passes Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Dutch non-profit set to take Valve to court for keeping game prices high

The Netherlands' Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCCF) has launched a campaign against Valve, the parent company of Steam, alleging unfair commercial practices related to Valve's 30% commission on game sales, which they claim inflates prices across all PC storefronts. The CCCF argues that this commission structure pressures publishers and developers to raise prices, affecting competitive pricing on other platforms like the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. They also allege that Valve prohibits publishers from offering lower prices on competing platforms and has engaged in "geo-blocking" to restrict the activation of Steam keys purchased in Eastern Europe for use in Western Europe. Valve president Gabe Newell denies these allegations, asserting that there is no policy preventing lower pricing on other platforms. The CCCF claims that Dutch gamers may have overpaid by more than 220 million euros due to these practices. Legal challenges against Valve are mounting, including a class-action lawsuit concerning loot boxes and an antitrust suit from Wolfire Games.

AppWizard

June 9, 2026

Guild Wars 3 won’t have a ‘battle pass fee buried in it’, says studio head: ‘We’re not gonna hold their time hostage’

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) have integrated live service features like seasonal content and battle passes, with varying outcomes. World of Warcraft has successfully implemented a free battle pass-like system through its Trading Post, enhancing player engagement. In contrast, Guild Wars 2's studio head Colin Johanson has stated that Guild Wars 3 will avoid a battle pass model, aiming for a more balanced player engagement. He noted that contemporary battle passes resemble subscription services and expressed concerns about overwhelming players, while also recognizing the issues with minimal rewards in games. The contrasting approaches of these titles illustrate the challenge developers face in balancing monetization and player satisfaction.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Launches on September 29th, Coming to Nintendo Switch 2

Minecraft Dungeons 2 has been listed on the Nintendo eShop for .99, set to release on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The game will feature four-player co-op gameplay, allowing players to team up locally or online. It introduces a new narrative involving a "new evil" across two worlds and hints at a more significant role for the Nether, with tougher enemies and exploration opportunities. Players can pre-order to receive exclusive items, including hero skins and a pet. The game will include various environments such as Honeycomb Fields, Forest, Lake, Desert, Mountain, and Icelagoon, with the Forest containing multiple entrances to a "Witchzone." Ongoing content will be provided through Adventure Passes, adding new regions, enemies, and bosses. An official announcement is expected on June 7th during Microsoft's showcase, with potential simultaneous launches on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Google Wallet App Will Soon Add Support for Digital IDs in Select EU Countries

Google plans to enhance its Google Wallet Android app by introducing support for digital IDs in select European Union countries this summer, following recent rollouts in Brazil, India, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The app will support various types of state-issued identification, including passports from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Taiwan, and Brazil, featuring selective disclosure for privacy. Google has partnered with Sparkasse Bank in Europe to simplify age verification on apps and websites without disclosing personal information. This integration is set to launch in the coming months, with plans for further collaborations. Additionally, Google is enhancing its Google Pay direct checkout feature in Europe to allow customers to view payment options directly on retailers’ checkout pages.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Kremlin’s State-Mandated Max Messenger Removed From Apple Store

On June 3, Russia's Max messenger was removed from the Apple App Store. Max, launched in 2025 by VK, integrates messaging, social media, digital identification, payments, banking, and government services. The reasons for its removal are unclear, and VK plans to seek clarification from Apple. Following the removal, the app stopped sending push notifications. Max is part of the Kremlin's strategy for control over information and is positioned as a "secure" alternative, although it lacks end-to-end encryption. Moscow has previously restricted foreign social media platforms, including banning Facebook and Instagram, and has faced backlash for banning Telegram in 2026. Critics warn that Max may enable the Kremlin to monitor citizen communications, with concerns raised about the security of data shared through the app.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Marathon’s new PvE experiment is Bungie’s most genius decision yet, so make it a full mode already

