shotgun Archives

Winsage

May 31, 2026

Bill Gates once starred in a bizarre Doom promo to push Windows 95 back in 1993 — tech mogul wore a trench coat, wielded a shotgun, and shot a demon, saying ‘Who do you want to execute today?’

A video featuring Bill Gates promoting Windows 95 has resurfaced, showcasing him in a trench coat with a shotgun in a setting reminiscent of the game Doom. This promotional effort aimed to position DirectX as a gaming platform to surpass DOS. Gates announced 75 new games for Windows 95 and expressed confidence in collaborating with developers to improve the gaming landscape. Gabe Newell, who later co-founded Valve, led the team that ported Doom to Windows 95, resulting in Doom95's release in 1996. Reports indicate that Doom was installed on more computers than Windows 95 by late 1995.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

“Stay on target”: Helldivers 2 gets a big performance patch with upscaler support, but it isn’t working brilliantly for everybody

Helldivers 2 has released a significant update that enhances performance by introducing support for advanced upscaling technologies, including FSR 3.1.5, FSR 4.0.3 for select GPUs, DLSS 4.5, and XeSS 3.0. The update also includes variable rate shading, dynamic resolution scaling, and fine-tuned performance settings for high reflection scenarios. New resolution options for advanced monitors and improved VRAM management are part of the patch. Developers at Arrowhead collaborated with Nixxes Software for these enhancements. Community reactions have been mixed, with some players expressing frustration over certain features, particularly regarding DLSS implementation and lower frame rates. However, players appreciated a fix for a glitch that prevented manual climbing of small obstacles. Arrowhead plans to introduce extended Galactic War campaigns with branching outcomes this summer.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

I played Modern Warfare 4 at Infinity Ward, let’s talk about it

Infinity Ward is set to release Modern Warfare 4, its first entry in the franchise in four years. The game will feature the return of the DMZ extraction mode and is set in South Korea. It introduces apex attachments that fundamentally alter a gun's identity, with unique attachments for each weapon unlocking at full level. Movement mechanics have been revamped for a more fluid experience, allowing rapid mantling and smoother transitions. The initial maps follow a classic three-lane structure but lack innovation. The Gunfight mode returns, now expanded to 10v10 with dynamic maps. Quality-of-life enhancements include improved FOV, depth of field adjustments, refined muzzle smoke/flash effects, and improved hipfire mechanics. Loadouts have been simplified to five attachments per weapon and a standard three-perk system, allowing for more personalized gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

The Steam Deck OLED’s price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware

Ongoing shortages in memory chips, driven by increased demand from AI-focused data centers, have led to significant price increases for the Steam Deck OLED. The 512GB model's price rose from £479 to £649 in the UK (35% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (44% increase). The 1TB variant increased from £569 to £779 in the UK (36% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (46% increase). Valve attributes these hikes to rising component costs and logistical challenges. The 1TB Steam Deck OLED now competes closely with the Asus ROG Ally X, which offers better performance at a similar price point. The 512GB version has lost its budget-friendly appeal, as the Lenovo Legion Go S undercuts it at £549. Despite the price adjustments, the Steam Deck OLED remains favored for casual gaming due to its design and comfort, but the hikes may deter potential buyers and raise concerns about future products.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

I played Boltgun 2 and it’s sick

Boltgun 2 is a sequel to Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, developed by Auroch Digital. It retains the essence of the original game while introducing new features, including an expanded arsenal, diverse biomes, and dual protagonists. Players can choose between two characters at the start: Nyra Veyrath, an Adepta Sororitas battle sister with a crossbow and flamethrower, and Malum Caedo, who uses a plasma gun and shotgun. The game features two demo missions set in a swampy jungle and a frozen industrial complex. Gameplay mechanics have been simplified, with a single type of grenade and a removal of the complex toughness system. The missions are more linear, focusing on straightforward objectives, but the full campaign will include more complex levels. The game is set to be released in 2026.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Valorant’s Neon is losing some pep from her step, and shotguns haven’t escaped the nerf hammer

Riot Games announced adjustments to the character Neon in Valorant, aiming for a more balanced gameplay experience. Changes include disabling the speed boost from jumping while using her High Gear ability, adjusting mid-air movement to match melee speed, and modifying fuel regeneration from kills to only apply when her ultimate is active. Additionally, all shotguns will experience decreased accuracy while moving, with standardized movement inaccuracy and a flat 15% crouched accuracy multiplier. The Bucky's pellet damage will be reduced at distances up to eight meters, while the minimum pellet spread for the Bucky and Judge will be increased. Buffs for the Sentinel class are planned for Patch 13.0, and adjustments to Initiators' cooldowns are being considered. These changes will be staggered across multiple patches to facilitate player adaptation.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Indie shooter devs pull a reverse-Concord: No one played their game, but they ‘make it free to play and keep the servers online indefinitely’ anyway

Blindfire, a multiplayer first-person shooter, has officially launched after a year and a half in early access. The game features a unique mechanic that requires players to use their senses and technology to detect opponents. Developers Double Eleven have made the game free-to-play to ensure the servers remain operational for years, despite active development concluding about a year ago. The full release includes a final update with two new weapons, achievements, new skins, and full haptic support. An "Audio Aim Assist" feature has been added for blind and partially sighted players, providing audio cues for orientation and enemy detection. The developers expressed pride in their work, despite not achieving mainstream success, and the community hopes for self-hosting options in the future.

AppWizard

April 30, 2026

Why aren’t there more PC-first gamepads? Valve don’t know, but they “did see an opportunity” for the new Steam Controller

Valve's new Steam Controller is set to launch on May 4th, focusing specifically on the PC gaming experience. Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Steve Cardinali discussed the lack of PC-specific controllers in a market dominated by console peripherals. They noted that existing controllers are primarily designed for consoles, with 59% of Steam users currently using Xbox controllers and 26% using PlayStation controllers. The new Steam Controller aims to address the needs of PC gamers by incorporating familiar thumbsticks and inputs, as well as Deck-style trackpads for enhanced utility. It is priced at £85 and is designed to work seamlessly with the Steam platform. Yang and Cardinali also mentioned potential features for future iterations of Valve's gaming hardware.

AppWizard

April 29, 2026

Marathon is looking to save you from grenade spam and being one-shot by the Ares

In the latest update, Marathon version 1.0.6.2, Bungie has adjusted the combat shotgun to address previous over-nerfing. They are extending the Sponsored Dire Marsh queue for at least another week, until May 6, to provide a balanced environment. Bungie is working on adjustments to grenade stock counts and stack sizes due to an overwhelming number of grenades in matches. The Ares railgun has gained popularity after recent buffs, allowing indefinite charge and improved stats, but the Impact Shockwave mod has caused one-shot kills, which Bungie plans to fix. The WSTR weapon's damage nerf was intended to be temporary, and it is expected to perform similarly against AI enemies as before while maintaining its two-shot-kill capability.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Epic keeps jamming more incredible shotguns into Fortnite, and it might be the best meta ever

In Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 2, the shotgun category has expanded to four options: the Chaos Reloader, Iron Pump, Super Shredder, and Dual Hammer. The Chaos Reloader delivers 150 damage per shot but requires precision and careful management of reload time. The Iron Pump has a 2x headshot multiplier but lower body damage per second. The Super Shredder is versatile but complicates close-range engagements due to its aiming requirement. The Dual Hammer, while consistent, lacks one-shot power against agile opponents. This season emphasizes diverse weapon choices and playstyles, enhancing gameplay variety and strategic loadout decisions. The introduction of SMGs further enriches the loot pool, making shotgun selection crucial for individual and team dynamics.