accountability Archives

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

Ubisoft reports 2.9% dip in net bookings

Ubisoft reported a 2.9 percent decline in net bookings for the quarter ending June 30th, generating €281.6 million. The decline was attributed to the poor performance of Rainbow Six: Siege and a delayed partnership. However, back catalogue sales increased by 4.4 percent, contributing €260.4 million in revenue. Ubisoft is restructuring into Creative Houses to improve operational efficiency, with the first house announced earlier this year, supported by Tencent. CEO Yves Guillemot highlighted the importance of this transformation for enhancing quality and accountability. The new subsidiary will manage major brands like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, marking a significant step in Ubisoft's restructuring efforts.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Stop Killing Games takes action against gaming giants

The gaming industry has seen a trend of game cancellations from major companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, leading to frustration among gamers. In response, a grassroots initiative called Stop Killing Games has launched a petition that has collected nearly 1.3 million signatures, urging game publishers to fulfill their commitments to consumers. The organization raises legal concerns about publishers marketing expensive games without clear longevity, likening it to planned obsolescence, which undermines customer trust and complicates digital game preservation. They aim for the European Union to enact laws that strengthen consumer rights, potentially allowing defunct games to remain accessible through private servers, with hopes that similar protections could extend to the United States.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

‘The censorship is a step too far’: Ready or Not is getting review bombed after developers sanitise the game to adhere to stricter console standards

Ready or Not is shifting its gameplay approach by limiting player-induced dismemberment, which has led to mixed reactions from the community. Some players view this change as unnecessary censorship and a compromise of the game's essence, expressing disappointment that the developers prioritize console compatibility over fixing existing bugs. There is significant backlash, with accusations of misleading early access backers and concerns that the changes dilute the game's dark atmosphere. This dissatisfaction has resulted in negative reviews and calls for accountability from the developers. The future of the game remains uncertain as the developers may focus on a console release amid the criticism.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Steam’s “Early Access” is no longer what it used to be — has it failed gamers?

Valve's "Early Access" initiative on Steam currently features 14,056 titles. Successful games like Kerbal Space Program, ARMA 3, Prison Architect, and Kenshi have received positive reviews. However, many players have become disillusioned with the program, particularly due to experiences like the prolonged development of DayZ, which spent nearly five years in Early Access. The program's guidelines require developers to maintain transparency and accountability, but some exploit these rules for financial gain without completing their projects. The Early Access program is intended to gather player feedback, provide funding, and support development, but issues with unfinished games and unmet promises have raised concerns about its integrity.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 11 user has 30 years of ‘irreplaceable photos and work’ locked away in OneDrive – and Microsoft’s silence is deafening

A Reddit user experienced account suspension on OneDrive while transferring data from old drives, resulting in loss of access to their files. The account was locked without warning or explanation, and attempts to contact Microsoft support yielded only automated responses. The user criticized the lack of accountability and transparency from Microsoft regarding the suspension. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining multiple copies of data across different locations to prevent loss and raises concerns about Microsoft's handling of account suspensions and communication with users.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Why cybersecurity awareness and insider risk management are essential for SMBs

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly exposed to cyber threats, with human error being the leading cause of data breaches. Employees may click on malicious links, use weak passwords, or fall for phishing scams, highlighting the need for ongoing cybersecurity awareness training and insider risk management. Comprehensive training programs can help employees identify and mitigate threats, while modern cybersecurity platforms offer monitoring for exposed credentials on the dark web and provide real-time alerts for compromised information. These platforms also feature automated reporting, allowing business owners to track training completion and identify areas of risk. Educated and supported employees can become a strong defense against cyber threats, making investment in human-focused cybersecurity tools essential for SMBs to protect their reputation and financial health.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Microsoft sees Windows Update as the unified platform for all software updates

The orchestrator manages updates by scheduling them based on user activity, system performance, and power availability. It supports MSIX/APPX and Win32 applications and provides custom installer support through additional executable packages. Users receive updates via Windows notifications, and a consolidated update history is available in system settings. The orchestrator aims to deliver a consistent management experience across Windows 11 products, offering centralized logs and policy enforcement for IT teams. However, enterprises with hybrid or air-gapped systems require robust support for localized deployment. The unified platform may raise compliance concerns for organizations with strict regulatory requirements, necessitating clear accountability between independent software vendors and Microsoft, along with pre-deployment validation.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

5 habit trackers on Android that can reveal your patterns – and motivate you to change

Habits can influence productivity and well-being, and habit trackers help visualize progress and foster accountability. 1. Loop Habit Tracker is a free, open-source app with a user-friendly interface, habit scores, detailed charts, flexible scheduling, reminders, and offline operation. It is ad-free and available on the Google Play Store. 2. Daylio is a journaling app that integrates habit and mood tracking, allowing users to monitor fitness activities and daily routines. It is free and available on the Google Play Store. 3. Fabulous Daily Routine Planner features an engaging interface with audio and animations, promoting healthy habits and routines. It offers a seven-day free trial, with an annual subscription priced at .99, and is available on the Google Play Store. 4. Clockify is primarily a time tracker that also provides habit tracking capabilities, allowing users to generate reports and integrate with Google Calendar. It is free and available on the Google Play Store, with a desktop version. 5. Habitify allows users to input habits, plan routines, set reminders, and visualize progress. It emphasizes consistency and offers a free version with limitations and an in-app subscription priced at .99 per month for unlimited features. It is available on the Google Play Store.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Brian Eno Criticizes Microsoft for Support of Israeli Military

Brian Eno has written an open letter to Microsoft titled “Not in My Name,” urging the company to stop providing artificial intelligence and cloud services to the Israeli military. He expresses concern that Microsoft's technological contributions could enable war crimes, stating that the company has acknowledged its support for Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Eno plans to donate his fee from the Windows 95 project to aid victims of the conflict in Gaza. He references a Microsoft blog post about the company's software and services being used by the Israeli government in ways condemned by legal scholars and human rights organizations. Eno emphasizes that selling advanced AI and cloud services to a government involved in systemic ethnic cleansing constitutes complicity and calls for a reevaluation of corporate ethics. He commends Microsoft employees who have spoken out against the company's actions and invites others to join his call for accountability.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Windows 95 chime composer Brian Eno denounces Microsoft for its ties to Israeli government

Renowned musician Brian Eno announced he will donate the earnings from his Windows 95 startup chime to support those affected in Gaza. This decision follows scrutiny of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli government amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Eno criticized Microsoft for its involvement in operations contributing to violations of international law and called for the company to suspend services supporting such actions. Microsoft acknowledged its contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense but claimed an internal review found no evidence of its technologies targeting civilians in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, significant casualties have been reported in Gaza, with estimates of over 52,000 to as high as 109,000 deaths. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes. Protests by Microsoft employees have occurred, demanding accountability for the company's actions. Eno emphasized the need for artists and corporations to consider the implications of their contributions.