success Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Valve has rewired Counter-Strike 2’s bomb to make it more spectacular, but potentially less deadly

The recent updates in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) include the introduction of volumetric smoke grenades, which provide true 3D smoke cover, and a reimagined bomb mechanic that creates an explosive wave of destruction impacting the entire map post-detonation. Valve YouTuber Gabe Follower has showcased gameplay footage of the new bomb technology, which includes a shockwave effect. Additionally, there is a private testing feature for a console command that allows players to remotely detonate grenades by shooting them. Counter-Strike 2 remains the most popular title on Steam, while its predecessor, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, has also seen a resurgence, attracting tens of thousands of players despite not being featured on the Steam store.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Microsoft filing shows total ZeniMax layoffs at 379, with over half coming from Elder Scrolls Online studio that’s lost at least 60% of its staff in the past year

ZeniMax Online Studios and ZeniMax Media have undergone significant restructuring, resulting in the layoff of 379 employees—213 from ZeniMax Online and 166 from ZeniMax Media. There is no separate notice for Bethesda Game Studios, suggesting that some layoffs may include Bethesda personnel. The ZeniMax Online Union's membership has declined from 461 to approximately 186 employees, indicating a reduction of about 40% in workforce over a year and a half. Despite The Elder Scrolls Online generating substantial monthly revenue for over a decade, the decision to reduce the workforce raises questions about the strategic direction of ZeniMax Online.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

After Space Marine 2 ‘literally changed everything’, Saber Interactive has been inundated with offers from major licenses: ‘We are in a very fortunate position to turn down more than we can accept’

Saber Interactive has transformed from primarily focusing on vehicle simulators and action titles to gaining significant success with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. This game has reshaped the studio's internal development perspectives and external perceptions, boosting confidence and ambition within the team. The success has attracted interest from major license holders for potential collaborations, allowing Saber to turn down more opportunities than they can accept. Tim Willits, Chief Creative Officer, notes that established franchises like Hellraiser provide a safer bet for game development, enhancing the appeal of their projects and solidifying Saber's position in the industry.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Steam has raked in an estimated $11.1 billion gross revenue so far this year, says market analyst—its ‘biggest-ever six months’

Steam generated .1 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2026, a 14.5% increase from the same period in 2025. Since 2017, Steam's annual earnings have risen from .5 billion to an estimated billion in 2025. In 2026, only 21% of Steam's revenue came from games released that year, down from 29% in 2024. The top five new games generating the most income in 2026 are Forza Horizon 6, Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert, Slay the Spire 2, and Subnautica 2.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Mortal Shell 2 is the latest game to join the Grand Theft Auto 6 release crush, but I don’t think it has much to worry about because it looks sick as hell

Mortal Shell 2 is set to be released at the end of August to avoid competition with Grand Theft Auto 6. The game features impressive aesthetics and gameplay mechanics, focusing on brutal combat and drawing inspiration from the modern Doom series. It has a high ranking on Steam’s most wishlisted games and is positioned to be a standout title of the year.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

A Mobile Headon: Body Cam Shooter Is Coming to PC – Wishlist Now on Steam 🚀

Headon: Body Cam Shooter Game is expanding to PC after its success on mobile platforms. The PC version is in development and will launch in Early Access, allowing players to provide feedback for continuous improvement. The game aims to enhance the existing experience while maintaining core elements that players enjoy. The development team is focused on delivering a high-quality shooter experience for both existing fans and new players. Players can add the game to their Steam wishlist for updates.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Doom dev Id is now “about the same size we were when making Doom 2016” after layoffs

Id Software has experienced significant layoffs, with 136 team members affected, which is over half of its workforce. This reduction is part of broader job cuts by Xbox, totaling 3,200 positions across Microsoft. Despite the layoffs, Id Software has communicated that it has sufficient staff to continue game development and maintain its creative output. The studio's current team size is reportedly similar to that during the development of the 2016 Doom reboot. Id Software is known for its influential titles and proprietary Id Tech engines, and it recently released Doom: The Dark Ages.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

45% of Playstation fans considering switching to PC

Push Square has established itself as a significant player in the gaming industry by offering in-depth analysis, timely news, comprehensive reviews, and opinion pieces. Its editorial team prioritizes quality content, fostering a loyal readership. The platform features interactive elements that encourage reader participation and user-generated submissions, enhancing engagement. Push Square is well-positioned to adapt to emerging trends in the gaming industry, focusing on new technologies, gaming events, and industry shifts. It actively engages with its audience through social media, building a sense of community and gathering valuable feedback for editorial decisions.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced sells 2 million copies in 1 day and achieves the ‘highest concurrent player count ever recorded for an Assassin’s Creed title’ on Steam

Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced sold over two million copies within 24 hours of its launch, surpassing newer franchise entries like Assassin's Creed Shadows in player engagement on Steam. Ubisoft expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic response from players, highlighting the game's nostalgic appeal since its original release 13 years ago. The emphasis on two million copies sold rather than player count raises questions about the comparative success of Black Flag Resynced and Shadows. Industry analyst Joshua Wolens noted that nostalgia is a powerful motivator in gaming, and Martin Schelling, the brand boss of Assassin's Creed, emphasized the significance of the game's revival and its connection to players.