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AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Summer Game Fest 2025 preview: The big games and developers to expect at Friday’s livestream

E3 has transitioned into the Summer Game Fest, led by Geoff Keighley, featuring a livestream on June 6 at 2 pm Pacific on YouTube. New developers include Raw Power Games, working on a medieval sandbox game, and Soft Rains, developing a sci-fi action game. Big studios like 505 Games, 2K Games, Bandai Namco, Capcom, CD Projekt, Embark, IO Interactive, Square Enix, Techland, Xbox, PlayStation, Epic Games, Pearl Abyss, and Sega are expected to showcase new titles or updates. Additional partners include 1047 Games, Amazon Games, Annapurna Interactive, Atari, Bellring Games, Blumhouse Games, Coffee Stain, Devolver Digital, Dotemu, Dreamhaven, Enhance, Focus Entertainment, Frontier, Funcom, iam8bit Presents, Kakao Games, Kinetic Games, Kuro Games, Level Infinite, Magic the Gathering, Megabit, Meta Quest, Mundfish, NCSoft, Nekki, Neowiz, Netmarble, Niantic, Nintendo Switch 2, Nuverse, Playstack, PlaySide, PM Studios, Razer, Supermassive Games, Xsolla, and Yacht Club Games. An "intense body horror" game titled ILL and beta access to Soulframe will also be featured, with Hideo Kojima confirmed to attend.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Death Stranding 2: All the key details on the next game from Hideo Kojima

Norman Reedus first engaged in the surreal world of Death Stranding almost six years ago, and Hideo Kojima is set to unveil the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Kojima Productions is also developing a horror game titled OD and a project reminiscent of Metal Gear called Physint. The original Death Stranding garnered a dedicated fanbase, and the sequel promises to elevate the experience with new elements, including colossal ships, guitar-playing cyborgs, and a ventriloquist dummy resembling Turkish director Fatih Akin. The sequel appears to shift towards a more action-oriented gameplay style. Kojima Productions now owns the intellectual property for Death Stranding 2, which may lead to a shorter release timeline, though it may depend on the publishing agreement with Sony. Sony titles typically see a price reduction upon their eventual release on PC. The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2 debuted at SXSW and features disjointed dialogues and stunning gameplay sequences, highlighting Sam's journey and combat. The trailer emphasizes Neil, a character reminiscent of Solid Snake, and includes notable figures like the President, portrayed by Alastair Duncan. Death Stranding 2 invites players to traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape, delivering packages while encountering adversaries. Sam Porter Bridges will explore new territories, including the Australian outback and Mexico, with dynamic weather events enhancing gameplay. Combat is now a focal point, aiming to balance action and strategy. The story is set 11 months after the original game, with Sam enjoying a quieter existence until the return of Fragile prompts him to connect Mexico to the Chiral Network. New characters include Tomorrow, who can manipulate the game's unique goo, Tarman, inspired by George Miller, and Dollman, a sentient ventriloquist dummy. Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, resembles Solid Snake. Kojima Productions is offering a digital deluxe edition for Death Stranding 2, which includes exclusive cosmetics and early access to certain items. The future of DLC for Death Stranding 2 is uncertain, with no immediate plans for a PS6 release. It seems likely that the sequel will include more unconventional elements similar to the first game. Die-Hardman’s real name is humorously noted as John McClane, reflecting the quirky creativity of the Death Stranding universe.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake to Acquire Crunchy Data for AI-Ready Postgres

Snowflake intends to acquire Crunchy Data, a provider of open-source PostgreSQL technology, to enhance its AI Data Cloud by integrating Crunchy Data's enterprise-grade Postgres offerings. The new product, "Snowflake Postgres," will be a developer-friendly, AI-ready database for mission-critical applications. Snowflake plans to invest approximately 0 million in this acquisition, which aims to support complex AI applications at scale and bring a team experienced in Postgres. This move comes amid a competitive cloud data market, with Snowflake's stock trading near its 52-week high. The acquisition is expected to influence how enterprises approach AI and data integration, potentially setting a new benchmark for cloud platforms.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Sonic Racing Crossworlds Leak Reveals Minecraft, Avatar: The Last Airbender Content

Sonic Racing Crossworlds will feature crossover content from franchises such as Minecraft, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Confirmed characters include SpongeBob with a Krabby Patty kart, Alex from Minecraft in a minecart, and an older Aang from Avatar using a glider as a hoverboard. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are rumored to be included, indicating a collaboration with Paramount properties. The game is set for release in 2025, and some crossovers may be available as downloadable content (DLC).

