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Data analyst finds 'AI stigma' on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Data analyst finds ‘AI stigma’ on Steam can reduce the number of reviews a game gets by around 53%—and the reviews it does get are more negative

Ross Burton's analysis examined 9,879 games released between January and October 2025, revealing that 17.9% of these games openly acknowledged their use of AI technology. Notable titles like Clair Obscur and Crimson Desert have successfully utilized AI in their development, while discussions about AI usage have overshadowed the new Crazy Taxi game. High-profile figures, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, oppose the need for disclaimers regarding AI use, and major studios like Sony continue to invest heavily in AI technologies.
Epic Games Store Roadmap Promises 5x Faster Boot Times, User Reviews, and More
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Epic Games Store Roadmap Promises 5x Faster Boot Times, User Reviews, and More

The Epic Games Store is undergoing a significant transformation, with a roadmap for new features and a redesign of its digital storefront. Upcoming updates include Fortnite chunked installation, third-party patch notes, pre-registration for free-to-play games, storefront rearchitecture, and library management improvements. Additional features like player profiles, user-written reviews, publisher-funded coupons, and enhanced search capabilities are planned for a later phase. The store, launched in 2018, has faced challenges in competing with platforms like Steam and has not yet achieved profitability. A "ground-up rebuild" of the launcher is expected to improve performance significantly.
Kings Do Not Fall – Coming Soon to Android on Google Play !
BetaBeacon
June 17, 2026

Kings Do Not Fall – Coming Soon to Android on Google Play !

Players take control of King Alden in the game "Kings Do Not Fall" as he fights through six levels against monsters like goblins, orcs, and the undead. The game features classic arcade-inspired visuals, fast-paced side-scrolling combat, and the ability to unlock achievements and compete on a leaderboard.
If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn't need to be x86
AppWizard
June 10, 2026

If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn’t need to be x86

Arm chips have traditionally excelled in Android gaming and emulation, while x86 architecture has dominated serious PC gaming. A modder successfully ran Steam on the original Nintendo Switch, which features an Nvidia Tegra chip, due to the introduction of Arm support in Proton 11's beta version. This achievement indicates that PC gaming on handheld devices may not be limited to x86 architecture. However, running Steam on the Switch requires complex workarounds, resulting in low frame rates and various limitations. The process involved using Box64 and community-developed projects to facilitate the installation, as the Switch's outdated kernel posed challenges. Despite the limitations, the ability to run x86 games on an Arm chip suggests that hardware constraints, rather than translation feasibility, are the main obstacles. Modern Arm chips have shown the capability to run PC games, with driver issues being a significant challenge for non-gaming devices. Valve is developing the Steam Frame, a VR headset powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which runs SteamOS natively on Arm and utilizes FEX for x86 game compatibility. Early benchmarks indicate promising performance on Arm devices, suggesting a potential shift in the handheld gaming landscape. While x86 remains the safer choice currently, the barriers for Arm-based handhelds are gradually diminishing, indicating a future with more options beyond x86 architecture.
I hate mobile games, but I’ve been playing this one for years
BetaBeacon
May 31, 2026

I hate mobile games, but I’ve been playing this one for years

The text describes the preferences of the author when it comes to mobile games, highlighting the simplicity and ease of use of games like Alto's Odyssey. The author believes that Alto's Odyssey is the best game for someone who is not into mobile gaming, as it is fast-paced, easy to pick up, and visually appealing. The author also mentions Crossy Road as another game with similar mechanics but lacking the visual appeal of Alto's Odyssey.
Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots
AppWizard
May 23, 2026

Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots

A retro PC enthusiast modified the VBIOS of an S3 ViRGE DX graphics card to include a version of the classic game Snake, allowing users to play it briefly during system boot. This project, by the YouTube channel Bits und Bolts, involved embedding Snake 512, a compact game written in x86 assembly language. The modification includes a dynamic text splash screen displaying the GPU's operating frequency and prompts users to play Snake or skip to the boot process. The implementation does not support USB keyboards and has no sound during gameplay. The enthusiast also customized the game's colors using hexadecimal values from the VGA color palette.
Here's what developers can do with the latest Google Play updates
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Here’s what developers can do with the latest Google Play updates

During the Google I/O event, several tools were introduced to support developers, including Play Shorts for app previews, the Ask Play feature for conversational app searches, integration of apps into the Gemini app for enhanced visibility, and the Engage SDK for improved content discovery. Additionally, the Play Games Sidekick was launched to provide players with in-game information such as tips and rewards.
Google is bringing Android's gaming Sidekick to more users
BetaBeacon
May 19, 2026

Google is bringing Android’s gaming Sidekick to more users

Google is expanding its Play Games Sidekick overlay globally, introducing new social features that allow users to see which friends are playing the same game and track their achievements. These features will be launching next month. The Sidekick menu also allows users to take screenshots, record gameplay, stream gameplay, view achievements, and get in-game perks.
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