NewApp Digest
search bot

PC gamer

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]
AppWizard
September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.
18 years after Metal Gear Solid 4 first launched, a modder has shown off its first modded map, MGS3's Groznyj Grad
AppWizard
September 6, 2026

18 years after Metal Gear Solid 4 first launched, a modder has shown off its first modded map, MGS3’s Groznyj Grad

PC Gamer has reviewed Metal Gear Solid 4, highlighting activity in the modding community, particularly a custom map unveiled by TriggerHappy on YouTube. This is noted as the first demonstration of a custom single-player map for MGS4. The modding scene has improved with official patches, and various projects are emerging on platforms like MGS4 Nexus, including custom textures, gameplay tweaks, and an FPS unlocker. Additionally, there is an option to implement DLSS5 for enhanced visuals.
Dwarf Fortress co-creator Tarn Adams was amazed other devs had heard of his game the first time he went to a convention: 'I didn't know that anyone knew what we were doing'
AppWizard
September 5, 2026

Dwarf Fortress co-creator Tarn Adams was amazed other devs had heard of his game the first time he went to a convention: ‘I didn’t know that anyone knew what we were doing’

Tarn Adams, co-creator of Dwarf Fortress, revealed in an interview that he was unaware of the game's significant following for many years. He recalled a moment around 2013 or 2014 at PAX in Seattle when he realized the game's impact, as most indie developers there recognized Dwarf Fortress and reacted with enthusiasm. Adams expressed a desire to have promoted the game more actively in its early years, noting that he had only met a few other developers from 2006 until around 2013 and described himself as "not a very social person" at that time. He reflected on the game's status as "outsider art" and considered giving his younger self advice to engage more with the gaming community.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
September 5, 2026

September’s schedule of new games, events, and updates refuses to let 2026 go down in history as a slow year for new releases

In September 2026, notable game releases include The Blood of Dawnwalker, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Control Resonant. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered is available for free to existing owners. Key gaming events include PAX West from September 4, Blizzcon on September 12, and the Tokyo Game Show starting September 17. Significant updates include Final Fantasy 14's 7.56 update on September 8, Valheim's 1.0 launch on September 9, RuneScape: Dragonwilds reaching 1.0 on September 15, Endless Legend 2 launching on September 17, and Dune: Awakening adding a single-player mode on September 22. The games calendar highlights new releases and events throughout the month.
PC gamers can grab a sci-fi hit in 7 day time-limited free offer
AppWizard
September 4, 2026

PC gamers can grab a sci-fi hit in 7 day time-limited free offer

The Epic Games Store offers a selection of free games every Thursday. This week, players can claim the game Alone With You for free until 4 PM BST on Thursday, September 10. Alone With You, developed by BancyCo and launched in 2017, is an adventure game set in a doomed space colony, featuring a robot AI companion. The game typically retails for .99 and takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete the main storyline, or 11.5 hours for full exploration. It has a 'Mostly Positive' rating of 78% on Steam, with players praising its puzzle elements and narrative. Once claimed, the game remains in the player's library, but it is only available for PC.
PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct set for September 20
AppWizard
September 2, 2026

PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct set for September 20

PC Gamer will host the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct 2026 on September 20 at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET, as part of the Tokyo Game Show 2026. The 90-minute showcase will feature over 35 games, including Stronghold 4 from Firefly Studios and titles from Devolver Digital. The event will include exclusive trailers, breaking news, developer interviews, and world premieres. The live stream will be available on YouTube, Twitch, Twitter, Facebook, and Steam.
Total War: Warhammer 40,000 wins best PC game at Gamescom
AppWizard
August 30, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 wins best PC game at Gamescom

Total War: Warhammer has evolved into a celebrated strategy game on PC, and Space Marines have been included in the game. It was honored as the best PC game at this year's Gamescom, marking Sega's third award of the year. PC Gamer's Fraser Brown praised it as the standout experience of his year after just an hour of gameplay. Gamescom winners are selected by a jury of gaming professionals and community votes, indicating broad appeal. The Warhammer 40,000 universe fits well within the Total War framework, promising an exhilarating experience with epic battles.
Star Wars Zero Company's permadeath makes it a better RPG than most RPGs, even though it's not really an RPG
AppWizard
August 30, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company’s permadeath makes it a better RPG than most RPGs, even though it’s not really an RPG

Star Wars Zero Company is a role-playing game that combines tactical gameplay with narrative depth, allowing players to explore a universe similar to Mass Effect 2. A key feature is its system of permanent character loss, where main characters can be lost if they fall in battle three times without medical attention, adding emotional weight to player decisions. The game emphasizes meaningful choices, enriching the narrative experience. Companion questlines, such as that of the clone trooper Trick, personalize the story and deepen player engagement. While the game successfully integrates permadeath into its mechanics, the narrative and tactical elements are somewhat distinct, with potential for greater integration in future developments.
Search