building Archives

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Why governments worldwide are abandoning Windows for homegrown Linux alternatives

Windows is the most widely used desktop operating system, but Linux is gaining popularity among government entities globally, driven by a desire for independence from Western software due to geopolitical tensions. France plans to transition government workstations from Windows to Linux as part of a broader European movement for digital sovereignty, with the national police force having migrated 97% of its computers to a customized version of Ubuntu called GendBuntu. Germany is also adopting Linux, with Munich creating a customized distribution called LiMuX and other states like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern shifting to open-source platforms like Nextcloud. In Russia, the government is deploying Astra Linux to reduce reliance on Microsoft products following the Ukraine conflict. China is promoting Kylin OS, a Linux-based system, to achieve software self-sufficiency after the end of support for Windows 10. Governments are increasingly turning to Linux to diminish dependence on American technology and foster digital autonomy.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword review

Miyamoto Musashi is the central character in Capcom's upcoming game, Way of the Sword, set to release on September 3, 2026, for £60. The game features a physics-driven combat system that emphasizes parrying and timing, with players building a "burning" meter to increase damage. Notable encounters include battles against a demon named Byakue. The game allows for straightforward controls while encouraging players to utilize environmental elements strategically. Musashi's Oni Armaments serve as secondary weapons that add depth to combat. The visuals are impressive, particularly on high-end hardware, achieving 120 fps, and the narrative explores Musashi's evolution as a warrior.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

New Steam Game Beats Resident Evil Requiem as Best Horror Game of 2026

Desktop Explorer has emerged as the top-rated horror game of 2026, surpassing Resident Evil Requiem, both scoring 89 on Metacritic. Desktop Explorer is ranked 7th among the highest-rated games of the year, while Resident Evil Requiem is 8th. Released on July 17, Desktop Explorer was developed by Recurring Dream and published by Outersloth and Indienova. It has a 96% approval rating from 1,669 user reviews on Steam, earning the “Overwhelmingly Positive” designation. The game involves a narrative where players investigate a missing person using an old PC inherited from an uncle, which includes a mysterious puzzle game also titled Desktop Explorer. It is available on PC and marked as “Playable” on Steam Deck.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

New Roguelikes & Roguelites in September 2026: The Monthly Update

- Serious Sam: Shatterverse was released on August 31 for PC (Win). - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault was released on September 2 for PC (Win), PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox. - Cosmo Tales entered Early Access on September 3 for PC (Win). - Rutrum was released on September 3 for PC (Win). - Mewgenics was released on September 8 for PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series. - Wanderburg entered Early Access on September 8 for PC (Win). - Ex Sanguis entered Early Access on September 10 for PC (Win). - Roguecraft DX was released on September 10 for PC (Win). - Forsworn was released on September 10 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fresh Tracks VR was released on September 10 for PC VR. - Shroom and Gloom entered Early Access on September 11 for PC (Mac, Win). - Dunebound Tactics was released on September 14 for PC (Win). - Cloudbreaker was released on September 15 for PC (Lin, Win). - Fleetbreakers entered Early Access on September 15 for PC (Win). - Sublight was released on September 15 for PC (Win). - Two Sides of Hell was released on September 17 for PC (Win). - Furyball: Rogue Revenge entered Early Access on September 23 for PC (Win). - Stick It to the Stickman was released on September 23 for PC (Win).

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

All the key details on HoYo’s co-op monster slayer Nodusfall

Nodusfall is a co-op action game developed by miHoYo, blending elements from Elden Ring and Monster Hunter. Players can pre-register for future beta opportunities. The game features dark fantasy visuals and co-op combat mechanics, allowing players to battle mythical creatures inspired by various mythologies. Players assume the role of a "Weaver," tasked with restoring order to a continent plagued by the "Dreadnodi." The game will include diverse landscapes and is designed for up to four players to collaborate against formidable bosses. Unique features include powerful "Divine Skills," cinematic finishing moves, and a focus on squad diversity. Players can switch roles and loadouts freely, enhancing gameplay variety. Nodusfall does not feature character gacha mechanics; characters are earned through gameplay, though cosmetic monetization may be included.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Install Windows 11 on Steam Deck OLED: 12 Steps [2026]

