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Marathon season 2 is kicking off with a free week so new players can try Bungie's extraction shooter out on a 'clean slate'
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

Marathon season 2 is kicking off with a free week so new players can try Bungie’s extraction shooter out on a ‘clean slate’

Marathon's second season will begin with an Open Play Week from June 2 to June 9, allowing players to experience the full game for free on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Progress made during this period can be carried over into Season 2. New features include an evolving storyline with new areas such as the Observation science deck, psychological elements like "Psychosis" and "hallucinations," and two new weapons: the D54 Battle Pistol and the KKV SMG. The seasonal reset aims to provide players with a fresh start and a sense of discovery.
The Steam Deck OLED's price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

The Steam Deck OLED’s price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware

Ongoing shortages in memory chips, driven by increased demand from AI-focused data centers, have led to significant price increases for the Steam Deck OLED. The 512GB model's price rose from £479 to £649 in the UK (35% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (44% increase). The 1TB variant increased from £569 to £779 in the UK (36% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (46% increase). Valve attributes these hikes to rising component costs and logistical challenges. The 1TB Steam Deck OLED now competes closely with the Asus ROG Ally X, which offers better performance at a similar price point. The 512GB version has lost its budget-friendly appeal, as the Lenovo Legion Go S undercuts it at £549. Despite the price adjustments, the Steam Deck OLED remains favored for casual gaming due to its design and comfort, but the hikes may deter potential buyers and raise concerns about future products.
'007 First Light': How To Buy Video Game Online, PS5, Xbox, PC
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

‘007 First Light’: How To Buy Video Game Online, PS5, Xbox, PC

James Bond returns to gaming with “007 First Light” after a 15-year hiatus. The game is available exclusively on Amazon for .99 and is compatible with Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version will launch on September 30. The “Specialist Edition” includes a classic tuxedo skin for Bond. There are two premium options: the “Collector’s Edition” for .99, which includes a life-sized mask, and the “Legacy Edition” for .99, featuring a replica of the Golden Gun. Directed by Hakan Abrak and Martin Emborg, the game is a prequel focusing on a 26-year-old James Bond, played by Patrick Gibson, and includes diverse locations like Slovakia, Mauritania, Vietnam, and Antarctica. The cast features Lennie James, Priyanga Burford, Alastair Mackenzie, Kiera Lester, Gemma Chan, Lenny Kravitz, and Noémie Naka. The game is available through major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop.
Dragon Quest XII finally resurfaces with its first trailer as a new Monsters game heads to Xbox and PC
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

Dragon Quest XII finally resurfaces with its first trailer as a new Monsters game heads to Xbox and PC

Dragon Quest 12 has been officially renamed from "Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate" to "Dragon Quest 12: Beyond Dreams." A new trailer has been released, showcasing the game's visuals and art direction. Additionally, a new installment in the Dragon Quest Monsters series, titled "Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World," is in development and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game will feature younger versions of characters Bianca and Nera from Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride.
When Microsoft was developing Windows 95, developers discovered that SimCity had a severe memory bug that caused it to crash on the new operating system—but instead of forcing the game studio to fix it, Microsoft engineers actually rewrote the core Windows 95 source code to detect if SimCity was running and safely allocate memory for it.
Winsage
May 27, 2026

When Microsoft was developing Windows 95, developers discovered that SimCity had a severe memory bug that caused it to crash on the new operating system—but instead of forcing the game studio to fix it, Microsoft engineers actually rewrote the core Windows 95 source code to detect if SimCity was running and safely allocate memory for it.

