universe Archives

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

The mod we called ‘the best Fallout game you’ll play this year’ back in 2018 just launched on GOG

Upcoming releases in the Fallout franchise include a remaster of Fallout 4, a remaster of Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 5, a prequel to Fallout 3 set in Fallout 76, and the third season of the Fallout television series. Fallout: New California, a full conversion mod for Fallout: New Vegas, has been released on GOG after nearly a decade of development. The mod features a narrative set in 2260, where players assume the role of a character from Vault 18 and make decisions that impact the New California Republic. The story includes various factions such as the New California Republic, the New Reno Mob's Bishop Family, the Shi Clans, the Enclave Leonidas Squadron, the Super Mutant Army, and the Raider Alliance. Critics have praised Fallout: New California as a significant achievement in modding. The mod is easily installable for players with Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition via GOG.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Gears of War: E-Day devs are embracing ‘old-school’ multiplayer in 2026: ‘No battle pass, no tour of duty, no gimmicks, no bullsh*t’

The multiplayer aspect of Gears of War: E-Day features two modes: Horde Siege (PvE) and Versus (PvP), with gameplay reminiscent of 2007. Players can earn nearly all items through gameplay, without the need for battle passes. The game will launch with 60 unlockable characters and will offer free maps, modes, and cosmetics over five seasons. Cosmetics will focus on authenticity and creativity, staying true to the Gears universe. Players can earn a free currency, Coins, through gameplay, with a weekly cap, while a premium currency, Iron, allows for bypassing the grind for cosmetics.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Best in Class: Stream PC Games and Study on the Same Laptop With GeForce NOW

GeForce NOW allows students to balance study and gaming by transforming everyday laptops into powerful gaming machines through cloud gaming. Members can access a library of thousands of supported PC games, including the newly added Halo: Campaign Evolved, which features high-definition visuals and enhanced gameplay. The service enables users to stream games they own from platforms like Steam and Xbox Game Pass without lengthy downloads or installations. The Ultimate membership offers advanced gaming performance with NVIDIA technologies. New titles available this week include Halo: Campaign Evolved, Mistfall Hunter, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Sudden Attack Zero Point, The Ranchers, Corsair Cove, Funnel Runners, and Pathogenic.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Samsung preps a Galaxy Z Fold 8 app-level feature that’s the icing on the cake

Samsung is developing a feature called "App Screen Zoom" for the Galaxy Z Fold 8, which allows users to customize the screen zoom level for individual applications, with options ranging from "Smallest" to "Largest." The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is exceeding pre-order expectations, leading to shipping delays at some retailers. The device has received positive early reviews, indicating that apps resize effectively on its screen, and it can run three apps simultaneously. The App Screen Zoom feature is expected to enhance multitasking and content visibility.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

RTS games aren’t dead yet – but nothing hits quite like Starcraft 2

The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has seen a resurgence, with Starcraft 2 celebrating its 16th anniversary next week. The game features a rich campaign and has received updates to its multiplayer mode, reigniting interest among players. The mission design in Starcraft 2 is praised for advancing the narrative while introducing new units and mechanics organically. One notable mission, 'Outbreak,' involves strategic gameplay using a day/night cycle and the introduction of the Hellion unit. The game includes hidden tutorials and optional objectives, allowing for tailored experiences and non-linear progression. Despite its age, Starcraft 2 maintains a polished interface and fluid gameplay. It is now accessible as a free-to-play title, allowing players to enjoy the entirety of Wings of Liberty and several co-op characters. The RTS genre faces challenges in attracting new audiences, but Starcraft 2 remains a compelling choice for those seeking a strategic experience.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Fanatical’s massive new ‘Wholesome’ bundle is offering 18 Steam Deck-friendly games worth $260 for just $51

The Wholesome Collection bundle from Fanatical allows gamers to choose titles in a flexible, build-your-own format, with pricing structured into three tiers: three to four games at .33 each, five to six games at .00 each, and seven or more games at .85 each. The complete set of 18 Steam Deck-compatible games costs .30, an 80% discount from the original total of .72. The bundle includes various games, some of which have confirmed Steam Deck compatibility, such as "The Last Cat in the Universe," "Above Snakes," and "Lonesome Village," among others. As of July 10th, 2026, the prices are accurate. Additionally, Humble’s Twin Sails Interactive bundle offers 13 Steam Deck-friendly games and 14 DLCs for .

