seasonal content Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

RedOctane’s ‘next evolution in rhythm gaming’ sure looks a lot like 2007’s Rock Band

RedOctane became a significant player in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, peaking in 2005 with the release of Guitar Hero. Activision acquired RedOctane in 2006, but by 2010, the company was closed due to declining interest in rhythm games. In 2025, Embracer Group revived the brand as RedOctane Games, announcing a new title called Stage Tour, which resembles Guitar Hero but introduces new features and game modes. Stage Tour will function as a "band game" with solo play options, and a closed alpha test is planned ahead of its holiday season release. RedOctane Games aims to create a sustainable experience rather than a series of sequels, and there is uncertainty about the demand for a new rhythm game experience. Details on pricing and song availability are still pending.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

RedOctane Games announces rhythm action game Stage Tour for consoles, PC

RedOctane Games has announced its new rhythm action game, Stage Tour, set to launch this fall for consoles and PC via Steam. The game combines traditional note-highway gameplay with modern elements and will feature partnerships with brands like Gibson, Epiphone, and Kramer. Stage Tour aims to enhance the rhythm game experience with new instruments, intricate charting systems, and a focus on community engagement. Players can build their bands, customize their ensembles with official designs, and compete for high scores while unlocking unique bandmates and rewards. Further details about supported platforms will be revealed later.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Riot Games Launches League of Legends 2026 Season 1 PC Café Event With Free Rewards, Skins and Esports Prizes

Riot Games has launched its first PC café promotion of 2026, coinciding with the Season 1 update for League of Legends. The promotion, running until January 21, offers in-game rewards, trial cosmetics, and sweepstakes for players at participating PC cafés. Players can earn tiered rewards based on playtime, with those logging 20 hours receiving up to 15 Hextech Chest and Key sets. Participants are also entered into prize drawings for tickets to major esports events. A separate reward track is available for ranked victories, offering randomized rewards. Additionally, players will have temporary access to 15 champion skins from the Demacia region until January 30.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

This week in PC games: Pathologic 3, a fresh Pokémon rival, a mind-bending FPS and some crablike base building

A hiatus in coverage occurred last December due to seasonal content preparation and personal challenges. New game releases include: - Dunecrawl: A cooperative game allowing up to four players to traverse a desert landscape on weaponized crabs. - Feed The Reactor: An incremental clicker game where players feed fuels into a cosmic vortex, unlocking narratives in a bizarre galaxy. - StarRupture: An early access title where players construct outposts on alien planets while fending off crab-like monsters. - Death Machine: A pixel-art metroidvania featuring 19 bosses, including at least one eight-legged invertebrate. - Oddcore: A first-person shooter set in a theme park with bizarre spaces and corporate satire, lacking crab references. - EvoCreo: A creature-collecting game with over 170 creatures, reminiscent of classic Game Boy Advance titles. - Ancient Farm: A farming game set in ancient Egypt, featuring historical landscapes and the Acanthothelphusa niloticus. - Pathologic 3: A narrative-driven game where players have 12 days to save a town from disease, involving quarantines. The CES hardware tradeshow is currently taking place in Las Vegas, focusing on GPU and RAM prices, new screen technologies, and novelty gadgets.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Phasmophobia devs say all that live service malarkey can do one: they focus on making ‘a fun game that people want to play because it’s fun’

Phasmophobia, developed by Kinetic Games, has become a popular ghost-hunting game on PC since its early access launch, earning around 340,000 "overwhelmingly positive" reviews on Steam. The developers emphasize that they do not consider it a live service game, offering only seasonal content without microtransactions or DLCs. They prioritize a healthy work environment and the freedom to release content when it is ready, focusing on player enjoyment rather than constant updates. The game aims to evoke nostalgia for childhood gaming experiences, encouraging players to engage for fun rather than feeling pressured by progression.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

I returned to Phasmophobia while everyone else was playing Arc Raiders or BF6, and the horror hit has never been better

The author has not played Phasmophobia in the past five years despite being a fan of horror games. Phasmophobia involves players acting as paranormal investigators using ghost-hunting tools to identify ghost types and escape. The game maintains a sense of fear through unique matches and unpredictability. The author notes a significant drawback is the lack of companions for the experience, although solo play can still be exciting. Since its launch, the game has expanded to include new maps and 24 ghost types, with a progression system that rewards players for leveling up and unlocking advanced tools. Each job offers optional quests for XP and cash, adding a risk/reward dynamic. While solo play is possible, smaller maps are easier for lone players, and using a microphone enhances immersion. The game does not have missable seasonal content, allowing players to enjoy it at their own pace. The author returned to the game for the Crimson Eye Halloween event and mentions an upcoming map, Nell's Diner, launching on November 11.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Shocktober Is Back: Thrilling Events, Devilish Deals, and More Reasons to Love Xbox Game Pass

The Xbox Shocktober event runs from October 16 to November 2, featuring live service games, seasonal content, and sales for both console and PC. Highlights include: - Games on Sale: - Hell is Us: A semi-open world game with melee combat and exploration. - Dead by Daylight: Base Game: A survival game where players can be either Survivors or a Killer. - Little Nightmares III Deluxe Edition: Players navigate a nightmarish world with two characters. - New Titles on Xbox Game Pass: - Hogwarts Legacy: An open-world action RPG set in the wizarding world of the 1800s. - The Casting of Frank Stone: A narrative-driven game set in a haunted town influenced by player decisions. - In-Game Halloween Events: - Fortnitemares 2025: Features horror icons like Doja Cat and characters such as Jason and Ghost Face. - Overwatch 2: Haunted Masquerade: A seasonal celebration with spooky themes and cosmetics. - FragPunk: A tower defense mode where players face monsters and uncover chaos in the Shardverse.

AppWizard

October 14, 2025

Amazon’s revamped MMO turned ARPG soars on Steam as paid expansion goes free forever

New World has a vibrant community with thousands of daily players on Steam. Despite a significant update and rebranding a year ago, it hasn't reached the iconic status of games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14. Amazon Games has made New World's first paid expansion, Rise of the Angry Earth, free for all players, leading to a notable increase in player activity and achieving a peak player count of 41,000 on October 13, the highest since October 28, 2024. Season 10 introduces new content, including a new zone called Nighthaven, a Catacombs Game Mode, a ten-player raid, and an increase in the level cap to 70 with a gear score of 800. Players who purchased the expansion within the last 30 days will receive a full refund through Steam, and those who did not purchase it can now access it for free.