PC users Archives

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Xbox Project Helix Specs Leak: Why Microsoft’s New Console is Amazing

Microsoft's gaming console, codenamed Project Helix, integrates console and PC ecosystems, featuring a custom AMD System on Chip (SoC) with a 3nm process, and a GPU based on AMD's RDNA 5 architecture. It reportedly rivals Nvidia’s RTX 5080 in rasterization and outperforms the RTX 5090 in ray tracing. The console includes a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for enhanced AI capabilities, supporting both Xbox and PC games natively. It utilizes AMD’s FSR Diamond technology for near-native 4K visuals and incorporates DirectStorage technology for faster load times. Project Helix supports four generations of Xbox games and is expected to have alpha development kits available in early 2027, with a consumer launch in 2028, priced between ,000 and ,200.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

PC Gamers Can Claim Over $40 Of Free Games, Yours to Keep

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles for PC users until March 26 at 3 PM GMT: Electrician Simulator and World of Warships - Epic Anniversary Tachibana Pack. Electrician Simulator, typically priced at .99, allows players to perform tasks like installing sockets and repairing equipment, and has received Mostly Positive reviews on Steam. The World of Warships pack, priced at .99, includes the Japanese Premium destroyer Tachibana and five exclusive Epic permanent camouflages. Next week, new titles Havendock and Hyper Echelon will be available.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Microsoft lets PC users add third-party games and apps to the Xbox App

Xbox's forthcoming Project Helix console is expected to support both console and PC games, featuring an "Xbox Mode" interface that transitions to a full Windows environment. A new enhancement allows users to incorporate third-party games and applications into the Xbox PC app launcher. A preview version of the Xbox app includes a plus icon in the My Library tab, enabling users to add programs to their Xbox library. Users can browse through File Explorer to select ".exe" and ".cmd" files for inclusion. Added applications appear as unofficial "games" in the My Library section, with options to play, remove, or edit them, including modifying file locations and artwork. The official launch of the console is not expected until at least late 2027.

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

With Project Helix On The Horizon, Xbox Is Now Letting You Add Games Manually On PC

Xbox's Project Helix console is expected to support both console and PC games, allowing users to switch between an "Xbox Mode" interface and Windows. The integration with the Xbox app enables access to various game storefronts and applications, enhancing user experience. Features include the ability to launch games and apps directly from the Xbox app, a "Add Games To Library" feature for browsing and customizing titles, and improved performance by staying within the Xbox Full-Screen Experience. These capabilities may also be integrated into Project Helix, benefiting users who play obscure or retro games and use Microsoft Office applications.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

Africa’s monetisation debate: founders weigh in on mobile, PC, and the realities of game revenue

African founders view the continent's mobile gaming market as facing significant constraints, including challenges related to payments, purchasing power, and infrastructure, rather than being fundamentally broken. Industry leaders like Hugo Obi and Abdallah Elshabrawy highlight that while monetization is a global challenge, it is particularly exacerbated in Africa due to economic realities. Advertising, especially rewarded video ads, is currently the most reliable revenue model, though lower advertising rates necessitate a larger user base for sustainable revenue. Mobile gaming accounts for about 87% of African gamers and 90% of gaming revenue, emphasizing its reach despite higher spending in PC gaming. Founders stress the importance of targeting global audiences and adapting monetization strategies to the diverse payment ecosystems and cultural dynamics across the continent. A hybrid approach to monetization, combining mobile and PC gaming, is seen as a potential future direction for the industry.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Claim $45 Worth of Free PC Games In Limited Time Offer

A selection of complimentary games is available on the Epic Games Store for PC users, including Cozy Grove and Isonzo. Cozy Grove, developed by Spry Fox, is a narrative-driven adventure game that typically retails for .99. It features over 40 hours of gameplay, a Very Positive rating of 90% on Steam, and a score of 71 on MetaCritic. Isonzo, a first-person shooter developed by BlackMill Games, is usually priced at .99 and focuses on World War I battles. It has a Very Positive review score of 86% on Steam and a score of 67 on MetaCritic. Both games are available for free until 3 PM GMT on March 19. After this date, they will be replaced by Electrician Simulator and World of Warships - Epic Anniversary Tachibana Pack.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

