add-ons Archives

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Minecraft Marketplace Summer Sale cuts prices on 300 in-game items

The Minecraft Marketplace Summer Sale offers discounts of up to 33% on over 300 select items, including add-ons, skins, texture packs, and adventures for Minecraft Bedrock Edition. The sale features items like the Biomes O’ Plenty add-on, which adds over 50 unique biomes, and the RealismCraft add-on, which enhances visuals with new mobs and weather effects. The Naturalist 26.1 add-on introduces realistic animals, while the Eternal End add-on reimagines the End Dimension with new biomes and items. The sale is live in the UK from June 30, 2023, at 6 PM BST until July 28, 2026, at 6 PM BST.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

Summer Sale 2026

The Minecraft Summer Sale 2026 will start at 10 AM on June 30 and end at 10 AM on July 28. The sale will last for four weeks and feature discounts on popular Marketplace items such as RealismCraft, Huggy & Friends, and Biomes O’ Plenty. The first two weeks will offer additional personal items at discounted prices until July 14. From June 30 to July 14, there will be two Doorbuster deals each day with discounts up to 75% on various add-ons, texture packs, and mini-games, available for 24 hours each.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

PC Hand-Drawn 2D Survival Horror Game Announced for Consoles

Moonlight Pale is an indie survival horror game that has transitioned from a PC-exclusive project to a multi-platform release due to high pre-order demand. The developers plan to release the game on consoles, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Initially crowdfunded, the game surpassed its Kickstarter goal of ,566, raising over 0,000, which allowed the team to unlock stretch goals, including console ports and a physical edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The game is set in a late 1800s female seminary, where players control Juliette, who follows the ghost of her deceased cat. Development began in December 2025, with foundational systems programmed, the full script completed, and voice lines recorded for the first two chapters. The launch window is targeted between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, with the Kickstarter campaign ending on July 4, 2026.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2026

Subscription twist: Norton 360 Deluxe adds more than just antivirus

Norton 360 Deluxe is a mid-tier security subscription from Gen Digital that offers antivirus protection, a VPN, a password manager, dark web monitoring, and parental controls for up to five devices. It includes real-time threat protection, a firewall, ransomware shielding, and cloud backup of up to 50 GB for Windows users. The parental controls, known as Norton Family, allow monitoring of children's online activities. The Secure VPN encrypts internet traffic on public Wi-Fi and masks IP addresses. The package also features PC SafeCam for webcam security and a smart firewall. Norton 360 Deluxe is marketed with a promotional first-year rate, with higher renewal prices, and is available through digital subscriptions, app stores, and major retailers. The product is designed for households and individuals seeking comprehensive security solutions.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

Marketplace Content: June 2026

Hourglass Studios has released the Ocean Expansion Add-on 3.0, featuring 84 marine creatures and an underwater vehicle. Tools by Misfits offers gadgets like night vision goggles and jetpacks. TNTgames' Living Dead add-on introduces undead mobs and a miniboss, the Skeleton King. Glowfischdesigns' Combat Utilities enhances combat with enemy health bars and off-hand weapons. SandBlock Studios' Stitched Monsters Add-on presents marionette-like creatures and crafting options. Ascent's Ultimate City Mash-up features a 2,000 by 2,000 urban world with over 30 vehicles. Logdotzip's Biome Weapons [DX] includes over 20 elemental weapons. 5 Frame Studios' Combine Mace allows weapon merging. Lifeboat's RVs offer outdoor exploration options. Dodo Studios' High School Roleplay provides interactive academic experiences. Blocky's Skyblock Lucky Block 2 adds random surprises to the skyblock format. Lifeboat's The Sky is Falling! challenges players with falling blocks. Honeyfrost's Ultimate PvP Texture Pack enhances visuals and user interface. Heropixel Games' Pastel Paradise features pastel-themed environments. 57 Digital's Wardens add-on offers ten unique skins, while ManaLabs' Strawberry Trends provides strawberry-themed skins. CupcakeBrianna's Cozy Cats HD Skin Pack includes ten cat skins. The Marketplace Pass includes 21 new add-ons, skin packs, texture packs, mini-games, and mash-ups.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2026

