set Archives

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Steam Week in Review: A torrent of janky retail sims continues to flood Steam, and there’s no end in sight

The retail simulator genre on Steam has gained significant popularity since late 2024, with 14 new titles launched last week. "Mall Together" attracted over 1,000 concurrent players and is notable for allowing players to construct entire shopping malls. PlayWay, a major publisher, released two of last week's titles and has launched four games since July 20, with 474 products listed on Steam. Critics have labeled some titles as shovelware, but PlayWay has also produced successful games like "House Flipper 2." Smaller studios are contributing to the genre, indicating demand for well-crafted retail sims. The top sellers on Steam from July 14-21 included "Counter-Strike 2," "Palworld," and "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced." "The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu," released on July 15, received nearly 1,500 "mostly positive" reviews.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

10 highly anticipated new games coming to PC in August 2026

In August 2026, ten notable video game titles are set to launch on PC: - Beast of Reincarnation - August 3: An action-RPG by Game Freak featuring real-time and turn-based combat. - Big Walk - August 4: A co-operative open-world adventure from the creators of Untitled Goose Game. - Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls - August 6: A fighting game featuring iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Captain America. - Agefield High: Rock The School - August 12: A spiritual successor to Bully, offering a nostalgic schoolyard experience. - Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - August 13: A 50v50 player battle game set during the Vietnam War. - The Sinking City 2 - August 18: A survival-horror sequel with Lovecraftian elements. - Mortal Shell 2 - August 20: A sequel known for its challenging combat mechanics, with a free demo available on Steam. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 - August 27: Includes re-releases of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker. - Star Wars Zero Company - August 27: An X-COM-style game set during the Clone Wars, featuring Anakin Skywalker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy - August 27: A prequel exploring an original story in the Plague Tale universe.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Fixes roll out after Meccha Chameleon servers infected with malware, Discord hacked

A vulnerability in Meccha Chameleon allowed Steam Workshop maps to distribute malware to players. User Feint reported that a custom map was a malware dropper that passed the workshop's review process. The game's developer, Haganeiro, confirmed that the vulnerability was fixed in update version 3.1.0 and that the associated malware was disabled. The official Discord server for Meccha Chameleon, with nearly 100,000 members, was compromised due to a system engineer's PC being infected with malware, which allowed a hacker to bypass two-factor authentication and alter server permissions. Players were advised to avoid suspicious links on the compromised Discord server.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

13 years on, unfinishable survival game Project Zomboid is getting a major update with an expanded Kentucky map, animal husbandry, and revised crafting

Project Zomboid's Build 42 update is set to launch on July 29th, after two years of development. This update is described as one of the broadest in the game's history and includes new features such as animal husbandry, an overhaul of crafting and building systems, newly designed areas, enriched backstories, an enhanced lighting system, and a refined user interface. Existing saves from Build 41 will not be compatible with Build 42, and players wishing to continue in Build 41 must join the "legacy41" beta channel.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Halo: Campaign Evolved Looks Worse Than Master Chief Collection on Steam Deck and Xbox Ally

Halo: Campaign Evolved has been released for early access. It features impressive visuals on high-end PCs and current consoles but struggles on lower-end hardware, particularly handheld devices like the Steam Deck. The game requires an Intel Core i7-10700K and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super, which are beyond the capabilities of the Steam Deck and base Xbox Ally. On the Xbox Ally, the game runs at 1280x720 resolution with Very Low settings and achieves around 30 fps, occasionally dipping into the mid-20s. Despite being technically playable, the visual quality is poor, with bland textures and a lack of environmental detail. In contrast, the Master Chief Collection runs at 65-70 fps on the Xbox Ally and offers superior visual fidelity. The Steam page claims Campaign Evolved is Steam Deck Verified, although performance is lacking compared to other titles. For those wanting to experience the original Halo campaign on the Steam Deck, the Master Chief Collection is recommended.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Helldivers 2 is giving players a free car in October, except for those who already earned it in June

