adversity Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

I’m the Private Messaging App Signal, and the Trump Administration Is Ruining My Brand

Signal, known for its commitment to privacy and end-to-end encryption, is facing controversy due to a breach involving an unofficial version used by Mike Waltz, a former National Security Adviser. This incident has raised questions about the app's reputation and its ability to maintain secure communications. The app's founder, Moxie Marlinspike, emphasizes privacy, but the association with political figures has complicated its image. Signal has recently released version 7.34.0, which improved compatibility with Arm64 processors, but the media focus has shifted to the political controversy. This breach raises concerns for potential users who value anonymity, and Signal's open-source design allows for public scrutiny, contrasting with competitors. The company faces challenges in restoring user trust while competing with alternatives that prioritize data monetization and advertising. Signal's commitment to privacy and technology remains, but it must work to distance itself from political narratives to recover its trusted status.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Myst maker Cyan Worlds has made layoffs

Cyan Worlds has reduced its workforce by half, eliminating 12 positions due to challenging industry conditions. The management acknowledged the difficult situation and maintained open communication with the team about potential challenges. They offered severance packages to affected employees and invited other developers to consider the available talent. The studio's focus is on securing financing for their next project and stabilizing operations.

Winsage

March 16, 2025

7 forgotten Windows apps that somehow still exist

WinAmp, foobar2000, and RealPlayer were once essential media players but have seen a decline in popularity due to improvements in Windows Media Player and the rise of streaming services. Foobar2000 and RealPlayer still appeal to a niche audience. Napster, originally a peer-to-peer file sharing service, has transformed into a legitimate music streaming service after facing legal challenges. TeamSpeak, once favored in the gaming community for voice chat, has been overshadowed by Discord but remains operational with ongoing updates. Netscape Navigator was a leading web browser that declined with the rise of Internet Explorer and was discontinued in 2008, but has been reintroduced as a Chromium-based browser by AOL. WordPerfect was a dominant word processing software in the late 80s and early 90s but lost market share to Microsoft Word; it continues to exist as an office suite. WinZip, once the preferred file compression tool, has seen its relevance decline due to native ZIP support in Windows and free alternatives like 7-Zip; it is now owned by Corel. WindowBlinds, a customization tool for Windows, has been updated for Windows 11 but lacks the popularity it once had, reflecting a trend towards less customizable operating systems.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Spectre Divide maker Mountaintop is shutting down

Mountaintop Studios, the developer of Spectre Divide, is closing down due to challenges in maintaining its player base and generating revenue after an initial surge of 400,000 players following the game's release in September 2024. The studio explored options such as seeking a publisher or additional funding, but these efforts were unsuccessful. They plan to take Spectre Divide offline within the next 30 days and will refund players who made in-game purchases. CEO Nate Mitchell expressed gratitude to the community and acknowledged the dedication of the indie team in developing the game, which was intended to be innovative and original. Despite improvements made after critical feedback, the game did not achieve financial success. Mountaintop Studios was founded in 2020, and Mitchell reflected on the invaluable experience gained during their journey, despite the outcome not meeting their hopes.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

NetEase-backed Anchor Point is fine, for now

Paul Ehreth, CEO of NetEase-backed Anchor Point Studios, stated that the studio has not been affected by the recent closures and layoffs in the gaming industry. He emphasized that Anchor Point Studios is committed to growth and is actively hiring. Ehreth noted that NetEase has been a supportive partner, allowing for creative control and development support. He expressed optimism about future projects and encouraged potential candidates to join the studio, highlighting its stability amid industry challenges.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Nested Lands is a ‘brutal’ survival city-builder about guiding villagers through a plague-infested world, and you can play its open alpha right now

Nested Lands is a city-building game developed by the Brazilian studio 1M Bits Horde, set in a medieval landscape plagued by bandits and disease. Players must establish a settlement by assigning villagers roles to construct buildings, craft tools, and gather resources while recruiting survivors. The game features a third-person perspective and a cooperative mode for up to four players. An open alpha version is available on Steam, offering approximately three to four hours of gameplay with no specified end date, aimed at testing players' settlement expansion abilities.