play Archives

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

I Spent a Month With the Steam Machine and it Perfectly Fills the One Gap in My Gaming Habits

The Steam Machine has been on the market for just over a month and has integrated into the user's gaming routine, particularly during a recent illness. The user connected it to their TV, disabled metrics, and explored their Steam library, finding the experience enjoyable. Despite skepticism about its high price for average consumers, the Steam Machine offers a solution for transitioning gaming from a desk to a living room without monopolizing the network. The user has historically preferred PC gaming over consoles, appreciating the flexibility of switching between devices. Previous attempts to set up living room PCs were inconvenient, but the Steam Machine simplifies this with SteamOS and the Steam Controller's trackpads. The user adjusted the output resolution to 1440p and enjoyed games like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, valuing the ability to continue saves from their PC. The Steam Machine is priced at ,049, which may deter some, but it appeals to users with extensive Steam libraries.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Mistfall Hunter Arrives On Game Pass, Xbox, PC, PS5 – Enter The Gyldenmist At Your Own Risk

Mistfall Hunter has launched on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, and is available on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Developed by Bellring Games and published by Skystone Games, the game is priced at £22.49 for the Standard Edition and £35.75 for the Deluxe Edition. It combines extraction gameplay with dark fantasy action RPG mechanics, set in a world called Gyldenmist, where players recover Gyldenblood with the help of a character named Dew. The game features third-person combat, six distinct classes, and a free-aim system. Players can embark on solo hunts or form squads of up to three hunters. Future updates will introduce new content, and the game will not include paid stat boosts or pay-to-win mechanics. The Deluxe Edition offers exclusive content, including outfits, backgrounds, earrings, poses, emotes, an avatar, an avatar frame, and Fate Coins.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Mystery: Android System Service App “Mainline Services” Disappears

The "Mainline services" app, essential for managing "Google Play system updates," was removed from the "System services" section and the "Google Play Store" between July 29 and July 30, 2026. The app was initially introduced around mid-November 2025. Users can still verify "Google Play system updates" through the "System & updates" section in their Android settings. The reasons for the app's removal and its future status are unclear.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

RTS games aren’t dead yet – but nothing hits quite like Starcraft 2

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has seen a resurgence, with Starcraft 2 celebrating its 16th anniversary next week. The game features a rich campaign and has received updates to its multiplayer mode, reigniting interest among players. The mission design in Starcraft 2 is praised for advancing the narrative while introducing new units and mechanics organically. One notable mission, 'Outbreak,' involves strategic gameplay using a day/night cycle and the introduction of the Hellion unit. The game includes hidden tutorials and optional objectives, allowing for tailored experiences and non-linear progression. Despite its age, Starcraft 2 maintains a polished interface and fluid gameplay. It is now accessible as a free-to-play title, allowing players to enjoy the entirety of Wings of Liberty and several co-op characters. The RTS genre faces challenges in attracting new audiences, but Starcraft 2 remains a compelling choice for those seeking a strategic experience.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Half-Life: Alyx gets ‘No VR’ mode, perfect for those without an expensive headset

Half-Life: Alyx has introduced a 'No VR' mode that allows players without virtual reality headsets to play the entire campaign on a flatscreen. Originally launched in 2019 as a VR-exclusive title, it faced criticism for being inaccessible to many fans of the series. The new mod enhances gameplay with interaction mechanics similar to those in games like SOMA or Amnesia, allowing players to engage with objects by aiming and holding down a button. Currently in testing, the mod covers only the first chapter of the game, with a public release expected soon. While the game is designed for VR, the mod offers an opportunity for those unable to use a headset to experience the narrative and gameplay interactively.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Xbox Project Helix could be dead on arrival thanks to PlayStation PC cull

Xbox's upcoming console, Project Helix, has undergone significant modifications due to changes in the gaming industry influenced by PlayStation's strategic decisions. PlayStation plans to phase out physical disc production by 2028 and is reportedly stepping back from PC ports due to disappointing sales figures. This shift affects Xbox's strategy, as PlayStation is reluctant to share its gaming library with Xbox users, disrupting Project Helix's original model. The anticipated cost of Project Helix is expected to exceed that of Valve's Steam Machine, raising concerns about its pricing amid a market where fewer gamers are willing to invest heavily in consoles. Exclusive titles have historically been a major draw for consoles, but Xbox is still recovering from past strategic missteps. The gaming community is awaiting further details on Project Helix's PC capabilities and an official unveiling.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

PlayStation ditching physical games is “a bridge across the bad years” of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means “casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster”

PlayStation announced its intention to cease physical game production by 2028. Analyst Rhys Elliott described this shift as a "stopgap" rather than a long-term strategy, suggesting it may be a temporary measure to address current economic challenges and high hardware manufacturing costs. He raised concerns that this decision could alienate younger and budget-conscious gamers who typically enter the console market through affordable pre-owned discs, potentially impacting their future engagement with the platform.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Some Android Phones Can No Longer Access Google Play

Smartphone users are now keeping their devices for an average of two and a half years before upgrading, an increase from 22 months in 2016. Android manufacturers, including Google and Samsung, are now providing seven years of operating system and security updates for their flagship models. Google has restricted access to the Play Store for devices running Android 6 Marshmallow, raising the minimum supported version to Android 7 Nougat, marking the end of support for Marshmallow after nearly 11 years. By December 2025, devices running Android 6 or earlier will account for only 0.4% of the Android install base accessing Play Store services. App developers must adhere to Google's version targeting protocols, which may result in many apps not functioning on older versions like Marshmallow. Users can download apps from alternative sources but must be cautious about compatibility.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Mod activates split-screen support in Halo: Campaign Evolved PC that’s just sitting there, unused

The PC version of Halo: Campaign Evolved lacks split-screen functionality, which is available on Xbox and PS5. This absence has disappointed players, especially with the rise of living room PCs. A mod called "Halo Campaign Evolved Split-screen Coop," created by Jpurd123, allows for local split-screen play by utilizing existing code in the game. The mod supports only two-player split-screen and has been tested with the Steam version, leaving other platforms potentially unsupported. Additionally, both players must use controllers, as mixing input methods causes issues. Despite these limitations, the mod's quick development reflects the community's dedication to enhancing the gaming experience.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Google brings its age-assurance technology to Android developers worldwide

Google will globally roll out its Play Signal API by the end of 2026 to enhance age assurance for younger users. The API will first be introduced in Australia and Canada by mid-August, followed by a rollout to all markets by the end of the year. This technology allows Android developers to identify younger users without accessing sensitive personal information, enabling parents to share their child's age range directly with apps. Age details will be managed through Google's Family Link parental controls dashboard, and parents must opt in to share this information. The feature is part of broader safety tools on Google Play, which include options for developers to limit children's app discovery and parental controls for managing screen time and content filters.