video games

AppWizard
May 14, 2026
The horror game "Terrors to Unveil – Day Off" is now available for free on Steam until May 19, allowing users to download and keep it indefinitely. The game is categorized as "Unknown" for compatibility with the Steam Deck, and players must test its performance themselves. It has a 72% approval rating from nearly 100 user reviews, with praise for its atmospheric setting and tension, though about 30% of reviews express dissatisfaction with pacing and writing quality. The estimated playtime is between one to two hours.
AppWizard
May 14, 2026
Ken Levine, the creative force behind Irrational Games, stated that his team has never prioritized cutting-edge graphics technology in their game design, focusing instead on artistic expression. This philosophy is reflected in the recent release of ReFantazio, which, while not technologically groundbreaking, showcases a unique artistic vision.
AppWizard
May 14, 2026
Valve's new Steam Controller emits the iconic Wilhelm scream when dropped, adding a humorous touch to the device. A review by Ed rated the controller 9 out of 10, highlighting its potential to enhance the gaming experience. The scream feature activates only in Steam Big Picture mode and is best experienced in a quiet environment on a soft surface. Valve has also introduced a reservation system limiting purchases to one unit per person to prevent scalping.
AppWizard
May 13, 2026
You Are the Monster allows players to choose a monstrous avatar and wreak havoc in a city environment. The game features intuitive controls, enabling players to easily destroy objects by walking into them. Civilians in the game react with fear and confusion as they attempt to escape the chaos. The game launched in early access on June 18 and has been refined over six months based on community feedback. One notable suggestion from players is to introduce larger monsters for an enhanced experience.
AppWizard
May 12, 2026
A recent poll gauged which "dead" or "dying" video game genres gamers would like to see revived. The results showed that real-time strategy (RTS) games received 29% of the votes, while immersive simulations (immsims) garnered 28%. Other genres of interest included massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) at 16% and point-and-click adventures at 11%. There was also interest in the return of text adventures and beat-'em-ups.
AppWizard
May 12, 2026
The 2nd Annual NYC Video Game Festival took place on May 9, attracting 2,000 attendees. The festival included esports competitions, indie game demonstrations, drone soccer, and arcade classics. The Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Finals honored student achievements, with team Hyper Pigmentation from PS 889 winning in the Elementary division, NEST+ from Manhattan winning in the Middle School division, and Tottenville from Staten Island winning in the High School division. The NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit Finals crowned The City College of NY as the League of Legends champion and Pace University as the Valorant champion, with a shared prize pool of ,000. The BOTB competition has engaged over 15,000 NYC Public School students since its inception, with a record 3,395 participants in 2026, including a 44% increase in high school submissions. The festival also featured a screening of a documentary about the Battle of the Boroughs.
AppWizard
May 12, 2026
Stop Killing Games has evolved from a grassroots initiative to a significant international player, with presentations at the European Parliament and collaborations with global NGOs expected by 2026. In April, the organization endorsed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), which aims to require game developers to inform consumers of server shutdowns and provide options such as offline versions, patches, or refunds. Smaller game studios are adapting their titles to remain playable post-server closure, with examples including Lunarch Studios and 1047 Games. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) opposes the bill, claiming it burdens developers, while Stop Killing Games clarifies that the legislation does not require perpetual server maintenance. Historically, the ESA has lobbied against measures to preserve game access, including opposing a DMCA exemption for libraries and museums. The ESA's concerns mirror those of Video Games Europe, warning that Stop Killing Games' demands could lead to unsafe content and financial burdens on developers.
AppWizard
May 11, 2026
Nostalgia significantly influences player experiences in video games, exemplified by the wheel system for NPC disposition in Oblivion, which allowed players to engage in a minigame to affect relationships with NPCs. This system differed from Skyrim's approach, which focused on quest completions and faction memberships. The fondness for Oblivion's mechanics has led to the creation of Wheeljam 2, a game jam where participants submitted 40 playable experiences incorporating the lockpicking minigame or persuasion wheel. Many of these entries embrace the original mechanics' charm, with 27 games available to play in web browsers. The voting for Wheeljam 2 will conclude in about five days, but the games will remain accessible for players.
BetaBeacon
May 11, 2026
Valve released Proton in 2018, a fork of Wine that improves Linux compatibility with Windows games. By 2024, it became possible to run full-blown PC games from 1997 to 2005 on phones with Snapdragon processors. In 2025, GameSir released GameHub, allowing users to play Steam games on Android devices. Other open-source projects like GameNative and GameHub Lite have since improved the gaming experience on Android devices.
Search