settlements Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

If you didn’t get a chance to play League of Legends’ Demacia Rising minigame, now you can

Demacia Rising is a turn-based strategy and city-building game set in the League of Legends universe, featuring the character Lux and the lore of Demacia. Players build armies, conquer settlements, and manage resources while facing threats from Noxus. The game faced technical difficulties at launch, leading to a temporary two-day disablement due to overwhelming issues. It is now accessible through the League of Legends Wiki, playable in a web browser, though it requires several MB of data. The game is praised for its narrative depth and connection to League of Legends lore.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

New dark fantasy tactical RPG Prelude Dark Pain is scratching my Mewgenics itch in all the right ways

A father sends his daughter into an escape tunnel for safety as enemy forces approach, while he prepares to confront a commander. In the game "Prelude: Dark Pain," players engage in tactical turn-based RPG combat, controlling Soren, a blacksmith whose wife has been abducted. Players traverse an overworld map, engaging in grid-based battles with a squad of four characters, each with unique abilities. The game features various mechanics, including character-specific skills and strategic positioning for enhanced damage. It is set to launch on Steam Early Access in the third quarter of 2026, offering approximately 15 hours of gameplay and introducing nine heroes with 63 skills. The final version will include all acts of the story, over 20 heroes, 20 factions, 70 enemy types, and a crafting system.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Google is paying out $700M to Android app buyers

A federal court has approved a 0 million settlement involving Google, resulting from a lawsuit by 53 state attorneys general alleging unlawful monopolization of Android app distribution and in-app payments. Google has set aside 0 million for a consumer reimbursement fund and million for the states involved, without admitting wrongdoing. Consumers who made purchases on the Google Play Store from August 2016 to September 2023 may be eligible for compensation, with payouts based on individual spending, guaranteeing a minimum of . Most eligible consumers will receive payments automatically via PayPal or Venmo, with options for those without these accounts to use a supplemental claims process. Additionally, there is a separate million settlement for claims regarding unauthorized use of cellular data, and a million California-specific settlement for Google Play subscription renewals between May 30, 2014, and October 27, 2019.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Ball x Pit has a new update because who needs free time anyway?

The Shadow Update for Ball x Pit introduces two new characters, The Tiptoer and The Tunneller, along with four new passive abilities, 11 new balls, and a guildhall for players to build. The Tiptoer can evade detection by enemies, while The Tunneller can fire balls that wrap around the screen's edges. The new balls include one that manipulates time, one that immobilizes enemies, and one that allows for random teleportation. The update also features the Full Metal Rapier passive ability, which scales damage based on the number of elements on screen, and the Arrow of Fate, which grants projectile immunity and releases smaller balls upon being hit. The update is available for free on Steam and adds 18 new elements, creating 88 combinations of characters, passives, and balls.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Australia probes Roblox and Minecraft over child safety

Australia's eSafety regulator has issued legally enforceable transparency notices to gaming companies, including Microsoft and Roblox, requiring them to detail their measures against sexual exploitation and radicalisation. The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, highlighted that 90% of Australians aged eight to seventeen engage in online gaming, which poses risks such as grooming and radicalisation. Non-compliance with the notices could lead to penalties. Microsoft is reviewing the notice, while Roblox is facing over 140 lawsuits in U.S. federal courts for allegedly facilitating child sexual exploitation. Roblox has reached settlements in Alabama and West Virginia and plans to introduce tailored accounts for younger users.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

A new Project Zomboid update could make multiplayer servers much more deadly

The upcoming update for Project Zomboid, build 42.17, will enhance the sandbox experience and multiplayer gameplay with various improvements. Players can choose any 'Exclusion Zone' town as their starting point in sandbox mode, although occupational spawns are limited to four 'canon' towns. The update introduces a new selection of VHS tapes for skill training, which can be found throughout the game world. Balancing adjustments include increased points for the Smoker and High Thirst traits, a reduced cost for the Nutritionist trait, and changes to how Chefs and Farmers function. Loot drop rates for 'other loot' have been increased, and vehicles in Apocalypse mode are more likely to contain fuel. Stendo's Firearms Emporium is being updated for better consistency in store loot. A prototype feature allowing players to enable sprinters in multiplayer has been introduced, adding urgency to gameplay. The Indie Stone is also working on improving controller support based on player feedback.

