Wild West Archives

AppWizard

February 26, 2025

Scottish children being ‘brainwashed’ by Neo-Nazis through popular video game

Concerns have arisen about the influence of far-right ideologies on Scottish children through the video game Minecraft, with experts warning that neo-Nazi groups may exploit the game's open design to spread extremist propaganda. These groups are reportedly using Minecraft's creative tools to create avatars and environments that glorify figures like Adolf Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan, as well as disturbing representations of historical atrocities. Ian Acheson from the Counter Extremism Project highlighted the ease of recruitment within gaming environments, while Ashton Kingdon described the situation as a "Wild West" for young gamers, noting that extremist groups utilize these platforms to target vulnerable players. A report from the Royal United Services Institute found that 34% of players encountered extremist imagery, and 25% felt encouraged to join extremist groups, with Minecraft specifically mentioned for the creation of Nazi death camp depictions. In response, Microsoft stated they have a dedicated team for player safety and moderation, implementing in-game reporting tools and filters to block inappropriate content, and maintaining a strict policy against terrorist and violent extremist content.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Red Dead Redemption 2: Deadly Precision mod totally overhauls the game

A new mod called "Deadly Precision," created by YGBRO, enhances the accuracy of non-playable characters (NPCs) in Red Dead Redemption 2. The mod improves NPC shooting precision, allows enemies to track players more effectively, increases the threat level of enemies using cover, and aims to provide a challenging yet fair experience. This mod transforms gunfights into more intense encounters, addressing the previously unchallenging nature of NPC aim. Feedback on the mod is limited, but YGBRO is recognized as a skilled mod author.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Magic: The Gathering’s interplanar Wacky Wheels set is good actually

Last year, the Magic: The Gathering universe expanded with themes such as a murder mystery and the Wild West. The upcoming Aetherdrift set is inspired by racing games like Speed Racer and Twisted Metal. The Foundations set returned to traditional fantasy elements. Aetherdrift introduces racing mechanics, allowing players to gain speed points through damage inflicted on opponents. Players can construct decks from selected boosters, with new cards featuring phrases like "Start your engines!" that enhance gameplay. The prerelease event in Melbourne showcased a four-player match emphasizing the racing theme. A player used the card Push the Limit to resurrect vehicles from the discard pile, creating a significant advantage. The set includes a narrative connection developed by narrative designer Miguel Lopez. Aetherdrift will launch on Arena on February 11 and in paper format on February 14, with in-store events at participating retailers.

BetaBeacon

December 28, 2024

Top 5 mobile games of 2024: Stephen’s picks of the year

- In 2024, the author's favorite games included Pocket Necromancer, Yolk Heroes: A Long Tamago, Bella Wants Blood, Guncho, A Little to the Left, Pokemon Go, and Vampire Survivors. - The author enjoys opening packs in Pokemon TCG Pocket and playing games that evoke nostalgia. - The author dislikes clutter and enjoys playing games that are perfect for short bursts of play. - The author is looking forward to adding Dredge and Last Spartan: Glory of Madness to their collection in 2025.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

If 2024 proves anything, it’s that mainstream success hasn’t made PC gaming any less weird—and thank God for that

PC gaming has transitioned from a niche hobby to a significant competitor against consoles, highlighted by the success of titles like Baldur's Gate 3. The Steam wishlist charts showcase a diverse range of games, including janky survival games, indie debuts, and obscure titles that gain unexpected popularity. Notable games this year include a survival game with 25 million players, a poker roguelike, and Stalker 2. Discussions around Game of the Year awards featured unconventional games, reflecting the eclectic nature of PC gaming. Despite the rise of console-first releases on PC, the platform continues to embrace a variety of genres and interests, maintaining its unique identity and charm.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

The 15 best PC games of 2024: From Indy to Kratos, samurai to outlaws, and everything in between