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake is such a badly kept secret it’s been leaked by a statue maker who just assumed we all knew it was coming

PureArts recently showcased a new collection of figures from the Assassin's Creed franchise, but Edward Kenway from Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag was notably absent. A slip of the tongue from one of the hosts hinted at a potential remake of the classic game, sparking speculation among fans. Industry insiders suggest that a glimpse of this remake may be revealed during the upcoming Summer Geoff Fest.

Winsage

June 1, 2025

Microsoft Reportedly “Pulling Back” Development on Xbox Handheld Daily Fix – IGN

Microsoft is reassessing its approach to handheld gaming and may step back from developing a first-party Xbox handheld device, shifting focus to collaborations with third-party manufacturers like ASUS for an Xbox-licensed handheld. Ubisoft teased potential announcements related to the Splinter Cell franchise, following confirmation of a remake of the original game in 2021. Rumors of a Persona 4 remake have surfaced, but it is unclear if the original English voice cast will return. An IGN Live event is scheduled for June 7-8 in Downtown Los Angeles, with tickets available and a promo code for a complimentary ticket.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

My top 5 must-play PC games for the second half of 2025 — Will they live up to the hype?

PC gamers are looking forward to several upcoming titles in 2025. - The Outer Worlds 2 is anticipated to launch in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PS5, featuring a new colony and an Earth Directorate agent unraveling a mystery. - Hades II is in Early Access and is expected to be fully released by late 2025. - ARC Raiders, a PvPvE extraction shooter, is rumored to launch in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PS5. - Escape from Tarkov has been in closed beta since 2017 and aims for a version 1.0 release in 2025. - Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition is set to launch on July 15, 2025, with enhancements including new units and larger maps. - Path of Exile 2 entered Early Access on December 6, 2024, and will be free to play upon its full release, though a specific date has not been announced.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Nintendo is bringing one of its exclusive games to PC claims Microsoft website

A listing on Microsoft’s Edge Game Assist webpage includes the Nintendo title Xenoblade Chronicles X, which has raised speculation about potential collaborations between Microsoft and Nintendo. Despite this, many believe the inclusion is likely a mistake, as the game is not available on PC. Xenoblade Chronicles X was released for the Nintendo Switch in March and is the last major Wii U title to be ported to the platform. All Xenoblade games are now accessible on the Switch, and Monolith Soft, the developer, is reportedly working on a new role-playing game. The chances of a partnership between Microsoft and Nintendo to bring exclusive titles to PC seem slim.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Random: Xenoblade Chronicles X Pops Up On Microsoft PC Game Page

Monolith Soft's game, Xenoblade Chronicles X, has appeared on a Microsoft PC webpage for "enhanced games for Microsoft Edge Game Assist," alongside titles like World of Warcraft and Half-Life 2. The listing suggests that Microsoft Edge Game Assist will provide tips and guides for popular PC games. This unexpected appearance has led to speculation among fans about its validity, with some considering it a possible error. Monolith Soft is now owned by Nintendo, which recently released Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition for the Switch. While it seems unlikely that major Nintendo titles will be available on Xbox, Microsoft has shown interest in bringing select first-party games to Nintendo platforms.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

Ubisoft marks 10 years of trolling Splinter Cell fans with a new tease and I can’t believe I’m saying this but they used the wrong picture of Sam Fisher

Fans of the Splinter Cell series have been waiting for a remake announced nearly four years ago, but June 2024 passed without significant updates. Instead, an animated series on Netflix was announced, which will not feature Michael Ironside's voice, and a Splinter Cell movie starring Tom Hardy received a formal nod after being announced in 2012. The remake was unveiled in December 2021, but updates have indicated it is being rewritten for a modern audience, and the director has stepped down, leading to fan disillusionment. Speculation exists that Ubisoft may reveal news at the Summer Game Fest or an upcoming Ubisoft Forward event, but concerns about disappointment are growing. Ubisoft shared an image of Sam Fisher that confused fans, as it was from Pandora Tomorrow instead of Chaos Theory, raising doubts about the company's commitment to the franchise. The ongoing situation has led to speculation that it may be an elaborate prank, while fans continue to hope for the remake's eventual release.