surprise Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Grab a free 360Hz Alienware OLED gaming monitor, keyboard, and mouse, thanks to Fanatical

Gamers can enter a giveaway for Alienware products valued at nearly ,000 by purchasing a mystery egg for , which includes a Steam game code. The prize package features the Alienware AW2725DF 27-inch, 1440p, 360Hz monitor, the Alienware Pro Wireless mouse, and the Alienware Pro Wireless Gaming Keyboard. The monitor is priced at ,000, the mouse at over 0, and the keyboard at . Participants can buy multiple eggs for discounts, with ten eggs costing .49 and 30 eggs costing .79. Each egg guarantees a mystery game, and no duplicate games will be included in a single bundle.

AppWizard

May 6, 2026

This Hades 2 mod lets you take on the original game as Mel, and adds a ton of new Boons to boot

Hades 2 is a sequel that allows players to control Melinoe, who must protect the underworld and overworld from various threats. The Zagreus' Journey mod integrates the original game’s roguelike experience into Hades 2, featuring new prophecies, cosmetic upgrades, chaos trials, and new boons from characters like Sisyphus and Eurydice. Players can confront Hades as Melinoe, using her unique weapons and abilities. The mod is available for download but requires completion of the original Hades and its installation to function properly.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Vampire Crawlers finds the perfect balance between strategy and automation, and it gives me that Survivors feeling all over again

Vampire Crawlers builds on the mechanics of its predecessor, Vampire Survivors, allowing players to collect and deploy cards with reduced cognitive load during battles. The game features a synergy system that enhances damage output through strategic card selection and mana management. Combat consists of fast-paced waves of enemies, and players can utilize a Play All feature for automation, which can be effective if they have a strong deck. The game is currently featured in the Steam Deckbuilders Fest event.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Surprise: The studio making Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic is full of former BioWare devs

LucasFilm Games announced a new title, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, at The Game Awards 2025, described as a "spiritual successor" to the Knights of the Old Republic series. Casey Hudson, former project director of KotOR and Mass Effect, is the CEO and game director at Arcanaut Studios, which he co-founded after leaving BioWare. The development team includes former BioWare employees, such as Chris Bain, the CFO, and Ryan Hoyle, the CTO. The studio's team also features talent from companies like Microsoft, Epic, Remedy, The Coalition, and ZeniMax. The game's artistic direction includes sci-fi visuals that align with the Old Republic aesthetic. Fate of the Old Republic will introduce new characters and a fresh storyline, not serving as a direct sequel to previous games. Arcanaut Studios was established in 2025.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PlayStation 5 Linux Tested: Steam PC vs Native PS5 Games

Linux has been successfully implemented on the PlayStation 5, allowing users to run an open operating system on the console. This implementation, led by security researcher Andy Nguyen (TheFlow), utilizes an exploit for PS5 consoles with system software versions up to 4.5. Users can boot Linux from a USB or SSD, with Ubuntu 26.04 LTS providing around 15GB of usable memory. The PS5's hardware, including its Zen 2 processor and GPU, is fully accessible, with CPU speeds reaching up to 3.5GHz and GPU speeds up to 2.23GHz when boost mode is activated. However, running Linux on the PS5 presents challenges, such as sourcing a unit with the required firmware and limitations in resolution, as users cannot exceed 1080p. Performance tests showed that Linux can match the PS5's performance in some titles, but issues with memory management were noted, leading to stuttering and crashes in certain games. For example, reducing texture quality improved performance in games like Pragmata, while rendering issues were observed in Crimson Desert. The implementation allows for a unique gaming experience, but it also highlights the complexities and limitations of running Linux on a gaming console.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Microsoft ended MS-DOS support 20 years ago, but the latest update for the best roguelike ever made still supports it anyway

On September 14, 2000, Microsoft released the Windows Millennium Edition, marking the end of MS-DOS. In 2006, Microsoft ended long-term support for Windows 98 and Me. Recently, a new update for NetHack was released, which continues to support MS-DOS. NetHack has been consistently updated since its launch in 1987. The game has an open-source philosophy and features various iterations, including a modern 3D version that offers a visually appealing interface while retaining the classic ASCII format. The latest update provides an accessible entry point for new players, with options for both 2D tilesets and ASCII mode. NetHack is recognized for its intricate gameplay and has influenced many other titles, earning a place in the Museum of Modern Art.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Hacker tracks Australian police using Android app

Australian police officers can potentially be tracked through publicly available Bluetooth applications due to a design flaw in tasers and body-worn cameras manufactured by Axon. A hacker demonstrated this vulnerability by using Android apps to detect nearby Bluetooth devices, revealing the location of police equipment, including model and serial numbers. The flaw arises from the failure to implement MAC address randomization, which could enhance security. The hacker developed software capable of tracking devices from over 400 meters away, raising concerns about the potential for criminal activities targeting police. Despite warnings to various police agencies, responses indicated confidence in existing security measures, although similar risks have been noted in the US, leading to the cessation of Axon body camera use by US Border Patrol agents. The vulnerability is considered a hardware-level issue, requiring significant redesign efforts from Axon to address it.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Stardew Valley’s OG Rival Gets Surprise Free PC Release Coming Soon

Harvest Moon 64 is being developed as a free PC game by a developer known as SrBananaMan64, referred to as both a recompilation and a PC port. The project aims to enhance the user interface for ultrawide displays and will offer day-one mod and texture support through N64Recomp. A trailer has been released showcasing gameplay footage that closely resembles the original game's graphics. The project does not yet have a release date, and players will need a legally obtained ROM file to launch the game, as it will not include any original game assets. This initiative is part of a trend of unofficial PC ports based on decompilations of classic titles.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

In the 33 months since Baldur’s Gate 3 launched, it’s hardly ever fallen out of the top 5 most-played games on Steam Deck

Baldur's Gate 3 has been a popular game on the Steam Deck for 33 months, only dropping out of the top five most-played games for four months. It has consistently remained in the top ten during its absences. The Steam Deck features a public leaderboard for most-played games, updated regularly. Despite hardware limitations, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a satisfactory gaming experience, particularly due to its turn-based mechanics. Historical data on its performance is sourced from Gaming on Linux, Steam Deck HQ, and Steam Deck Gaming.

AppWizard

May 3, 2026

Hytale boss doesn’t want its mod browser to feel like “a shopping mall,” but is exploring ways to support creators

Simon Collins-Laflamme, founder of Hytale, has addressed the issue of paid mods, emphasizing that in-game mods will be free to install with no price tags in the browsing experience. He aims to support mod creators while maintaining an enjoyable player experience. Collins-Laflamme is open to feedback from the community regarding the monetization of mods and acknowledges the concerns from both supporters and opponents of paid mods. He envisions a mod browser that resembles a community library rather than a shopping mall, highlighting the importance of accessibility for players. Hypixel Studios plans to explore ways for players to support mod creators financially, potentially through a system similar to Patreon, where the core mod remains free but players can opt to pay for additional benefits. If creator payments are implemented, Hypixel Studios would take a minimal cut to cover costs. Collins-Laflamme prioritizes a vibrant and open modding ecosystem over a profit-maximizing approach. He invites ongoing input from players and modders as the mod browser develops.