Xbox Archives

Winsage

August 27, 2026

Windows Weekly 998: Laptop Fort

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed various updates from Microsoft and the tech world, including new Insider builds, OneDrive for Mac enhancements, advancements in AI, and Xbox gaming news. A significant upcoming update for Windows 11, referred to as version 26H2, is anticipated. OneDrive for Mac will receive a native sync engine, and Proton Mail will introduce automatic category filtering. Bill Gates warned about the dangers of artificial intelligence, while Adobe Firefly launched new capabilities for music and sound generation. The .NET Conf 2026 is scheduled for November, with .NET 11 expected to release. In gaming, Xbox is testing disc-to-digital entitlements, and the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20 is available for 9. A limited edition Xbox Series X25 console is rumored for November, and the Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection is confirmed for November 13. IKEA has launched Xbox-inspired furniture, and Rockstar Games is preparing to reveal GTA VI. Nvidia has expanded GeForce Now to Firefox. Google will allow users to filter news in the Discover feed, but the advice is to seek diverse viewpoints. PowerToys 0.101 has been released, and Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac is now available. This week's RunAs Radio episode features a discussion on PowerShell 7's security features. SpiceBox Spiced Whisky is recommended as a seasonal drink.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Blue Dragon has been stuck on the Xbox 360 for 20 years, but no longer: a fantastic unofficial PC port unlocks the FPS, goes 4K, and even adds mod support

Hironobu Sakaguchi founded Mistwalker after leaving Square Enix in the early 2000s. Blue Dragon, a title from Mistwalker, is now available on PC due to a fan-made port created by programmer Tom, who used his toolset ReXGlue to recompile the game. This port integrates original game files into a single executable, enhances graphical fidelity, and resolves compatibility issues. Tom's work allows the game to run at 1080p resolution and 60 fps on systems with as little as one gigabyte of VRAM. The port was released on GitHub to coincide with the 19th anniversary of Blue Dragon's U.S. release, and future updates and mods are planned, including the introduction of characters from the Nintendo DS sequel.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Double Fine Productions Makes Brutal Legend Free for 666 Minutes to Honor Tim Curry

Double Fine Productions has reclaimed the rights to its entire catalog after parting ways with Microsoft. The studio is offering fans the chance to download the game Brutal Legend for free for 666 minutes in tribute to Tim Curry, who voiced a character in the game and passed away at the age of 80. This offer is available until 3:06 AM PT / 6:06 AM ET on August 27. IGN's Daemon Hatfield rated Brutal Legend 9 out of 10, praising its unique blend of humor, music, and gameplay. Double Fine plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as it prepares for future projects.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Here’s every major Xbox and PC announcement we’ve rounded up from the Future Games Show at Gamescom 2026

Gamescom is currently showcasing the Future Games Show, which features over 40 titles for Xbox and PC, including 13 brand new games. The event began today at 10:00 am PDT / 1:00 pm EDT / 6:00 pm BST and is available for live viewing or on-demand replays on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, X, and Steam. Major game announcements include: - Worms: Galactic Tactics: A turn-based tactical game set for release in 2027 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1/2, and PC via Steam. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword: An action-adventure game launching on September 4, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. - The Walking Dead: Streets of Survival: A side-scrolling beat 'em up releasing on September 18, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. - Dioxide: A tactical FPS with Soulslike elements expected to launch in the future on PC via Steam. - Wolcen 2: An ARPG anticipated to enter early access in 2027 for PC via Steam. - Serious Sam: Shatterverse: A roguelite FPS set for release on August 31, 2026, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. - SPINE - This is Gun Fu: A cyberpunk action game launching in 2027 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. - STAR WARS: Galactic Racer: A racing game set in the Star Wars universe, launching on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. - Alkimya: House of Wisdom: A survival horror game expected to release in the future for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault: An action-RPG set to leave early access on September 2, 2026, available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and Windows.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Metro 2039 gameplay trailer looks like bad news for your aging graphics card

The latest trailer for Metro 2039 showcases a visually stunning world with radiation-sickened creatures and gameplay elements like gun customization, mask wiping, and stealth kills. 4A Games has significantly advanced photorealism in this installment. The game will be developed for consoles, including the Xbox Series S, and aims for stable performance on mid-range PCs. 4A Games uses a proprietary engine, which may provide smoother performance compared to other high-fidelity engines. A playable demo will be available at Gamescom this week in Germany. A release date has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

How have the genres of hit PC games changed since 2021?

