StarCraft Archives

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Stormgate, the StarCraft-like RTS that launched last summer, is losing online multiplayer support because its server partner was bought by an AI company

Stormgate, a real-time strategy game, will cease online play support at the end of April following the acquisition of Hathora, its server provider, by Fireworks AI. A patch for offline gameplay will be released by Frost Giant Studios. Hathora announced the termination of support for Stormgate and other games, with a final date set for May 5. The game raised nearly .8 million through Kickstarter and private investments but has received mixed reviews on Steam, with low player engagement. Frost Giant Studios hopes to revive online play in the future if a partner is found, but current financial challenges may limit this possibility. The offline patch will allow players to engage with the campaign and solo modes.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Stormgate, the StarCraft-like RTS that launched last summer, is losing online multiplayer support because its server partner was bought by an AI company

Stormgate, a real-time strategy game, will end its online play support on May 5, 2025, following Hathora's acquisition by Fireworks AI. Frost Giant Studios plans to release a patch for offline play. The game raised nearly million through Kickstarter and private investments but has received mixed reviews on Steam, with less than 50% positive feedback. Concurrent player numbers have been low, peaking at 28 players recently. Frost Giant Studios hopes to restore online play in the future if a partner is found, but current financial conditions may limit options. The offline patch will allow players to continue enjoying campaign and solo modes.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

XCOM meets Rashomon in Vaunted, a tactical RPG where your characters can rewrite history from their perspective

Vaunted is a sci-fi tactical RPG developed by Hooded Horse, showcased during the Xbox Partner Preview. Players navigate a criminal underworld, commanding a team of thieves and mercenaries after a high-stakes expedition goes awry. The game features a dual combat system that allows toggling between turn-based strategy and real-time action, enhancing tactical gameplay. Character loss can lead to new narrative perspectives, with player decisions significantly impacting the story. The game includes a roguelite element where characters earn "credibility" for upgrades upon death. James Phinney, known for his work on StarCraft and Guild Wars, leads the development team. Vaunted is set to launch later this year, although a specific release date has not been announced.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Fusing turn-based tactics and real-time action, Vaunted is a new strategy RPG from Starcraft creator James Phinney

Vaunted is a tactical RPG from indie studio Lost Lake Games, set a millennium after the collapse of the last galactic empire, where mercenaries and treasure hunters seek priceless relics. The game combines third-person shooter action with turn-based tactical gameplay, allowing players to plan from a high-angle viewpoint while executing actions in real time. Players manage three characters—Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath—each with unique skills and backstories, and their choices influence the narrative. The game features dynamic combat mechanics, customizable loadouts, and randomized upgrades. Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse, praises the project, and while a release date is not yet announced, players can wishlist it on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

March 15, 2026

Blizzard vet Rob Pardo closed this year’s GDC keynote by urging executives to cool it with the layoffs: ‘The game team is more valuable than the game itself’

Rob Pardo, former chief creative officer of Blizzard, spoke at the Game Developers Conference about the unpredictability of creating hit games and the importance of retaining successful developers. He highlighted a concerning trend in the industry where studios lay off developers after successful game launches, citing the example of Battlefield 6 selling 7 million copies in three days. Pardo emphasized that a successful game is often the result of a strong development team that has navigated challenges and adapted throughout the creation process. He urged industry executives to value and nurture their teams, as they are crucial to the game's success.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

WWE NXT Champ Joe Hendry (and Steam Deck fan) tells us his favorite game — and the surreal experience of being included in WWE 2K26

WWE Superstar and NXT Champion Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at Wrestlemania 41 as the TNA Champion, accepting an open challenge from Randy Orton. He is featured as the pre-order bonus character for WWE 2K26. The game introduces a MyRise campaign story mode and new match types, including the Inferno fire match. Hendry owns a Steam Deck, PC, Xbox, and PS5, and has a passion for city-building games and classic titles like Warcraft 3 and Final Fantasy 7. WWE 2K26 is set to launch on March 13, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

AppWizard

February 16, 2026

The Dawn of War 4 team isn’t worried about Total War: Warhammer 40k: ‘This is definitely a case of holy s***, it’s two cakes’

Dawn of War 4 and Total War: Warhammer 40k are set to be released simultaneously, with Dawn of War 4 scheduled for 2026 and Total War: Warhammer 40k expected in 2027. Developer Elliot Verbiest noted that while both games are real-time strategy titles, they have distinct gameplay mechanics and will not significantly compete for market share. Additionally, Mechanicus 2 is set to launch this year, enhancing the experience for Warhammer 40k fans.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

With Starfield’s promised “exciting things” for 2025 still yet to materialize, it feels like we’ve been left to suffocate in space

Fans of Starfield have experienced a disappointing year, with criticism aimed at the game's lack of interstellar exploration and tedious planetary exploration. The official Starfield Twitter account acknowledged fan concerns in March, promising updates that have yet to materialize. The first expansion, Shattered Space, released a year after the game's launch, received 'mostly negative' reviews for its limited content. Despite some communication from Bethesda, including a developer spotlight and hints at a second DLC titled Terran Armada, fans remain uncertain due to the lack of substantial updates and a dedicated expansion page on Steam. As the year ends, the flow of information about Starfield has been minimal, leaving fans disheartened.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

7 Greatest Blizzard Games of All Time

Blizzard Entertainment has produced several iconic games that have significantly impacted the gaming community. 1. Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness - Released a year after the original Warcraft, it refined multiplayer real-time strategy gameplay and solidified Blizzard's reputation in the genre. The expansion, Beyond the Dark Portal, enhanced the experience. 2. Hearthstone - Launched with over 100 million players by 2018, it has become a staple in digital card games despite criticisms of its monetization strategies. 3. Overwatch - Originating from the shelved Titan project, it became a phenomenon in the hero shooter genre with nearly 10 million players in the open beta, although it faced loot box controversies. 4. StarCraft - A cultural phenomenon, it established itself as a national sport in South Korea and set new standards for balance in competitive play with its innovative design. 5. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos - Known for its compelling narrative and rich lore, it laid the groundwork for the MMO genre and inspired the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. 6. World of Warcraft - With a peak player count of 12 million in 2010, it is the best-selling MMO of all time, generating billions in revenue and continuing to thrive with new expansions. 7. Diablo 2 - Following its Lord of Destruction expansion, it became the fastest-selling PC game and defined the action RPG genre, influencing many subsequent games.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Already my favorite RTS this year, Tempest Rising is going full Command and Conquer by adding superweapons

The upcoming update for Tempest Rising will introduce two new superweapons: the Drone Strike Station for the Global Defense Force (GDF) and the Excavator Platform for the Tempest Dynasty. The Drone Strike Station allows players to call in orbital strikes and deploy nine tungsten Drone Turrets, while the Excavator Platform can create shockwaves, transport units underground, and restore health to infantry. These additions aim to enhance gameplay strategies for both factions.