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'I'm in this whole new world': Here's what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew Valley 10 years ago this month
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

‘I’m in this whole new world’: Here’s what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew Valley 10 years ago this month

Eric Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, faced significant challenges during the game's development, including multiple reworks and a near cancellation due to a catastrophic computer crash. Despite these obstacles, he completed the game over four years, driven by a desire to be a game developer and the absence of similar titles on PC. Stardew Valley was inspired by Barone's childhood memories and aimed to fill a gap in the market for PC players. The game's release exceeded Barone's expectations, receiving overwhelming positive feedback and transforming his life and career. He plans to introduce multiplayer support, console ports, and attend gaming expos, marking a new phase in his journey as a game developer.
Is it time for Sony to panic? Astro Bot launched on PC using a PS5 emulator
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

Is it time for Sony to panic? Astro Bot launched on PC using a PS5 emulator

Sony has announced it will cease the production of PlayStation game discs, leading to increased interest in PS5 emulation projects among tech enthusiasts. These projects are in early development stages, with current emulators allowing access only to game menus. A notable breakthrough occurred when a tech enthusiast named RSantila successfully launched the PS5 exclusive title, Astro Bot, on a PC using the SharpEmu emulator. This achievement marks significant progress in PS5 emulation, as it demonstrates that a game scheduled for a 2024 release is operational on a non-console platform. The evolution of emulation technology is highlighted by the success of the shadPS4 emulator, which now runs demanding titles like Bloodborne, and the RPCS3 emulator for PlayStation 3, which has improved to handle resource-intensive games.
Stardew Valley was almost canceled after Eric Barone's PC died without backups: "It feels crazy that it all worked out"
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

Stardew Valley was almost canceled after Eric Barone’s PC died without backups: “It feels crazy that it all worked out”

Stardew Valley, created by Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, is a pixel-perfect village simulator that began development in 2016 and was inspired by the Harvest Moon series. The game faced challenges, including a computer crash that nearly erased years of work, but Barone salvaged the data, allowing the game to succeed. Barone is currently developing a new project called Haunted Chocolatier, which is taking longer than expected as he focuses on refining every detail. He is working with a small team to streamline the development process.
Thinking About Installing Windows on Your Steam Machine? Read This First
Winsage
July 14, 2026

Thinking About Installing Windows on Your Steam Machine? Read This First

Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to replace SteamOS with Windows for greater software flexibility. This transition requires a complete OS overhaul and may result in performance issues due to reliance on generic AMD graphics drivers, as Valve does not provide official support for Windows on the Steam Machine. Users have encountered a hardware issue known as the “Red Bar of Death,” which can often be resolved through power resets and ensuring proper ventilation. The upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is designed to operate independently of a PC, featuring standalone capabilities and enhanced SteamOS integration, but its success will depend on competitive pricing and developer support. The Steam Machine faces challenges such as high pricing, aging hardware, and limited official support, impacting its competitiveness in the gaming market.
The GoldenEye homage that left us 'shaken and stirred' in 2022 is finally launching in August
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

The GoldenEye homage that left us ‘shaken and stirred’ in 2022 is finally launching in August

Agent 64: Spies Never Die is set to launch on August 11, as announced by developer Replicant D6. The game initially did not include multiplayer features, but plans for split-screen multiplayer have been revealed, along with online multiplayer expected in 2025. The focus of the game remains on single-player content. A demo featuring the first two missions is currently available on Steam.
Even though Old School RuneScape was 'not built to have a LAN setup at all,' it just had a live esports tournament with 4,000 attendees: 'We were doubting at times whether we actually can pull it off'
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

Even though Old School RuneScape was ‘not built to have a LAN setup at all,’ it just had a live esports tournament with 4,000 attendees: ‘We were doubting at times whether we actually can pull it off’

On June 20, 4,000 fans attended the Deadman All Stars PvP tournament for Old School RuneScape in Chicago, with over one million viewers online. The tournament showcased a successful adaptation of the game for modern esports, featuring a combat system that requires quick item switching and strategic gameplay. Players used their own equipment for comfort and performance, often opting for a low-resolution display to enhance focus. The matches followed a format similar to crew battles, with players starting fresh accounts and a 120-hour playtime limit to prepare. Jagex faced logistical challenges in creating a LAN setup for the tournament, which was their first major event in North America and their largest to date, surpassing RuneFest in the UK.
Palworld pulled in almost 900,000 players over the weekend, its second-highest peak ever
AppWizard
July 13, 2026

Palworld pulled in almost 900,000 players over the weekend, its second-highest peak ever

Palworld has transitioned from early access to its 1.0 launch without a price increase, resulting in a peak of 855,525 concurrent players on Steam. The game's all-time peak player count is 2.1 million, surpassing titles like Counter Strike 2 and Dota 2, with only Black Myth: Wukong and PUBG having higher records. Players have requested additional content and improvements, while some have raised concerns about game stability and mechanics. The developers aim to maintain a solid player base following the successful launch.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

2026’s best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants ‘to do a first-person game at some point’

Christoffer Bodegård began his journey into PC gaming with a DOS machine from his father and first played Disney's The Jungle Book. His passion for role-playing games was ignited by Dragon Age: Origins, which led him to explore many titles, including Planescape: Torment. After eight years of development, his game Esoteric Ebb launched in March to critical acclaim. Currently, he is playing Victoria 3, having logged around 400 hours, and previously played Abiotic Factor. The oldest games on his PC are Heroes of Might and Magic 3, King of Dragon Pass, Deus Ex, and Diablo 2, with Heroes 3 being a favorite. He has logged around 1,000 hours in Esoteric Ebb and is particularly fond of Europa Universalis IV, especially the Anbennar mod. Bodegård has never uninstalled Deus Ex, which greatly influences his design philosophy. He relies on Notepad++ for scripting and has improved his desktop organization from a cluttered state to a cleaner setup.
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