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That Overwatch mobile game is real, and it's yet another win for Blizzard's hero shooter
AppWizard
February 24, 2026

That Overwatch mobile game is real, and it’s yet another win for Blizzard’s hero shooter

Overwatch has seen a significant increase in player count, rising from around 37,000 concurrent players to a peak of 165,651. Blizzard is introducing a new hero each season and making ongoing map reworks and additions. The upcoming Overwatch Rush will transform the game into a top-down mobile format, distinguishing itself with a MOBA-like gameplay style. The reveal trailer shows fan-favorite characters, but details on game modes are limited. Blizzard has confirmed that Overwatch Rush is being developed by a separate team to ensure Team 4 remains focused on the PC and console version. There is currently no specific release date for Overwatch Rush, but playtesting is planned in select regions. Players can join a new Discord server for updates.
Steam Next Fest is back and you've once again got just 7 days to find your favorite demos among hundreds of choices
AppWizard
February 24, 2026

Steam Next Fest is back and you’ve once again got just 7 days to find your favorite demos among hundreds of choices

The Steam Next Fest is currently taking place, offering a week-long celebration of game demos. It features a wide variety of upcoming titles, including: - Prime Monster: A card-based political roguelike where political leaders are depicted as monsters. - All Will Rise: A narrative deck-builder focused on seeking justice for a slain god. - Vampire Crawlers: A card-based dungeon crawler from the creator of Vampire Survivors. - The Last Gas Station: A game where players control a red panda running a gas station in an electric vehicle-dominated world. - Windrose: An open-world PvE pirate survival game with "soulslite combat" and sea shanties. - Tap Tap Loot: An action-packed game featuring a character reminiscent of Bongo Cat. - Phonopolis: An adventure game from Amanita Design. - Titanium Court: Highlighted as the "first must-play demo" of the event. The Steam Next Fest runs until March 2.
Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience
AppWizard
February 13, 2026

Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience

Bungie's new title, Marathon, will launch on March 5, marking the company's first release outside the Destiny universe in over a decade. Players will have the option to disable cross-platform matchmaking, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users to avoid competing against PC players. Marathon will feature a mix of PvP, PvE, and PvPvE gameplay elements, but will not use matchmaking strategies from other titles like Arc Raiders. A server slam is scheduled for February 26 to preview the game. Sony has received positive feedback from playtests, which has informed adjustments to improve the game before its release.
Promising good old fashioned co-op FPS action, Half-Life remake dev's Rogue Point has finally hit early access
AppWizard
February 13, 2026

Promising good old fashioned co-op FPS action, Half-Life remake dev’s Rogue Point has finally hit early access

Rogue Point is a co-op, PvE FPS game developed by the creators of the Black Mesa Half-Life remake, recently launched in Steam Early Access. Players form squads of up to four resistance fighters against mercenaries hired by wealthy backers. Missions include objectives like eliminating targets, gathering intelligence, and rescuing hostages, with success yielding cash rewards for loadout improvements. The game features a Dead Drop mechanic for acquiring new gear without real-money transactions. Gameplay emphasizes tactical realism and strategic movement, with elements reminiscent of games like Ready or Not and Rainbow Six Siege, while also incorporating chaotic enemy types. Rogue Point is currently priced at .99 / £14.44, with a 20% discount for its first two weeks.
Arc Raiders' huge success gives Embark the "opportunity to do bigger things" and cook up a more "ambitious" roadmap
AppWizard
January 19, 2026

Arc Raiders’ huge success gives Embark the “opportunity to do bigger things” and cook up a more “ambitious” roadmap

12.4 million copies of Arc Raiders have been sold. The success has provided Embark Studios with new resources and opportunities to expand and enhance the game. The studio is reevaluating its roadmap to cater to a diverse player base, including casual PvE players and competitive PvP players. Plans for multiple map updates throughout the year are in place, which may include revamps of existing areas and new maps. There is interest in enhancing the trading system, particularly the NPC trading system. The possibility of transforming the underground colony of Speranza into a more interactive hub has been discussed. Future developments may introduce new circumstances and threats to deepen gameplay and player interaction.
Marathon fully unveils all seven of its Runners, and I'll take the one with the grappling hook and loot-stealing drone, please
AppWizard
January 15, 2026