In 2024, the PC gaming landscape thrived due to the resolution of component shortages, the popularity of cloud gaming, and the rise of PC gaming handhelds. A diverse range of games was released, including indie titles and AAA adventures, along with remakes and remasters of classics. The top PC games of 2024 included: 1. Thank Goodness You're Here! 2. Helldivers 2 3. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle 4. Red Dead Redemption 5. Star Wars: Outlaws 6. Balatro 7. Animal Well 8. Fallout: London 9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 10. Dragon Age: The Veilguard 11. Silent Hill 2 12. God of War: Ragnarok 13. Black Myth: Wukong 14. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 15. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut The gaming rig used featured an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super graphics card, Intel Core i5-13600K CPU, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, and an Asus ROG STRIX Z690-F GAMING WIFI motherboard.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Red Dead Redemption 2 modded so wagons and horses travel at supersonic speeds—and the results are ludicrous

Red Dead Redemption 2 is praised for its detailed world and storytelling, establishing it as a notable RPG. A mod introduces chaotic elements with supersonic horses and wagons, creating unpredictable and humorous situations for the protagonist, Arthur Morgan. Instances include runaway horses and carts causing mayhem, disrupting the game's realism. Another mod, the Jobs Mod, allows players to take on various roles like a bartender or dockworker, enhancing the gameplay experience.

AppWizard

November 15, 2024

Best PC Games to Play (2025)

PC gaming is thriving with a wide variety of titles catering to different tastes. Notable PC games include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - Features deep role-playing mechanics and engaging storytelling with turn-based combat and character customization. 2. Elden Ring - An action RPG with challenging combat and an expansive open world, including a new DLC titled "Shadow of the Erdtree." 3. Cyberpunk 2077 - Set in a futuristic world, it combines action with narrative depth and character customization. 4. Red Dead Redemption 2 - Offers a richly detailed open world and compelling narrative in a Wild West setting. 5. Disco Elysium - A detective RPG focused on dialogue and decision-making within a unique world. 6. Hades II - A fast-paced roguelike where players battle through the underworld. 7. Half-Life: Alyx - A benchmark for VR gaming with a gripping narrative. 8. Doom Eternal - An intense first-person shooter against demonic forces. 9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - An epic RPG with an expansive world and intricate quests. 10. Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Features strategic turn-based combat and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Top games currently on Steam include: 1. Counter-Strike 2 - 563,733 current players, 1,442,806 peak players. 2. Dota 2 - 312,401 current players, 797,599 peak players. 3. Banana - 212,617 current players, 483,731 peak players. 4. Call of Duty® - 208,292 current players, 313,313 peak players. 5. Rust - 90,821 current players, 182,603 peak players. 6. THRONE AND LIBERTY - 84,819 current players, 229,014 peak players. 7. PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS - 83,168 current players, 755,939 peak players. 8. Grand Theft Auto V - 61,381 current players, 172,551 peak players. 9. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 55,111 current players, 107,242 peak players. 10. Factorio - 48,876 current players, 118,166 peak players. PC Gamer’s Top 10 Games of 2024 include: 1. Baldur’s Gate 3 - 97% rating. 2. Disco Elysium. 3. Elden Ring. 4. Minecraft. 5. Persona 5 Royal. 6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. 7. Half-Life 2. 8. Balatro. 9. Stardew Valley. 10. Doom (1993). Popular multiplayer games include Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Apex Legends, and Among Us. Free-to-play games with critical acclaim are Dota 2, Fortnite, Path of Exile, and Warframe. Classic PC games include Half-Life 2, Portal, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Minecraft. Recommended games for low-spec hardware include Stardew Valley, Terraria, FTL: Faster Than Light, Celeste, and Undertale.

BetaBeacon

November 1, 2024

Top 25 best offline mobile games to play in 2024

The Room: Old Sins is a creepy puzzler with mind-boggling puzzle tasks and a haunting atmosphere.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

Red Dead Redemption’s PC port is — surprisingly — the perfect Halloween game

The original Red Dead Redemption, first launched in 2010, is now available on PC, coinciding with the Halloween season. The game includes the Undead Nightmare expansion, offering a zombie-themed adventure. This marks the first significant release for PC and modern consoles, aside from a minimal Nintendo Switch version. Players assume the role of John Marston, tracking down former gang members to protect his family. The game features cinematic storytelling, heart-pounding missions, and a refined slow-motion shooting mechanic. The PC port allows for enhancements such as ultra-high resolutions up to 4K, refresh rates up to 144Hz, and support for ultrawide monitors. The Undead Nightmare expansion includes unique weaponry and the ability to tame the four horses of the apocalypse. The pricing for the port is set at £39.99 / .99.