Helldivers 2 introduces new tools and equipment, some locked behind Warbonds, causing player frustration. However, players can unlock the M-103 Supply FRV using requisition slips starting in October. The Supply FRV is one of three offroad truck variants, featuring an automated turret and a supply rack for eight restocks of ammunition and equipment. Initially, it was a reward for participating in the "Census Thunder" campaign in June, but Arrowhead Game Studios is now extending access to all players. This rollout is part of a new galactic campaign system aimed at enhancing player engagement. Additionally, a Warhammer 40,000 themed Warbond will be revealed on July 30.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

J.K. Simmons hasn’t played Baldur’s Gate 3 or any of his games, but he loves Portal 2: ‘I could have done the feature film, or the play, or whatever’

J.K. Simmons discussed his experiences with video games on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, particularly his role in Portal 2, which he found impactful despite not being an avid gamer. He shared a humorous interaction with actor Tom Britney regarding his character from Baldur's Gate. Eric Wolpaw, the writer of Portal 2, is returning for the upcoming game Aperture Desk Job. Other actors in the gaming industry include Elias Toufexis and Konatsu Kato, while Steven Ogg humorously suggested players read Dostoevsky instead of gaming.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

I checked Reddit to see which Windows 11 features people truly find “life changing”, and the community had some surprising answers

Windows 11 includes several features that enhance productivity, many of which are underutilized by users: 1. Clipboard History: Activated with "WIN + V", it allows users to access a history of copied text and images, improving multitasking by enabling retrieval of multiple copied items. 2. Snipping Tool: Beyond screenshots, it includes screen recording, text extraction (OCR), basic image editing, and GIF creation, streamlining workflows by reducing the need for third-party applications. 3. End Task from Taskbar: Users can terminate unresponsive applications directly from the Taskbar, simplifying the process compared to using Task Manager. 4. Windows Sandbox: Provides a temporary Windows environment for testing untrusted software without risking the main system, available only on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. 5. Winget Command: The Windows Package Manager simplifies app installation and updates via command line, saving time compared to searching for applications online. 6. Snap Layouts: Activated with "Win + Z", it enhances window management by allowing users to arrange applications efficiently on larger monitors. 7. Windows Key + Shift + Arrow: This shortcut enables quick movement of windows between multiple monitors, improving productivity for users with dual or multiple displays. 8. Voice Typing: Activated with "Win + H", it allows dictation in nearly any text field, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. 9. Reliability Monitor: Accessible via "perfmon /rel", it presents system issues on a timeline, making troubleshooting easier and potentially preventing unnecessary reinstallation of Windows 11. 10. Advanced Display Settings: Users can check and adjust their monitor's refresh rate in Settings, ensuring optimal performance, as many monitors default to 60Hz even if they support higher rates.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Microsoft Edge exclusively had this Windows 11 feature for 10 years that Chrome finally got

Mozilla has raised concerns about a change in Windows 11 26H2 that may impact users' default browser choices. Firefox has recently introduced HDR support, but this came nearly a decade after Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. Microsoft Edge has maintained an advantage over Google Chrome in media features, having announced 4K support for Netflix in 2016, while Google Chrome only recently gained 4K support for Netflix, as confirmed by a user on X. To watch Netflix in 4K on Chrome, users must use version 117 or newer and meet specific requirements, including a Netflix plan that supports Ultra HD, a steady internet connection of 15 Mbps or higher, and a compatible 4K display. Mozilla Firefox currently does not support 4K Netflix, remaining limited to 1080p. Additionally, Google Chrome lacks support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Digital Plus codecs, which have been available on Edge since 2015.

Winsage

July 26, 2026

Upgrade your PC with Windows 11 Pro and Office for $25.99

A bundle offering lifetime licenses for Windows 11 Pro and Office Professional Plus 2019 is available for .99, down from its original price of 9.99. The Office Professional Plus 2019 suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. Windows 11 Pro features include Snap Layouts, BitLocker device encryption, Hyper-V virtualization, and Windows Sandbox. Support for Office 2019 will end in October 2025, and Publisher 2019 will reach its end of support in October 2026. The licenses are tied to a single PC and cannot be transferred.