strategic depths Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Deadlock isn’t a death sentence for Dota 2 – it’s “a gateway,” according to caster and ESL product manager ‘Avo+’

The Dota 2 ESL One Birmingham 2026 tournament features a significant patch, 7.41, released by Valve just before the playoffs, which has sparked discussions about its impact on the competitive scene. ESL product manager Álvaro 'Avo+' Sánchez Velasco notes that this approach tests teams' adaptability and acknowledges the stress it places on players and production teams. He praises the patch's design philosophy, highlighting Valve's experimentation with game mechanics and the importance of player independence. Velasco believes the new game, Deadlock, could positively influence Dota 2 by attracting new players and enhancing community engagement. He observes an uptick in player interest and viewership, indicating a stable audience for Dota 2. As the grand finals approach, three teams remain in contention: Tundra Esports, Team Yandex, and Xtreme Gaming, with Velasco expressing particular support for XG and its star player, Wang 'Ame' Chunyu.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 04/09/2025

The Epic Games Store is offering three free titles from 4 PM BST on September 4, 2025, until 4 PM BST on September 11, 2025: Monument Valley, The Battle of Polytopia, and The Battle of Polytopia - ∑∫ỹriȱŋ Tribe. Monument Valley is developed by ustwo games and features optical illusions and puzzles. The Battle of Polytopia, developed by Midjiwan AB, is a strategic game where players engage in tactical battles and civilization building. The ∑∫ỹriȱŋ Tribe DLC for The Battle of Polytopia, also by Midjiwan AB, introduces new dynamics and challenges for players.

AppWizard

September 26, 2024

Best Android app price drops and freebies: Defense Zone 3 Ultra, Devils & Demons, more

Today's Google Play store features a variety of Android game and app deals, including Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD, Devils & Demons, Tattoo Tycoon, and Neighbours Back From Hell. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+/Ultra and Galaxy S24 FE have launched with pre-order promotional offers. The Galaxy Book 4 Edge Copilot+ PC is available at a competitive price. The Fitbit Ace LTE kids smartwatch is now offered at its best price yet.

AppWizard

September 26, 2024

StarCraft Remastered and StarCraft II’s campaign mode are getting a new lease on life on PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass this November

StarCraft Remastered and the campaign for StarCraft II will be available on PC Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for Ultimate tier subscribers starting November 5. The single-player components of these games will be accessible to subscribers, while the multiplayer modes remain free-to-play. This announcement was made during the 2024 Tokyo Game Show and reflects the impact of Activision Blizzard's acquisition by Xbox.

AppWizard

September 19, 2024

Xbox Game Pass adds another excellent day one game today

Wargroove 2 has officially launched on Xbox consoles and PC, and is available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The game is set three years after peace in Aurania, featuring a new faction that threatens stability with forbidden technologies. Players engage in tactical warfare across land, sea, and sky through three distinct campaigns. The game includes a new tiered ‘groove’ ability system. While it has been available on Nintendo Switch and PC, its launch on Xbox consoles expands its player base. Achievements for the game are expected to appear soon. Other strategy titles, including Frostpunk 2, will be added to Game Pass in the coming weeks.

AppWizard

April 30, 2024

Android game and app deals: Three Kingdoms, Dream Town, Star Wars Pinball, more

- Android game and app discounts are available for those interested in digital deals. - Some tech accessories on sale include Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Jabra Elite 4 earbuds, and SanDisk's 1TB Extreme 190MB/s microSD card. - The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is also available at a special offer. - Highlights of the day for Android users include games like "Three Kingdoms," "Dream Town Island," "Star Wars Pinball 7," and "The Wild Case."