- The unreleased Steam game Wardogs, a 100-player FPS, is trending at #1 with a peak of 105,000 concurrent users during its playtest. - Sally Face 2 is at #2, Dear Passengers at #3, Phantom Blade Zero at #4, Rerouted at #5, Tulpa The Unseen Lover at #7, and Heatwarped at #10. - Steam is testing personalized recommendations for its Midweek Deals for logged-in users. - Silent Hill: Townfall will be a PS5 exclusive for at least six months post-release. - Valve was founded 30 years ago. - There is a decline in physical retail for games, particularly with fewer Xbox consoles in big box stores. - Indie developer Kernel Hearts announced 50,000 pre-orders on the Epic Games Store, influenced by a promotional Fortnite skin. - Steam updated its documentation for pre-orders, advising developers to enable encrypted preloads for anticipated games. - Roblox has blocked certain bots, leading to decreased concurrent users, while the game Steal an Egg set a record for reaching 500,000 concurrent users quickly. - Entity raised .8 million to develop console-quality games for web browsers. - The issue of 'keyword squatting' on consoles continues, with the release of Lethal Corporation drawing attention for its misleading title. - The PC game market has shifted from survival games, city builders, and action RPGs in 2021 to a rise in Roguelite and Roguelike genres by 2025. - Roguelite gained 39 spots, Roguelike gained 37 spots, and Life Sim games climbed 31 spots to #6. - The Idler genre rose 46 spots to #15, while Survival Horror dropped to #26. - The 2025 list of top games includes three titles priced below , compared to only one in 2021.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Commodore Announces Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection for PC, Consoles

Commodore is set to launch the Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection, featuring the original six titles from the series, reimagined for modern platforms including PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Switch 2. The collection includes enhancements such as dual-stick control support, new game modes (Horde and co-op Rush), save states, screen filters, and rumble support. The titles included are Alien Breed, Alien Breed: Special Edition 92, Alien Breed 2: The Horror Continues, Alien Breed: Tower Assault, Alien Breed: 3D, and The Killing Grounds. A virtual museum will also be part of the collection, showcasing original media and insights into cancelled projects. The release is scheduled for September 24 on Steam, GoG, and the Epic Games Store, with availability on Xbox and PlayStation, while Nintendo Switch users will see it in Fall 2026. The collection will not be available for current or historical Commodore hardware.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Iconic Retro Horror Game ‘Sanitarium Enhanced’ Coming to PC and Consoles

Ziggurat Interactive has announced two upcoming titles: Sanitarium Enhanced and Cosmi: Forbidden Forest & Beyond. Sanitarium Enhanced, a psychological horror game, will be available on PC (Steam, GOG), Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Nintendo Switch. It is a modernized version of the 1998 cult classic, featuring full controller support, widescreen presentation, and additional bonus content. Cosmi: Forbidden Forest & Beyond will be released for PC (Steam, GOG), Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. Both announcements were made during the Pixel Arcadia showcase. A specific release date for Sanitarium Enhanced has not yet been provided.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

A disturbing ’90s point-and-click horror game about waking up in a rundown asylum with no recollection of who you are is getting a glow up in 2026

In 1998, notable PC games included Half-Life, Unreal, StarCraft, Thief, and Baldur's Gate, while console games featured Nintendo 64's Ocarina of Time and Banjo-Kazooie, and PlayStation's Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil 2. Sanitarium, an isometric point-and-click adventure game, was released in April 1998, focusing on the story of Max, an amnesiac in a sanitarium. A new version, Sanitarium Enhanced, is set to be released by Ziggurat, featuring widescreen support, controller support, an extras gallery, a new hint mode, bug fixes, and optimizations for the Steam Deck, with availability on Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles in 2026.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Minecraft Dungeons II Gets Bigger – New Trailer Shows Unknown World

Minecraft Dungeons II features a new dimension called Sift, accessible through rifts in the game world. This dimension is described as strange and beautiful, offering visually stunning experiences along with fierce monster encounters. The game emphasizes cooperative gameplay, encouraging players to team up for battles and gear customization. The release date is set for September 29, 2026, and it will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.