players Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

18 years later, Gears of War 2 finally comes to PC as a free download

Gears of War 2: Hollow is an unofficial PC port of the 2008 game Gears of War 2, developed by Helios, nearly two decades after its original Xbox 360 release. This custom community build includes the original campaign, multiplayer, horde, and cooperative modes, along with all downloadable content maps. The port is based on a flawed, previously unreleased PC development build and incorporates all content from the Xbox 360 version for single-player gameplay. The multiplayer aspect is still in testing and is advised to be treated as a beta version. The port is compatible with Windows and has been reported to work on Linux-based systems like the Steam Deck. Players can use either a controller or keyboard and mouse, although the user interface defaults to controller prompts. The port features a launcher for customizing settings such as resolution, frame rate limits, and graphical details. Players are encouraged to have a legally obtained copy of Gears of War 2 to respect intellectual property rights.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Path of Exile is ripping up the rulebook, and nothing is “untouchable” – but don’t get your hopes up for a campaign skip

Path of Exile 3.29 introduces significant changes, including the removal of socket colors, a rebalancing of over 100 skills, and the addition of underwater combat. Game Director Mark 'Neon' Roberts and Game Designer Christopher 'Octavian' Laferriere discussed the decision to remove socket colors, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in game design. They oppose allowing players to skip the campaign, believing it diminishes emotional investment in characters. The expansion will introduce a third ascendancy for the Scion class, called the Luminary, focused on managing mercenaries. Upcoming content includes a new pinnacle boss related to Breach, accessed through an item named Zorath's Eye of Malevolence. Path of Exile 2 is set to launch at the end of the year, with the team confident in their development progress. Exilecon is approaching, generating excitement for community feedback.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Riot quickly backpedals on paid old-school skins in League of Legends Classic after backlash

League of Legends Classic has launched in Riot Games' public test environment, featuring a reduced champion roster and character builds from 2013 and earlier. The mode has received mixed reactions, particularly regarding its visual presentation, with modern character models and the option to unlock or purchase classic skins. A user criticized the charging for classic skins, leading to over 6,000 upvotes on a subreddit post. In response, Riot Games announced that all classic skins would be unlocked and set as the default appearance. Riot explained their design choice to blend elements from various patches to accommodate diverse player preferences, as indicated by survey responses. As the mode moves to standard servers, Riot plans to make changes based on player votes regarding new patches.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Cliff Bleszinski says ego played a role in LawBreakers’ failure: ‘People are loyal to the game, but they’re not necessarily loyal to the person’

LawBreakers, released in 2017 by Boss Key Productions, was a commercial failure and was shut down a year later. Cliff Bleszinski, co-founder of Boss Key, attributed some of the game's lack of success to his desire to establish the company as a distinct entity, which led to missed collaborative opportunities, including not working with Rod Fergusson from Gears of War. Bleszinski remains passionate about game development and expresses a desire to create characters and worlds that resonate with players.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Cozy new open-world RPG to rival Minecraft launches on Steam, free to try

Taival is a newly launched co-op adventure RPG developed by Bonobo Software and published by Level Up Gaming, currently available in early access on PC via Steam. The game supports up to four players and features a unique shapeshifting companion called the Henki, whose quest involves recovering fragments of its lost heritage and restoring the Heartstone. Players can transform into various creatures through the Henki, unlocking unique abilities for exploration and combat. The game world is hand-crafted, featuring distinct realms and engaging NPC quests. Taival is priced at .99, with a 20% discount until July 28, and a free demo is available.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Minecraft and Hytale’s devs agreed their games needed to feel “more different.” Now it’s finally happening.

Hypixel Studios has revealed a new vision for Hytale, distinguishing it from Minecraft. Game Director Simon Collins-Laflamme noted a conversation with Minecraft's Chief Creative Officer, Jens 'Jeb' Bergensten, who expressed a desire for Hytale to develop its own identity. Bergensten acknowledged Hytale's polish but preferred playing Minecraft, prompting Collins-Laflamme to emphasize the importance of Hytale's unique features, which were not yet present in the game. The recent Chapter 1 preview showcases significant differences, including handcrafted dungeons with multi-phase boss fights, enhanced combat abilities, runeforging for customization, immersive world events, and companions in the crafting loop. Collins-Laflamme aims for Hytale to evolve into a deeper RPG experience, stating it is only at the beginning of its journey. The differentiation benefits both Hytale and Minecraft, allowing them to thrive in their respective niches. Other voxel-based games, like Everwind and Vintage Story, further demonstrate the variety of gameplay experiences possible within the voxel style.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

SNEG Announces Six Classics Coming to PC!

SNEG has announced the revival of six classic PC titles, which will be available on Steam and GOG. The titles are: - Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor - Warlords IV: Heroes of Etheria - Soldiers at War - Dark Earth - Ecstatica 1 & 2 Players can wishlist these games to support their revival.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Claim two more free PC games on the Epic Games Store before they’re gone

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles for the week: Echo Generation: Midnight Edition and Luto, available until July 23. Echo Generation is a turn-based adventure set in the 1990s, featuring a group of young adventurers exploring mysteries in their hometown, enhanced with quality-of-life upgrades in its Midnight Edition. Luto is a first-person psychological horror game that focuses on atmospheric storytelling and environmental puzzles, exploring themes like anxiety and grief. Once claimed, these titles will remain in the user's Epic Games library permanently. After this promotion, the next free game will be Foretales.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

EA believes that planning for in-game advertising placement should be done during the development stage

Alexander Dao, Vice President of Advertising and Sponsorship at Electronic Arts (EA), discussed the strategic integration of advertising in console and PC games, emphasizing that planning for advertising from the outset can enhance monetization potential. He noted that when advertising is integrated into game design from the beginning, it feels more organic and allows for greater flexibility with brands. Dao mentioned that the ease of embedding advertising varies by genre, with sports games being more conducive to it. He cited the partnership between The Sims 4 and Coach as a successful example of brand collaboration. Additionally, he highlighted EA's launch of EA Advertising, a platform aimed at facilitating brand advertising within its games.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Satisfactory, Space Marine 2, Assassin’s Creed, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering two free PC games: Echo Generation and Luto, available until July 23, when Foretales will be the next free game. Humble has released three new game bundles: the Liminal Spaces bundle featuring titles related to the Backrooms genre, the Humble Handhelds Bundle including Children of Morta and Amid Evil, and the 2K Megahits Bundle with popular games like BioShock Infinite and Borderlands 3. The GOG store is also providing DRM-free discounts. Availability and pricing may vary by region.