Windows 11 introduces taskbar customization features that allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen (top, bottom, left, or right) and resize it for improved workflow and adaptability. These features are currently available in Windows 11 Insider experimental builds. The Start menu and pinned icons automatically adjust to align with the new taskbar position. Users can enable smaller taskbar buttons to maximize screen space, which is particularly useful for compact devices. The taskbar can also be set to minimize at all times, only when full, or never. These updates aim to optimize screen space and enhance accessibility and personalization for diverse workflows and screen configurations.
The author recalls their first encounter with Morrowind and Rome: Total War, which sparked a love for RPGs and strategy games, respectively. They have spent over 6,000 hours in Rome: Total War, which has maintained consistency over 25 years. The gaming community is looking forward to Total War: Warhammer 40k, with recent gameplay footage and a closed beta announcement. The game will focus on Armageddon, featuring iconic characters and diverse campaigns for different factions. Tactical dynamics will involve the Astra Militarum, Orks, Space Marines, and Eldar, with an emphasis on strategic use of cover and new units. Impressive bombardment mechanics have also been revealed. The author initially expected a release in 2028, but now anticipates a launch next year.
A momentum-based 2D platformer titled "Derelict Star" will be released on April 3, 2026. It is developed by gate and published by Luminous Tree Games. The game emphasizes exploration and skillful navigation over traditional power-ups, encouraging players to master movement mechanics. It features a jetpack mechanic with a speed meter, and the environment consists of various rooms with unique challenges. Checkpoints and fast travel options enhance the exploration experience. The game is verified for Steam Deck and was reviewed on an RTX 3060 laptop with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM.
The Summer Game Fest featured a new installment of Duskers and glimpses of a Fumito Ueda game. The following PC games were released or are in early access:
- Atre: Dominance Wars - A turn-based fantasy kingdom builder available in early access, featuring four factions and a campaign.
- Rakeo - A puzzle-platformer where players collect cookies in a 2D environment.
- NBA The Run - A 3v3 street basketball game with vibrant visuals and humorous camera work.
- Meccha Chameleon - A multiplayer hide-and-seek game focused on camouflage.
- SAND: Raiders of Sophie - A PvPvE looting game involving warmechs.
- 33 Immortals - A cooperative roguelike from the developers of Spiritfarer.
- SpaceCraft - An early access game about exploring and transforming planets into a trading empire.
- Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions - An early access spin-off of Astroneer for teams of cosmonauts.
- Don't Let It Starve - A game about crafting bento boxes for a creature.
The Treehouse will focus on interviews and impressions from the Summer Game Fest, with no further announcements allowed.
The PC Gaming Show 2026 featured over 60 new game announcements in a two-hour event. Key titles include:
- Wielders of the Essence: Launching on November 5, demo available on Steam.
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide – Skitarii Class: Debuting on June 23, wishlist on Steam.
- Spellsided: Unique RPG with a demo on Steam.
- Star Trek: Outposts Unknown: Demo available on Steam.
- Hack '95: Demo available on Steam.
- Company of Heroes: Definitive Edition: Wishlist on Steam.
- Red Kiss: Wishlist on Steam.
- Arcane Eats: Demo available on Steam.
- Serious Sam: Shatterverse: Sign up for playtest on Steam.
- Control Resonant: Pre-orders available for September 24 release on Steam.
- Sated: Wishlist on Steam.
- Gone Feral: Wishlist and sign up for playtest on Steam.
- Abiotic Factor – Entropic Break DLC: Coming this autumn, wishlist on Steam.
- There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: Demo available on Steam.
- Ssarseeker: Astroneer Expeditions: Early access begins June 11, wishlist on Steam.
- Virtue and a Sledgehammer: Demo available on Steam.
- Happy Bastards: Combat demo available on Steam.
- Another Door: Demo available on Steam.
- AfterQuest: Wishlist on Steam.
- SlashZero: Wishlist and sign up for playtest on Steam.
- Cassette Beasts 2002: Wishlist on Steam.
- VOID/BREAKER: Major update available on Steam.
- 2 Fights 2 Tight Spaces: Available now on Steam.
- Stronghold 4: Demo available on June 23, wishlist on Steam.
- Wind Runners: Demo available on Steam.
- Wardens of Avalon: Sign up for playtest on Steam.
- Planet Zoo 2: Pre-orders available on Steam.
- Empulse: Early access on June 24, available during Steam Next Feast on June 15.
- Arkheron: Sign up for playtest on the game's website.
- ReVamp: Sign up for playtest via the trailer's QR code.
- Wardogs: Wishlist on Steam and sign up for playtests via the trailer's QR code.
- Shroom and Gloom: New demo available.
- Maximum Thunderness: Coming later this year, wishlist on Steam.
- Rivage: Demo available.
