spirits Archives

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

This gorgeous Android launcher is basically dead — and it’s all Google’s fault

Stario Launcher, launched in 2024, is an aesthetically pleasing Android launcher that combines speed and functionality, featuring custom animations, widgets, and automatic app categorization. Its design is influenced by Google’s Material Expressive language, with a minimalist interface that emphasizes essential widgets. The launcher includes a search function similar to Pixel Launcher, supports alternative search engines, and has a dedicated Briefing page for personalized news feeds. It also offers a widget page for customization and a Low Spec mode for older devices. However, the developer plans to cease updates due to Google's tightening policies on third-party apps, which will complicate the installation of non-verified apps starting in September 2026. This situation reflects broader concerns about the future of third-party applications in the Android ecosystem.

Winsage

July 2, 2026

Windows Weekly 990: Don’t Be Nostalgic for Stupid

Microsoft has extended the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) program for consumers by an additional year, now set to end in October 2027. Significant changes are being made to the Windows Insider experience, including a new Windows Update feature and the introduction of five new builds. Microsoft has started offering 8 GB models of its Surface Pro and Laptop, while discontinuing its Surface Go products. HP has partnered with OpenAI, and Anthropic has launched Sonnet 5. Xbox Series X|S prices are set to increase on August 1, coinciding with the discontinuation of the 2 TB X model. Microsoft may lay off approximately 5,500 employees, about 2.5 percent of its workforce. The Minecraft Bedrock edition has introduced closed captions, and Sony plans to cease the sale of physical PS media by 2028.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Shueisha Games and poncle announce Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton for PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC

Publisher Shueisha Games, in collaboration with developer poncle, is set to release a multiplayer survival game titled Jujutsu Kaisen Rumble: Survivaton in 2026. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Steam. Players will engage in competition using characters from the Jujutsu Kaisen series, facing off against Cursed Spirits and other players, with the goal of being the last one standing. The game supports up to eight players online and includes a single-player mode. Players can earn points through battles, activate "Rule Additions" at 100 points, and participate in one-versus-one duels. There will be over 20 characters to choose from, each with unique skills, and players can unlock new fighters by meeting specific conditions. Special moves from the series can be used strategically, and players can level up in real-time during matches, adapting their skills and builds as they progress.

AppWizard

June 7, 2026

Guild Wars 3 announced for PC and PS5

ArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, the third installment in the MMORPG series, set to launch globally on PC, Steam, and PS5. The game takes place over a millennium before the original Guild Wars in the Tyrian region of Orr, where players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden. Players can use a spirit called the Seeker as a mount. The combat system will support both controller and keyboard users, focusing on strategic positioning and movement. Beta testing is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027, and while no specific release date is provided, players can add the game to their wishlists on Steam and the PlayStation Store.

AppWizard

June 6, 2026

Guild Wars 3, Modern Evolution of the MMORPG, Announced at Summer Game Fest for PC and PlayStation 5

The official debut trailer for Guild Wars 3 has been released, featuring the first in-engine gameplay footage. The game is set over a thousand years before the original and takes place in the Tyrian region of Orr, inhabited by Vael spirits. Players will assume the role of a Vaelwarden, part of a guild focused on protecting the spirits and land. The combat system emphasizes strategic positioning and movement. Further details regarding pricing, beta tests, and release dates will be revealed in late 2026 and into 2027. Guild Wars 3 will be available from GuildWars3.com, and players can wishlist it on Steam and the PlayStation Store. The Guild Wars franchise, launched in 2005, has welcomed over 29 million players and is known for its fast-paced action combat and friendly community. ArenaNet, founded in 2000, is the developer of the Guild Wars series and operates as a subsidiary of NCSOFT.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

A burnt-out Final Fantasy 14 playerbase is noticeably more chipper after its latest reveal, even if we’ve seen nothing come of it yet

The author experienced fatigue and burnout regarding Final Fantasy 14's current state, feeling that the game had become stagnant due to aging systems and a predictable patch structure. This sentiment was shared by friends and the broader community. However, after attending Fan Fest, the author felt reinvigorated and optimistic about the game, noting a noticeable influx of happy players upon logging in. Significant changes announced, such as the introduction of Evolved Mode, the elimination of the two-minute meta, ensuring everyone receives a limit break, and expanding combo actions, suggest that developers are addressing player concerns. The author prefers the game to take risks with new experiments rather than remain stagnant. After returning home from Fan Fest, the author felt a sense of lightness and appreciated the quality-of-life enhancements in the subsequent 7.5 patch, which rekindled enthusiasm for the game.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Peak’s success helped Aggro Crab commit to co-op, says studio head: ‘We thought we were a character action studio’

The collaboration between Peak, Aggro Crab, and Landfall Games originated from a four-week game jam. Aggro Crab's studio head, Nick Kaman, discussed this experience at the Game Developers Conference, highlighting a shift towards smaller projects and a stronger identity in co-op gaming. They collaborated with a studio known for the game Content Warning, which is recognized in the friendslop genre. After a taxing three-year development on a previous project, the team found renewed energy in creating Peak. Kaman announced the upcoming release of Crashout Crew, inspired by Overcooked, featuring unique elements like proximity voice chat and mouth animations that respond to player speech. He acknowledged that this new direction might not appeal to everyone but expressed excitement about the studio's evolution.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

81-year-old Minecraft grandma gets swatted, but she calls it “fun”

An 81-year-old grandmother streaming Minecraft to fundraise for her grandson's cancer treatment experienced a swatting incident during a live stream on May 18, which involved armed police entering her streaming room. Despite the chaos, she continued her broadcast and reassured her viewers the following day that she was unharmed. She has gained 675 followers on Twitch and 613K subscribers on YouTube. Earlier this year, she raised ,000 through a GoFundMe campaign for her grandson, Jack Self, who was diagnosed with Sarcoma Cancer, and he is now cancer-free.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

PlayStation reportedly confirms end of PC support for major single-player games as CEO commits to console exclusivity

Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, confirmed that major narrative-driven titles from PlayStation studios will be exclusive to the PlayStation platform. This indicates a shift in Sony's strategy, favoring exclusivity for flagship single-player intellectual properties. While some titles like Horizon Hunters Gathering may still release on both PC and PlayStation, major studio productions will likely be exclusive. Notable exceptions include Helldivers 2, which will launch on Xbox, and the PS5 shooter Saros, which will not be available on PC. Upcoming title Kena: Scars of Kosmora will be published on Steam and the Epic Games Store, while also being listed under Sony Interactive Entertainment on the PlayStation Store. The multiplayer game Horizon Hunters Gathering is expected to launch on PC, but future mainline entries in the Horizon series featuring protagonist Aloy are unlikely to see a PC release. Titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine are expected to remain exclusive to PlayStation.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Hauntingly Beautiful Horror Game Gets Free Taster On PC Ahead Of Release

Black Omens: House of Crimson Silk is a horror game set in fictional Edo-era Japan, where players assume the role of Idate Chiyo, a junior investigator in the Tokugawa Shogunate’s Magical Arcane Division. The game features the Hon'iden Mansion, an abandoned estate rumored to be haunted, and involves solving escape room-style puzzles while using supernatural abilities to interact with the paranormal. A free demo is available for download on Steam and itch.io, and early player feedback highlights its atmospheric qualities. The game revolves around uncovering the mystery of a vanished merchant family, but a definitive launch date for the full version has not been announced.