Marathon fully unveils all seven of its Runners, and I’ll take the one with the grappling hook and loot-stealing drone, please

The author initially lost interest in Marathon due to its challenges and competition from Arc Raiders, but recent updates, including enhanced visuals and the introduction of Runner Shells, have rekindled their enthusiasm. The Runner Shells are highly customizable, offering more flexibility than traditional hero selections in other games. Various Runner Shells, such as Destroyer, Assassin, Recon, Vandal, Triage, and Thief, have unique abilities inspired by Destiny, with Thief particularly appealing for its loot-gathering capabilities. The author expresses optimism about Marathon's potential and intends to engage with the game at launch.
Ubisoft says The Division 3 is "a monster" and believes it can have "as big an impact" as the first game
AppWizard
January 9, 2026

Ubisoft says The Division 3 is “a monster” and believes it can have “as big an impact” as the first game

Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment are developing a third installment in The Division series, referred to as The Division 3, which executive producer Julian Gerighty describes as "shaping up to be a monster." The Division 2 continues to offer a rich looter-shooter experience with extensive PvE content and PvP Dark Zones. An upcoming expansion for The Division 2, titled Survivors, will reintroduce the extraction experience with a new twist, although a release date is not confirmed. Gerighty has indicated that The Division 3 will maintain the series' core elements, including online co-op gameplay and RPG mechanics. The franchise's tenth anniversary next year may provide an opportunity for early reveals of both The Division 3 and the Survivors DLC. An exclusive preview event for community members is scheduled for February at Massive HQ in Sweden. Further insights into The Division franchise are expected in 2026.
'Minecraft' Enchanting and Gear Progression: Best Enchant Order for Tools, Weapons, and Armor
AppWizard
December 25, 2025

‘Minecraft’ Enchanting and Gear Progression: Best Enchant Order for Tools, Weapons, and Armor

The enchanting system in "Minecraft" involves three main components: the enchanting table, anvil, and grindstone. The enchanting table uses lapis lazuli and experience levels to apply enchantments, while the anvil combines enchanted items and books, and the grindstone removes enchantments for XP. Enchantments range from I to IV or V and are specific to gear types. Players typically start with the enchanting table for initial enchants and refine gear using enchanted books obtained through various means. For armor, players should prioritize Protection IV, Unbreaking III, and Mending, followed by utility enchantments. Helmets often include Protection IV, Unbreaking III, Mending, Respiration III, and Aqua Affinity, while boots focus on utility with similar core enchantments. Weapons should be tailored to roles, with swords often featuring Sharpness V, Looting III, and Unbreaking III. Bows typically include Power V and either Infinity or Mending, while tridents have Loyalty or Riptide, Impaling V, and Unbreaking III. Tools, especially pickaxes, are prioritized for resource gathering, with common setups including a Fortune III pickaxe and a Silk Touch pickaxe, both requiring Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, and Mending. General rules to avoid high anvil costs include combining books before applying them to items and managing work histories effectively. Players often upgrade gear gradually rather than aiming for perfect gear early on, and many maintain separate work and display sets of gear. Repairing with raw materials does not incur a work penalty but cannot restore enchantments, while some sub-optimal enchantments can be strategically beneficial in certain situations.
A grittier take on post-apocalyptic MMOs like Fallout 76, new shooter finally lands on Steam to mixed reviews
AppWizard
December 18, 2025

A grittier take on post-apocalyptic MMOs like Fallout 76, new shooter finally lands on Steam to mixed reviews

Pioner, developed by GFA Games, is an MMO with shooter elements set in a post-apocalyptic world inspired by Stalker. It features a 50km² island that players can explore, incorporating story-driven exploration, social spaces, and PvE and PvP zones. The game includes a faction-based progression system that allows players to build reputations and unlock better items. Players must manage hunger and rest while crafting tools for survival. Launched on Steam Early Access, Pioner has over 1,200 players but faces performance issues and bugs, resulting in a user score of 50%. A hotfix has been released to address these issues, and new story content is expected by January 2026, along with a roadmap for future developments.
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