- Time Strike: Wishlist on Steam.
- Signet City: Wishlist on Steam.
- Mr. Magpie's Harmless Card Game: Available now on Steam.
- Ascenders: Beyond the Peak: Demo available on Steam.
- Outward 2: Beta available now.
- Thief: The Dark Project Remastered: Remastering classic stealth game.
- Exo Rally Championship: Off-road racing game.
- Duskers 2.0: Available on Steam.
- El Paso, Elsewhere 2: Wishlist on Steam.
- Beast of Reincarnation: Launching on August 3, pre-order on Steam.
- Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent: Available now on Steam.
- To Kill a God: Demo available now.
- Pipes.exe: Wishlist on Steam.
- Sunset Summit: Available now on Steam.
- Clowntown: Available for wishlist on Steam.
- Armatus: Launching this winter, wishlist on Steam.
- Dave The Diver – In the Jungle DLC: Wishlist on Steam.
- Carcass Clad: Wishlist on Steam.
- Total War: Warhammer 40,000: Beta opportunities to be announced.
- About Fishing: Demo available on Steam.
- Vampire: The Masquerade – Eternal Whispers: Emphasizes meaningful choices.
- Valheim 1.0: Launching on September 9, 2026, download on Steam now.
- P.O.N.: Wishlist on Steam.
- Locator: The Search for Abigail Lidari: Wishlist on Steam.
- Exodus: Features combat and exploration.
- Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy: Third installment in the horror series.
- Into the Wind: Wishlist on Steam.
The PC Gaming Show 2026 featured over 60 games, including more than 20 world premieres. Notable titles include:
- Wielders of the Essence: Available now on Steam.
- Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Skitarii Class: Debuts on June 23; wishlist available on Steam.
- Spellsided: Demo available on Steam.
- Serious Sam: Shatterverse: Playtest sign-up available on Steam.
- Control Resonant: Releases on September 24; pre-orders available on Steam.
- There Are No Ghosts at the Grand: Demo available; wishlist on Steam.
- Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions: Early access launches on June 11; demo available on Steam.
- Happy Bastards: Combat demo available on Steam.
- AfterQuest: Wishlist available on Steam.
- SlashZero: Wishlist and playtest sign-up available on Steam.
- Void/Breaker: Significant update available on Steam.
- Wind Runners: Demo available on Steam.
- Planet Zoo 2: Pre-orders open on Steam.
- Empulse: Early access launches on June 24; explore during Steam Next Fest on June 15.
- Arkheron: Playtest sign-up available on the game's website.
- ReVamp: Playtest sign-up available on Discord.
- Wardogs: Wishlist and playtest sign-up available via trailer's QR code.
- Shroom and Gloom: Demo available.
- Rivage: Demo available.
- Mr Magpie’s Harmless Card Game: Wishlist available on Steam.
- Ascenders: Beyond the Peak: Demo available on Steam.
- Outward 2: Beta currently accessible.
- Exo Rally Championship: Available on Steam.
- Beast of Reincarnation: Launches on August 3; pre-orders available on Steam.
- Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent: Shadow dropped; available now.
- To Kill a God: Demo available.
- Armatus: Wishlist available.
- Dave the Diver In the Jungle DLC: Wishlist available on Steam.
- Total War: Warhammer 40,000: Beta opportunities forthcoming; wishlist on Steam.
- About Fishing: Demo available on Steam.
- Vampire the Masquerade: Eternal Whispers: Details not specified.
- Valheim 1.0: Launches on September 9, 2026; new update features.
- P.O.N: Wishlist available on Steam.
- Locator: The Search for Abigail Lidari: Wishlist available on Steam.
- Exodus: Wishlist available on Steam.
- Remothered: Red Nun's Legacy: Wishlist available on Steam.
Halo: Campaign Evolved features a new three-mission story arc titled Operation: METEORITE, which includes Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson. The narrative takes place a year before the original game and involves a covert UNSC mission aboard a Covenant research vessel. The gameplay includes battles with UNSC forces, exploration of new locations, and encounters with new enemies like the Brute Berserker. The story was developed with sci-fi author Troy Denning. Pre-orders are available for three editions: Standard Edition (.99), Premium Edition (.99), and Collector’s Edition (9.99), each offering different bonuses. The game launches on July 28, 2026, with early access for Premium and Collector's Edition owners starting July 23. It supports cross-play and cross-progression across multiple platforms and will be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The Microsoft Build 2026 Developer Conference will showcase new tools and frameworks aimed at enhancing developer productivity, insights into AI integration in applications, and updates on Azure services for cloud scalability. The conference will feature keynote speeches, interactive workshops on building cross-platform applications, enhancing user experience, and security best practices, as well as networking opportunities for developers to connect with peers and industry experts.