The Steam Deck OLED has limitations in running certain Windows applications and games, particularly those with kernel-level anti-cheat systems. Valve has provided an official Windows driver bundle for the OLED model since 2024, and by 2026, a community-developed process for dual-booting Windows 11 alongside SteamOS has emerged. Running Windows 11 may be necessary for games that do not perform well on SteamOS, especially competitive titles. The Steam Deck OLED requires specific prerequisites for dual-booting, including a fully charged device, updated SteamOS, sufficient free storage, a Windows 11 license, and a USB flash drive for installation. Users must follow a detailed installation process that includes updating SteamOS, creating a recovery drive, downloading Windows 11, and configuring the system for dual-booting. Common pitfalls include skipping the recovery drive and under-allocating storage for Windows. Battery life on Windows is shorter than on SteamOS, and users should be aware of this when deciding to dual-boot. The dual-boot setup does not void the warranty, and it is possible to revert to a SteamOS-only setup later.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros isn’t even out yet and it already feels ancient

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros is an RTS game set to release in 2027, inspired by HBO's series. The game revisits the struggle for the Iron Throne, allowing players to command characters like Kit Harington's Jon Snow and listen to narration by Charles Dance. Gameplay involves constructing buildings, generating resources, training troops, and capturing territories, but it primarily features standard infantry units like spearmen and swordsmen. Only two factions, the Starks and Lannisters, are available in the preview, with the Starks able to deploy direwolves and the Lannisters focusing on economic strategies. The game lacks the excitement and complexity found in other RTS titles, feeling straightforward and uninspired, with gameplay that does not leverage the source material's strengths.

AppWizard

August 27, 2026

Poppy Playtime studio reveals its next survival horror game, and this time it’s co-op

Mob Entertainment has announced a new game titled Escape from Playtime, which allows 1 to 4 players to participate in a cooperative horror adventure set in the Playtime Co. toy factory. Players will encounter characters like Huggy Wuggy while navigating the factory's corridors. The game is scheduled for early access on Steam and aims to enhance the gameplay experience with cooperative mechanics, building on the success of its predecessor, Poppy Playtime. An announcement trailer was showcased at the Future Games Show during gamescom 2026 and is available for viewing on Steam.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

Windows 11 Will Now Let Android Smartphone Users Shutdown Or Restart Their Systems Remotely Using The Native Phone Link App

Microsoft's Phone Link app for Windows 11 is set to introduce a feature allowing Android users to remotely shut down or restart their Windows 11 machines. Code findings indicate the presence of a "RemoteControlManager" component, along with labels confirming functionalities for initiating a "Restart" or "Shut down" from smartphones. Additional features may include the ability to perform updates remotely. A sleep feature is also in development, but it will prevent users from restarting or shutting down their devices until they unlock their computers. There is currently no official timeline for the rollout of these updates.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

GBA Emulator Android: My Boy! vs John GBAC vs RetroArch

Game Boy Advance emulation on Android has gained significant traction in 2026, with key applications like My Boy! priced at .99, John GBAC receiving an update on May 19, 2026, and RetroArch enhancing its mGBA core for free use. The search term "gba emulator android" sees around 8,100 monthly searches in the U.S., reflecting a resurgence in interest, particularly among former GBA owners now in their late 20s and 30s who prefer using their smartphones for gaming. All five apps—My Boy!, GBA.emu, John GBAC, RetroArch, and Lemuroid—can run the entire GBA library at full speed on devices from the last six years. The main differences lie in software quality, including save state management, cheat code reliability, controller mapping, and update frequency. My Boy! and GBA.emu utilize cores derived from VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), while John GBAC uses a custom core, and RetroArch and Lemuroid rely on the mGBA core. In terms of features, all apps support save states, but My Boy! offers multiple named slots with thumbnail previews, while RetroArch has a more complex system. Cheat code support is available across the board, with My Boy! and GBA.emu accepting GameShark and CodeBreaker formats, and RetroArch providing a built-in cheat database. My Boy! stands out for its link-cable emulation, allowing local multiplayer connections, whereas RetroArch's netplay is designed for online gaming. All apps support external controllers, but RetroArch excels in visual enhancements with its extensive shader options. The setup process for all five apps is similar and typically takes under ten minutes. GBA ROMs are small, ranging from 4MB to 32MB, making them easy to store on modern devices without significant battery drain. Common issues include save files not loading, audio problems, and cheat codes failing to apply, with solutions often involving file management and settings adjustments. Users can migrate save files between emulators by ensuring the correct file naming and directory structure. Pros and cons of each app include: - My Boy!: Ad-free, strong multiplayer support, but lower rating and closed-source. - GBA.emu: High rating and broad support, but outdated and lacks a free trial. - John GBAC: Free and recently updated, but lower rating and ad-supported. - RetroArch: Free and feature-rich, but complex setup. - Lemuroid: User-friendly and actively maintained, but limited shader options. All five apps are legally available on Google Play, as they do not distribute copyrighted ROM files. Users are advised to source their ROMs legally, ideally by dumping from their own physical cartridges. GBA emulation remains an accessible entry point into retro gaming on Android, especially compared to more demanding systems like the PS2 or GameCube.