In two years, PC games will surpass console games in revenue

The PC gaming segment is projected to grow at an average annual revenue rate of 6.6% from 2025 to 2028, while the console segment is expected to grow at 4.4% annually. By 2028, combined revenue from console and PC gaming is anticipated to exceed .7 billion, with PC games accounting for over half of this total for the first time in 13 years, up from an estimated .3 billion at the end of 2025. Microtransactions will contribute 48% of PC revenue in 2025, while game sales will make up half of console revenue. In 2025, 20 games generated two-thirds of console revenue across major markets. The PC gaming audience is expected to reach 966 million by the end of 2026 and surpass one billion by 2028, with significant growth from China and other Asian countries. The console gaming audience is projected to grow from 662 million in 2026 to 688 million by 2028. In 2025, gamers spent 1% less time on console and PC games compared to 2024, dedicating 48% of their gaming time to PCs, 34% to PlayStation, and 18% to Xbox. Over half (54%) of playtime in 2025 was on games older than six years, with 33% on titles aged one to five years, and only 13% on new releases. There is a trend among PC users towards less mainstream titles, with 42% of playtime in 2025 spent on games outside the top 20. Popular gaming IPs in 2025 included Roblox, Fortnite, and Call of Duty.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Did a Steam Game Give Your PC Malware? The FBI Wants to Know

The FBI has launched an investigation into malware threats associated with PC games on Steam, particularly targeting users from May 2024 to January 2026. The games identified include BlockBlasters, Chemia, Dashverse/DashFPS, Lampy, Lunara, PirateFi, and Tokenova, all linked to malware incidents. For example, PirateFi was designed to steal browser cookies, Chemia updated itself with malicious software, and BlockBlasters was identified as a Trojan that siphoned cryptocurrency. The FBI's alert also mentions Lampy, which may harbor malware. Valve, the parent company of Steam, has not responded to inquiries but has warned users about the affected games. The investigation suggests a potential link to a single group or individual, with reports indicating that victims were lured through Telegram messages offering free game keys or job opportunities.

AppWizard

March 13, 2026

Google Play Levels Up On PC With Game Trials And Android Cross-Platform Purchases

Google has announced plans to extend its mobile gaming catalog to PC users by introducing a dedicated PC section within the Play Store Games tab for Android games optimized for Windows PCs. This initiative includes select paid games such as Dungeon Crawler, Dredge, and Reigns, with purchases made on Android granting access to the PC version. Certain paid titles will receive free game trials on Android, with similar offerings planned for PC. Google Play will also introduce Community Posts for popular games, allowing player engagement, and the Play Games Sidekick will provide AI-generated tips for select paid games.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Windows 11’s March Optional Update is Now Available for Release Preview Insiders

The March optional update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, identified as KB5079387, has been released for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel. Key enhancements include: - Narrator improvements: Enhanced reliability for setting up Natural Voices, access to rich image descriptions via shortcuts, and instant on-device descriptions for Copilot+ PC users. - Settings improvements: Increased reliability for downloading updates in the Settings menu. - Smart App Control improvements: Users can toggle this security feature on or off without a clean installation. - Modern pen setting experience: Digital pen users can configure the pen tail button to launch the same application as the Copilot key. - Display improvements: Enhanced reliability of auto-rotation after sleep and external monitors connected via USB4 can operate at a low power level during sleep. - File Explorer improvements: Ability to rename files using Voice Typing and sort permissions entries in Advanced Security Settings by ‘Principal’. - Windows Recovery Environment improvements: x64 applications are expected to perform better on ARM64 devices. The update will be available to non-Insiders as an optional update in the last week of March, with a broader public rollout expected in April.