video games Archives

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

New York Has a Gamer Mayor Now — and a $2.6 Billion Game Industry to Match

In June, New York City celebrated the NYC Battle of the Boroughs Champions at a press conference on June 10, recognizing the winners of the 2026 Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs. Among the winners was Team Hyper Pigmentation, an all-girl squad that won back-to-back titles. The city's digital games sector supports approximately 7,600 jobs, contributing billion in wages and generating a total economic output of billion. The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment (MOME) has established the Game Development Industry Council, launched the NYC Summer of Games campaign, and funded grants for developers. New York City's digital gaming ecosystem has an annual economic impact of .6 billion, with around 380 digital gaming firms, 65 percent of which are small or indie studios. The share of open roles in the gaming industry increased from 15.1 percent to 29.2 percent between Q3 2024 and Q1 2026. The Summer of Games features events from May through September, including the NYC Video Game Festival and the Tribeca Games Gallery. Mayor Zohran Mamdani is recognized as the first "Gamer Mayor," engaging with gaming culture and platforms like Twitch. Jones-Harvey emphasizes the importance of addressing affordability issues to retain talent in the gaming industry. She advocates for recognizing video games as a vital part of New York City's cultural landscape, alongside music, film, and theater.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Video Games Are Changing, And Meccha Chameleon’s Absurd Popularity Is Proof

Meccha Chameleon, a multiplayer hide-and-seek game launched on Steam, has sold seven million copies shortly after its release, achieving this milestone just two days after announcing five million sales. In comparison, Resident Evil Requiem took two months to reach the same figure. The game allows players to disguise themselves as objects in their environment, fostering quick thinking and creativity. It is priced at .99 and does not include microtransactions, offering a full experience reminiscent of earlier gaming eras. The success of Meccha Chameleon highlights a trend towards smaller, accessible games in a market increasingly dominated by larger titles.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders begin tonight at midnight local time in the US; here’s where to buy — get yours now, it’s in the garage and ready to roll

The preorder pages for Grand Theft Auto VI will go live at midnight local time across the United States. Gamers can choose between the Standard and Ultimate editions, with digital preorders offering a month-long subscription to GTA+. The Ultimate Edition is priced at .99 and includes additional side missions, vehicles, weapons, and outfits for protagonists Jason and Lucia. The game is set to be released on November 19. PC gamers will have to wait another year for the game to run natively on their systems.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

Nothing has killed my GTA 6 hype faster than locking a core part of its identity behind a $20 upgrade

Grand Theft Auto 6's Ultimate Edition will introduce paywalls, requiring players to pay extra for access to five stores within the game, including two mod shops, a clothing store, a salon, and a tattoo parlor. These stores offer essential customization options that enhance the gameplay experience. The standard version may restrict access to these stores, leading to concerns about player immersion and fairness. Additionally, the preorder page suggests that certain side missions may be exclusive to Ultimate Edition buyers. This trend reflects a broader issue in the gaming industry regarding monetization strategies that prioritize profit over player experience.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

Prime Day Android app deals and freebies: Last Game, Friend of a Slime, True Skate, Undergrave, more

The 2026 Amazon Prime Day sale features significant discounts on various Android games and apps, including The Last Game, Friend of a Slime: Survivors, Cytus II, Bloons TD 6, Paths & Danger, True Skate, Undergrave - Tactical Roguelike, Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition, and Evoland 2. Discounts are also available on Google Pixel devices, with the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10a at reduced prices, as well as Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26 Ultra devices. Additionally, TCL NXTPAPER Android tablets are starting at a low price.

