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ReactOS Runs Half-Life Natively: Open-Source Windows NT Clone Clears 3D Graphics Bar
Winsage
June 11, 2026

ReactOS Runs Half-Life Natively: Open-Source Windows NT Clone Clears 3D Graphics Bar

ReactOS has successfully executed Valve's original Half-Life on consumer hardware, marking a significant milestone in open-source software development. This achievement was announced on June 10, 2026, after three decades of effort to reimplement Microsoft Windows. The game was run on a Dell OptiPlex desktop with an Intel Core i5 2400 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS graphics card, demonstrating ReactOS's capability to handle real-time 3D applications without compatibility shims. ReactOS operates independently from Microsoft, sharing no code, and can execute a real-time 3D graphics workload natively. It has achieved approximately 90 percent GPU driver compatibility for Windows XP and Server 2003-era hardware through the implementation of the Kernel-Mode Driver Framework and Windows Display Driver Model subsystems. ReactOS is still in alpha stage, with limitations in application support and driver gaps for modern hardware. The project is working towards a new release, version 0.4.16, to enhance user experience.
15 years later, the PS2 gets a Minecraft port, and it actually hits 30fps
AppWizard
June 11, 2026

15 years later, the PS2 gets a Minecraft port, and it actually hits 30fps

The Sony PlayStation 2 is the highest-selling gaming console ever, with sales exceeding 160 million units. Minecraft is the most sold non-arcade video game, second only to Tetris in overall sales. Minecraft was never officially released on the PS2, but a developer has successfully ported Minecraft Pocket Edition version 0.6 to the PS2, allowing it to run without modded hardware. The port achieves frame rates exceeding 30fps despite the PS2's limitations, using a custom "OpenGL adaptor" and various strategies to manage the console's 32MB of RAM. The optimized version of the game is called OptiCraft.
Windows 11 Sucks Slightly Less Now, Thanks To A June Update
Winsage
June 11, 2026

Windows 11 Sucks Slightly Less Now, Thanks To A June Update

The June update for Windows 11, identified as KB5094126 (OS Builds 26200.8655 and 26100.8655), introduces significant enhancements and numerous bug fixes and security patches. A key feature is a low-latency profile that improves responsiveness of core system elements like the Start Menu and Search by allowing the CPU to quickly reach maximum clock speed upon user interaction. This update also refines the Start Menu, improves app launch speeds, and addresses longstanding issues such as faster downloads from the Windows Store and optimized Windows Search results. New features include multi-app camera support, Shared Audio functionality for streaming to multiple Bluetooth devices, and the ability to personalize user folder names during installation. Additionally, the update resolves 206 security vulnerabilities, including a critical kernel-level remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2026-45657) with a threat score of 9.8.
ReactOS "Open-Source Windows" Reaches The Milestone Of Being Able To Run Half-Life
Winsage
June 11, 2026

ReactOS “Open-Source Windows” Reaches The Milestone Of Being Able To Run Half-Life

ReactOS has successfully executed the classic game Half-Life, marking a significant milestone in its goal of achieving binary compatibility with Microsoft Windows applications. This is the first documented instance of Half-Life running smoothly on ReactOS, allowing for gameplay. The successful execution was achieved by a user named "Zombiedeth" on a Dell OptiPlex with a Core i5 2400 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS graphics card.
If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn't need to be x86
AppWizard
June 10, 2026

