PC gamer Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Valve confirms credit card companies pressured it to delist certain adult games from Steam

Valve has confirmed the removal of several adult-themed games from its Steam storefront due to concerns from payment processors about potential violations of their rules and standards. This decision aligns with new regulations in Steam's documentation that prohibit content likely to upset payment processors. While some adult-themed games remain available, recent removals indicate Valve's cautious approach. The game Trials of Innocence was also delisted but its developers clarified that this was due to a DMCA claim, not the new regulations. Payment processors have historically been cautious about adult content due to associations with scams and chargebacks, influenced by past controversies. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between content creators, platforms, and payment processors in digital commerce.

AppWizard

July 18, 2025

Civilization 6 Platinum Edition goes free to kick off Epic’s 2025 Summer Sale

The Epic Games Store's 2025 Summer Sale has launched, featuring discounted titles and a free giveaway of the Civilization 6 Platinum Edition, which includes the base game, the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions, and six DLC packs. The Platinum Edition is available for free until July 24, while the sale runs until August 1. Other discounted games include It Takes Two, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Alan Wake Remastered, Far Cry 5, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak, and Titanfall 2 Ultimate Edition. The Epic Rewards program allows users to earn rewards on purchases that can be used for future discounts.

Winsage

July 17, 2025

Windows 10’s end of life looms. A security pro dissects your only options

Windows 10 will reach its end of life in October, leading to concerns about security vulnerabilities for users who continue using the platform without support. Users can purchase a year of additional security updates as a temporary solution. Security expert Mike advises against forcing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware and relying on third-party patches for Windows 10. He recommends considering alternative operating systems, such as Linux or ChromeOS Flex for compatible devices. Mike shares insights on online security in a video discussion, and users are encouraged to subscribe to PCWorld’s YouTube channel for updates and tips.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

My most-played game of the last 5 years is 30% off on Steam right now, alongside a ton of other factory games that can absolutely devour your life

The latest Steam sale offers a 30% discount on the game Satisfactory, which won the 2024 Best Sandbox award from PC Gamer. The game emphasizes creativity and engineering, allowing players to build factories and optimize assembly lines. The recent 1.1 update introduced new features like controller support and a conveyor throughput monitor. The Steam Automation Fest showcases various factory-building games, including Dyson Sphere Program, Shapez 2, and Kaizen: A Factory Story. Additionally, Opus Magnum is available at half price during the sale.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Think you know gaming? Test your knowledge with PC Gamer’s fiendish quizzes

PC Gamer offers weekly quizzes to test knowledge of PC gaming. The quizzes cover various topics, including: 1. Weird currencies in games, such as Mucus-Slick Eggs in Diablo 4 and Delirious Scouting Reports in Path of Exile. 2. Identifying health bars from different games through screenshots. 3. Recalling names of 15 PC games that are no longer available, based on screenshots.

AppWizard

July 12, 2025

These 15 PC games died for our sins—can you even remember their names?

Numerous video games fade into obscurity as servers are decommissioned and digital storefronts remove their listings. Some games never reach the launch stage, while others fail shortly after launch or during open beta or Early Access, leading to the downfall of their developing studios. These games were briefly available on PC and span various genres, including multiplayer shooters, MOBAs, and MMOs.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Romero Games have “completely” closed doors, but there’s still hope for the Doom creator’s new FPS

Romero Games has ceased operations after funding for their first-person shooter was withdrawn, affecting approximately 100 employees. An anonymous employee described the situation as a "big shock," noting that discussions with a publisher occurred just a day before the closure. The project was reportedly well-developed and had received positive feedback, but is now completely closed while the studio seeks alternative funding. The unnamed FPS had generated significant interest, and the Chief Technical Officer is advocating for former staff on LinkedIn. The game was announced in 2022 and was being developed using Unreal Engine 5. Prior to this, Romero and Carmack worked on a canceled game called Blackroom in 2016.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Warren Spector was so desperate to make Deus Ex that it almost became a Command & Conquer RPG: ‘I was going to find a way to make it one way or another, even if it meant making another damn sci-fi game!’

Deus Ex recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. In an alternate reality, PC gamers are celebrating a different 25th anniversary for a first-person Command & Conquer game that could have been created by Warren Spector, who initially conceived a game called "Troubleshooter" in 1994. Spector aimed to create an open-ended near-future simulation featuring a supercop named Jake Shooter. He managed to persuade Westwood Studios to invest in a version of his game set in the Command & Conquer universe, intending to combine genre elements and player choice. However, he later joined Ion Storm after receiving an invitation from John Romero, leading to the development of Deus Ex, with Jake Shooter evolving into JC Denton.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Former Forza dev says original Motorsport series died in Microsoft’s cuts, but Forza Horizon lives on

Former Forza content coordinator Fred Russell announced on Facebook that the Forza Motorsport series has been effectively discontinued following Microsoft's mass layoffs, which reportedly affected up to 50% of Turn 10 Studios' workforce. Russell confirmed that the Forza Horizon spinoff will continue. The Forza Motorsport series currently holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam, while Forza Horizon 5 received a 90% score from PC Gamer.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

I wouldn’t be able to use my gaming PC without this one mod

Special K is a versatile utility for PC gaming that enhances gameplay across various titles. It features a frame rate limiter that improves consistency, surpassing Nvidia's built-in limiter in minimum frame rates during tests. Special K allows users to force games into borderless or exclusive fullscreen modes, enable Nvidia Reflex, adjust DLSS settings, and link input devices to specific applications. It also addresses HDR support issues by enabling HDR injection in games that lack native support, with extensive customization options for HDR settings. Originally developed to fix problems in PC ports like Fallout 4 and Batman: Arkham Knight, it has evolved to optimize a wide range of games, including Elden Ring, Monster Hunter: World, and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Special K has limitations with online games due to anti-cheat concerns but is highly applicable for single-player titles. The introduction of the SKIF GUI has made it more accessible for users.