artwork Archives

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

Balatro meets Scrabble in this new roguelike from the creators of TimeSplitters—and I’m just thrilled to finally find a word game that lets me score with swear words

Renowned game developers Steve Ellis and David Doak have created a spelling game called Beyond Words, which features innovative gameplay mechanics that differentiate it from other word game roguelikes. Players navigate a Scrabble-like board aiming for a target score within a limited number of moves, with progressively challenging rounds and a boss round introducing unique gameplay modifiers. Between rounds, players can acquire cards that activate bonuses to enhance scoring potential. The game boasts an expansive dictionary that includes a wide array of terms, adding humor and enjoyment. It includes wildcard tiles for creative word formation and features uniquely shaped maps for each run, enhancing strategic depth. However, the visual presentation has been criticized for lacking a cohesive style. The demo is currently available for free during Steam NextFest.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

Nightdive Studios’ Stephen Kick has 8,544 hours in Dota 2, and just clocked his 5,000th win: ‘I think it’s made me a better leader’

Stephen Kick is the co-founder of Nightdive Studios and a dedicated curator of PC gaming's golden age, leading the revival of classic games like Doom, Quake, and System Shock 2. He has a strong passion for gaming, which began with a visit to a friend's house where he played Wolfenstein 3D. Nightdive's remake of System Shock has received critical acclaim. Kick encourages collaboration with the gaming community for remastering classic games. He was inspired to enter game development by a competition for Dota 2, which ignited his passion for gaming. He has logged 8,544 hours in Dota 2 and acknowledges its significant role in his personal growth and family life. Kick also enjoys playing Plants vs. Zombies and uses Photoshop for his creative artwork. He maintains a tidy desktop and has a methodical approach to organizing his workspace.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1619 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1619 has been released to the Canary Channel (KB 5077230). New features include: - Enhanced Cross-Device Resume allows users to continue activities from Android devices on PCs, including support for Vivo Browser and Microsoft Copilot app files. - Narrator customization now lets users control how on-screen elements are announced. - Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security now supports peripheral fingerprint sensors. - Voice Typing introduces a 'Wait time before acting' setting for improved command execution. - A streamlined setup flow for Voice Access has been implemented. - Language support for the Settings Agent has expanded to include German, Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, and Chinese (Simplified). - A refreshed SCOOBE screen for reviewing recommended settings has been introduced. - Paint version 11.2601.391.0 includes a freeform rotate feature for enhanced editing control. Features in the Canary Channel are rolled out gradually, and a desktop watermark will be displayed in pre-release builds. A clean install is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7877 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7877 (KB5077232) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing various changes and improvements. Key updates include: - The "Open" option in the context menu for .exe, .bat, or .cmd files now aligns with the icon of the default application. - The Device info Card on the Settings Home page has been refined for easier comprehension, displaying key device specifications prominently. - Enhanced animations for hovering over app groups on the taskbar and improved reliability of app icons in the system tray. - An issue with File Explorer where open windows and tabs might jump to Desktop or Home has been resolved. - Reliability improvements for sending larger files using nearby sharing. - The Paint app has been updated to version 11.2601.391.0, introducing a freeform rotate feature that allows users to rotate shapes, text, and selections to any angle. Updates are gradually rolled out to Insiders who opt in via Settings > Windows Update, and feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

I can’t recognize my favorite League of Legends champions anymore, and I’m sick of it

The author discusses the lack of clarity in champion skins in League of Legends, particularly highlighting the recent Love Confession skin for Riven, which deviates significantly from her established identity. The skin's design lacks the defining features of Riven, such as her rugged femininity and signature markings, leading to community backlash and comparisons to unrelated aesthetics. The author notes a broader trend of champions becoming unrecognizable, raising concerns about Riot's understanding of its characters. This shift reflects a larger identity crisis within the game, as it attempts to attract new fans while straying from its original character-driven appeal. The author expresses disappointment in their changing gaming habits and the game's current direction.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

A seven-game retro compilation of Ren & Stimpy games has been announced

Limited Run Games has announced the release of the Ren & Stimpy: Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Collection, which will launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. The collection includes seven classic titles from the animated series: - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Space Cadet Adventures (Game Boy) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Veediots! (SNES) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Veediots! (Game Boy) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Buckeroo$! (NES) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Buckeroo$! (SNES) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Time Warp (SNES) - The Ren and Stimpy Show: Fire Dogs (SNES) The collection will feature modern emulation options like rewind and quick save, a music player, and a museum of artwork. Pre-orders will start on January 30 and end on March 1. The standard edition will cost .99, the Classic Edition will be .99, and the Collector’s Edition will be 9.00. Ren & Stimpy have not had their own console game since the mid-1990s but have appeared in recent crossover titles.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Ren & Stimpy Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Collection announced for PS5, Switch, and PC

Limited Run Games will release the Ren & Stimpy Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Collection for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders will be available from January 30 to March 1, with three editions: Standard Edition (.99), Classic Edition (.99), and Collector’s Edition (.99). The collection includes classic titles such as The Ren and Stimpy Show: Space Cadet Adventures, Veediots!, Buckeroo$!, Time Warp, and Fire Dogs. Enhanced features include rewind functionality, save anywhere capability, a music player, and a museum showcasing artwork and packaging scans.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Valve’s new Steam AI disclosure cares about what you actually see, stressing that behind-the-scenes dev tools are “not the focus”

Valve has updated the declaration form for game submissions to Steam, emphasizing the need for developers to disclose any AI-generated content that is "consumed by players," including art assets, music, writing, and marketing materials. This change shifts the focus from development tools to the actual content delivered to players. Developers are required to declare AI-generated elements such as artwork, sound, and narrative. Valve has maintained a separate check for games using AI to generate content or code during gameplay, allowing players to report inappropriate content and holding developers responsible for safeguarding against such issues. The update clarifies the use of AI in game development without completely overhauling the previous guidelines.

Winsage

January 16, 2026

Paint: Your guide to drawing software

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Paint, which is easily accessible and offers a user-friendly environment for creativity. The updated interface features a sleek layout, making tools readily available for experimentation. Paint has refined brushes and inking tools that provide a smooth, responsive drawing experience, especially with stylus use, incorporating pressure sensitivity for more authentic strokes. It also offers advanced color tools, including support for RGB, hex, and HSV color options, allowing users to maintain consistency in their projects. Users can create a mini color palette on the canvas and utilize the eyedropper tool to extract colors from references or generated images.

Winsage

January 11, 2026

Windows Media Player’s ‘find album information’ functionality has been removed — you’ll have to find other software for playing and ripping CDs with relevant track information

Microsoft has removed the 'find album information' and 'update album info online' functionalities from the Media Player applications in Windows 11. Neither the Windows Media Player Legacy nor the latest Media Player app can connect to retrieve data such as album artwork, track names, and details when an audio CD is inserted. The built-in 'Find Album Information' service, which relies on musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, is unreachable. Users attempting to update album information in the latest Media Player app receive an error message indicating a connection issue, despite having a stable internet connection. The removal of these features is disappointing for users who still appreciate physical media, especially as optical drives are becoming rare in new computers.