banter

AppWizard
July 9, 2025
The Great Hobbit Run is an event in Lord of the Rings Online initiated by Twitch streamer BurkeBlack, where level one hobbits attempt to sprint from Bilbo Baggins' home to Mount Doom. On July 8, 2025, between 150 and 200 players participated, with 40 to 50 completing the journey despite challenges like time constraints and the threat of death. Upon reaching Mount Doom, participants encountered confusion about the correct path, leading to a celebratory moment but revealing that the mission was not fully accomplished. BurkeBlack plans to host the event again in 2026, aiming for a larger crowd.
AppWizard
June 21, 2025
A Minecraft Movie is now available for streaming on HBO Max and various VOD platforms, including Amazon Prime Video. The film, inspired by the best-selling video game, has become a cultural phenomenon in 2025, grossing an impressive 0 million globally. Jack Black stars as Steve, a former doorknob salesman who discovers a cube-shaped orb that transports him to the Overworld of Minecraft. He creates a sanctuary but is captured by Piglins, prompting him to send his wolf companion, Dennis, back to protect the orb. The orb eventually reaches Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa, who is trying to revive his vintage video game shop. The plot also involves siblings Henry and Natalie, who arrive in Chuglass, Idaho, and get caught up in Garrett's quest while learning about mining and crafting. The film features quirky humor and offbeat character interactions reminiscent of director Jared Hess's previous works. Jennifer Coolidge plays a spacey school vice principal, adding comedic value to the film. Audience reactions vary, with younger viewers enjoying its chaotic energy and meme-inspired humor, while some find it perplexing. Despite visual shortcomings and a sometimes haphazard plot, the film elicits laughter and joy, contributing to its cultural impact.
AppWizard
June 20, 2025
New movies available for streaming include "A Minecraft Movie" on Max, featuring Jason Momoa and Jennifer Coolidge, and "Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical" on Disney+, starring Samantha Barks. The documentary "Sally," about NASA pioneer Sally Ride, is available on Disney+ and Hulu. The BBC docuseries "Walking with Dinosaurs" has been revived and is available on PBS. The action-comedy series "Peacemaker," starring John Cena, is available on Max. "The Accountant 2," featuring Ben Affleck, is now streaming on Prime Video.
Winsage
June 17, 2025
Test builds of Windows 11 have encountered a bug that changes the startup sound to the Windows Vista (and Windows 7) melody instead of the expected Windows 11 sound. This issue was highlighted by a Windows tester named Xeno and confirmed by Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc, who noted it as a glitch. The bug appears to have resulted from someone experimenting with the sound files.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.
AppWizard
May 15, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts' 2025 NFL schedule release video, featuring Minecraft-inspired humor and jabs at league figures, was removed shortly after its debut. A notable joke involved a portrayal of a Tyreek Hill dolphin being "arrested" by the Coast Guard, which has led to speculation about the video's removal due to its controversial nature. The full video, including the dolphin joke, is still available online.
Winsage
April 4, 2025
Microsoft's 50th anniversary featured co-founder Bill Gates, former CEO Steve Ballmer, and current CEO Satya Nadella, with an interview conducted by the AI assistant Copilot. The event included humorous exchanges where Copilot roasted the CEOs, prompting lighthearted responses from them. Microsoft also launched new website pages to document its history and vision for the future, reflecting on its growth and innovations since its founding in 1975.
AppWizard
March 25, 2025
Jack Black and Jason Momoa discussed their different experiences with video games in an interview. Black shared his immersive experience with Red Dead Redemption Part Two, playing it for 400 hours during the pandemic, while Momoa expressed caution about gaming due to his addictive personality. He reminisced about playing Street Fighter, favoring characters Ryu and Blanka. The development of A Minecraft Movie has been lengthy, initially announced in February 2014, facing production delays and changes in directors. Originally set for a May 2019 release with a budget of 0 million, the film's progress was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography began in January 2024 in Auckland, New Zealand, after delays from the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film aims to combine live-action with advanced visual effects to create a realistic representation of Minecraft. Black and Momoa have developed a strong friendship during production, with both actors promoting the film together. A Minecraft Movie is scheduled to be released on April 4, 2025.
AppWizard
March 21, 2025
A new installment in the Painkiller series, developed by Anshar Studios and published by 3D Realms, was announced during the Future Games Show Spring Showcase. The original Painkiller, released in 2004 by People Can Fly, is recognized as a classic first-person shooter known for its level design, weaponry, and heavy metal soundtracks. The new game will feature four distinct characters with unique abilities, a collectible system with Tarot cards, and reimagined enemies, while retaining classic weapons like the Painkiller. The game is set to launch in the fall and is currently available for wishlisting on Steam.
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