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The Best Mac Games for 2026
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

The Best Mac Games for 2026

Balatro, Crimson Desert, and Stardew Valley have been added to the lineup of recommended Mac games. The Mac platform has historically lagged behind Windows in gaming but is improving due to Apple's porting tools. Many games are now available at launch or shortly thereafter on Mac. Crimson Desert was released on Mac simultaneously with its launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The games mentioned can be found on Steam and include GRID Legends and Resident Evil Village, which are available in the Mac App Store.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced's offline mode failure proves Ubisoft doesn't actually know what an offline mode is supposed to be
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced’s offline mode failure proves Ubisoft doesn’t actually know what an offline mode is supposed to be

Sony announced the discontinuation of physical discs for PlayStation, prompting discussions about digital media ownership. Ubisoft launched Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which sold 2 million units on launch day. However, a significant outage of Ubisoft Connect, the DRM platform for PC users, prevented many players from accessing the game. Although the game was designed for a single online connection for validation, players expected to switch to offline mode afterward, leading to frustration when server issues arose. Ubisoft had previously promised an offline mode for The Crew 2 but has left players questioning future assurances. Some users noted that pirated versions of the game remained playable during the outage, increasing interest in DRM-free titles. A gamer shared their positive experience with Project Motor Racing, which allowed for offline installation, highlighting a trend toward user-friendly gaming solutions as frustrations with DRM systems grow.
Steam, Dota 2 и Counter-Strike 2 снова столкнулись со сбоями по всему миру
TrendTechie
July 14, 2026

Steam, Dota 2 и Counter-Strike 2 снова столкнулись со сбоями по всему миру

On the evening of July 13, users of the Steam platform reported widespread connectivity issues starting around 20:00 MSK, affecting cloud saves and online game launches. Dota 2 players faced difficulties initiating match searches, while Counter-Strike 2 users encountered errors redirecting them to the main menu. The cause of the outages is unclear, but full access is expected to be restored within a few hours.
It's Monday, and Steam is currently struggling just like the rest of us
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

It’s Monday, and Steam is currently struggling just like the rest of us

On July 13 at 11:30 PT, Steam experienced intermittent downtime and various errors affecting the store, community hub, and game APIs. Users reported that the store and community pages had a "Very Slow" status, and Deadlock's multiplayer API showed an Internal Server Error. The Steam API displayed erratic behavior, with users encountering "Bad Gateway" errors. By the end of the day, all systems were reported to be functioning normally.
Thinking About Installing Windows on Your Steam Machine? Read This First
Winsage
July 14, 2026

Thinking About Installing Windows on Your Steam Machine? Read This First

Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to replace SteamOS with Windows for greater software flexibility. This transition requires a complete OS overhaul and may result in performance issues due to reliance on generic AMD graphics drivers, as Valve does not provide official support for Windows on the Steam Machine. Users have encountered a hardware issue known as the “Red Bar of Death,” which can often be resolved through power resets and ensuring proper ventilation. The upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is designed to operate independently of a PC, featuring standalone capabilities and enhanced SteamOS integration, but its success will depend on competitive pricing and developer support. The Steam Machine faces challenges such as high pricing, aging hardware, and limited official support, impacting its competitiveness in the gaming market.
Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

Steam Machine compatibility checks are here, though not every game on the store enjoys a rating

Steam users can now check a game's compatibility with Steam Machine and SteamOS directly from the store page. This feature was introduced after the Steam Machine's June release. Players can click 'learn more' next to the Steam Deck compatibility rating for an overview of compatibility across Valve's hardware and software. The game Black Myth: Wukong has an 'unknown' compatibility status with the Steam Machine, while it runs successfully on SteamOS. Valve is investigating compatibility for titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Elden Ring Nightreign. Some games, like 007: First Light, can achieve a 'Verified' rating on the Steam Machine. Currently, the Steam store does not allow filtering by Steam Machine or SteamOS compatibility, but this feature is expected soon.
EU sanctions target Russian state-backed messaging app
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

EU sanctions target Russian state-backed messaging app

Moscow is promoting Max, a super-app that consolidates various digital services, while cracking down on messaging platforms WhatsApp and Telegram. The Russian government has required civil servants and state-owned enterprises to use Max for communications. The EU has imposed sanctions on VK, the media conglomerate behind Max, due to concerns that the app is monitored by the FSB and has surveillance capabilities that suppress dissent regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Max, which is compared to China's WeChat, integrates social media, messaging, and access to government services. President Putin has called Max a "secure" alternative, but EU officials have expressed skepticism, seeing it as part of a strategy to create a "digital iron curtain" in Russia amidst ongoing international sanctions.
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