PostgreSQL vs SQL Server 2026: $0 vs $15K License

PostgreSQL has become the most utilized database for developers for two consecutive years as of 2026, while SQL Server has introduced native AI capabilities and vector search functionalities in its latest release. PostgreSQL is favored for new projects due to its permissive licensing, cross-platform operation, and extensive ecosystem of extensions, whereas SQL Server is preferred by organizations already using Microsoft products for its robust tooling and enterprise support. As of June 2026, SQL Server ranks third in the DB-Engines popularity ranking with a score of 698, while PostgreSQL ranks fourth with a score of 688. Developer adoption trends show that 49% of respondents in the Stack Overflow 2024 Developer Survey use PostgreSQL, compared to 27% for SQL Server. The latest stable version of PostgreSQL is 18.4, released on May 14, 2026, while SQL Server 2025 (version 17.x) became generally available on November 18, 2025. PostgreSQL is free under a permissive license, while SQL Server's Enterprise Edition can cost upwards of ,123 per two-core pack, with an eight-core minimum. PostgreSQL supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD, while SQL Server operates on Windows and Linux. PostgreSQL uses PL/pgSQL as its primary procedural language, allowing for multiple procedural languages, whereas SQL Server uses T-SQL. PostgreSQL's JSONB type offers rich indexing, while SQL Server added native JSON support in its 2025 release. Both databases are capable of handling high transaction volumes, but PostgreSQL excels in read-heavy scenarios due to its multi-version concurrency control, while SQL Server's columnstore indexes provide advantages for analytical workloads. PostgreSQL supports tables up to 32 TB, while SQL Server can handle a maximum database size of 524 PB. SQL Server's high availability technology includes Always On Availability Groups, while PostgreSQL offers built-in streaming and logical replication. The security features of both databases meet enterprise standards, with PostgreSQL providing a transparent patching process and SQL Server integrating with Microsoft tools. Real-world usage examples include Stack Overflow using SQL Server, while Instagram and Reddit utilize PostgreSQL. Developer sentiment increasingly favors PostgreSQL for new projects, emphasizing flexibility and open-source solutions. For new startups or greenfield projects, PostgreSQL is recommended due to its zero license cost and compatibility. Existing Microsoft enterprises are advised to stick with SQL Server for its integration benefits. Migration from SQL Server to PostgreSQL is becoming common, with a structured approach required for successful transitions.

BetaBeacon

June 4, 2026

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – June 2026 round-up

Nintendo has released a brand new game exclusively on mobile called Pictonico, which uses the contents of the player's phone's photo album as the basis for its microgames.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Over 116,000 Mincraft systems infected in WeedHack malware campaign

A malware operation called WeedHack has targeted Minecraft players since January, compromising over 116,000 systems with daily infections between 2,000 and 3,000. It primarily distributes malware through malicious mods, clients, cheats, and utilities promoted on YouTube, utilizing SEO poisoning to reach victims. The campaign features polished YouTube videos with embedded download links and targets keywords related to popular Minecraft clients. WeedHack operates as a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) model, offering a free tier that steals Minecraft session IDs, cookies, and passwords across various platforms, and a premium tier with enhanced capabilities. The operation's Telegram channel has over 800 members, mostly teenagers or young adults. Minecraft players are advised to trust only official sources for mods and verify download links to protect against these threats.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2026

‘Only pay for what you truly need’: Avast unveils revolutionary new antivirus platform – industry leading device protection & scam detection, with optional no-log VPN, data breach monitoring, and device cleanup

Avast has launched a new free modular platform called Avast One, which offers free antivirus and scam protection, allowing users to pay only for the features they choose to use. The platform includes a free tier with antivirus protection, scam protection, and web security, and users can add optional modules such as AI agent protection, a no-log VPN, data breach monitoring, and device cleanup. Avast One features a unified dashboard for easy management of security options, and it includes free services like a cleanup tool and BreachGuard for personal information protection. Premium features can be added for enhanced security, including scanning for suspicious emails and banking protection, as well as a VPN with a 60-day free trial.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Gen Digital stock (US36870C1018): cybersecurity player in focus after latest quarterly results

Gen Digital Inc, headquartered in Tempe, United States, operates in the cybersecurity and consumer digital protection sector. The company primarily generates revenue through subscriptions for its security, identity, and privacy software, with its brands including Norton and Avast. Gen Digital's subscription contracts typically renew annually or multi-yearly, contributing to predictable cash flows. The company has expanded its offerings post-acquisition of Avast, providing services such as antivirus protection, password management, VPN services, and identity monitoring. The majority of Gen Digital's revenue comes from consumer security solutions, with significant contributions from identity theft protection and privacy services. The company sees growth opportunities through cross-selling additional services to existing customers and has a strong presence in the U.S. and developed markets like Western Europe and Japan. Partnerships with device manufacturers and retailers are crucial for customer acquisition. The cybersecurity landscape is evolving, with increasing demand for consumer-focused protection due to rising awareness of identity theft and data breaches. However, Gen Digital faces competition from both paid and free antivirus solutions, requiring continuous innovation. Regulatory developments in data protection laws also impact the industry. Gen Digital employs artificial intelligence and machine learning for threat detection, enhancing its capabilities in response to evolving threats. For U.S. investors, Gen Digital represents an opportunity in consumer cybersecurity, with its stock traded on Nasdaq under the ticker GEN. The company's subscription-based revenue model is closely monitored for cash flow generation and renewal rates, while its performance is influenced by economic conditions and consumer confidence. Investors also consider Gen Digital’s capital allocation strategy, including dividends and share repurchases, which can affect stock performance.