shelves Archives

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Valve Is Killing Physical Steam Gift Cards, Blaming Scammers

Valve has announced the discontinuation of its physical Steam gift card program in retail stores globally due to ongoing issues with scammers exploiting these cards for fraudulent activities. All retail stock is expected to be depleted by the end of 2026. Scammers have been using these cards to siphon funds from victims, often impersonating officials or agencies. Valve has implemented measures to combat these scams but has decided to terminate the retail gift card program. Retailers will sell their remaining inventory but will not restock physical gift cards. Customers can still use existing gift cards on Steam, and digital gift cards will continue to be offered. Consumer protection agencies warn that fraudsters will continue to exploit gift cards from various brands.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Steam’s tired of gift card scams, so it’s killing them off for good

Valve will stop restocking Steam gift cards at retail locations due to increasing scams targeting consumers, particularly the elderly. The company estimates that these cards will no longer be available by the end of 2026, although unspent cards can still be redeemed after that date. Despite the discontinuation, Valve's guest checkout feature will allow digital gifting for gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Minecraft Live 2026 Returns to Convention Stage at TwitchCon: LEGO Dungeons II Set Revealed

Minecraft Live returned to a physical stage for the first time since 2016, broadcasting from the Twitch Rivals Arena at TwitchCon Rotterdam on May 30, 2026. This event is the first Minecraft Live broadcast from a physical convention since MINECON 2016. The LEGO set 21591, The Twisted Warden Battle, was unveiled, featuring 438 pieces and set to release on August 1, 2026, for .99 / £44.99 / €49.99. The set includes four hero minifigures and a buildable Twisted Warden boss figure. The Chaos Cubed update, designated Java Edition 26.2 and Bedrock Edition 26.30, is expected to be released in mid-to-late June 2026. Minecraft Dungeons II is confirmed for a fall 2026 launch on multiple platforms. Two in-game rewards, the Builder Cape and Crafter Cape, are available for viewers and TwitchCon attendees, respectively.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

2 Classic Fantasy Games Will Be Delisted Next Month (But They’re Massively Discounted Until Then)

Witchaven and Witchaven 2 are set to be delisted from Steam on July 15th. Originally released in 1995 and 1996, these games were reintroduced to modern platforms in 2021. The announcement of their delisting was made by SNEG on May 22nd, with no specific reasons provided. Those who purchase the games before the delisting will retain access to them indefinitely. The status of the games on GOG is uncertain, and it is speculated that they may also be removed from that platform. Currently, both games are available at a discount of 89%, priced at less than .50 for the bundle.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Excitement Builds for Horizon Group USA’s Minecraft Activity Kits

Horizon Group USA is collaborating with Mojang Studios to create a new line of licensed activity kits inspired by Minecraft, set to launch this summer. The collection will include Minecraft-themed slimes, STEM dig kits, and various hands-on crafts and activities. These products will be available at major retailers in the U.S., such as Amazon and Walmart.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Steam Controller stock sold out in minutes, but there is something you can do about it

Steam Controller stock sold out quickly after its release, with most regions reporting "out of stock" within half an hour. Scalpers are reselling the controllers on eBay at inflated prices, often using misleading listings that violate eBay's presale guidelines. Consumers can report these listings to eBay, which may lead to their removal. It is advised that buyers resist purchasing from scalpers and wait for standard-priced stock, as more shipments may be forthcoming and could resolve existing software issues with the controller.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

There’s an extreme lack of good quality, easy-to-find video game figures, and after seeing people make their own I’m tempted to try it myself

The author is new to figure collecting and enjoys searching for figures, particularly Hatsune Miku, at shops like Surugaya and Book Off. They highlight the creativity in customizing figures, mentioning a transformation of a Mizuhara Chizuru figure into Mari from Omori by yumenikkis, which involved detailed alterations. Another creator, Fallen Petal Studios, makes clay figures from scratch, including characters from various video games and shows, showcasing intricate details and craftsmanship. The author considers the possibility of customizing some of their own figures, particularly those that are less visible in their collection.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Windrose sails past 1 million copies sold in six days as it hits 200,000 concurrent players

Windrose has sold over 1 million copies in less than a week since its launch on Steam. The game reached a peak of 200,000 simultaneous players. The developers, Kraken Express, expressed gratitude to the gaming community for their support and patience while working on fixes. The game features engaging naval battles, which have been positively received by players and critics alike.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Nvidia’s ‘new’ budget gaming GPU has 12GB VRAM, arrives in June, according to leak

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 may return to retail by June, following leaks about Nvidia's GPU production plans. Production of the GA106 GPU has resumed at Samsung, as current-generation GPUs are primarily made by TSMC, which is at full capacity. The RTX 3060 is expected to be priced between the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM, more than both the RTX 5060 and RTX 5050. The anticipated launch of a new RTX 5050 with 9GB of VRAM may be delayed or canceled. The RTX 3060 will support DLSS upscaling but not frame generation.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Where to Shop Minecraft x Hey Dude Shoe Collab: Best Minecraft Gifts

Hey Dude has launched a collaboration with Minecraft, introducing a collection of slip-on shoes called the Wally Funk Creeper and the Enderman Wally Camp Slip, priced at .99 for adults and .99 for kids. The shoes are made from lightweight materials, feature breathable designs, removable foam insoles, and flexible outsoles. The Wally Funk Creeper comes in a green-and-black color scheme, while the Enderman Wally Camp Slip is black-and-purple with shearling lining. This collaboration follows Hey Dude's history of partnerships and is expected to be popular among fans of the game.