queues Archives

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

League of Legends is giving every role a transformative rework as part of the best slate of changes I’ve seen in years

League of Legends will introduce a battle pass system and dynamic seasonal Rifts in 2026, with a focus on enhancing balance, game duration, and introducing new formidable monsters. The season will feature a Demacia theme, with champions receiving new skins and Morgana getting a cosmetic upgrade. Role rebalancing will include Role Quests for top laners and ADCs, with improvements such as a longer-cooldown Teleport spell for top laners and increased gold acquisition for ADCs. Mid lane players will receive new tier three boots, while junglers will have enhanced movement speed and rewards. Supports will gain a dedicated control ward spot and improved gold generation. Atakhan, the Bringer of Ruin, will be retired, replaced by the new mechanic Crystalline Overgrowth. Game time will accelerate with minions spawning sooner, and Ranked play will see reinstated Solo/Duo queues and adjusted MMR calculations. Eleven new items will be introduced, including Hextech Gunblade and Stormrazor. The season launches on January 7, with changes appearing on the PBE on December 3.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

My new RPG obsession has a toxic player problem, but its dev refuses to “whack on a leavers penalty” and call it a day

Fellowship, a multiplayer online dungeon adventure from Chief Rebel, has a daily peak user base of approximately 9,000 to 11,000 on Steam. Players have expressed frustrations regarding player behavior, particularly the lack of penalties for those who leave groups or queues, which affects match wait times. Community director Hamish Bode discussed plans to address these issues, including the development of an Eternal matchmaking system and improved communication tools. The team is also considering rewarding players who complete dungeons together to encourage positive interactions. Bode emphasized the need for a balanced approach to managing player behavior, acknowledging the complexities of implementing punishment systems alongside communication improvements.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

You haven’t truly experienced PC gaming until you’ve done these 8 things

The author reflects on nostalgic moments from PC gaming, including early experiences in Rust where they learned about trap bases. They mention the humorous "door stuck" video and the persistence of antisocial behavior in competitive gaming, highlighting various griefing techniques documented on the Team Fortress 2 wiki. Ted Litchfield describes the frustrating process of troubleshooting a new desktop build, often leading to unhelpful advice and a rite of passage for PC gamers. Andrea Shearon shares a memorable experience in Final Fantasy 14, successfully clearing a challenging trial with strangers, fostering camaraderie. Lincoln Carpenter discusses the immersive flavor text in the roguelike game Caves of Qud, enhancing the gameplay experience. Evan Lahti emphasizes the camaraderie in the military simulation game Arma, while Tyler Wilde mentions memorable moments in Battlefield 6 and Sea of Thieves. Christopher Livingston notes the frustration of managing multiple digital game launchers, which can deter players from gaming. Morgan Park reflects on the joy of playing lesser-known multiplayer games like Gotham City Impostors and Knockout City, fostering a unique sense of community.

AppWizard

November 3, 2025

In Arc Raiders solo queue, chat is the quickest route to survival

The author experienced solo queue gameplay in Arc Raiders, noting that player interactions often lead to peaceful resolutions rather than conflict, with two-thirds of encounters diffused through simple gestures or communication. The game fosters a sense of anticipation and connection among players, contrasting with the more reserved communication styles of British players compared to Americans and Europeans. The author emphasizes the importance of initiating conversations to build friendships and influence others, leading to positive experiences, including unexpected revives. The game's polished presentation attracts a more casual audience, contributing to a congenial atmosphere, while the dynamics of solo queue play encourage cooperation over conflict due to shared vulnerability. The author suggests that turning on a microphone and engaging in conversation can enhance the gaming experience.

AppWizard

November 2, 2025

Arc Raiders players stuck in login queues and long matchmaking times as it blows past its Steam player peak of 330,000

Players of Arc Raiders are currently experiencing challenges related to server strain, voice chat, and party system issues, which Embark Studios is working to resolve. The game recently reached over 330,000 concurrent players on Steam, leading to matchmaking errors and lengthy queue times of 5 to 10 minutes. SteamDB recorded a peak of 337,834 players, but numbers have since settled around 286,000. Players are sharing their frustrations on platforms like Reddit, and some humorously refer to the game as a "queue simulator." Despite the difficulties, some players find that persistence in the pre-game queue can eventually allow them to rejoin the game, though this may lead to matchmaking stalls.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

Android Auto Preps for the Easiest Music App Switching

The latest beta version of Android Auto (v15.6.154404) suggests the introduction of a multi-card media interface that allows users to navigate audio apps more easily. This feature will enable a horizontal swipeable carousel of media cards, letting users switch between streaming services, podcasts, and audiobooks without needing to re-enter apps. Currently, Android Auto only displays a single "now playing" media card, requiring users to access the app picker to switch applications. The new interface aims to minimize interaction and enhance safety by allowing drivers to switch audio sources with fewer taps and distractions. The update is expected to retain cards for multiple recent or active audio sessions, organized by recency, and will provide controls for the next app without returning to the app itself. This development aligns with Google's initiative to simplify in-car tasks and improve user experience. The feature is still in beta and may take weeks or months before public rollout.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

Battlefield 6 live launch coverage: All the news, updates, and reactions as the most-anticipated FPS of the year goes live

Battlefield 6 is set to launch globally with confirmed release times: West Coast US at 8 am PDT, East Coast US at 11 am EDT, UK at 4 pm BST, Europe at 5 pm CEST, Australia at 2 am AEDT (October 11), and New Zealand at 4 am NZST (October 11). Players are advised to complete a readiness checklist before launch, including ensuring game pre-load is complete and system requirements are reviewed. EA has implemented a queue system to manage potential login issues at launch, similar to the beta phase. Early impressions of the game suggest strong multiplayer gameplay but a lackluster campaign. Performance analysis indicates Battlefield 6 is well-optimized. Some players are experiencing errors with the EA App that prevent access to the game, and EA is working on a resolution. The DRS-IAR LMG is highlighted as a versatile weapon for the Support class.

AppWizard

October 11, 2025

Battlefield 6 players hit server queues as it rockets to over 500k Steam concurrents just 25 minutes after launch

Battlefield 6 has become the 20th most-played game in SteamDB's history just 25 minutes after its launch, reaching a peak of 521,000 concurrent players. Many players are experiencing queues, with comments indicating high demand. FPS expert Morgan Park views the game as a positive return for the franchise, which could attract players from other major franchises like Call of Duty that are facing challenges.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

Battlefield 6 takes just an hour to leave Call of Duty’s Steam peak in the dust

Battlefield 6 has surpassed 700,000 active users on Steam within its first hour of release, exceeding its peak beta player count of 521,000. This achievement outstrips the previous high of nearly half a million players recorded by Call of Duty on Steam. The game has received positive reviews for its multiplayer experience, despite some criticism of its campaign. Players are currently experiencing server queues, but the transition into gameplay is efficient. Additionally, Battlefield Studios and publisher EA are moving to go private in a billion-dollar deal involving a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Xbox Ally X pre-orders prove popular as retailers sell out in no time

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is available for pre-order, with significant demand leading to limited stock at various retailers. Pre-orders started on September 25, with the ROG Xbox Ally priced at 9.99 and the ROG Xbox Ally X at 9.99. The official release is set for October 16. Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy are offering pre-orders, but stock shortages are reported, particularly in the UK where the Xbox Ally X is out of stock. Some retailers have implemented measures like sign-in requirements and CAPTCHA due to high consumer interest. The design features Xbox branding and a controller-style grip, making it appealing to gamers.