stagger Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

World of Warcraft game director on the woeful patch 11.1.5: ‘It’s not the experience our players are expecting or deserve’

World of Warcraft's patch 11.1.5 has faced backlash from players due to numerous bugs and the implementation of time-gated content. Senior game director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledged that the launch did not go as planned and highlighted issues with the Flame's Radiance events, which were a key feature of the patch. Other anticipated features, including a bad-luck protection system and a dual-boss raid mode, experienced delays, leading to player disappointment. Hazzikostas noted that the decision to stagger releases aimed to prevent player overwhelm but resulted in frustration over the lack of content at launch. Bugs from previous patches re-emerged, attributed to the accelerated eight-week patch schedule, which is the fastest in the game's history. Developers are using hotfixes to address issues quickly, but this can complicate resolutions. Hazzikostas emphasized the importance of quality over quantity and stated that the team is committed to improving their processes based on the challenges faced with this patch.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Skyrim stealth archers and NCR Ranger wannabes rejoice: I’m 45 hours into Avowed’s hardest difficulty as a glass cannon gunslinger and I’ve loved every minute of it

Avowed is a wizard-themed game that features unique spells and action-oriented gameplay, inspired by Pillars of Eternity. Players can utilize various spells, including the Pull of Eora, which creates an anti-gravity vortex to ensnare enemies. The game allows for a ranger-style playstyle, where players can engage in stealthy combat as a pistol-wielding archer. After over 45 hours of gameplay, the ranger build proves effective even on the challenging "Path of the Damned" difficulty. Combat is dynamic, with enemies exhibiting impressive tracking abilities, requiring active engagement. The game includes unique weapons, such as flaming swords and lightning pistols, and features companions like a spirit bear that can deal significant damage. Avowed combines elements of traditional RPGs with exhilarating shooter mechanics, catering to players who enjoy stealthy sniper gameplay.

Winsage

October 24, 2024

Microsoft releases Windows 11 update with revamped Start menu, printer fixes, and new Copilot button remapping

Microsoft has released the KB5044380 update for Windows 11, which includes the ability to remap the Copilot key on newer keyboards. This update addresses issues with multi-function printers, Microsoft Teams, and excessive battery consumption, but does not include security fixes. Key fixes include reducing battery consumption during Modern Standby, resolving issues with joining Teams meetings via Outlook reminders, introducing new phone numbers for product activation, and correcting printing issues with multi-function printers. Some features will be rolled out gradually, including a new Gamepad keyboard layout for the on-screen keyboard, the ability to disable notification suggestions from specific apps, renaming the “All apps” section in the Start menu, and new shortcuts for the Narrator feature. Users can manually search for updates or use the Microsoft Update Catalog to explore the update.

AppWizard

September 30, 2024

9 minutes of gameplay from the PC version of Phantom Blade Zero

At the Tokyo Game Show 2024, S-Game showcased a playable demo of its action RPG, Phantom Blade Zero, specifically for PC gamers. The game features fast-paced combat influenced by Chinese martial arts and steampunk aesthetics, with a unique combat system that includes various combos and stagger mechanics, similar to those in Sekiro. The demo was powered by Unreal Engine 5 and performed well on high-end PC systems, although specific hardware details were not provided. There is no confirmed release date for Phantom Blade Zero, but anticipation is high, with comparisons being made to the successful title "Black Myth: Wukong."

AppWizard

August 24, 2024

Sekiro was so influential, even the next big BioWare and Obsidian RPGs are adding parries and stagger meters

FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has influenced various titles by introducing innovative combat mechanics, particularly its parrying system. BioWare and Obsidian are incorporating elements inspired by Sekiro into their upcoming projects. BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard will feature a parry system that leads to counterattacks and allows for character class-specific experiences, while Obsidian's Avowed will include a stagger mechanic. This marks a shift in both studios' approaches to action RPGs, moving away from previous sluggish gameplay styles. The integration of Sekiro's mechanics is expected to shape the future of action RPGs.