backlash Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Party Animals’ $75,000 AI video contest is a slap in the face to its creative team, and I’m not surprised it’s getting blasted on Steam

Recreate Games announced an AI video contest called the 'Golden Paw Awards' for players to create short films using generative AI tools, which has led to significant backlash from the community. The contest offers a cash prize of ,000 but has faced criticism for its reliance on AI-generated content, resulting in over 800 unfavorable reviews and a 'Mostly Negative' classification for recent reviews of Party Animals. In response to the negative feedback, Recreate Games issued an apology and proposed three options: canceling the contest, changing it to a non-AI competition, or keeping both AI and non-AI categories. The studio emphasized that they view AI as a tool for creative expression, but this explanation has not alleviated community disappointment.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Former Windows boss reveals why modern Windows 11 apps feel slower, says Microsoft once gave every engineer a stopwatch

Steven Sinofsky, former head of the Windows Division at Microsoft, discussed the company's engineering culture and its focus on resource management from 1980 to 2000, where every engineer was given a physical stopwatch to measure various performance metrics. This practice emphasized optimizing software for speed and efficiency, a stark contrast to modern applications that consume significant RAM due to shifts in market dynamics and hardware advancements. The current trend prioritizes rapid feature deployment over optimization, leading to performance issues in applications. Microsoft is responding to criticism by enhancing the performance of Windows 11, focusing on native desktop applications and optimizing core components, including the Start menu and File Explorer. They are also testing new CPU scheduling profiles to reduce micro-lags during user interactions.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

‘We want to start today by apologising’: Phasmophobia is fixing issues with its Player Character update after a slew of complaints

Phasmophobia's recent update, the Player Character Update, has caused significant dissatisfaction among players, leading developers to issue a public apology for not meeting expectations. Players reported issues like misaligned character animations and awkward leg movements, with some experiencing motion sickness due to stuttering when using video cameras. The update aimed to refresh the game before a collaboration with Alan Wake, but many players preferred the original characters. Developers recognized the need to rebuild trust with the community and promised to improve transparency regarding future updates as they work towards the game's 1.0 release. Although the latest patch fixed some issues, players remain wary due to a history of inadequate updates followed by quick fixes.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release won’t need to accommodate other game releases, director says—except GTA 6: ‘That’s a Goliath I don’t want to take on quite frankly’

Jonathan Rogers, the director of Path of Exile, discussed his approach to scheduling major updates for the game, noting that the timing of other game releases rarely affects their schedule. He emphasized the strong relationship with the community, stating that they would face backlash if they delayed updates due to other game launches. Path of Exile 2 is expected to release around the same time as Grand Theft Auto 6, which launches on November 19. While Rogers does not plan to delay Path of Exile 2, he recognizes the significance of GTA 6's release. He believes that a slight buffer between the two games could help maintain momentum for Path of Exile 2. Chris Wilson, co-creator of Path of Exile, humorously compared the situation to a "David versus Goliath" dynamic, to which Rogers acknowledged the challenge posed by Rockstar Games.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Lies of P dev is hiring an “AI creator” who can “combine the creativity of artists with the productivity of AI”

Round8, the studio known for the game Lies of P, is seeking an "AI Creator" to join its Game Art and Creative team. The role focuses on integrating generative AI technology to improve art production efficiency and enhance visual quality. Responsibilities include creating character and background concept drafts, using tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, integrating AI tools into existing workflows, AI-based texturing and upscaling, and staying updated on generative AI trends. The studio is considering the use of AI-generated artwork for upcoming projects.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Jewish teen subjected to antisemitic slurs on Minecraft, inquiry told

A Perth teenager shared his experience of online bullying during a Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion hearing, detailing how classmates hurled antisemitic slurs at him while playing Minecraft. He felt isolated and distressed, confiding in his parents, who reported the bullying to the school. The school addressed the situation, leading to apologies from the students involved. The boy's mother expressed concerns about rising antisemitism, drawing parallels to her past experiences in the former Yugoslavia. Rabbi Menachem Dadon honored his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in a shooting attack. Julie Nathan from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents from 2023 to 2024, with over 1,600 incidents recorded in the past year. Musician Joshua Moshe faced online abuse after discussing Jewish history in a WhatsApp group, leading to threats and vandalism. Musician Deborah Conway experienced backlash and harassment after comments about military actions in Gaza, resulting in canceled gigs and protests. The Royal Commission continues to investigate antisemitism, having received over 9,600 submissions, primarily from Jewish individuals.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

