video games Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

‘Anyone mad is a cheater:’ Players are divided as Rust beefs up anti-cheat with more effective—and invasive—upgrades

The presence of a "cheat community" in Rust has led to harassment of developers, prompting Facepunch to implement security measures similar to those in other games, including Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) requirements. Starting in March, server owners will have the option to allow connections only from players with Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled, with plans to potentially make this mandatory. This decision is influenced by the effectiveness of invasive anti-cheat strategies, although it has faced mixed reactions from the community regarding accessibility and system upgrades. Facepunch has also decided against bringing Rust to Linux or Proton due to these evolving anti-cheat protocols.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

5 Video Game Graphics Settings You Can Turn Off Without Hurting Visuals

Many gamers are facing rising costs for hardware upgrades and may benefit from optimizing their existing setups. Five graphics settings that can be safely disabled to enhance gaming performance without compromising visual quality include: 1. VSync: Disable VSync if using a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor to avoid increased latency and conflicts with variable refresh rate technologies. Instead, cap frames at the GPU settings for a smoother experience. 2. Motion Blur: Disabling motion blur can improve clarity and help players spot enemies and items more easily, especially in games running below 60 FPS. 3. Film Grain: Turning off film grain can enhance visual clarity by removing a fuzzy texture that detracts from the game's graphics. 4. Chromatic Aberration: Disabling this effect can lead to a cleaner visual experience, enhancing clarity without affecting performance. 5. Depth of Field: This setting can be turned off for better performance, particularly on older hardware, but some players may prefer to keep it for its realistic effect. Experimentation is advised to find the best option.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

After 21 years, GTA: San Andreas speedrunners discover a wild 31-step skip that lets you beat the original PC port in under an hour

A new speedrunning technique for the PC version of GTA: San Andreas allows players to complete the game in under an hour using a method called the Arbitrary Jump in Script (AJS) skip. This technique involves approximately 30 precise steps and was detailed by Reddit user Vitosi4ek. The AJS skip enables speedrunners to execute a JUMP instruction that leads directly to the game's conclusion. The discovery comes 21 years after the game's release, reflecting its lasting popularity and the innovative efforts of the speedrunning community.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Weekend PC Download Deals for Jan. 30: Steam Board Game Fest

The Steam Board Game Fest 2026 features deals on tabletop-style video games, showcasing titles that reflect traditional board games. Steam is also offering sales on popular games from developers like Square Enix, Rockstar Games, and Xbox. A free weekend for the game Dead by Daylight is available. GOG.com is hosting a New Year Sale, while the Epic Games Store has ongoing sales. Fanatical is offering discounts on the game Cairn. Xbox Game Pass users receive exclusive discounts, and various other platforms like Gamebillet, GamesPlanet, Green Man Gaming, Humble Bundle, and Ubisoft are also providing deals and promotions. Green Man Gaming offers a coupon code for 15% off PC games, and Humble Bundle has a subscription service with monthly offerings. Feedback from the gaming community is encouraged.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Cairn review

Cairn is a limb-by-limb climbing simulation game set for release on January 30, 2026, developed by The Game Bakers. Players take on the role of Aava, a renowned mountain climber, as she attempts to conquer Mount Kami. The game features a 15-hour journey focused on the careful placement of limbs on rock faces, with mechanics that initially seem unrefined but encourage players to adapt. Aava faces challenges such as narrow ledges and a diegetic stamina system indicated by her physical state. Players can place pitons as temporary safe zones during climbs, which require strategic placement due to their limited availability. The game incorporates survival mechanics, emphasizing Aava's need to eat, drink, and rest. Aava's character is developed through her struggles and interactions with other climbers, with a focus on realism and emotional stakes. The game features stunning art and atmospheric weather dynamics, drawing comparisons to titles like Death Stranding and Baby Steps while establishing its own identity.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a chaotic yet brilliant RPG, and you haven’t got long to get it cheaper than ever

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a triple-A RPG that has garnered mixed reactions from players, with some appreciating its depth while others find it lacking. Players take on the role of the Arisen, tasked with summoning Pawns and confronting a Dragon. The game features a 'Vocation' system that allows players to choose and change classes, enhancing combat strategy. Since its release, the game has improved in performance, and it has received a rating of 7/10 from a recent review. Currently, Dragon's Dogma 2 is available for .06, a 64% discount, but this offer ends on February 1, 2025, at 4 PM PT.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

I couldn’t survive the Mörk Borg PC game for more than five minutes

Mörk Borg Heresy Supreme released a demo on January 23, featuring a dark Gothic aesthetic and punishing gameplay. The game retains the essence of the original tabletop RPG while transforming it into an arcade-style hack-and-slash adventure. Character creation includes randomly generated heroes, with an option to re-roll for a better build. The tutorial introduces mechanics gradually, but can feel incomplete. The map is accessed via the M key, which is crucial for navigation, and the control layout is considered unintuitive. Quick reflexes are essential due to the game's high difficulty, with players facing immediate character deaths. The game displays a "FAILURE" message upon death, indicating survival time. The full release is expected in Q1 2026, and the visuals and soundtrack pay homage to the RPG's heavy metal roots.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Man sues Minecraft and Fortnite saying they fueled his video game addiction

A video game player, Cayden Breeden, has filed a lawsuit against the creators of Fortnite and Minecraft, as well as Microsoft, in the New York Southern District Court, claiming he developed an addiction to these games. The 56-page complaint alleges that the companies failed to implement necessary safeguards against gaming addiction, which Breeden argues poses significant risks to players. He accuses the companies of negligence and fraud, stating that their business practices are deceptive and exacerbate gaming addiction for profit. Breeden describes his gaming habits as compulsive and disordered, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms such as anger and antisocial behavior. He is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and attorney's fees. This lawsuit reflects a growing trend of legal actions against game developers for practices that encourage addictive behaviors, with similar cases being filed in recent years.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

What’s the next step in these adventure game puzzles?

A variety of gaming trivia quizzes are available, covering topics such as health bars, currencies, and patch notes. In the 1980s and early 1990s, adventure games were the primary genre for players seeking well-crafted narratives, as RPGs focused on dungeon crawling and had limited dialogue. Point-and-click adventures evolved from text-based games and adapted literary works, with companies like Infocom, LucasArts, and Sierra emphasizing character development and thematic depth. Players often faced challenging puzzles that could lead to frustration, requiring collaboration or help. Today, classic puzzles can be revisited through accessible multiple-choice quizzes, allowing fans to engage with gaming history in an interactive manner.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Ren & Stimpy Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Collection announced for PS5, Switch, and PC

Limited Run Games will release the Ren & Stimpy Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Collection for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders will be available from January 30 to March 1, with three editions: Standard Edition (.99), Classic Edition (.99), and Collector’s Edition (.99). The collection includes classic titles such as The Ren and Stimpy Show: Space Cadet Adventures, Veediots!, Buckeroo$!, Time Warp, and Fire Dogs. Enhanced features include rewind functionality, save anywhere capability, a music player, and a museum showcasing artwork and packaging scans.