Beta branch Archives

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

Valve’s new Steam Deck update doesn’t promise much, but classic Call of Duty games could see some real performance gains

The January 8 SteamOS beta update introduces a feature called ntsync, which provides kernel-level support for a driver that enhances Windows game performance on Linux systems, particularly for the Steam Deck. This update may improve performance for older titles in the Call of Duty franchise and other classic games. Testing on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare showed minor frame rate improvements when using the ntsync-enabled Proton-GE fork, stabilizing frame rates around 135-144 FPS compared to 130-140 FPS on the fsync build. Users have reported that issues like framerate drops and graphical glitches in Call of Duty Black Ops have been resolved with the new Proton-GE/ntsync combination. To utilize these improvements, users can opt into the SteamOS 3.7.20 beta branch and install the latest Proton-GE version via the Proton Up-Qt app.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Finally! The Steam Deck can now download games in a new ‘display-off, low-power’ mode before automatically going to sleep

Valve has introduced a feature for the Steam Deck that allows users to download games while the device's screen is turned off. This feature is available in the beta version of the Steam Deck client and activates automatically when the device is plugged in. Users can initiate downloads and press the power button to continue downloading with the screen off, entering a low-power mode. In this mode, users can check download progress by pressing any button or moving the device. If the device is unplugged and the battery drops below 20%, it will automatically enter sleep mode to prevent data corruption during downloads. This feature is expected to move from the beta version to the stable version of SteamOS within the next month.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Hollow Knight Silksong’s second patch in a week makes much-requested tool buff and overhauls review-bombed localization

Patch 4 for Hollow Knight Silksong has entered public beta on Steam, introducing enhancements to controller support and a preliminary Simplified Chinese translation. The update improves the Multibinder tool, allowing players to regain two masks per use and effectively clear Muckmaggots. It also addresses issues with the Multibinder's bind time when used with the Shaman crest and fixes instances where Hornet could lose her 'plasmified' state during Bellway travel. The update includes support for Dualsense Edge and Mac controllers, transitioning to Unity's input system for better performance. The Simplified Chinese script is a basic implementation, with plans for further refinement based on player feedback. Patch 4 is identified as update 1.0.28954, and players are encouraged to review the patch notes for additional tweaks and fixes.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Upcoming Silksong patch will make the early game easier and the mid-game cheaper—nerfing 2 bosses and shoring up its stingy rosary economy

Next week, Silksong will release its first patch (1.0.28470), which includes a playable beta branch on Steam. The patch features a slight difficulty reduction for early game bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter, and a reduction in damage from Sandcarvers, changing their damage from two masks to one. The patch notes also list various bug fixes and enhancements, including: - Fix for players remaining cloakless after the Slab escape sequence. - Fix for the Infestation Operation not being completable during the late game. - Fix for the Beast in the Bells not being completable when summoned at the Bilewater Bellway during the late game. - Fix for getting stuck floating after down-bouncing on certain projectiles. - Fix for inaccessible courier deliveries in Act 3. - Fix for craft bind behaving incorrectly in memories. - Fix for Lace tool deflect soft-lock at the start of battle in Deep Docks. - Fix for Silk Snippers in Chapel of the Reaper getting stuck out of bounds. - Fix for Claw Mirrors leaving Hornet inverted after taking damage during a specific moment. - Fix for Snitch Pick not giving rosaries and shell shards as intended. - Removal of float override input (down + jump after Faydown Cloak). - Slight increase in pea pod collider scale. - Slight reduction in mid-game Bellway and Bell Bench prices. - Slight increase in rosary rewards from relics and psalm cylinders. - Increase in rosary rewards for courier deliveries. All fixes will apply retroactively, and a second patch with further fixes is already in development.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Minecraft Preview Update 1.21.120.20 Now Live via Patch 1.85/1.068