Winsage

April 13, 2026

Mozilla accuses Microsoft of running the old browser wars playbook to lock in AI dominance through Windows

Mozilla has accused Microsoft of using its dominance in the Windows operating system to marginalize competitors in the AI sector, particularly through the promotion of its Copilot feature. Mozilla claims that misleading update mechanisms are being used to push Copilot onto users and that system settings are being adjusted to hinder the performance of alternative browsers like Firefox. This situation is reminiscent of the 1990s browser wars when Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer with Windows to eliminate competition. In July 2025, Opera filed a formal antitrust complaint in Brazil against Microsoft, leading to an investigation into whether Microsoft was coercing hardware manufacturers to bundle Edge exclusively. A ruling against Microsoft could require a separation between the operating system and AI services. Microsoft's current strategy aims to control the AI inference layer, with each interaction through Copilot representing valuable data and monetization opportunities. Reports indicate that Microsoft is removing Copilot branding from standalone applications to further integrate it into the operating system. Despite Edge being the third most popular browser, Microsoft's tactics suggest a focus on securing AI infrastructure rather than just competing for browser market share. Regulatory scrutiny may increase due to ongoing antitrust challenges related to Microsoft's OpenAI investment and cloud AI bundling practices. The development of OEM relationships and potential resistance to Microsoft's requirements could significantly impact its integration strategy.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Age of Empires 4’s next chapter tests your will to survive as the “ruthless” Jin Dynasty arrive

The Age of Empires 4 DLC titled "Yue Fei's Legacy" introduces the Jin Dynasty as a new faction, characterized as "fast and ruthless." Players will initially face the Jin as adversaries in an eight-mission campaign where they lead the Song Dynasty, commanded by Yue Fei, against the invading Jin forces. The Jin Dynasty features strengths in cavalry and siege capabilities, utilizing Horse Grasslands for military production and introducing elite units like Iron Pagoda cavalry and Mohe Tribesman. Strategic elements include Mounted Villagers for resource gathering and Emissaries for capturing settlements. The use of gunpowder becomes significant in later stages, with the addition of Mounted Grenadiers and Eruptors. The DLC also introduces two new biomes—Madagascar and Yellow River—and four additional maps. It is set to launch on May 7, 2026, priced at .99 / £12.49, with a 15% pre-purchase discount available before the release date.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

New Starfield achievements hint at unannounced secrets in its Terran Armada DLC

The upcoming Starfield DLC, Terran Armada, will be released on April 7, priced at .99, alongside the Free Lanes update available to all players. New insights include 20 Steam achievements that hint at gameplay enhancements. Achievements involve completing Incursions against the Terran Armada, engaging with a reprogrammed robot named Delta, and potentially facilitating an 'evil playthrough.' Other achievements suggest new gameplay mechanics, such as using a magnet to destroy a robot in a location called New Babylon, and a more interactive outpost system. The achievements also reference narrative elements and familiar encounters from the game.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Steam’s Latest Free Game Is a Cozy Minecraft Alternative

Agro Life is a free-to-play PC game that launches on Steam today, April 1st. In the game, players can build, grow, and manage their own countryside life, starting with a small plot of land that can be developed into a farm with crops, animals, and structures. Activities include planting and harvesting crops, caring for livestock, gathering resources, crafting tools, and expanding settlements. Unlike Minecraft, Agro Life does not feature combat but allows exploration, hunting, fishing, and trading with NPCs. The game offers a customizable experience, catering to both peaceful farming and active survival styles.