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

There’s Not Much Room For Improvement In Halo: Campaign Evolved’s PC Settings

Microsoft is delivering a second remake of Halo: Combat Evolved using Unreal Engine 5, which offers stunning visuals but poses challenges for players with older or lower-end hardware. The game performs well on high-end systems, such as an RTX 3090 running smoothly at 60 fps in 4K with the High preset. However, it lacks flexibility for performance adjustments, making it more efficient to use higher presets rather than fine-tuning settings. Key settings include: - Effects Quality: Keep high unless performance issues arise. - Geometric Quality: Maintain high until VRAM limitations are a concern. - Global Illumination Quality: Can be kept high without significant performance impact. - Lighting Quality: Adjust for substantial performance gains if frame rates dip below 60 fps. - Texture Quality: Adjust based on available VRAM. - Reflections: Dial down to medium or low to enhance frame rates. - Atmospheric Quality: Based on personal preference. - Post-Processing Quality: Can be adjusted down with minimal performance impact. - Screen Shake: Toggle based on personal preference. - Motion Blur: Consider turning off due to intensity. - Upscaling Technique: Choose based on GPU brand. - Async Compute: Keep off unless using a high-end graphics card and CPU. - Low Latency Mode: Select based on GPU for optimal responsiveness. - Frame Generation: Can enhance frame rates but may introduce latency.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Owners of Ubisoft console games on Xbox will be able to get the PC versions for free.

Microsoft has expanded its partnership with Ubisoft to enhance the gaming experience through two main initiatives. The Xbox app for PC will include premium editions and additional content for popular titles such as Assassin's Creed Shadows, Star Wars Outlaws, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Skull and Bones, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, among others. Additionally, gamers who own digital copies of Xbox console games will gain access to free PC versions through Ubisoft Connect, with the transfer available only from console to PC. Eligible titles for this program include Assassin's Creed Mirage, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Far Cry 6, Immortals Fenyx Rising, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Riders Republic, Skull and Bones, The Crew 2, The Crew Motorfest, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, and Watch Dogs Legion. Consumables and in-game currency will not be included in the transfer.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Yet Another Zombie Defense HD, which is its real name, is free on Steam for a limited time

The zombie genre has gained popularity in gaming, with a notable title being Yet Another Zombie Defense HD, which is currently available for free until July 30. This twin-stick shooter features gameplay that involves shooting zombies at night and building defenses during the day. It offers local and online multiplayer options, various weapons and traps, and integrates with Steam Workshop for character customization. The game is a promotional gesture for the upcoming release of Yet Another Zombie Survivors, set to launch on August 20, which will include new enemies and maintain a similar aesthetic.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

10 highly anticipated new games coming to PC in August 2026

In August 2026, ten notable video game titles are set to launch on PC: - Beast of Reincarnation - August 3: An action-RPG by Game Freak featuring real-time and turn-based combat. - Big Walk - August 4: A co-operative open-world adventure from the creators of Untitled Goose Game. - Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls - August 6: A fighting game featuring iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man and Captain America. - Agefield High: Rock The School - August 12: A spiritual successor to Bully, offering a nostalgic schoolyard experience. - Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - August 13: A 50v50 player battle game set during the Vietnam War. - The Sinking City 2 - August 18: A survival-horror sequel with Lovecraftian elements. - Mortal Shell 2 - August 20: A sequel known for its challenging combat mechanics, with a free demo available on Steam. - Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 - August 27: Includes re-releases of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker. - Star Wars Zero Company - August 27: An X-COM-style game set during the Clone Wars, featuring Anakin Skywalker. - Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy - August 27: A prequel exploring an original story in the Plague Tale universe.