The latest update for Minecraft, version 1.21.120.20, has been released across all platforms, recognized as version 1.85/1.068 for console users. This patch includes new features and bug fixes, such as: - Tadpoles now spawn directly beneath Frogspawn blocks. - Players can now destroy valid blocks in Adventure Mode positioned behind water. - Redstone power can now be added or removed from the Shelf, emitting vibrations. - Fixed the Damage Command for Ender Crystals and corrected the /locate biome command. - Improved loading of text for Sign blocks from older worlds. - World creation will redownload missing Marketplace templates. - Adjustments made to the first-person camera when climbing blocks. - Restored Java parity for ambient occlusion calculations on partial blocks. - TAA upscaling implemented for weather effects. - Suspicious Stew is now available in Creative Mode. - Defeated Chicken Jockeys drop the Lava Chicken music disc. - Copper Golem drops its carried item when interacted with while the player holds an item in their offhand. - Sounds for Copper Chests now utilize a natural attenuation curve. - User interface improvements, including accurate cursor positioning in text fields and updated messaging for sleeping. - Structures will no longer build atop features like trees at chunk borders. - Developers can set the version property to “beta” for module selection. - Fixed various bugs related to graphics modes, loot generation, and item rendering. Mojang has not yet updated the retail version of Minecraft.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Latest Google Messages bug gives you two (or three) app icons

In the latest Google Messages beta update (version v20250811), users are experiencing a bug that causes multiple identical app icons to appear in their app drawer. This issue is linked to a recent change by Google that introduced an android.intent.category.LAUNCHER intent filter in an additional activity, resulting in duplicate icons for the messaging app. Some users have reported seeing two or even three identical icons. The package name for both the beta and stable versions remains the same, indicating that the extra icons are not due to a mix-up with the stable release. A fix for this bug is expected in a future beta update.

AppWizard

August 13, 2025

Minecraft Preview Update 1.82/1.065 Houses Block Bug Fixes via Version 1.21.110.23

The Minecraft Preview update 1.82/1.065 was released on August 12, bringing various bug fixes and enhancements. Key features include: - Extended pick block functionality for all LightBlock variations. - New definitions added for various types of planks and slabs. - Fixed shelf comparator signal functionality and item interaction in Creative Mode. - Introduced new Copper items: Copper Torch, Copper Bars, Copper Chain, and Copper Lantern, all of which oxidize over time. - Resolved sound issues with Copper Chests. - Fixed issues with the Copper Golem statue and its interactions. - Improved Lightning Rods to emit signals correctly when struck by lightning. - Resolved visual issues with Wolf Armor and added food recognition for Foxes. - Adjusted Copper Golem behavior regarding block counting and item transport. - General improvements in frozen river chunk blending. - User interface updates including correct functionality for the /hud command and action bar message enhancements. - Added Text-to-Speech support for dressing room pages. Some known issues remain unresolved after this patch.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

Peak’s latest beta patch ensures the cooperative climbing sim actually checks players are alive when they reach the summit of its mountain: ‘You no longer win if you die’

Cooperative climbing game Peak has released an update to its Steam beta branch, patch 0.8.d, which includes new items and quality of life enhancements. A notable fix addresses a gameplay contradiction where players previously won even after dying; now, players must be alive and have reached the peak to win. The update also introduces a setting to reduce camera bob, allows players to pause during offline play, and adds new music for sunrises and sunsets. Two new items, a flying disc and binoculars, have been added to the crash site. Additionally, the patch fixes issues with poisonous parasites, adjusts Napberry plants, resolves rare achievement triggers, and addresses black screens in spectator mode. The beta branch offers different maps that refresh every 24 hours.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Steam now warns you if that early access game you’re eyeing up has been abandoned by its devs

Steam has introduced a new feature for early access games that displays a highlighted note on store pages when a game has not received updates for an extended period, specifically after approximately 12 months of inactivity. This notification informs users about the duration since the last update and warns that developer information may no longer be current. An example is the game Cavern Kings, which has not been updated in eight years. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of this system, as seen with Heartbound, which recently received a patch for its beta branch but is labeled as having not been updated for over 13 months. Steam does not currently recognize beta updates as valid updates.

Winsage

November 14, 2024

Microsoft is shutting down this Windows feature five months after it was announced

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of the Windows 10 Beta branch, transitioning users to the Release Preview Channel as the sole testing channel for Windows 10. Users can manually switch channels through "Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program." This decision aligns with Microsoft's focus on Windows 11, while still allowing users to retain familiar Windows 10 features during the transition.