playing Archives

AppWizard

October 14, 2026

Google will now let anyone build apps without coding

Google is introducing AI-powered app creation on Google Play, allowing users to build custom Android apps using Google AI Studio without needing a developer account. This feature will initially roll out in select markets, including the U.S., for users aged 18 and older. Users can create personal apps that remain separate from the public Play Store and can later transition to a professional developer account if desired. Additionally, Google is enhancing app discovery with personalized recommendations through the Ask Play feature and integrating Play Store content into Gemini conversations. The Game Finder tool will provide tailored game recommendations based on user preferences, and Google is launching Game Playlists for users to curate and share collections of games. To foster community engagement, Google is introducing features like Sprints for competitive play, a Sidekick feature for recording gameplay clips, and Community Posts for interaction on game pages. Google is also expanding its PC gaming offerings with new titles and cross-play capabilities, alongside introducing Game Trials for PC games. For families, Google is implementing a privacy option for age-restricted apps through Family Link and launching Play Fest, a week-long promotion with various rewards. This overhaul aims to transform Google Play from a simple app store into a platform for app creation, community interaction, and personalized experiences.

AppWizard

October 13, 2026

Google Adds YouTube Background Playback to Android Automotive Cars

Google is updating Android Automotive with a redesigned Play Store that enhances user experience for drivers, accommodating various infotainment screen sizes and orientations. The new Play Store will feature improved categorization and a refreshed storefront, with over 700 apps available, including new additions like STARZ, Firefox, Ludo King, and JioHotstar. A new YouTube playback feature allows users to watch videos while parked, with audio continuing seamlessly when driving, requiring a YouTube Premium subscription. This functionality confirms the previously hinted park-to-driving capability for Android Automotive systems. Android Automotive operates directly on the car’s infotainment system, while Android Auto mirrors apps from a connected smartphone. Google has not clarified if the new automatic switch from video to audio will be available on Android Auto.

Winsage

October 13, 2026

Forget Sony’s barely existent PS5 exclusives, this developer wants to turn the console into a Windows gaming machine

A developer named Mihawk has successfully run Windows 11 on the PS5 through a project called Mihawk OS, allowing both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows games to operate on a jailbroken PS5. Mihawk has also integrated RetroArch, enabling various emulators to function on the console. Early reports indicate that the game HADES has been seen running in this Windows environment. This development may allow gamers to play titles like Gears of War: E-Day natively on the PS5. However, jailbreaking the console can limit access to PlayStation servers and pose risks to user accounts.

BetaBeacon

October 13, 2026

Vampire Crawlers Released on iOS and Android – Mobile Version Price Unpleasantly Surprised Players

Poncle studio has launched the mobile version of Vampire Crawlers, a turn-based card roguelike game with dungeon exploration. The mobile version is priced significantly higher than the PC version on Steam, causing controversy among players.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an okay approximation of ‘Diablo for kids’ that’s sorely in need of more depth

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is an action role-playing game available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, with a release date of September 29, 2026. The game features a twelve-hour campaign where players experience consistent challenges due to level scaling, which diminishes the sense of progression. Combat is repetitive, lacking strategic depth, and exploration is limited despite claims of a more expansive world. The visual aesthetic is vibrant, but the narrative is weak and lacks engaging characters. The game includes accessibility options such as a guidance trail, customizable subtitles, and color-blind modes. The review was based on over thirteen hours of gameplay on a high-performance PC.

BetaBeacon

October 10, 2026

A classic Zelda-style adventure can be tried for free on smartphones – Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King released on Android and iOS

FDG Entertainment has released the mobile version of the adventure game Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, developed by Castle Pixel.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

It’s Not Gone: The Feature Android Auto Users Love Is Still There, Google Says

The wavy progress bar in Android Auto's music applications has disappeared for some users, leading to speculation about its permanent removal. Google clarified that the squiggly line has not been eliminated, attributing the inconsistency to app developers' ability to customize the progress bar's appearance. Users have observed that the wavy progress bar may appear in the Coolwalk screen but reverts to a standard straight line in full-screen mode. Additionally, any app capable of playing media now utilizes a dedicated card on the Coolwalk screen, allowing users to see song information and playback controls. This feature is live on production devices with the latest updates of Android Auto.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

From a 1997 PC Game to a Prime Video Hit, Why Fallout Remains a Gold Standard

Fallout celebrates its 29th anniversary today. Developed by Interplay Productions, it is a post-apocalyptic RPG known for its exceptional storytelling, mature themes, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Critics praised its smooth gameplay, effective action points system, user-friendly inventory, and character development. Fallout's narrative was noted for its depth, leading players to reconsider their gaming choices. The franchise's legacy is highlighted by sequels and a successful television adaptation on Prime Video, starring Walton Goggins, which showcases the narrative strength of the series.

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Steam open-world adventure with Stardew Valley charm is free this weekend

Developer Pugstorm is offering a free play weekend for its open-world survival game, Core Keeper, on Steam. The game, launched two years ago, allows solo or cooperative play with up to seven friends and features survival tasks like resource harvesting, crafting, and base building. Players can explore diverse biomes, level up skills, and engage in life simulation activities while combating legendary titans. The free play weekend ends at 6 PM BST on October 12, and players' progress will be saved if they decide to purchase the game afterward. Core Keeper is currently available at a 40% discount, priced at £9.59/$.99, down from £15.99/$.99, until October 22. The game has a 'Very Positive' review score of 94% on Steam.

AppWizard

October 9, 2026

Don’t worry, Valve: I’ve got your next Deadlock character concepts sorted

Deadlock features a range of character concepts that could enhance its gameplay and narrative. Notable ideas include: - The Summer Mummy, characterized by floral board shorts and sunglasses, representing summer fun. - A professional baseball-playing Minotaur with a Scottish accent and a backstory involving the Bermuda Triangle. - Three gnomes disguised in a trench coat, part of a whimsical mafia called the Cosa Gnomestra. - A haunted suit of armor that acts as a boxer, engaging in combat while wearing boxing shorts and gloves. - A large, charismatic spider capable of traversing walls and wielding eight weapons. - A reimagined Humpty Dumpty as a tragic antihero who rolls into battle. - The remaining part of the monkey from the tale of the monkey's paw, potentially a sorcerer with magical abilities. - A North Pole elf advocating for labor rights, creating a narrative around social issues. - A deer transformed into a sapient being by a cursed amulet, navigating urban life with humor and relatability.