tactics RPG: A tactical gameplay title in the beloved franchise. - Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny: A remastered version with updated controls and HD visuals. - 9 Kings: A strategic card game for building kingdoms and engaging in combat. - Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping: A detective game with a quirky narrative. Additionally, the Treehouse team is preparing for Computex 2025 and the Summer Games Fest, while managing various review commitments and projects.

Winsage

May 14, 2025

Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 support deadlines changed? This story just won’t die

Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft 365 Apps will continue to function on Windows 10 devices, but Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid potential performance issues. Microsoft will provide security updates for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 for three years after the end of support, ending on October 10, 2028. However, Microsoft will not test new releases on Windows 10 after the end-of-support date. Support for Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows 10 will have limitations, including advising upgrades to Windows 11 for issues that do not occur on Windows 11, limited troubleshooting assistance for customers unable to upgrade, and no option to log bugs or request additional updates. These support options do not apply to consumers using the Personal and Family editions of Microsoft 365.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Sega’s games sales up 54% despite Football Manager 25 cancellation

Sega reported a revenue of Y244 billion (approximately .6 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 2025, a 9.6 percent increase from the previous year. The games division generated an operating income of Y21.9 billion (around million). Sega sold 9.2 million units of new titles, contributing Y55 billion (roughly .4 million) to its revenue, while repeat sales accounted for Y33 billion (about million) from 18.7 million copies sold. Key titles included Sonic X Shadow Generations, Metaphor ReFantazio, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Overall net sales declined by 8.5 percent to ¥428.9 billion (approximately .89 billion), and operating income decreased by 16.8 percent to ¥48.1 billion (around million).

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

How to get free games on PlayStation, PC and Xbox

The Epic Games Store offers a free game every week, featuring indie titles and blockbuster games like GTA 5 and Death Stranding. Amazon Prime Gaming provides free games for subscribers, including titles like the Mafia trilogy and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. Xbox users can access free games through Amazon Prime Gaming and occasional offers on the Xbox Store, with current availability of Minecraft Legends. Microsoft also provides older titles for free sporadically, while Xbox Game Pass Ultimate offers a vast library of games for a monthly fee. On PlayStation, free games are primarily found through free-to-play titles like Fortnite, with PlayStation Plus offering access to a catalog of games, including The Last of Us Part I and Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

‘Thunderbolts*’ Crossing $100M Today, Eyes $30M+ 2nd Frame; ‘Minecraft’ Clicks $401M; ‘Sinners’ Shooting Past $200M; ‘Clown In The Cornfield’ $600K Previews

Disney and Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts is outperforming Shang-Chi’s second weekend, having earned .3 million on Friday and projected to reach approximately million over the weekend, reflecting a 53% decline from its opening week. By Sunday, it is expected to surpass 0 million in total earnings. In comparison, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings achieved .7 million during its post-Labor Day frame in 2021, marking a 54% drop. This weekend's overall box office performance is anticipated to match the same period last year, which recorded .1 million, significantly bolstered by the debut of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which opened with .4 million. Warner Bros’ Sinners continues to perform well, bringing in .6 million in its fourth weekend, comparable to The Sixth Sense (.5 million) and exceeding It (.2 million) in their fourth frames. The weekend box office breakdown includes: - Thunderbolts (Disney) - 4,330 theaters, Friday .3M, 3-day M (-53%), Total 0.3M/Wk 2 - Sinners (Warner Bros) - 3,502 theaters, Friday .6M, 3-day .3M (-39%), Total .3M/Wk 4 - A Minecraft Movie (Warner Bros) - 3,468 theaters, Friday .7M, 3-day M (-48%), Total M/Wk 6 - Accountant 2 (Amazon) - 3,402 theaters, Friday .58M, 3-day .8M (-39%), Total .6M/Wk 3 - Clown in a Cornfield (IFC) - 2,277 theaters, Friday .4M, 3-day .5M/Wk 1 - Shadow Force (Lionsgate) - 2,170 theaters, Friday .0M, 3-day .7M/Wk 1 - Fight or Flight (Vertical) - 2,153 theaters, Friday .5M, 3-day .5M/Wk 1 Thunderbolts is expected to dominate the weekend box office with an estimated million, reflecting a decline of 60% or less from its debut. Sinners is expected to cross the million threshold today, with a robust fourth weekend forecasted between million and million. Clown in the Cornfield is projected to earn around .5 million, while Shadow Force is eyeing a weekend total of million to million. Fight or Flight is set at .5 million. Briarcliff Entertainment's Juliet & Romeo is projected to earn around million.