award Archives

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Best PC, PlayStation, Xbox Games Named by Gamescom – List of Winners in Different Categories Revealed

Capcom's upcoming title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, won multiple awards, including Best PlayStation Game and Best Gameplay. CD Projekt RED received accolades for their booth design, merchandise, and the trailer for the remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, along with its story expansion "Ballad of the Past." The Best PC Game award went to Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Other awards included Best Xbox Game for Forza Horizon 6, Best Audio for Alien: Isolation 2, Most Engaging Game for Wanderburg, Most Epic Game for Tides of Annihilation, Most Heartfelt Game for Finding Polka, Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game for Rayman Legends Retold, and Best Mobile Game for Where Winds Meet. The Best Trailer (Audience Choice) was awarded to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered & Songs of the Past DLC.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 wins best PC game at Gamescom

Total War: Warhammer has evolved into a celebrated strategy game on PC, and Space Marines have been included in the game. It was honored as the best PC game at this year's Gamescom, marking Sega's third award of the year. PC Gamer's Fraser Brown praised it as the standout experience of his year after just an hour of gameplay. Gamescom winners are selected by a jury of gaming professionals and community votes, indicating broad appeal. The Warhammer 40,000 universe fits well within the Total War framework, promising an exhilarating experience with epic battles.

Tech Optimizer

August 27, 2026

Why it’s worth protecting your devices with comprehensive antivirus and security

Panda Dome Complete is a comprehensive antivirus and security suite developed by Panda Security, offering a range of protective features including real-time antivirus, anti-ransomware security, firewall and Wi-Fi protection, safe browsing and anti-phishing tools, a dark web scanner, VPN access, a password manager, PC cleanup and optimization tools, file encryption, and secure file deletion capabilities. It has received accolades such as the AV-Test Top Product Award and an SE Labs AAA Rating. A one-year subscription is currently available at a promotional price of CAD (down from 5 CAD), and the software supports various Windows versions from Windows 11 to XP (32-bit SP3 or later), requiring an active internet connection and .NET Framework 4.6 or later for VPN access. Installation is straightforward, and the software updates automatically. The plan is available to both new and existing users, with unredeemed licenses eligible for store credit within 30 days of purchase.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

AVG Antivirus Review 2026: Is the Free Version Enough?

AVG AntiVirus Free has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific scores of 4.7 for protection, 4.3 for performance and features, and 3.5 for customer support. The software is available for free or can be purchased starting at .88 for the first year, with pricing verified in August 2026. It achieved a 99.77% malware detection rate with only four false alarms and offers features such as real-time protection and Ransomware Protection. However, customer support is rated lower, and there are upselling prompts after scans. AVG is owned by Gen Digital and has been in operation for over 35 years, originally founded as Grisoft in the Czech Republic. The free version includes essential features like File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, and Ransomware Protection, while some features like Enhanced Firewall and Fake Website Shield are exclusive to paid versions. AVG's performance on Windows 11 has been validated by independent tests, scoring 6/6/6 in AV-TEST and achieving a 96.3% offline detection rate in AV-Comparatives. The software is available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. AVG's customer support includes email and phone options, with a reasonable response time. The software is safe to install when downloaded from official sources, and it has been recognized for its effectiveness in malware detection.

Tech Optimizer

August 24, 2026

Malwarebytes Review 2026: Safe, But is Free Tier Enough?