If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn’t need to be x86

Arm chips have traditionally excelled in Android gaming and emulation, while x86 architecture has dominated serious PC gaming. A modder successfully ran Steam on the original Nintendo Switch, which features an Nvidia Tegra chip, due to the introduction of Arm support in Proton 11's beta version. This achievement indicates that PC gaming on handheld devices may not be limited to x86 architecture. However, running Steam on the Switch requires complex workarounds, resulting in low frame rates and various limitations. The process involved using Box64 and community-developed projects to facilitate the installation, as the Switch's outdated kernel posed challenges. Despite the limitations, the ability to run x86 games on an Arm chip suggests that hardware constraints, rather than translation feasibility, are the main obstacles. Modern Arm chips have shown the capability to run PC games, with driver issues being a significant challenge for non-gaming devices. Valve is developing the Steam Frame, a VR headset powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which runs SteamOS natively on Arm and utilizes FEX for x86 game compatibility. Early benchmarks indicate promising performance on Arm devices, suggesting a potential shift in the handheld gaming landscape. While x86 remains the safer choice currently, the barriers for Arm-based handhelds are gradually diminishing, indicating a future with more options beyond x86 architecture.
Fumito Ueda on why Gen Atlas has shooting but isn't a shooter, cool robots, and generative AI
AppWizard
June 8, 2026

Fumito Ueda on why Gen Atlas has shooting but isn’t a shooter, cool robots, and generative AI

Fumito Ueda, the creator of Gen Atlas, shared insights about the game during a recent meeting. The game features a silent protagonist navigating a vast desert, encountering colossal robots, and engaging in combat. Ueda emphasized the importance of uniqueness in game design and the balance within the overall experience. He aims to refine familiar mechanics while introducing innovative elements, such as a shooting mechanic that enhances player agency without dominating gameplay. Ueda's narrative is influenced by personal experiences and cultural themes, particularly the relevance of robots and AI in today's society. Gen Atlas will be Ueda's first release on PC, allowing him to reach a broader audience. The game will also feature dynamic environmental interactions, contributing to its storytelling.
There are already two mods to make Gothic Remake's lockpicking less painful
AppWizard
June 8, 2026

There are already two mods to make Gothic Remake’s lockpicking less painful

The Gothic Remake offers a deeper gaming experience but has received criticism for its lockpicking system, which players find tedious. Alkimia Interactive is aware of the feedback and notes that investing skill points can improve the experience. Mods like "Unlock All Chests and Doors" and "Lockpick Settings" are available to help players manage the lockpicking mechanic. Players are also using mods to enhance performance and identify interactable objects in the game. Installing these mods requires downloading files into the game’s directory and launching the game with administrative privileges.
RetroPad is a ‘full-feature-parity version of Notepad from XP’ in just 2,749 bytes — x86 assembly coded apps comes from Windows legend Dave W Plummer
Winsage
June 7, 2026

RetroPad is a ‘full-feature-parity version of Notepad from XP’ in just 2,749 bytes — x86 assembly coded apps comes from Windows legend Dave W Plummer

Dave W. Plummer has developed a full-feature-parity version of Notepad called RetroPad, written in x86 assembly language, which is 2,749 bytes in size. RetroPad replicates the functionality of the original Notepad from Windows XP and is available on Plummer's GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license. Initially, he managed to reduce RetroPad to 2,686 bytes before adding features like keyboard shortcuts, which increased the size to 2,794 bytes. The original Notepad from Windows XP was approximately 65KB, while later versions of Notepad in Windows 7 to 10 reached sizes of around 190KB to 200KB.
Use Windows Sandbox and containers to test untrusted apps safely
Winsage
June 4, 2026

Use Windows Sandbox and containers to test untrusted apps safely

Windows 11 features Smart App Control to block untrusted applications and includes Windows Sandbox, a lightweight virtual machine that provides an isolated desktop environment for safely executing applications. Windows Sandbox uses container technology and hypervisor-based virtualization to mitigate risks associated with untrusted software. It ensures that each session starts fresh, with no data persisting after closing, and applications installed on the host system are not accessible within the Sandbox. Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2, data can persist through restarts initiated within the Sandbox. Windows Sandbox is included in supported Windows editions such as Pro, Enterprise, and Education, and offers quick launch times, a lower memory footprint, and a secure environment for testing untrusted software. Setting up Windows Sandbox involves searching for it in the Start menu, running it as an administrator, and transferring executable files for installation within the Sandbox.
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