anticipation Archives

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Minecraft 26.2 pre-release 1 patch notes: Sulfur Cube changes, bug fixes, and more

Mojang has launched the pre-release phase for Minecraft Java Edition 26.2, focusing on bug fixes in preparation for the Chaos Cubed update. The Peer-to-Peer connection feature has been removed due to unsatisfactory user experience. Patch notes include: - Small Sulfur Cubes have updated models and textures, with unique sounds for each archetype. - The fog color in Sulfur Caves has been updated, and the maximum growth length of Sulfur Spikes has been reduced. - Continuous Geyser setups now require a Lava block to erupt. - Updated sounds for chicken variants and Small Sulfur Cubes when fed Slimeballs. - The Friends List button is now always visible on the title screen. - New server properties for chat and command spam thresholds have been introduced, defaulting to 10 seconds. Bug fixes include: - Resolved framerate loss during rendering of decorated pots and banners. - Fixed issues with players being kicked for rapid command sending in multiplayer. - Addressed overgrowth of Sulfur Spikes in Sulfur Caves. - Corrected the absence of a texture for Small Sulfur Cubes. - Fixed a crash when an Evoker retaliated against its Vex. - Resolved inventory issues after death with keep_inventory disabled. - Fixed Shulkers suffocating when opening while suspended. - Addressed a softlock issue when creating a new world if the saves folder was unwritable. - Corrected fog color in Sulfur Caves to match Bedrock Edition. Minecraft 26.2 Pre-Release 1 is available for download through the Minecraft Launcher by enabling snapshots in the "Installations" tab.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Minecraft puts its Java multiplayer test on hold: “The experience wasn’t what we wanted”

The Minecraft Java Edition 26.2 pre-release has been released, but the peer-to-peer multiplayer feature has been temporarily removed due to not meeting developer standards. Mojang stated that the feature was not ready for release. Other aspects of the friends list remain functional. The pre-release includes updates such as unique sounds for Sulfur Cubes, changes to their model and texture, a reduction in the maximum growth length of Sulfur Spikes, and a change in fog color in the Sulfur Caves biome. Players now need a Lava block to create a continuous geyser with Potent Sulfur. Additionally, server properties for chat spam and command usage have been separated to improve player communication. The pre-release is available for testing, and players are advised to back up their worlds before using it.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Cities Skylines may get the Lego treatment, as Korean ratings for new Paradox game, Persona 4 Revival, and more appear online

The Cities Skylines series has experienced mixed reception, with the original game being well-received and its sequel earning a score of 7/10. Developer Colossal Order has handed development responsibilities for the sequel to Iceflake Studios. A new title, Lego Skylines, is anticipated, as indicated by the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea (GRAC). This game aims to combine Cities Skylines mechanics with Lego's charm, reminiscent of earlier Lego simulation games. The last significant Lego construction game was Lego City Undercover in 2013. The development landscape for Lego games is fragmented, with major studios tied to larger corporations, leaving Paradox Development Studio as a potential candidate for the project. Other titles revealed by GRAC include Gears of War: E-Day, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Persona 4 Revival, with the gaming community looking forward to announcements during the Summer Game Fest.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

The sequel to one of my favorite survival games doesn’t just respawn you back at home when you die: that’d be way too easy

The initial task in Outward 2 involves locating a medicinal flower in the wilderness west of the city and delivering it to a doctor. The game features significant challenges and dangers, with death resulting in impactful consequences rather than a simple respawn. Players are advised to understand their environment, prepare for unexpected encounters, plan their routes strategically, and consider teaming up with others for support.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Google could soon flag the dead Android apps hiding on your phone

Google is developing a new notification system for the Play Store that will inform users when an installed app has been removed, providing tailored messages based on the number of affected apps. Currently, Google Play Protect only alerts users about harmful apps but does not notify them about apps that are voluntarily removed or delisted for policy violations. The new system aims to address this gap by notifying users that apps will no longer receive updates, which is a concern for security and functionality. There is no specific timeline for the release of this feature, and the findings are based on code snippets that may not all make it to the final version.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Paralives players are getting jumpscared by a naked chap called Charlie glitching into their games and now I too have been Charlie’d

Players of the early access life simulation game Paralives are experiencing various bugs in Live Mode, including glitched menus and failed interactions. A notable glitch involves a character named Charlie, who first appeared on the game's launch day and has since been reported by players to have infiltrated their save files. Players have shared experiences of Charlie appearing in their households, often in strange contexts, such as replacing adopted children or occupying spaces left by other characters. Charlie is speculated to be a debug character that appears when the game encounters errors. The community is engaged in discussions about Charlie, and some players are considering integrating this character into their gameplay.

Winsage

May 27, 2026

Microsoft Issues the Week D Preview Updates for Windows 11

Users of Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 can install the preview update KB5089573, upgrading their systems to builds 26100.8524 and 26200.8524, respectively. Users on Windows 11 version 26H1 can install KB5089570, upgrading to build 28000.2179. The updates introduce new features such as shared audio support over Bluetooth LE, multi-app camera support, custom user folder naming during setup, and enhancements to Magnifier, Secure Boot, Task Manager, Windows Hello, and Windows Search. They also include performance improvements and increased reliability for sign-in and Lock screens.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

007 First Light review roundup: ‘The best James Bond game since GoldenEye’

IO Interactive's 007 First Light officially launches today. ShackNews awarded the game a score of 90/100, describing it as a major departure for IO Interactive and a crowning achievement for the studio. WccfTech rated it 8.5/10, praising its original story. PCGamesN gave it an 8/10, noting its compelling narrative. Eurogamer scored it 4/5, highlighting its cinematic qualities despite some flaws. Polygon's review acknowledged bugs but called it possibly the best Bond game to date. The Guardian rated it 5/5, emphasizing its immersive experience. Newsweek awarded it 10/10, appreciating the character evolution. VGC praised it for combining elements from top-tier studios. Vice noted its polished narrative and world-building. Windows Central also rated it 5/5, calling it essential for fans. User reviews on Steam reflect a "very positive" rating.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

007 First Light release date and launch times

IO Interactive is launching 007 First Light on Wednesday, May 27, at 10 am EDT, with early access available for pre-orders at £60 on Steam. Players can currently download the game, which has an 80 GB file size. The recommended PC specifications include Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), an Intel Core i5 13500 or AMD Ryzen 5 7600 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and a GPU such as Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060 TI or AMD RX 6700 XT. The minimum requirements are Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), an Intel Core i5 9500 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and a GPU like Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660 or AMD RX 5700.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

5 extremely popular Steam apps that aren’t games — Level up your PC with these useful utilities and tools

Cale Hunt is preparing for Computex and enhancing his yard for summer. Steam is the largest platform for PC gamers, featuring over 130,000 games and also offering non-gaming software for development, design, editing, and production. Cale enjoys using Aseprite for creating 2D pixel art, although he hasn't used his creations for projects. Lossless Scaling provides frame generation for any GPU, benefiting retro gaming enthusiasts. Wallpaper Engine allows users to create animated wallpapers and screensavers and has maintained an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam since 2018. Crosshair X enables customization of reticles in games and integrates with the Xbox Game Bar. OBS Studio is popular among streamers for its comprehensive tools. Cale encourages readers to share their favorite non-game apps on Steam.