Microsoft denies Windows 11 CPU boost trick is a lazy fix, says Apple does this and you love it

The Low Latency Profile feature in Windows 11 temporarily increases CPU frequency to improve responsiveness for high-priority tasks, benefiting even low-powered virtual machines. It is currently available in Windows 11 Insider builds and aims to optimize performance with minimal impact on battery life and thermal performance. Critics have labeled it a "band-aid" solution for a bloated operating system, while Microsoft’s VP Scott Hanselman defended it as a standard practice in modern operating systems. He noted that the feature is particularly effective on ARM architecture, such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, and explained that the complexity of contemporary Start menus requires more processing power than older versions. Microsoft is working to streamline the Start menu while also enhancing performance through the Low Latency Profile.

Tech Optimizer

May 10, 2026

Avast Antivirus: What US Users Need to Know Right Now

Avast Antivirus is a widely used security tool for Windows, macOS, and Android in the U.S., functioning primarily as a real-time malware scanner that protects against threats like viruses and ransomware. The free version for Windows includes on-access scanning and web-shield protection, while paid versions offer additional features such as a firewall, ransomware shield, and VPN. On macOS, it focuses on malware detection and web protection, and on Android, it includes app-permission monitoring and device location features. Avast has faced criticism for its data-collection practices, particularly its past monetization of user data through a subsidiary, Jumpshot, which was discontinued in 2020. Despite improvements, it still collects telemetry and usage data. Avast is suitable for users looking for an easy-to-use antivirus solution at low cost, particularly those using Windows PCs for everyday tasks. However, it may not be ideal for privacy-conscious users or those with older hardware, as it can slow down system performance. Avast competes with other antivirus providers like Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky, each offering various features and performance levels. The company is a subsidiary of Gen Digital, which consolidates multiple cybersecurity brands, and its growth potential is influenced by user retention and regulatory scrutiny. Users should weigh their priorities regarding cost, privacy, and performance when deciding on antivirus solutions.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

Riot clarifies Trainwreck’s Valorant ban: “This wasn’t just a five-stack with friends on their own accounts”

Riot Games imposed a month-long ban on Tyler Faraz Nikam, known as 'Trainwreck,' due to his association with an Immortal player who was using smurf accounts, which raised concerns about the integrity of five-stack play in Valorant. Riot's anti-cheat team clarified that the ban resulted from a specific player's actions during Trainwreck's gaming session, which violated the Terms of Service. Trainwreck played with several streamers, including Jay 'Sinatraa' Won and Michael 'Dapr' Gulino, and expressed confusion over the ban, suggesting it was targeted. Riot emphasized that the issue was not with Trainwreck's high-ranking companions but with a player who had a history of infractions and was using multiple lower-ranked smurf accounts, achieving an 80% win rate over 50 games. This behavior contravened Riot's terms regarding account boosting. Trainwreck defended himself, stating that most players in his stacks were on their main accounts and questioned the legitimacy verification of his teammates' accounts. Riot clarified that the violation stemmed from a repeat offender manipulating matchmaking by borrowing accounts to achieve a lower rank, skewing the competitive environment.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Lidl respond to heavy customer criticism at app ‘downgrade’

Lidl has introduced the Lidl Plus Points scheme, which has received backlash from customers who feel it has downgraded their shopping experience. Previously, customers needed to spend £10 to earn a free bakery item, but under the new system, they must spend £70. Many loyal shoppers have expressed their intention to switch to other supermarkets, citing dissatisfaction with the points system. In defense, a Lidl spokesperson stated that the company is investing more in the Lidl Plus app and personalized coupons. Customers can earn more than 1 point per £1 spent through various promotions and will receive 100 free Points upon the scheme's launch.