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

This week in PC games: synthpunk platforming, haunted house hoovering, and a game about growing a black hole

Temperatures in southern Britain are predicted to reach 38 degrees Celsius. The British population is generally unaccustomed to such extreme heat. The author, a games journalist, is focused on curating a list of new PC games instead of dealing with the heat. Notable game releases include: - Desolation Seed (early access): An immersive open-air combat prison experience. - Dark Scrolls: A roguelite platformer with whimsical characters. - Idle Chapel: An idle game involving converting cultists. - Relief: A game combining Chinese mythology with anime aesthetics. - Dimhaven: A photography puzzler set in a misty resort. - Deer & Boy: An emotive platforming experience in a frozen landscape. - Heavydelic (early access): A visually striking Slavic Synthpunk game. - Rift Wizard 3 (early access): A sandbox game focused on spell-crafting. - Empulse: A 6v6 shooter reminiscent of Titanfall 3. - S.A.N.D.Y. - Beach Cleaner: A post-apocalyptic beach game. - 7 Nights with Vroombi: A robot vacuum cleaning a haunted house. - nophenia: An exploration game featuring a wolfgirl. - Omen Exitio: Hunger: A Lovecraftian mystery set in 1927 New York. - Eyes of the ElderWood (early access): A horror and folklore adventure game. The editorial team is focused on finding ways to stay cool during the heatwave while remaining committed to uncovering new PC gaming titles.

Winsage

June 21, 2026

New DirectX Dump Files tool will make debugging crashes easier GPU + Windows

Microsoft has launched a public preview of DirectX Dump Files, designed to improve the debugging process for GPU crashes on Windows. The .dxdmp files are created when a hardware error is detected and contain hardware snapshots, driver data, Direct3D runtime context, and application user data. Developers need to meet specific requirements, including using Windows 24H2 or 25H2 with update KB5089573 or later, Windows 26H1 with update KB5089570 or later, Agility SDK Update Package 1.721.1-preview, and enabling developer mode. Additionally, AMD Software AgilitySDK Developer Preview Edition 26.10.07.02 is required for AMD graphics cards, along with compatible benchmark drivers from Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm, and PIX version 2606.18-preview for analyzing dump files. The tool is currently focused on gathering developer feedback and is not intended for retail game integration. Developers can choose between three operational modes: NOOVERHEAD, MEDIUMOVERHEAD, and HIGH_OVERHEAD. The full launch is expected in fall 2026.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

As EA appear to renew the trademark for Ultima, its creator lies in wait to reclaim the game’s copyright next year

Electronic Arts (EA) filed new trademarks for the Ultima franchise, indicating a potential revival after nearly eight years since the last installment, Underworld Ascendant. Series creator Richard "Lord British" Garriott has expressed his desire to resurrect Ultima and is optimistic about reclaiming copyright in 2027, as creators can reclaim rights after 35 years under U.S. copyright law. However, while Garriott may regain copyright over his original works, EA retains the trademark for the Ultima name. Garriott plans to discuss the franchise's future at Dragon Con later this year.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Mina the Hollower has a secret ending, but good luck seeing it

To unlock the secret ending in Mina the Hollower, players must avoid specific actions that would lead the final boss, Lionel, to accuse Mina of wrongdoing. The prohibitions include: - Sealing the Duke in the crypt - Defeating the Mock Moon boss - Using the train outside of its initial visit to Coltrane Peak - Engaging in any activity that harms another character - Restoring the Hollower Guild - Viewing the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the game's start - Acquiring the fishing rod - Destroying lamps or candles Players must also complete certain tasks: - Requesting Cappy's companionship after the opening ship crash - Rescuing the three children in Septemburg - Providing bones to all beggars who seek assistance Successfully navigating these requirements leads to Lionel inviting Mina to join him on a new quest, unlocking the secret ending. It is recommended that players experience the main storyline fully before attempting to uncover the secret ending due to its difficulty and potential to miss rewarding side quests.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Nintendo’s legal battle with Palworld looks shakier than ever: It may only get ‘$30,000 chump change’ if it wins at all

Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, faced a lawsuit from Nintendo in 2024 over alleged infringements on Pokémon patents, with an initial claim for around ,000 in damages. As of nearly two years later, Palworld remains popular on Steam, and legal insights suggest that Nintendo may receive less than half of its original demand if it prevails in court. Pocketpair continues to develop Palworld despite the lawsuit, highlighting its commitment to innovation in the gaming industry. The case may influence the balance of power between indie developers and large corporations regarding intellectual property rights in video games.