Windows 95 contains a block of code that checks if the user is playing SimCity and adjusts memory management to address a bug from the game's programming. This bug, a "use-after-free" error introduced by SimCity's developer Jon Ross, went unnoticed in Windows 3.x but caused crashes in Windows 95 due to its different memory management. Instead of asking Maxis to fix the bug, Microsoft engineers modified Windows 95 to mimic the older memory behavior, ensuring SimCity would run smoothly. This approach reflects Microsoft's broader strategy of maintaining compatibility with older software through various "shims," allowing legacy programs to function on modern systems.
The Witcher 3’s new expansion drops Xbox One and Windows 10 — “Hardware capabilities have evolved”
Winsage
May 27, 2026

The Witcher 3’s new expansion drops Xbox One and Windows 10 — “Hardware capabilities have evolved”

A beloved RPG is returning with a new expansion, leading to updated minimum PC requirements. The new specifications are as follows: - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 / Intel Core i5-8400 (previously Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz / AMD A10-5800K APU 3.8GHz) - GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB (previously NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 / AMD Radeon HD 7870) - VRAM: 6 GB (unchanged) - RAM: 12 GB (previously 6 GB) - Storage: 70 GB SSD (previously 50 GB available space) - OS: 64-bit Windows 11 (previously 64-bit Windows 7 / 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1) Support for legacy platforms like Xbox One is being phased out. Windows 11 has a market share of 67.74%, while Windows 10 is at 25.63%. CD Projekt Red stated that the updated requirements are necessary for smooth performance and compatibility with new content. The expansion is set for release on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC in 2027.
Two Brilliant-Looking Indie Games Come Out This Week
AppWizard
May 27, 2026

Two Brilliant-Looking Indie Games Come Out This Week

IO Interactive is releasing 007 First Light, while indie titles Mina the Hollower and Enter the Chronosphere are also launching. Mina the Hollower is developed by Yacht Club Games and features a mouse navigating dungeons with challenges inspired by Castlevania and Zelda. Enter the Chronosphere is a sci-fi turn-based bullet hell roguelike from Effort Star, noted for its psychedelic art style and positive early reviews. Release dates include: - May 25: Paralives, Enter the Chronosphere (early access), EMUUROM, Jump King Quest, RUNNING TRAIN - May 26: Stonemachia, Town to City (1.0), World of Tanks: Heat, Birushana: Winds of Fate, LumenTale: Memories of Trey, Romestead, Realm of Ink, Tower of Babel: Survivors of Chaos, Teamfight Manager 2 - May 27: 007 First Light, Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 (port), Utawarerumono: Past and Present Rediscovered, Starminer - May 28: Amanda the Adventurer 3, Bluey’s Quest for the Gold Pen, Clockfall, Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten, Schrödinger’s Call, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (port), Stray (port), Touhou Yukkuri Mountain, Scale the Depths, STARDUST: Wish of Witch - May 29: Little Nightmares II Enhanced Edition (port), Mina the Hollower
Console and PC players can try Resident Evil Requiem for free from today
AppWizard
May 27, 2026

Console and PC players can try Resident Evil Requiem for free from today

Capcom has released a demo for Resident Evil Requiem, which will be available in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The demo allows players to experience the game's early stages, but save data will not transfer to the full version. Since its release in February, Resident Evil Requiem has sold 7 million copies in two months, making it the fastest-selling game in the series. The game sold 5 million copies in its first week and reached 6 million shortly after. The previous record for 7 million sales was held by Resident Evil 4 (2023), which took over a year to achieve. The best-selling title in the franchise is the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2, with 16.8 million copies sold, followed by Resident Evil 7 at 16.4 million, Resident Evil Village at 13.5 million, and the 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 at 12.2 million.
007 First Light PC Settings Guide
AppWizard
May 27, 2026

007 First Light PC Settings Guide

007 First Light requires a graphics card with at least 12GB of video memory for optimal performance, with 16GB recommended for higher resolutions. The game does not feature graphics presets and defaults to minimum settings in its pre-release build. Achieving a stable 60 fps at 4K resolution is challenging, with frame rates typically around 40-45 fps on lower settings. Upscaling is recommended for smoother gameplay, with GPUs like the RTX 5070 or Radeon 9070 maintaining 60-70 fps at higher quality settings. The game is compatible with the Steam Deck but runs at approximately 30 fps with significant stuttering. Optimal settings for the RTX 5070 and RTX 3060 Ti include specific configurations for transfer function, resolution scaling, texture quality, and other graphical settings to balance image quality and performance. Following these adjustments, the RTX 5070 can achieve an average of 63-70 fps, with frame generation potentially increasing frame rates but also introducing latency. Upscaling is essential for 4K gameplay unless using high-end hardware.
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