announcements Archives

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

Microsoft Lowers the Price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate And PC Game Pass, But What’s Next For Xbox?

Under CEO Asha Sharma, Xbox has reduced the price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 and PC Game Pass from .99 to .99. The removal of day-one access to Call of Duty is part of this strategy, which aims to address consumer concerns and enhance the service's value. Microsoft reportedly faced a 0 million loss due to including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in Game Pass, prompting these price adjustments. Sharma's initiatives include a partnership with Discord, the introduction of Xbox Game Pass: Starter Edition, and plans for a Family Plan. The company is also focusing on improving the Xbox app for PC gaming and reevaluating its approach to exclusives. Frequent updates and player feedback will be prioritized as Xbox prepares for the next generation of consoles, referred to as Project Helix.

Winsage

April 27, 2026

Microsoft tests replacing Windows 11’s Night Light with something better

The "Screen Tint" feature is being tested in a preview build of Windows 11, offering six preset tint colors and customizable settings to enhance visual comfort. The preset colors include pink for alleviating migraines, blue for reducing screen glare, and gray for easing stark contrasts. The feature is part of preview version 26300.8289, with no official launch date announced by Microsoft yet.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

A New ‘Minecraft’ Character Is Coming, Says New Leak—Here’s What You May Expect

A leak from Hallmark's website suggests that Mojang Studios is preparing to introduce a new character named "Blub" to the "Minecraft" universe. The character is featured in a Keepsake Ornament priced at .99, available for pre-order starting October 10, 2026. Blub is described as a creature standing on all fours with long ears. However, it has been clarified that Blub will not appear in "Minecraft Dungeons 2." The listing's authenticity as a leak remains uncertain, and Mojang has not officially confirmed the character.

TrendTechie

April 27, 2026

Суд взыскал 600 тыс руб за размещение пиратских копий “Универа” и “Физрука”

The Moscow City Court has ordered a website administrator to pay a penalty of 600,000 rubles for hosting pirated copies of television series such as "Univer," "Fizruk," and "Devushki s Makarovym." The court found that the website generated revenue through advertisements and engaged in "intentional piratical activity" by offering downloads via torrent. The administrator was also required to pay an additional 11,000 rubles in court fees. Although he attempted to appeal the ruling, he missed the deadline and the court allowed him to restore it, but the original ruling remained in effect.

AppWizard

April 27, 2026

FF14 Evercold release date window, jobs, trailers, and latest news

The FF14 8.0 expansion, titled "FF14 Evercold," will release in January 2027, with Patch 7.56 arriving on September 8, 2026. The level cap will increase from 100 to 110, and players will encounter a flood of ice in the Fourth reflection of the Source. The expansion will introduce two new jobs: one Tank and one Ranged Physical DPS. Evolved Mode and Reborn Mode will be available, allowing players to choose between a streamlined battle system or a traditional playstyle. The expansion will feature six new zones, approximately six dungeons, three new trials, and a series of eight-player raids. A crossover with Neon Genesis Evangelion will occur in patches 8.1, 8.3, and 8.5. Updates will also include changes to PvP, FATEs, and the Tomestone rewards system. Further details will be revealed at upcoming Fanfests in Berlin and Tokyo.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Lineage Piece codes April 2026

Lineage Piece is a Roblox game where players can choose to be either a pirate or a marine, featuring a lower level cap compared to similar games. Players can engage in battles against bosses and rival factions. The game has several codes that provide various rewards, including: - TYFOR1KLIKES - Both rerolls and $ - TYFOR300CCU - Both rerolls and $ - TYFOR100LIKES - Trait rerolls and $ - Release - G$ and regular $ - LineageIsHere - ten of each reroll To redeem codes, players must log in, close the game, like the game page, join the game group, reopen the game, access the 'Settings' icon, enter a code, and click 'Enter'. Players can unlock permanent rank buffs by progressing through ranks, with each rank providing a 10% enhancement to earned currencies and experience points. More codes can be found by verifying the Roblox account for chat privileges, accessing the Lineage Piece Discord, or checking the Lineage Piece Trello for updates.

AppWizard

April 26, 2026

Train Sim World 6 and a bunch of DLCs are 89% off in this new Humble Bundle

Train Sim World 6 was released in mid-2025 and has received significant updates, including new downloadable content (DLC). The game features new tracks such as the Exeter-to-Plymouth and Paignton Riviera Line in Devon, enhanced graphics that approach photo-realism, and additional routes like the US Morristown line and a revamped Bahnstrecke Leipzig-to-Dresden. It includes train announcements to improve immersion. The Train Sim World 6 First Class Ticket Bundle offers the base game and seven DLCs at an 89% discount, with a 50% discount on premium editions. Notable DLCs include the Flying Scotsman steam train and a remastered Great Western Express route. The bundle is available until May 8 for £13.40.

Winsage

April 25, 2026

How Microsoft hopes to win back enthusiasts: A deep dive into the Windows Insider reboot

Microsoft is making significant changes to the Windows Insider Program to address user feedback and improve community engagement. Key changes include: - A simplified channel strategy with clearer purpose-driven channels: an Experimental track for early feature flags and a Beta track for more predictable releases. - Introduction of a feature-flags page in Experimental builds, allowing testers to opt into visible features. - Easier movement between channels without needing complete reinstalls. - Assignment of Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs) to oversee specific areas based on community feedback. Upcoming features for Windows 11 include new taskbar positioning options, improved integration of Copilot, enhanced File Explorer functionality, and a redesigned Feedback Hub. Microsoft aims to rebuild trust by focusing on quality in Beta builds and publicly acknowledging community contributions. The company is prioritizing refining Windows 11 over launching a new version, Windows 12.

Winsage

April 25, 2026

How Microsoft hopes to win back enthusiasts: A deep dive into the Windows Insider reboot

Microsoft is revamping the Windows Insider Program in response to community feedback, acknowledging past shortcomings such as confusing channels and lack of transparency in feature rollouts. Key changes include a simplified channel strategy with an Experimental track for early features and a Beta track for more stable releases, a feature-flags page for testers, easier transitions between channels, and the introduction of Directly Responsible Individuals (DRIs) for accountability in specific areas. The company aims to improve Windows 11's quality and user experience, focusing on community engagement and measurable goals to rebuild trust. Concerns about the shift to web view apps are acknowledged, with a commitment to optimizing performance. Microsoft is prioritizing enhancements to Windows 11 over launching a new version, emphasizing a collaborative approach with the community.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

Xbox admits its PC gaming presence is not strong enough

Microsoft is retiring the term "Microsoft Gaming," which was introduced in 2022, and will revert to using the Xbox brand as the primary identifier for all gaming-related endeavors. A memo from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and chief content officer Matt Booty, released on April 23, acknowledges that the company's presence in the PC gaming market is lacking. The memo outlines a strategy focused on "flexible pricing," being "open to all creators," and increasing "daily active players," but lacks specific commitments or timelines. It highlights Windows as a crucial battleground for gaming, noting that it now represents more players and hours, amidst competition from platforms like Steam. The memo also reflects on Microsoft's historical challenges in executing a competitive PC gaming ecosystem and coincides with an announcement of an early-retirement buyout program for employees as the company reallocates resources toward AI initiatives.