2024 Archives

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2026

ScarCruft hackers push BirdCall Android malware via game platform

APT37, also known as ScarCruft and Ricochet Chollima, has developed an Android version of the backdoor BirdCall, which serves as spyware in addition to a backdoor. The malware was delivered through a Chinese website that hosts games for Android, iOS, and Windows, targeting only Android and Windows systems. The Android variant of BirdCall has capabilities such as extracting IP geolocation information, collecting contact lists, call logs, SMS data, device information, taking screenshots, recording audio, and exfiltrating files. Users are advised to download software only from official marketplaces and trusted publisher sites to protect against malware infections.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

North Koreans Spy on Defectors Via Android Game Apps

A North Korean hacking group has targeted a digital gaming platform popular among the Korean ethnic enclave in China, using a sophisticated strategy to infiltrate Android applications. Researchers from Eset discovered that an app on the platform contained a backdoor known as BirdCall, linked to North Korea. The official website for the gaming platform hosted the same suspicious APK file. A second Android file associated with another game on the same site was also found to contain the BirdCall backdoor. This supply-chain attack was attributed to the threat actor ScarCruft (APT37), active in Asia and extending into Europe and the Middle East since late 2024. The hackers likely compromised the web server to recompile original APKs with the backdoor, which can collect sensitive information such as contacts, SMS messages, call logs, documents, media files, and private keys, and can take screenshots and record audio. The malware disguises its command and control traffic among regular internet traffic, primarily using Zoho WorkDrive for operations.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

“If people are saying ‘dead game,’ that means our game is alive:” how Apex Legends is winning back players

Apex Legends has achieved its highest player count in a year and a half, particularly following the launch of Season 28, which saw a 50% increase in player counts on Steam. This resurgence is attributed to years of collaboration with the community and changes in internal processes at Respawn Entertainment. The upcoming Season 29 will introduce Axle, the first new Legend in over a year, aimed at attracting new players. Additionally, changes to the ranked mode for solo players will be implemented, placing them in slightly easier lobbies based on skill level to create a more balanced competitive environment. Apex Legends aims to reclaim its peak player count of over 620,000 from 2023 by continuing to innovate and engage its player base.

Winsage

May 4, 2026

Valve Says 67.74% of Steam Users Are Now on Windows 11

67.74% of Steam users have transitioned to Windows 11 as of April 2026, with a month-over-month increase of 0.89 points. Windows 10 holds 25.63% of the market share, creating a gap of over 40 percentage points between the two operating systems. Windows 11's adoption on Steam has grown from 41.95% in December 2023 to 70.83% in December 2025. A notable drop in Windows 11 usage occurred in February 2026, but the April statistics indicate a recovery. The shift to Windows 11 is influencing developer decisions regarding DirectX 12 and optimizations for the operating system.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Mega Man DXtreme Is a Free Reimagining of the Game Boy Color Classic for PC

The CX2 Team has released a free reimagining of Mega Man Xtreme, titled Mega Man DXtreme, for PC. This version enhances the original game's narrative and gameplay, featuring improved controls, widescreen support, and a reworked array of weapons and bosses. Developed over five months using Construct 2, it includes an auto-save feature that activates after clearing a boss stage, allowing players to revisit stages and replay story events. Mega Man DXtreme is available for download, along with an announcement trailer. Other free Mega Man projects include a 16-bit demake demo of Mega Man X8 set for January 2024, a demo for Mega Man Perfect Blue, and Mega Man Maker, which allows players to create custom levels.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Sega Game From 2024 Free for Millions Next 72 Hours

Sega's Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties is available for free to Amazon Prime subscribers until May 6. Players can download the game at no cost and keep it indefinitely, even if they cancel their Prime subscription. The game is set in the New Kingdom of Egypt and is the 16th installment in the Total War series. Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties has a Metacritic score of 83 and an 80% approval rating on Steam, while its predecessor, Total War: Pharaoh, received a score of 74 and a 64% approval rating. Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties is currently the only Sega title available for free through Prime Gaming, with potential for more free offerings in the future due to the partnership between Sega and Amazon.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

PC Free Download Is A Gorgeous Puzzle Game To Unwind With This Weekend

A free demo for the puzzle game Nested is now available for PC gamers on Steam. Nested, created by Nathan Sioui, originated from the 2024 GMTK Game Jam, where it was recognized as one of the top 20 entries. The game features puzzles involving the stacking of nesting dolls, requiring players to align sizes and colors. Gameplay includes interactive elements such as doors that only allow specific colored dolls to pass, buttons that trigger various effects, and mechanics like Swap Nodes and Bombs. The full game is expected to launch in August 2026, though the release date is tentative.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft now recommends 32GB of RAM as the future-proof ‘no worries’ config for gaming — 16GB becomes the new ‘practical starting point’ during the RAMageddon

Microsoft released a support document recommending 16GB of RAM as a "practical starting point" for Windows gaming in 2026, while advocating for 32GB to future-proof systems. The document was taken down after it indicated that 32GB is no longer considered excessive. The September 2025 Steam Survey showed a decline in the popularity of 16GB configurations, with 32GB systems gaining traction. Advanced memory technologies, like HUDIMMs, are emerging, but DDR5 memory remains expensive for many builders. The new Ryzen AI 400 series highlights the need for high-speed, high-capacity memory for optimal performance. Some games, such as Stalker 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, require 32GB and 64GB of RAM, respectively. Microsoft also emphasized the importance of solid-state drives (SSDs) for gaming and operating systems, advising against traditional hard drives for active games. The global shortage of components may affect the feasibility of these recommendations.

Winsage

May 3, 2026

Microsoft Recommends 32 GB RAM for Gaming on Windows 11

Microsoft recommends 32 GB of RAM as the optimal choice for an enhanced gaming experience, while 16 GB remains the minimum requirement. The company highlights that 32 GB significantly improves performance, especially when multitasking with applications like web browsers and streaming software. Additionally, Microsoft advises using solid-state drives (SSDs) for operating systems and games to enhance loading times and system responsiveness. Newer games, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, may require up to 64 GB of RAM for optimal performance. Investing in 32 GB of RAM is suggested for those considering a PC upgrade by 2026 to meet future gaming demands.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

New First-Person Shooter Dethrones Windrose to #1 Best-Selling Steam Game

Windrose was the best-selling PC game on Steam last weekend but has since been surpassed by Far Far West, a co-op first-person shooter developed by Evil Raptor and published by Fireshine Games. Far Far West has achieved an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, with nearly 7,000 user reviews and a 97% approval rating. The game invites players to form a crew of bounty-hunting robot cowboys or embark on solo missions. Far Far West is currently priced at .99, reflecting a 10% discount until May 5. Evil Raptor previously released Pumpkin Jack in 2020, which received 2,824 user reviews, and Akimbot in 2024, which had only 628 reviews.