Overall Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐ Protection: 4.3 ⭐ Performance: 3.9 ⭐ Features: 4.4 ⭐ Support: 4.8 ⭐ Value: 4.2 ⭐ Pricing starts at .99 for the first year, verified August 2026. Malwarebytes earned the AV-TEST TOP PRODUCT award in March-April 2026, scoring 17.5 out of 18 points. It successfully removed all infections in remediation tests and had no false detections across 1.5 million legitimate samples at AV-TEST. The software can coexist with other antivirus solutions and offers a free version with limited features. The free version lacks ongoing protection after 14 days, while the paid version provides real-time protection. Malwarebytes has a privacy policy stating it does not sell customer data and collects only necessary identifiers. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, having raised a total of 0 million, including a recent investment from Vector Capital in September 2022. It acquired AzireVPN in November 2024. Malwarebytes offers various plans, including Standard, Plus, and Total, with consistent renewal pricing. The Windows version includes comprehensive features, while the Mac version targets adware and browser hijackers. The Android app provides scanning capabilities and phishing protection, and the iPhone app focuses on scam text filtering. Customer support is efficient, with quick responses.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Take-Two’s former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: ‘The guy should be selling you the gold if he’s actually got the gold’

Take-Two Interactive laid off AI specialist Dicken and a significant portion of the AI team after a year, reflecting industry volatility. Dicken expressed skepticism about generative AI's role in creative processes, noting that many creatives view it as a departure from intentionality. He observed a divide in public perception, with Western audiences more resistant to generative AI compared to Asian audiences. Dicken highlighted challenges in integrating AI into workflows, including vendor lock-in and price volatility, drawing parallels to the Unity engine's pricing crisis. He noted a gold rush mentality among corporations eager to adopt AI, often without proper safeguards. Looking forward, Dicken believes AI will bring long-term changes to gaming but should be seen as a tool to enhance experiences rather than a revolutionary force. He advocated for a thoughtful approach to incorporating AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for alignment with a game's fundamental thesis.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Pretty Cool Games Launches As New Studio From “Human: Fall Flat” Devs

Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley have launched Pretty Cool Games, a remote indie studio in the UK, with funding from Coreblazer, the investment arm of HyperGryph. The studio is developing its first project, a double-A, physics-based game focused on gameplay. The game draws inspiration from Nintendo, Hazelight, Disney theme parks, and classic physical comedy films. Despite challenges in the gaming industry, Pretty Cool Games is optimistic about the demand for innovative gaming experiences. The studio aims to create highly entertaining PC and console games, emphasizing creativity and quality, with a team experienced in developing successful titles.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

‘Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy’ Comes to PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S this October

Stormind Games will release Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy on October 27, 2026, for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Players will follow Susan as she searches for her missing daughter in a residence at the base of Mount Etna, encountering Stalkers and uncovering the origins of the Red Nun. The game introduces limited melee weapons and hypnosis powers for exploration and combat. The voice cast includes Cissy Jones and Maggie Robertson, with a soundtrack by Akira Yamaoka. Key features include survival against Stalkers, mastering hypnosis powers, a modern take on classic survival horror, exploring detailed environments, and uncovering the history of the Cristo Morente convent.

Tech Optimizer

August 18, 2026

Avira Antivirus Review 2026: Plans, Test Results, and Alternatives

Avira has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, with specific ratings as follows: Protection: 4.2/5, Performance: 3.9/5, Features: 4.6/5, Support: 4.0/5, and Value: 4.3/5. Pricing starts at .99 for the first year. Avira's detection rate is 99.96%, but it has a slower full scan time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds and flagged 12 false positives during testing. The software includes a free tier with a VPN, password manager, and software updater, while the paid version, Avira Prime, covers up to five devices for .99 in the first year. Avira Operations GmbH, based in Germany, was acquired by NortonLifeLock in 2021, forming Gen Digital. The software is considered safe and trustworthy, with a clean installation process and detailed privacy policy. Avira's free version offers real-time protection, web safety features, a firewall, and a limited VPN service, but lacks automatic patching and unlimited VPN data.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Steam Codes for Game of the Year Being Given Away for Free

On August 19, Lenovo Gaming will distribute free Steam codes for the 2012 game The Walking Dead, which won the Game of the Year award at the VGAs, surpassing titles like Mass Effect 3 and Dishonored. To claim a code, users must create a free Lenovo account and queue when the giveaway starts, with a 10-minute window to secure their key. The Walking Dead is an episodic adventure game based on Robert Kirkman's comic series, known for its interactive storytelling and decision-making mechanics.