PC Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Forget AI: Nvidia RTX Spark could be game-changing for gaming handhelds

Nvidia unveiled the RTX Spark chips at Computex 2026, featuring a 20-core Nvidia Grace CPU and an Nvidia Blackwell RTX GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores, comparable to the GeForce RTX 5070 desktop GPU. The chips utilize NVLINK technology for faster data transfer than PCI Express. They support DLSS 4.5 upscaling technology, which enhances performance without the issues of DLSS 5. Currently, the gaming handheld market has limited DLSS support, with the Nintendo Switch 2 being an exception. Community feedback indicates a preference for DLSS 4.5 over native visuals. RTX Spark chips are expected to debut in laptops and mini PCs by the end of 2026, with potential for handheld gaming devices. Pricing and power consumption remain uncertain, and Nvidia's DGX Spark mini PC retails for ,699, suggesting high costs for RTX Spark systems. Nvidia claims these laptops will run AAA games at 1440p and over 100 frames per second, but details on power draw and battery life are unclear.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Sony Reportedly Brings Back ‘Only on PS5’ Branding After PC Port Plans Change

Sony has reintroduced its “Game available only on PS5” disclaimer in promotional materials, particularly in a trailer for a new PS5 monitor featuring the game Ghost of Yotei. This change follows reports that Sony has decided to halt the development of single-player first-party PC ports, marking a return to platform exclusivity after six years of releasing PlayStation Studios titles on Steam. From 2020 to 2024, Sony had embraced the PC market, launching titles like Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War on Steam, but concerns about diluting the PS5's value and hindering hardware sales have led to this strategic shift. The “Only on PS5” branding in the monitor trailer indicates this new policy, which specifically targets first-party, internally developed single-player games, while co-published titles like Death Stranding 2 will still be released on PC. Ghost of Yotei was initially planned for a PC port before those plans were scrapped. Reports suggest that the upcoming Saros, a follow-up to Returnal, has also had its PC port canceled. The future implications of this policy remain uncertain, particularly regarding potential exceptions beyond multiplayer titles.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Wild Blue Skies launches August 13 for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Balor Games, in collaboration with Chuhai Labs and VITEI Backroom, is set to launch the on-rails shooter Wild Blue Skies for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam. The game features a modern take on classic on-rail adventures, allowing players to engage in battles against enemies while navigating various environments. It includes easy-to-learn controls, stunning visuals in an anime-style universe, and a campaign that can be played with allies. Key features include an action-packed campaign, classic arcade thrills, a straightforward score system, thrilling boss battles, and exploration of secret paths. A new trailer has been released showcasing the game's gameplay and visuals.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Tile matching roguelite action game Chivalware announced for PC

Publishers The Arcade Crew and Imperfect Games, along with developer Regal Pigeon, have announced a dynamic tile-matching roguelite action game called Chivalware. The game features real-time, grid-based combat mechanics and will be available on PC through Steam, with a demo currently accessible. Players take on the role of a Disk Knight, tasked with defeating a mad King while navigating a grid battlefield and utilizing weapon disks. The gameplay involves matching tiles to charge weapons, evading enemy attacks, and strategically planning counterattacks. Players can choose from four distinct Disk Knights, unlock over 80 weapons and 150 upgrades, and face various bosses. An announcement trailer and screenshots are available for viewing.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Cozy god game Ornelia announced for PC

Gameleon Studio has announced Ornelia, a village builder and god game set to enter Early Access on Steam for PC, with a release date yet to be revealed. In Ornelia, players act as guardians nurturing the Kinous, creatures that thrive under the Kiskanu tree, emphasizing kindness over destruction. The game features a Create Mode for personalized village building and will later introduce an Adventure Mode focused on reviving the Kiskanu tree while facing the threat of the "Black Mass." Key features include complete freedom in village design, real-time interactions with the Kinous, and two gameplay modes: Endless Mode and Adventure Mode.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Valve’s Gabe Newell argued gamers “have enormous choice” when grilled over Steam’s alleged monopoly on PC gaming

Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve Corporation, is defending the company against allegations in a class action lawsuit claiming it maintains an illegal monopoly in the gaming distribution market. This lawsuit is similar to a £0 million suit filed in the UK, both asserting that Valve has abused its dominant position. A survey by Rokky indicated that 72% of 306 industry managers view Steam as a monopoly. Analyst Mat Piscatella argues that while Steam is dominant, it may not fit the definition of a monopoly, as true monopolies lack viable alternatives. The lawsuits allege that Valve's market power allows it to impose unfair fees and pricing restrictions, with a focus on its standard 30% cut of sales. Valve refutes these claims, stating that developers have alternatives like the Epic Games Store. In a recent lawsuit dismissal attempt, Valve argued that the gaming community values the innovations from titles like Counter-Strike 2 and that its practices align with industry standards.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

Microsoft, Nvidia launch RTX Spark Windows AI PC lineup

Microsoft and Nvidia have launched a new series of Windows PCs powered by the Nvidia RTX Spark platform, featuring devices from manufacturers like Surface, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. The RTX Spark platform delivers up to 1 petaflop of AI performance, with up to 20 Arm-based CPU cores, 6,144 Blackwell RTX cores, and 128GB of unified memory. Microsoft has optimized Windows for this architecture, enhancing scheduling, power management, and memory handling. The new workload profile scheduling feature optimizes task distribution across the cores, while the Microsoft Power and Thermal Framework improves performance, battery life, and heat management. Windows' support for unified memory has been enhanced, allowing for larger AI models and demanding creative tasks. Microsoft's Prism emulator for x86 applications has been optimized for RTX Spark systems, improving compatibility and speed. Creative applications like Blender, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Photoshop are supported, along with MATLAB for technical users. Gaming support includes native anti-cheat software and compatibility with popular titles such as League of Legends and Valorant. The new systems are categorized under Microsoft's Copilot+ PC line, which combines AI processing with enhanced graphics capabilities. Devices showcased include Microsoft's Surface Laptop Ultra and models from Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and MSI. Microsoft also plans to scale Windows to the Nvidia DGX Station for Windows, enabling larger AI models and workstation-class workloads. The initiative aims to unify AI workloads across consumer PCs, creator laptops, and workstations, allowing users to run larger models locally and integrate AI computing into their workflows.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Zombie extraction game Pale Tide announced for PC

Belgian game development studio Aberratic has announced its new project, Pale Tide, a single-player zombie extraction game for PC via Steam. The game features a top-down survival experience where players, accompanied by a canine companion, navigate infected zones to gather resources, rescue survivors, and return to a bunker for upgrades and strategy planning. The narrative is set in a world affected by a mysterious outbreak that has turned most of the population into zombies. Players must scavenge for food, ammunition, and materials while managing their bunker and resources. Key features include exploring infected zones, upgrading gear, customizing characters, and engaging in extraction missions against hordes of the infected. The exact release date is not yet announced.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Gravity Circuit 2 announced for PS5, Switch, and PC

Publisher Dear Villagers and developer Domesticated Ant Games are releasing Gravity Circuit 2 in 2027. It is a side-scrolling action platformer for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). Players will control Kai and Cable to confront the Hunter Army. The game features two playable characters with distinct fighting styles, over a dozen stages with unique bosses, customizable loadouts, and hidden collectibles. The soundtrack is composed by Dominic Ninmark. Domesticated Ant Games is an independent studio based in Finland, founded in 2021.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Valve reportedly threatened Ubisoft with a total delisting of Rainbow Six Siege “by end of day tomorrow” when it tried selling it cheaper on Uplay

A recent study found that 72% of game developers view Steam as a monopoly. Valve allegedly threatened to delist Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege after the company promoted a cheaper bundle on its own Uplay storefront. Warner Bros. Games also faced scrutiny from Valve due to sales strategies that did not meet the company's expectations. These incidents are part of an ongoing class-action antitrust lawsuit against Valve.