Players can now access the new content from Marathon's Season 2 update after initial server issues. The update features a nighttime Dire Marsh map, which has limited visibility and requires players to use torches and gadgets. The experimental Sponsored Survival mode is a key highlight, available from June 2 to June 9, allowing players to explore the map without immediate threats from other players, aside from UESC bots. Solo Rook players will gradually join the match, increasing competition for loot. Interactions with Rooks are infrequent, leading to mostly non-violent encounters. This mode aims to provide a PvE experience while maintaining PvP elements. A full PvE mode is anticipated to debut later in Season 2.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

New Dino Survival Game: The Lost Wild Comes To PS5 and PC in 2027

Great Ape Games has announced The Lost Wild, a survival horror game set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC in 2027. The game focuses on survival around dinosaurs, emphasizing observation, instinct, and restraint rather than combat. Players must navigate a world where dinosaurs are portrayed as believable animals, fostering a sense of vulnerability and tension. The gameplay involves studying dinosaur behavior and using the environment to evade threats. The narrative unfolds through environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together the island's history. The game aims to create a unique form of fear that emphasizes the player's lack of control and respect for the dinosaurs. Players can wishlist the game on PS5 or Steam.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote

The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) with a vote of 43 to 16. This bill aims to address game preservation issues, particularly following Ubisoft's decision to de-list its online racing game, The Crew, which affected many players. Stop Killing Games, an organization advocating for game preservation, has established NGOs in the EU and the US to counter lobbying efforts related to game shutdowns. The bill will now proceed to the California State Senate for further support but faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which argues it could misallocate developers' resources.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

World of Tanks Heat is here, and the hero shooter-esque spin-off has five free tanks in it for you

World of Tanks Heat officially launched after being unveiled at Gamescom, blending hero shooter elements with vehicular combat in a post-World War II setting. Players can customize tanks and engage in 5v5 and 10v10 battles with unique agents. The game design is 70% based on real tanks, with 30% creative elements. Wargaming has made Season 0 battle passes free, introducing weekly cosmetic items and unlockable tanks, starting with the XM1V. However, the game currently has a 'Mostly Negative' rating on Steam due to frequent crashes and bugs, despite smooth pre-launch testing.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Ultra-hard survival sandbox Kenshi passes 3 million copies sold, teases fans with ‘Kenshi 2 When?’ website

Kenshi has sold three million copies, achieving approximately half of its all-time record on Steam. The game is known for its brutal realism and complexity, with a mod featuring crucifixion receiving a five-star rating. A sequel, Kenshi 2, is anticipated, and the original game is available on Steam for a limited-time price of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Kenshi, a game that epitomizes the concept of starting from "rock bottom," immerses players in a world where survival is a relentless challenge. Upon entering this unforgiving landscape, players find themselves stranded in a vast desert, surrounded by adversaries, with all stats languishing at a mere 1. Adding to the struggle, your character has just lost a left arm and is grappling with malnutrition in a territory where starvation is considered a crime. Remarkable Sales Milestone Despite its harsh premise, Kenshi has resonated with gamers, achieving impressive sales of three million copies, as announced in a recent blog post by developer Lo-Fi Games. The post expressed gratitude to the community, stating, "To everyone who's ever pointed a friend toward Kenshi, posted a screenshot, or clocked more hours than they’d care to admit, thank you." This sales figure represents approximately half of the game's all-time record on Steam, a milestone it reached just last year. The allure of Kenshi seems to lie in its brutal realism and complexity. Players are drawn to the game’s unique challenges, with even a mod that introduces crucifixion receiving a five-star rating on the game’s workshop page. This appetite for intensity suggests that gamers are eager for experiences that push the boundaries of conventional gameplay. Looking Ahead to Kenshi 2 As the anticipation for a sequel grows, fans are left wondering when a reveal might occur. Kenshi's journey began with a lengthy five-year stint in early access before its official release in 2018. Given the game's depth and the rarity of such intricate fantasy sandboxes, it is likely that a sequel will be on the horizon. For those curious about the original experience, it is currently available on Steam for a limited-time price of .39 until June 1. For enthusiasts eager to stay informed about developments related to Kenshi 2, a newsletter sign-up is available at kenshi2when.com, allowing fans to opt out of all communications not specifically related to the upcoming title." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].39 until June 1. Fans can sign up for a newsletter at kenshi2when.com for updates related to Kenshi 2.