amusement Archives

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Legendary Mac Game Celebrates 40th Anniversary With PC Port

Dark Castle, a classic game from 1986, is being re-released as an official port to PC to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Originally developed for Macintosh, the game was notable for its innovative use of animations and gameplay mechanics, despite the platform's limitations in graphics. The game was created by Silicon Beach Software in collaboration with artist Mark Stephen Pierce and programmer Jonathan Gay, utilizing a technique called "page flipping" to enhance performance. Dark Castle is known for its challenging gameplay and has a sequel, Beyond Dark Castle. Both games are now available on Steam, providing a modern way to experience these titles.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

Grand Theft Auto 6 leaker says they won’t stop until Rockstar and Take-Two apologize for ‘anti-consumerism’ and make a ‘concrete commitment to do better’

Cyberleek has claimed responsibility for the leak of Grand Theft Auto 6 and issued a manifesto criticizing various practices in the gaming industry. The manifesto argues that publishers mislead consumers by selling licenses instead of actual ownership, releasing unfinished games as "living services," and locking content on physical discs that is sold as downloadable content (DLC). Cyberleek aims to challenge what they see as a decline in consumer value in the gaming industry. The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is anticipated in three months, and efforts are being made to obtain responses from Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games regarding the situation.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

This week’s most compelling new Steam game is Horse Magnifier, which is about magnifying horses

In 2026, Steam's Popular New Releases section features several notable titles, including "Shelves & Sorcery," a new entry in the sortslop genre, and "Landscaper Simulator," which focuses on landscaping. The reissue of "The War in the North" appeals to fans of classic gameplay, while at least two incremental games indicate a slight shift in player preferences. The most talked-about release is "Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse," where players magnify horses, accompanied by a visually striking trailer and a nostalgic drum 'n' bass soundtrack. The game has received mixed reactions, described by user Toasterban as "beautiful," "confusing," "horrifying," and "horse." A launch discount is currently available for "Horse Magnifier."

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

New Kingdom Come trademark filings mention ‘online’ virtual worlds—but we shouldn’t assume Warhorse is making a multiplayer game just yet

Warhorse Studios has filed trademarks for their upcoming title, Kingdom Come Salvation, in both Europe and the United States. The filings include references to "services for matching users with computer games," suggesting potential online features. The trademarks are categorized under IC 009, related to video games, and IC 041, which covers entertainment services, including online gaming. An expert noted that while the filings imply possible online capabilities, fans should manage their expectations regarding multiplayer features until an official announcement is made.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

MMO life sim Seed’s AI-powered avatars prove once again that nothing shatters immersion quicker than crappy chatbot dialogue

AI-powered non-playable characters (NPCs) in gaming have the potential for meaningful dialogue, but current implementations often fall short. In the MMO colony simulation Seed, players create seedlings that can interact using AI. Initial interactions can be engaging, as seen when a seedling humorously responds to questions about its appearance. However, as gameplay continues, conversations tend to become awkward and filled with unnecessary filler phrases, detracting from immersion. The AI struggles with maintaining coherent and engaging exchanges, although some personality traits do come through in dialogues. The tutorial robot offers helpful gameplay answers, but misunderstandings occur. Overall, while there are redeeming qualities, the quality of conversation remains a significant challenge.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

The team behind Windows NT sent ‘black cardboard coffins’ and fake dog poop to their rivals back in the 90s, because nerds

Dave Plummer and Dave Cutler discussed a humorous incident from the late 1990s involving the rivalry between Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. Cutler recounted how they sent black cardboard coffins to Scott McNealy and Lee Reiswig as a playful gesture, accompanied by a birthday card that played the "Death March." They also included fake dog feces in the box as a response to Sun's advertising antics, where McNealy's dog urinated on a fire hydrant with the Microsoft logo. Cutler mentioned a third coffin intended for another tech figure, possibly Larry Ellison, which was never sent.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

PC Gamers Can Save $40 In Free Game Offer, Includes 10/10 Hit

The Epic Games Store is offering free games for PC users until 4 PM BST on Thursday, July 2. This week's titles are RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwright, both typically priced at .99. Voidwright is a 2D action-platformer developed by Powersnake, featuring exploration, combat against over 10 enemies and 11 bosses, and an average Metacritic score of 76. The game offers around eight hours for the main storyline and up to 16 hours for completionist runs. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition is a remastered version of the 2004 classic, allowing players to manage amusement parks with a playtime ranging from 20 to 200 hours. It has an 88% 'Very Positive' rating on Steam and includes both the Soaked! and Wild! expansions.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 24/06/2026

The Epic Games Store is offering free downloads of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwrought from 4 PM BST on June 25, 2026, until 4 PM BST on July 2, 2026. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition, published by Atari and developed by Frontier Developments, allows players to build their own amusement park and includes two DLC packs. Voidwrought, published by Kwalee and developed by Powersnake, is a 2D action-platformer set in a hand-drawn world where players battle deities and explore ancient ruins.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

XP-era Windows spotted haunting London’s driverless railway

Commuters on London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) recently encountered an error message from the XP-era Windows operating system on an information screen, specifically from an application called DaisySignApp.exe. The display featured a Recycle Bin icon, indicating a nostalgic connection to Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, which lost support in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The DLR's digital display appears to be outdated, reflecting a reluctance to upgrade systems that are functioning adequately. Limehouse station, where the error was observed, connects the DLR to the UK’s National Rail services and has a history that predates Windows XP by over a decade. The DLR opened in 1987, during the launch of Windows 2.0.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Windows bowls a BSOD at sports fans

Worcestershire County Cricket Club experienced a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on its screens, which are typically used to relay messages to spectators. The BSOD was caused by a DRIVERPOWERSTATE_FAILURE, likely due to a hardware issue or a malfunctioning driver. This incident has drawn attention from system administrators and has been noted by a reader named Rhodri Howell.