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Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: 'I'll be heading to something new, somewhere else'
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: ‘I’ll be heading to something new, somewhere else’

Joe Ziegler, the game director of Marathon, has left Bungie and the game effective immediately, just four months after its release. Del Chafe III will take over Ziegler's role, working with creative director Julia Nardin. Ziegler expressed gratitude to fans in a message on X and hinted at new opportunities ahead. Marathon's player counts on Steam have not matched those of Destiny 2, and the game faces challenges in establishing itself in a competitive market. Ziegler joined Bungie in 2022 and became the leader of Marathon two years ago. His departure, along with that of Lars Bakken, former design lead for Marathon, raises concerns about Bungie's stability and future direction.
See how the iconic Windows XP Bliss wallpaper location has changed over the years
Winsage
July 16, 2026

See how the iconic Windows XP Bliss wallpaper location has changed over the years

Windows XP's default wallpaper, known as Bliss, was photographed by Charles O’Rear in January 1996 while he was driving on Highway 121 in Sonoma County, California. The image was taken after a storm, showcasing vibrant grass and fluffy clouds, using a medium-format Mamiya RZ67 camera with Fujifilm Velvia film. Microsoft acquired the rights to the photograph through Corbis and made it the default desktop background for Windows XP starting in 2001. The landscape has evolved over the years, with vineyards being removed due to a phylloxera infestation, resulting in a lush green hill that has changed with cycles of planting and removal.
Final Boss: The Video Game announced for PC – adaptation of Image Comics series
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

Final Boss: The Video Game announced for PC – adaptation of Image Comics series

Bit Bot Media, in collaboration with Mecanimal Games, is set to release Final Boss: The Video Game on PC via Steam in the fourth quarter of 2028. The game combines pixel art side-scrolling beat 'em up mechanics with 3D fighting game elements, inspired by the Final Boss Image Comics series by Tyler Kirkham. Players will control characters like Tommy Brazen, Rabak, Masked Vigilante, and Midnight Lily, navigating various environments and facing formidable villains. The gameplay features cooperative play for up to four players, with each stage introducing new mechanics and culminating in 3D boss battles. Key features include animated comic book sequences, an original score by Celldweller, and a nostalgic experience built for modern players.
Ascend to ZERO: A Time-Bending Roguelike Sharpened to the Last Second
AppWizard
July 14, 2026

Ascend to ZERO: A Time-Bending Roguelike Sharpened to the Last Second

Ascend to ZERO has launched on XBOX Series X|S, XBOX on PC, and XBOX Cloud, and is part of the XBOX Play Anywhere initiative, accessible through XBOX Game Pass. The game features a 30-second countdown timer for each run, with damage taken reducing the time. A unique Time-Stop feature allows players to freeze everything while they move, enabling strategic positioning and action planning. Combat mechanics focus on autonomous targeting, allowing players to concentrate on strategy. The leveling system enables rapid progression from level 1 to hundreds of thousands. The game includes a new difficulty system for tailored challenges and an in-game play guide for player support. The late-game experience is designed to maintain excitement with strategic decision-making and culminates in a boss battle.
The most deranged videogame challenge run I've seen: A no-hit playthrough of the 'Unfair' difficulty in a 100-hour RPG
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

The most deranged videogame challenge run I’ve seen: A no-hit playthrough of the ‘Unfair’ difficulty in a 100-hour RPG

Davey Gunface, a YouTuber, achieved a no-hit playthrough on the Unfair difficulty setting of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. This game is known for its challenging nature, requiring skill and an understanding of build optimization. Gunface used a specific character build: Human Witch of the Veil 10 / Loremaster 9 / Rowdy Rogue 1, and employed strategies like sacrificing starter companions' builds to survive early levels. His journey includes notable characters like the Rowdy Rogue and Sabertooth Tiger pets. Gunface's full video documenting this achievement is three hours long and available on YouTube.
The Elder Scrolls Online's developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online’s developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years

PC Gamer's column discusses the state of MMOs, highlighting that they are not facing extinction despite recent challenges. Zenimax Online Studios (ZOS), known for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), has experienced significant layoffs, with reports indicating that approximately 60% of the studio faced job cuts between 2025 and 2026, including 213 layoffs in one week. The cancellation of Project Blackbird, an ambitious new venture after over five years of development, has left the community disheartened. ESO has generated over a billion in revenue since its inception, averaging 6 million annually, yet the decision to cut jobs has raised concerns about corporate priorities, especially given the game's recent positive player feedback and the timing of the layoffs coinciding with ESO's first season launch.
silver Android smartphone
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.
'Surprised there was anyone left to post this': Fans react as The Elder Scrolls Online debuts seasonal content days after hundreds laid off from studio
AppWizard
July 11, 2026

‘Surprised there was anyone left to post this’: Fans react as The Elder Scrolls Online debuts seasonal content days after hundreds laid off from studio

The Elder Scrolls Online has launched its new seasonal content, Return of the Thieves Guild, amidst significant turmoil at ZeniMax Online Studios, which has seen a reduction of over half its development team due to layoffs, totaling 213 employees. The launch has generated a muted response from fans, with many expressing support for the developers in the comments on the trailer, despite some sarcasm regarding the timing of the release. Players have shown dedication to the game, highlighting its positive impact on their experiences, while also voicing frustration over the corporate decisions affecting the studio.
Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: "Games need to succeed, not just be beloved"
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

Id Software founder John Carmack mourns layoffs: “Games need to succeed, not just be beloved”

Id Software is laying off 136 positions, more than half of its workforce, as part of broader layoffs affecting Microsoft and Xbox studios. Co-founder John Carmack expressed sadness over the layoffs, which coincide with the launch of new DLC for Doom: The Dark Ages. He noted that his previous optimism regarding Microsoft's management of the brand is diminishing and highlighted the increasing pressures in the gaming industry. Carmack suggested that Id Software may be viewed as a marginal business by Microsoft, with revenues from Minecraft supporting other studios. He discussed the fierce competition for consumer attention and questioned whether different pricing models or broader audience targeting could have helped Doom succeed. The latest DLC for Doom received praise but arrived too late to make a significant impact. Carmack remains hopeful for the studio's future and expressed doubt about reclaiming ownership of the Doom IP, while also supporting Team Beef's commercialization of legacy open-source games on VR.
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