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Steam Summer Sale 2026 is now live, and it runs until 9 July
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Steam Summer Sale 2026 is now live, and it runs until 9 July

The Steam Summer Sale 2026 runs from June 25 to July 9, 2026, offering consistent discounts throughout the event. Major titles released earlier in the year, such as Gothic 1 Remake, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert, are now available at significant discounts, with average reductions around 45% and some games discounted by up to 90%. Previous sales featured over 4,000 titles, indicating a large selection this year. Upcoming game releases include Halo: Campaign Evolved on July 28, The Blood of Dawnwalker on September 3, and Gears of War E-Day on October 6. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on consoles on November 19, with no confirmed PC release date. The sale is live at store.steampowered.com.
Waiting for GTA 6's PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops, based on my wading through GTA 5's editions soup
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Waiting for GTA 6’s PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops, based on my wading through GTA 5’s editions soup

On June 24th, Rockstar Games announced details about GTA 6, which will not be available on PC at launch. The PC version of GTA 5 was released on April 14, 2015, a year and a half after the console version, featuring enhancements and additional content not available in the original release. The PC version has since become the definitive experience for GTA 5, with many features from special editions of the console version eventually included, though some content was made purchasable. For GTA 6, the ultimate edition will include exclusive access to five shops, raising concerns about whether PC players will have access to these features without additional costs. The landscape of game monetization has changed, and there are questions about whether PC players will miss out on exclusive content due to platform choice. Players of the standard edition may face disadvantages in accessing certain shops only available to premium purchasers.
Drifters: Blackout Crew Is A New Co-op Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Coming To PC VR & Quest
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Drifters: Blackout Crew Is A New Co-op Sci-Fi Extraction Shooter Coming To PC VR & Quest

Salmi Games has announced its new project, Drifters: Blackout Crew, a virtual reality co-op extraction shooter, set to launch on Meta Quest and SteamVR platforms. In the game, players are stranded in deep space and must complete missions in fortified facilities to gather resources for upgrades and enhancements. It supports cooperative gameplay for up to four players and features tactile weapon handling and a jetpack for dynamic movement. The game aims to establish a unique identity in the VR extraction shooter genre, which includes popular titles like Ghosts of Tabor. Salmi Games, a German developer, has a history of providing ongoing support for its titles, with expectations for similar support for Drifters. The project has received funding from the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. Players can wishlist the game on Meta Quest and Steam, but there is no announcement for PlayStation VR2.
“Windows Search needs less Bing” — Microsoft is finally adding an off switch in Windows 11
Winsage
June 23, 2026

“Windows Search needs less Bing” — Microsoft is finally adding an off switch in Windows 11

Microsoft has unveiled build 26300.8697 for Windows 11, which includes a new setting that allows users to disable Bing-powered web results in the Windows Search function. This feature aims to provide a more focused search experience by minimizing distractions from online suggestions. Users in the European Economic Area have had similar controls due to the Digital Markets Act, and Microsoft is now extending this functionality to all markets. The new setting can be found under Settings > Privacy & security > Search and is labeled "Web Searches." Additionally, the "Privacy & security" page has been reorganized for better usability, with new entry points for features like Passkeys and the Custom Dictionary. Currently, the feature is not officially available and can only be activated using ViveTool feature IDs, indicating that it is still in development.
Steam finally found a way to recommend new games that doesn't feel like I'm getting KO'd by a fire hose
AppWizard
June 22, 2026

Steam finally found a way to recommend new games that doesn’t feel like I’m getting KO’d by a fire hose

Steam has introduced a "personal calendar" feature that highlights upcoming game releases for the next five days based on individual wishlists and preferred game tags. The calendar shows games released in the past month and previews up to six games per day for the next two months. Users can filter by specific game tags and hide games already on their wishlist. Notable upcoming releases include "Beast of Reincarnation" on August 3, "Big Walk" on August 4, and "Fields of Mistria" on August 5. The feature aims to enhance game discovery without overwhelming users, allowing them to find smaller indie games like "Cat Isle." Feedback indicates that the calendar effectively showcases a variety of titles tailored to user preferences.
Windows 11 26H2 arrives as a tiny unlock, not a massive download
Winsage
June 22, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 arrives as a tiny unlock, not a massive download

