PC Archives

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Microsoft Lowers the Price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate And PC Game Pass, But What’s Next For Xbox?

Under CEO Asha Sharma, Xbox has reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and PC Game Pass from .99 to .99. The removal of day-one access to Call of Duty is part of this strategy, which aims to address consumer concerns and enhance the service's value. Microsoft reportedly faced a 0 million loss due to including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in Game Pass, prompting these price adjustments. Sharma's initiatives include a partnership with Discord, the introduction of Xbox Game Pass: Starter Edition, and plans for a Family Plan. The company is also focusing on improving the Xbox app for PC gaming and reevaluating its approach to exclusives. Frequent updates and player feedback will be prioritized as Xbox prepares for the next generation of consoles, referred to as Project Helix.

BetaBeacon

April 27, 2026

ANBERNIC shows off RG Rotate emulating your favorite games from childhood

ANBERNIC unveiled the Android-powered RG Rotate handheld in a demo video, showcasing its ability to emulate games from various consoles. The device offers a nostalgic gaming experience for classic 2D games but lacks joysticks for newer titles. The RG Rotate also supports wireless streaming to a TV, gameplay streaming from a PC, and Bluetooth controller connectivity. Release date and pricing details are still unknown.

Winsage

April 27, 2026

Windows Wrap: Windows 11 is getting its spark back

Microsoft is revitalizing the Windows Insider Program to reconnect with its user base and enhance Windows 11. The program, which previously fostered community engagement and innovation, is being rebooted to prioritize user feedback and improve quality. Significant updates to Windows 11 have been announced, and there is a push to recognize the contributions of Insiders. Additionally, Surface enthusiasts are creating their own accessories through 3-D printing due to a lack of official offerings from Microsoft.

Tech Optimizer

April 27, 2026

Bitdefender Total Security review: Tried and tested by an antivirus expert

Modern antivirus solutions have integrated various tools into a single interface, with Bitdefender exemplifying this trend. It features a dashboard for system scans, recommendations, and account management. The “Protection” section includes antivirus settings, online threat defense, and firewall options. Users can enable an anti-spam service for email applications like Outlook and Thunderbird. The privacy tab offers an anti-tracker browser plugin and a limited free VPN. Additional privacy features include video and audio protection to manage webcam and microphone access, and Safepay for secure online banking. Bitdefender also provides a desktop widget for protection status, secure file shredding, and remote device management options. In terms of performance, Bitdefender operates efficiently, using less than 100MB of RAM for its main interface, but can spike during full system scans. It successfully detected a trojan during a scan of a linked Google Drive account. Bitdefender effectively identified all test files in antivirus testing and enhances browser security by intervening when users ignore warnings. The application is easy to install, with a compact file size, and offers a Quick Scan feature that allows users to scan only applications after a thorough initial scan.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Xbox’s 50 Free Games For PC Owners Offer Comes With A Massive Catch

Asha Sharma, the new Head of Gaming at Microsoft, is leading a transformation of the Xbox Game Pass, which includes a 23 percent reduction in subscription price. However, the popular game Call of Duty will no longer be available as a 'day one' title on the service. The restructuring aims to address perceptions that the Ultimate Tier is too expensive and will introduce additional subscription tiers, including a 'Starter Edition' for PC players. This new tier is expected to offer ten hours of cloud gaming monthly and access to over 50 games, but it will not include online multiplayer capabilities, disappointing many players. The changes may reflect a shift in the approach to online multiplayer as cloud gaming becomes more prevalent.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

FF14 Evercold release date window, jobs, trailers, and latest news

The FF14 8.0 expansion, titled "FF14 Evercold," will release in January 2027, with Patch 7.56 arriving on September 8, 2026. The level cap will increase from 100 to 110, and players will encounter a flood of ice in the Fourth reflection of the Source. The expansion will introduce two new jobs: one Tank and one Ranged Physical DPS. Evolved Mode and Reborn Mode will be available, allowing players to choose between a streamlined battle system or a traditional playstyle. The expansion will feature six new zones, approximately six dungeons, three new trials, and a series of eight-player raids. A crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion will occur in patches 8.1, 8.3, and 8.5. Updates will also include changes to PvP, FATEs, and the Tomestone rewards system. Further details will be revealed at upcoming Fanfests in Berlin and Tokyo.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

For Return to Castle Wolfenstein’s 25th anniversary, modders are bringing its console-exclusive levels to PC at last

The developers of Redneck Rampage have transitioned to creating Return to Castle Wolfenstein, marking a revival of id Software's franchise. The RealRTCW mod enhances the 2001 game with modern graphics, widescreen support, and gameplay rebalancing. The creators of RealRTCW plan to release a previously console-exclusive prologue as free DLC, which will deepen the narrative and gameplay experience. This DLC will be available on platforms like Steam and GOG, enriching the Return to Castle Wolfenstein experience.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

“Average Steam Deck framerate” graph shows PC game developers how their Verified titles really run on Valve’s handheld — Will users ever see this data

Valve has introduced new beta Steamworks tools for game developers as part of its Steam Deck Verified Games initiative. These tools allow developers to monitor average framerates over the past 30 days and access user survey results regarding the Verified status of their games. Participation in data collection is opt-in, ensuring user privacy. The user survey appears after at least ten minutes of gameplay, allowing users to agree or disagree with a game's Verified status and provide feedback on various criteria. The Steam Deck Verified program assesses game compatibility based on four criteria: Controller input, Display, Seamlessness, and System support. Games are rated as Verified, Playable, Unsupported, or Unknown, with these ratings displayed in the Steam store. Valve may potentially make the collected data accessible to the public in the future.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the legacy of older video games, particularly The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, expressing nostalgia for its innovative gameplay mechanics, including stealth and melee combat. He compares its level design to that of Batman: Arkham Asylum and suggests that Riddick influenced future licensed games. Fenlon notes the unavailability of both Riddick titles in the current market and speculates that Vin Diesel could help resolve licensing issues for a revival. He describes the immersive gameplay experience, where players embody Riddick and navigate a dynamic environment filled with various types of guards. The game features a mix of stealth and conventional shooting mechanics, with a variety of weapons, including a tranquilizer gun and the Scar gun. Fenlon critiques the level design in later stages and the checkpointing system, which lacks quicksave options. Despite these flaws, he appreciates the game's adult themes and humor, highlighting its significance in video game evolution.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Zenless Zone Zero coming to Steam later this year

Zenless Zone Zero is set to be released on PC in the second quarter of 2026, with a Steam page now available for pre-release tests and a goal of reaching 300,000 wishlists for a milestone event. The game received a mixed review score of 55% from Kerry Brunskill, who described it as a "shallow, polished front for a relentless online store." Developer MiHoYo, known for successful titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, previously achieved 50 million downloads of Zenless Zone Zero within a week of its initial launch. There were speculations about a 40% chance of HoYoverse games coming to Steam due to concerns over revenue cuts, but the games have a strong following that may allow them to succeed without Steam. The Epic Games Store has faced criticism, and the release of Zenless Zone Zero may test its appeal compared to other storefronts.