player expectations Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

PC is the definitive way to play The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

Sony's exclusives on PlayStation hardware are known for their seamless performance, but PC ports can vary in quality. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered has been released on PC, offering a polished experience and various customizable graphics settings, including level of detail, texture quality, shadow quality, NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency, AMD Anti-Lag 2, and upscaling technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. While the gameplay experience is generally smooth, some minor graphical glitches may occur. The game has received patches since launch to improve performance. It retains a stunning aesthetic, enhanced by modern PC capabilities, making it a worthwhile investment for both newcomers and those who have played it on PS4 or PS5. Players are encouraged to check their system's specifications to ensure compatibility for an optimal experience.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

Starfield promises it still exists as silence drives fans to space-madness, but it mostly just annoys everyone: ‘They are deliberately choosing not to communicate more’

Baldur's Gate 3 has become a monumental success, attracting tens of thousands of players daily, while Starfield's user review score on Steam has dropped to a mixed 58%. Bethesda has acknowledged fan impatience regarding updates for Starfield but has provided little specific information about future content. The ambiguity of their communication has left many fans uncertain about the timeline for updates, leading to frustration within the community. Critics suggest that Bethesda's cautious communication strategy is a response to the challenges of managing player expectations.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

Minecraft Live 2025 showcase is airing in two weeks

Minecraft's annual presentation is scheduled to occur earlier this year than in previous years, generating curiosity and excitement within the gaming community. This change may be a strategic move by the developers to align with trends and player expectations, potentially capturing a broader audience's attention. Speculation about new gameplay mechanics, expansion packs, or narrative directions is prevalent among players.

AppWizard

November 30, 2024

Witcher 4 dev not sure if CDPR will take a Baldur’s Gate 3-style PC-first release

Charles Tremblay, the vice president of technology at CD Projekt Red, discussed the platform release strategy for The Witcher 4 in an interview with Eurogamer. He was asked about the possibility of a PC-first launch, similar to Baldur's Gate 3, which could help avoid development challenges faced by Cyberpunk 2077. Tremblay expressed reservations about this approach, highlighting the importance of a balanced strategy that considers the diverse gaming landscape and player expectations across various platforms. He emphasized a commitment to delivering a polished experience for The Witcher 4, regardless of the launch platform.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

A new Tomb Raider Remastered series is coming in 2025, complete with the game so bad it ‘almost killed the series’

Aspyr is set to release a remastered trilogy of Tomb Raider 4-6, including The Last Revelation (1999), Chronicles (2000), and The Angel of Darkness (2003), on Steam on February 14, 2025. The remastered games will feature updated graphics, refined controls, health bars for bosses, a photo mode, and a range of achievements. The remaster aims to address past criticisms, particularly of The Angel of Darkness, which has been described as "infuriating, buggy, and ultimately boring." Developers may consider framing the remaster as a historical artifact to manage player expectations.

AppWizard

September 4, 2024

PlayStation pulls Concord from sale

Sony Interactive Entertainment has decided to withdraw its hero shooter, Concord, from the market and will take it offline on September 6th. The game sold only 25,000 copies, with 10,000 on Steam. Sony will issue refunds to customers who purchased the game.

AppWizard

August 29, 2024

Real-time strategy almost came back from the brink of death and then fell flat on its face

Four years ago, the real-time strategy (RTS) genre was perceived as nearing extinction, with only a few developers still engaged. The last significant release was StarCraft 2 in 2010. Recent titles like Company of Heroes 3 and Homeworld 3 received mixed to negative reviews, failing to meet player expectations. Company of Heroes 3 struggles with a Mixed rating on Steam, while Homeworld 3 has a Mostly Negative rating. Stormgate's early access launch was underwhelming, and other recent titles like The Great War: Western Front and Dune: Spice Wars did not leave a lasting impact. None of the new RTS games have inspired repeated play, which is crucial for the genre. Sins of a Solar Empire 2 has received positive reviews but lacks a campaign. The RTS genre's competitive spirit has diminished, leading to concerns about a potential decline. Despite the enduring popularity of remastered titles like Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, attracting new players remains a challenge. The future of the RTS genre appears uncertain, with a possibility of fading community engagement.

AppWizard

August 29, 2024

Bandai Namco and Amazon say no refunds as they kill off anime MMO Blue Protocol, but they’ll give you 5,000 funbucks a month until it dies

Bandai Namco will conclude the Japanese version of Blue Protocol on January 18, 2025, and has canceled its planned release in Europe and the United States. The development team expressed their inability to meet player expectations despite their efforts. Players have voiced disappointment, particularly those who invested money into the game. Bandai Namco will not provide refunds for in-game currency but will distribute 5,000 Rose Orbs monthly from September until January and offer the newly released battle pass for free. Executive producer Sokichi Shimooka noted that the company had to investigate a significant player drop-off, indicating challenges faced by the game.

AppWizard

August 23, 2024

Skull and Bones Coming to Steam August 22

On August 22, Skull and Bones will launch on Steam alongside Season 3, introducing new features such as an invading sea lord in the Indian Ocean, world events, and an updated Smuggler Pass. The development team has made significant improvements for mouse-and-keyboard users, including optimized controls, enhanced map navigation, and a revamped shortcut bar. Community feedback was integral in identifying key areas for improvement, such as inventory management and key binds. Notable updates include changes to item selection, interaction methods, and the action bar for mouse-and-keyboard controls. To celebrate the Steam launch, the game will be discounted by up to 60% from August 22 to September 4, and a free trial will be available for up to six hours starting August 22. The game is also available on multiple platforms, including PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

July 28, 2024

Blizzard politely tells Hearthstone players their game isn’t dead just because it’s not getting a new cosmetic board this expansion

The upcoming Hearthstone expansion, Perils in Paradise, will not include a custom game board, leading to concerns among players about the game's future. In response, Blizzard's development team reassured the community that Hearthstone is not facing cancellation and is instead reallocating resources to enhance player personalization. They committed to improving communication about changes and future developments. Lyons-Smith, a member of the Hearthstone team, emphasized ongoing research and development to ensure the game's longevity for another decade. He acknowledged past communication shortcomings and highlighted a focus on customization, potential game mode revamps, new cards, and the recent addition of Battlegrounds Duos.