Microsoft has confirmed the release of Windows 11 26H2, scheduled for Fall 2026. This update focuses on improving the update experience for businesses and IT professionals by streamlining maintenance processes. Windows 11 26H2 will be delivered as an enablement package, activating pre-existing code on eligible devices, ensuring a swift installation with minimal disruption. It will unlock features from earlier versions, specifically Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, allowing a seamless transition with minimal operational downtime. The update is currently available to Windows Insiders and emphasizes a predictable, low-disruption experience for IT departments. Key advantages include a streamlined installation process, minimal user disruption, no need for complete reinstallation, consistent security and quality updates, and uniform compatibility checks. The specific release date has not been announced, but it will arrive in the latter half of 2026. The hardware requirements remain the same as previous versions: a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 1GHz 64-bit dual-core processor.
This week in PC games: synthpunk platforming, haunted house hoovering, and a game about growing a black hole
AppWizard
June 22, 2026

This week in PC games: synthpunk platforming, haunted house hoovering, and a game about growing a black hole

Temperatures in southern Britain are predicted to reach 38 degrees Celsius. The British population is generally unaccustomed to such extreme heat. The author, a games journalist, is focused on curating a list of new PC games instead of dealing with the heat. Notable game releases include: - Desolation Seed (early access): An immersive open-air combat prison experience. - Dark Scrolls: A roguelite platformer with whimsical characters. - Idle Chapel: An idle game involving converting cultists. - Relief: A game combining Chinese mythology with anime aesthetics. - Dimhaven: A photography puzzler set in a misty resort. - Deer & Boy: An emotive platforming experience in a frozen landscape. - Heavydelic (early access): A visually striking Slavic Synthpunk game. - Rift Wizard 3 (early access): A sandbox game focused on spell-crafting. - Empulse: A 6v6 shooter reminiscent of Titanfall 3. - S.A.N.D.Y. - Beach Cleaner: A post-apocalyptic beach game. - 7 Nights with Vroombi: A robot vacuum cleaning a haunted house. - nophenia: An exploration game featuring a wolfgirl. - Omen Exitio: Hunger: A Lovecraftian mystery set in 1927 New York. - Eyes of the ElderWood (early access): A horror and folklore adventure game. The editorial team is focused on finding ways to stay cool during the heatwave while remaining committed to uncovering new PC gaming titles.
Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series of press releases
Winsage
June 22, 2026

Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series of press releases

Microsoft has launched the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12, but the announcement lacked a dedicated event or live stream, leaving many potential customers unaware of the new features. The new devices are priced at least 0 higher than their predecessors, though Microsoft is including a complimentary keyboard with the purchase. The business models of Surface PCs include enterprise features for productivity and security, while the consumer version is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite. The Surface Laptop Ultra features NVIDIA's RTX Spark superchip and runs on Windows on Arm. Microsoft has introduced six new Surface devices this year, including a clamshell workstation and a mini PC, with significant innovations from Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm. The Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are considered expensive, prompting some consumers to look for alternatives like the Dell XPS 13 with a Snapdragon X Elite and 32GB of RAM.
"Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy": Why I think we're on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

“Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy”: Why I think we’re on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all

A study published in the Entertainment Computing journal analyzed 86 games released on Steam from 2014 to 2022, finding that games with cracked versions available within the first week of launch experienced a 20% drop in revenue. If DRM delayed cracks by at least six weeks, the revenue decline was only 5%, and if DRM withstood cracks for three months, there was no significant loss in revenue. Denuvo's defenses have been breached within hours of game releases, and the future of DRM may rely more on contractual agreements than technology. Subscription-based gaming models, like Xbox's PC Game Pass, are emerging, allowing players to access games without owning them, which raises concerns about game ownership and the potential for titles to be removed from libraries. The rise of cloud gaming is seen as a solution to affordability issues for gamers, but it also leads to questions about the future of game ownership and piracy.
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