PC Gaming Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Microsoft’s Xbox PC launcher gets going with Steam, Epic, and other games showing up

Microsoft is testing a new aggregated gaming library within the Xbox app, which consolidates titles from various platforms like Steam, Battle.net, Ubisoft, Epic Games Store, and Riot Games. The Xbox app automatically identifies installed games on the PC, presenting them in an organized library with thumbnails and launcher names. Users can launch games directly or navigate to the original launcher, and there is an option to hide titles from various stores. This integration catalogs games without providing Xbox achievements or enhanced functionalities. Additionally, there are reports of "Xbox full-screen experience" settings appearing on existing ROG Ally devices, which are currently non-functional as Microsoft is testing this feature. Existing devices will eventually receive the full-screen Xbox experience. Users can access the new library by installing the Xbox test app through the Xbox Insider Hub and updating the Xbox app via the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

This month 25 years ago in PC gaming, our biggest concerns were pro gaming, moral panics about violent games… and we still thought Halo was a PC exclusive

In June 2000, PC Gamer UK highlighted the emerging world of esports, featuring professional gamers Amir Haleem and Sujoy Roy, who had earned significant prize money and were considering transitioning to full-time gaming careers. The magazine suggested that gaming could become a viable profession, drawing parallels to sports figures like David Beckham. By 2025, Haleem became CEO of a blockchain company, while Roy led partnerships at OG esports, reflecting the evolution of professional gaming careers amid ongoing concerns about sustainability and burnout. The 2000 Channel 4 Dispatches documentary 'Video Nasties' sparked debates about violent video games, claiming they could influence players' perceptions of real-world situations. Anticipation for Team Fortress 2 was high, with promises of innovative gameplay elements, while Bungie's Halo was initially expected as a PC-exclusive but was designed for console controls. The summer of 2000 saw few notable game releases, with The Longest Journey receiving modest reviews. Additionally, Bluetooth technology was beginning to gain traction in the market, although its use in competitive gaming was met with skepticism.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remastered Review

The 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2, released by Nightdive Studios, features enhanced visuals with a new Dark engine upgrade, improved textures, and refined audio. The remaster includes a polished version of the original game, retains the classic PC gaming experience, and introduces a four-player co-op mode. Players navigate as a UNN space soldier aboard the Von Braun spaceship, encountering alien threats and exploring immersive environments. The remaster also includes extras like concept art and old trailers, and it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck at 60fps. Nightdive plans to support gameplay and balance mods from launch, enhancing the game's longevity.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Will College Football 26 be on PC? What about PS4 and Xbox One? Here’s why it won’t

EA Sports has announced that Jeremiah Smith from Ohio State and Ryan Williams from Alabama will be on the cover of College Football '26. The game is set to release on July 7 for pre-orders of the Deluxe Edition and on July 10 for general release. College Football '26 will not be available for PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One. The game will be released exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the Standard Edition priced at .99, the Deluxe Edition at .99, and the MVP Bundle at .99.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Steam’s Summer Sale is on the way – and here are the games I’m expecting major discounts for

The Steam Summer Sale is scheduled to start on June 26 at 6 PM BST / 1 PM EST / 10 AM PST, featuring discounts on popular PC games. Capcom's Spotlight will coincide with the sale, highlighting games like Monster Hunter Wilds, Street Fighter 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pragmata. The Resident Evil 4 remake is expected to have significant discounts, following a previous Capcom Publisher Sale. Monster Hunter Wilds has not seen discounts on Steam since its launch in February. Cyberpunk 2077 is anticipated to be featured prominently due to an upcoming update. Death Stranding Director's Cut is currently discounted by 60% and may see further reductions. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is likely to have a significant discount ahead of its DLC launch in September 2025. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, launched on PC in April, may attract players due to its recent HBO series finale. Baldur's Gate 3 is expected to offer a more substantial discount compared to its previous sale. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is anticipated to receive a significant discount. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is preparing for its first Steam Summer Sale after an earlier 20% reduction. Assassin's Creed Shadows has not yet seen discounts on Steam, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is poised for a significant discount following its January release.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Forget about Steam in the Xbox PC app — I want Game Pass in the app I actually use

Microsoft plans to integrate the Xbox PC app with leading PC gaming stores to streamline access to games, allowing users to manage their libraries from a single location. This update is currently available to Xbox Insiders for testing and may roll out more broadly with the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X later this year. Users will be able to launch games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other significant PC storefronts, but Steam is not included in this initial list. The Xbox app has faced criticism for its usability compared to Steam, with issues like bugs and slow download speeds. The primary barrier to bringing PC Game Pass to Steam is likely financial, as Valve takes a percentage of transactions on its platform. As of February 2024, Game Pass has 34 million subscribers across Xbox and PC. The new game aggregation feature in the Xbox PC App is being rolled out, allowing users to select which third-party storefronts to display.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

It’s been so long since I played a 30 fps console game, it took me a week to realize Death Stranding 2 was literally giving me headaches

The author experienced persistent headaches after playing Death Stranding 2, initially attributing them to various factors like dehydration and hunger. The headaches intensified after playing the game at its default 30 frames per second setting, which contrasted with the author's usual gaming experience on PC at 60 fps. After discovering the performance mode that locks the framerate at 60 fps, the author switched to it and noticed an immediate improvement in gameplay responsiveness and a reduction in headaches. The author reflects on how accustomed they have become to higher frame rates, noting that the camera movement at 30 fps contributed to feelings of queasiness. After adjusting to the performance mode, the author was headache-free after over 20 hours of gameplay. The author appreciates that Death Stranding 2 offers a performance mode and anticipates that the eventual PC port will provide an even better experience.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended security updates free, but there’s a catch

Microsoft is offering a year of free security updates for Windows 10, requiring users to activate Windows Backup, which syncs settings and folders to the cloud via OneDrive. Users with extensive local files may need to purchase additional OneDrive storage. Alternatively, users can pay a fee or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points for the updates. An enrollment wizard will be introduced in July to assist users in selecting their preferred option. Extended security updates will be available until October 13, 2026, and businesses can purchase up to three years of updates. The offer also extends to Windows 10 devices accessing Windows 11 Cloud PCs through Windows 365 and Virtual Machines. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, as approximately 37 percent of Steam users still operate on Windows 10, with increased notifications expected as the end of support deadline approaches.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Xbox’s New ‘Aggregated Gaming Library’ For PC Gives Look At What To Expect With ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft has announced a collaboration with ASUS to develop the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld devices, which will allow access to the Xbox library and games from platforms like Battle.net, GOG, and Steam. Xbox Insiders will have an exclusive preview of the new "aggregated gaming library" feature in the Xbox PC app for Windows 11, debuting this week. This feature will enable users to view their complete Xbox library, explore Game Pass titles, and access installed games from other PC game stores from a single interface. The aggregated library will launch with the Xbox Ally devices this holiday season, allowing seamless integration of games from supported PC storefronts into the Xbox PC app. Users can hide specific games from their libraries if desired. Non-Xbox Insiders can join the program for early access to these features.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

PC gaming figures fall again in Germany, down to just 13.1 million — marking a 20% decline since 2019

PC gaming in Germany has declined by 20% since 2019, with 13.1 million active PC gamers by the end of 2024, a decrease of 400,000 from the previous year. In 2019, there were 16.3 million PC gamers compared to 15.9 million console gamers, but the gap has now widened to over 7 million in favor of consoles, which currently have 20.5 million users. Game sales have decreased by 17% and hardware sales by 10%, while online gaming services have grown by 12%. Factors contributing to the decline in PC gaming may include shortages of new components, particularly GPUs.