Unity Archives

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

We polled PC gamers on how much generative AI is acceptable in games, and here’s what they said

Generative AI is increasingly integrated into video game development, with applications ranging from art assets to gameplay mechanics. A poll of approximately 1,000 respondents revealed that over 40% prefer traditional game development with no AI involvement. More than half of participants are open to generative AI to varying degrees: 20% oppose its inclusion in final products but accept its use as a productivity tool, while 21% approve of some AI involvement if disclosed. Additionally, 14% would engage with heavily AI-utilized games if enjoyable. Concerns about AI-generated code have been raised by developers, particularly regarding its quality. Despite skepticism, there is agreement on the benefits of AI-accelerated rendering techniques for performance improvements.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Cozy-punk record shop sim Wax Heads is spinning onto PC and consoles on May 5, 2026

Indie developer Patattie Games, in collaboration with publisher Curve Games, will launch the game Wax Heads on May 5, 2026, available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of a team member at Repeater Records, a vinyl shop, engaging with customers and making choices that affect their experience. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 3. The game features over 80 in-game records, more than 60 hand-drawn characters, and over 30 original songs. Key features include a handcrafted musical world, an emotional narrative, puzzle designs, and a comic book art style. Patattie Games is co-founded by Murray Somerwolff and Rothio Tome, while Curve Games is an award-winning publisher based in London.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Vanguard Princess PC Port DLC Launches In Early Access On Steam With Online Play

eigoMANGA has released the Vanguard Princess Mobile (PC Port) DLC in Early Access on Steam, requiring the base version of Vanguard Princess. This DLC adapts the mobile version of the 2D fighting game for PC, featuring online play and enhanced control options. The Early Access version includes Story Mode, Versus Mode, Training Mode, Tutorial Mode, and Online Mode, with online multiplayer supported by Photon Unity Networking 2 (PUN2). Players can customize controls and use various input methods, including keyboards and gamepads. The combat system retains the assist mechanic, allowing players to extend combos and manage battles. The Early Access phase will focus on gameplay balance, online stability, and performance updates based on player feedback.

Winsage

February 14, 2026

Linux vs Windows: A PC Gaming Inflection Point

Microsoft has initiated performance tuning initiatives and gaming-centric optimizations, including features like Game Mode and collaborations on drivers, to enhance the gaming experience. The company faces cultural challenges as Windows serves diverse user groups, and decisions favoring enterprise AI may not align with gaming enthusiasts' priorities. To maintain trust among gamers, Microsoft must show commitment to performance and user control. DirectX is a key part of its gaming architecture, and integration with Xbox services supports cross-platform synergy. The gaming industry is adapting to trends like handheld devices and Linux's rise, with major engines supporting Linux. However, some middleware vendors and internal studio tools still rely on Windows, complicating quality assurance. Many studios focus on ensuring smooth Windows game operation through Proton, a compatibility layer for Linux, rather than shifting entirely to native Linux builds. If Windows becomes cumbersome compared to Linux's leaner profile, perceptions of these platforms may change.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Databricks makes serverless Postgres service Lakebase available

Databricks has launched Lakebase on AWS, a managed serverless Postgres service that separates compute from storage to enhance development processes without infrastructure management. Lakebase features instant database branching, allowing developers to create isolated copies of production data quickly, and includes point-in-time recovery for data protection. It integrates with Unity Catalog for consistent access control and auditing, and supports Postgres 17 with a storage capacity of up to 8TB. Lakebase is currently available in select AWS regions, with a beta version on Azure and plans for Google Cloud later this year. Compliance certifications like SOC2 and HIPAA are expected by early 2026.

Tech Optimizer

February 12, 2026

Databricks launches PostgreSQL Lakebase to aid AI developers

Databricks Lakebase has transitioned to general availability, launched on AWS on February 3, following the acquisition of Neon for billion in May 2025. Lakebase is a PostgreSQL database designed for AI development, integrating with Databricks' Data Intelligence Platform to provide an operational database alongside data lakehouse capabilities. It decouples compute from storage to improve resource management and includes autoscaling features to manage costs. Lakebase also offers unified governance through Databricks' Unity Catalog. Analysts highlight its ability to reduce friction between operational and analytical data, enabling real-time applications with up-to-date governed data and minimizing extensive ETL processes. Key features include serverless autoscaling and instant database branching for enhanced developer productivity. Databricks aims to simplify database management at scale and demonstrate a lower total cost of ownership to compete with Snowflake.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Skyrim’s design lead says if you play Morrowind today, you will ‘cringe’: ‘The reality of playing Morrowind would not stand the test of time’

The 2002 review of Morrowind by PC Gamer awarded the game a score of 83, the lowest for a mainline Elder Scrolls title by the UK publication. Bruce Nesmith, the design lead for Skyrim, suggested that calls for a Morrowind remake are driven by nostalgia rather than gameplay quality, stating that revisiting the game may lead to discomfort due to its outdated design. He expressed a preference for remaking titles like Battlespire or Redguard, which he believes never reached their full potential, rather than Morrowind. Nesmith indicated that Morrowind is the furthest back the franchise could realistically go for a remake, reflecting the balance between honoring past games and embracing modern design advancements.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Phasmophobia’s roadmap includes evidence of a 1.0 launch in 2026: the player character overhaul, a new event, and Horror 2.0

Phasmophobia is set to celebrate its sixth anniversary with a 1.0 launch later this year. Kinetic Games is working on a roadmap that includes a horror rework and lore update scheduled for September. The player character overhaul has been rescheduled to Q1 2026, and players can expect unique character models and free cosmetics. Tanglewood Drive will receive a major makeover in Q1 2026, followed by enhancements to 13 Willow Street and a new map later this year. Kinetic is expanding the event calendar with returning seasonal events and a new secret event.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Football Manager 26 is never being saved as the game just flubbed its most important sales period

January typically sees a surge in player engagement for Football Manager due to the reopening of the transfer window and the return to regular routines after the holiday season. However, this year, the expected increase in activity for FM26 has not materialized. Currently, only 29.78 percent of user reviews for FM26 on SteamDB are positive, making it one of the lowest-rated games on the platform, in contrast to FM24's 89.48 percent approval rating. FM26 has around 33,500 concurrent players, with a 24-hour peak of approximately 55,800, and an all-time high of 84,909 shortly after its November launch. Despite attracting players, recent data shows a flat trend in early January, with a slight decline of about 0.9 percent in peak player numbers over the past month. December saw a peak concurrency drop of over 31 percent from November, and FM26 ranks around #83 for daily active users and #119 in top sellers on Steam. Twitch viewership has also been low, with peaks of roughly 1,400 viewers. Historically, January has been crucial for Football Manager, as it is a time for players to engage with the game more deeply, but this year's stagnation in player activity is unusual and may impact the game's ecosystem and community engagement throughout the year.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

The Sims 4 Royalty and Legacy: all the confirmed features in the next expansion

The Sims 4 expansion titled Royalty and Legacy introduces new gameplay features focused on family dynasties, scandals, and prestige. It includes a new world named Ondarion with three neighborhoods: Dambele (West African-inspired), Verdemar (heroic outlaws and cunning nobles), and Bellacorde (romance and opulence). Key features include a new career (Noble), a new lot type (Backroom), a new skill (Swordsmanship), and a new resource (Favor). Players can manage dynasties, designate heirs and outcasts, and respond to scandals. A gameplay trailer is set to be released on January 22.