cancellation Archives

AppWizard

October 10, 2026

Expect plenty more Silent Hill over the next few years, as Konami has plans for ‘second and third waves’ of new games in its revived horror series

Silent Hill has made a successful comeback after nearly ten years of inactivity, with three new titles released by Konami: Silent Hill 2 Remake, Silent Hill f, and Silent Hill: Townfall. These games have received positive reviews and are performing well in sales. Producer Motoi Okamoto expressed relief over the successful reception of these titles and highlighted the challenges faced in convincing Konami to approve new entries after the cancellation of Silent Hills in 2015. There is interest in remaking the original 1999 Silent Hill, and the involvement of NeoBards Entertainment and Screen Burn Interactive in future projects remains unconfirmed. Silent Hill f has been described as a "true return to form," and Screen Burn's work on Silent Hill: Townfall has been praised for capturing the essence of the franchise.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

The Cheese LAN online tournament united PC gaming enthusiasts in the US.

The inaugural Cheese LAN festival in Green Bay, Wisconsin, had 28 participants and was the first major networking event in the region in over a decade. It took place at the Beja Shriners' Hall, featuring 24 hours of continuous gaming with a dedicated power distribution board and a 2.5G local area network. The setup included switches for 10G SFP channels and three dedicated servers for game file distribution, achieving local download speeds over 1.6 Gbps. An air conditioning system maintained a temperature of around 21°C. Activities included Rocket League competitions, cheese-throwing minigames, and a secret tournament for Sewer Rave. Organizers provided complimentary energy drinks and a vending machine stocked with 16 liters of Sun Drop. Despite financial challenges, plans for the next Cheese LAN festival are set for July 2027, with a potential winter edition.

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

EU probes Minecraft and Candy Crush over hidden costs

EU consumer authorities are investigating nine major gaming companies over player spending transparency, particularly regarding the pressure on players to buy excessive virtual currency. The inquiry focuses on how these games communicate the costs of in-game purchases, with authorities advocating for clearer pricing and reduced pressure on players. Industry representatives argue that changes could lead to costly redesigns and affect game viability, especially for smaller developers. They propose solutions like tailored top-ups, smaller bundles, indicative real-money prices, and refunds for unused bundles. The CPC Network is applying existing laws, but concerns have been raised about extending these laws beyond permissible limits. Regulators are seeking clearer pricing, cancellation rights, and better protections for younger players, and may pursue national enforcement measures if issues remain unresolved.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

Your next Google Play subscription could work very differently

Google Play is introducing new subscription features aimed at AI applications and services with variable costs. These include Usage-Based Billing, allowing users to maintain a prepaid balance that replenishes automatically; Multi-Quantity Subscriptions for organizations to purchase multiple subscriptions in one transaction; Mixed Carts for offering auto-renewing subscriptions alongside one-time purchases; and Cross-Developer Bundling for selling complementary subscriptions from different developers as a single package. Additionally, Google is enhancing user retention through a Dynamic Grace Period for payment issues, Retention Offers during cancellation, and personalized winback offers for former subscribers. Many of these features are currently available or being rolled out through Google's Early Access Program.

AppWizard

September 28, 2026

Latest Xbox layoffs reportedly devastated Age of Empires developer and canceled its next game

World's Edge Studio, responsible for the Age of Empires franchise, underwent significant changes due to a recent restructuring within Xbox, resulting in nearly half of the studio's workforce being laid off, including former creative director Adam Isgreen. The reorganization led to the cancellation of their next project and a substantial reduction in staff. Isgreen expressed pride in the work accomplished during his tenure and highlighted the emotional toll of the layoffs. The situation raises concerns about Xbox's approach to its gaming divisions and reflects a broader pattern of restructuring within Microsoft.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online’s devs are pushing through hard times after layoffs and delays: ‘We didn’t want to rush to just hit a date’

The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) has faced significant challenges, including the cancellation of Project Blackbird in July 2025, which led to the layoff of 62 employees. In July 2026, Xbox's restructuring resulted in a reduction of 213 positions at Zenimax Online, shrinking the studio's workforce by approximately 60% within a year. Despite expressing optimism earlier in the year about refreshing animations and introducing new gameplay mechanics, the layoffs have led to the postponement of several updates until 2027. A representative from the development team emphasized the importance of maintaining quality over meeting deadlines.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Dwarves, Hitman GO, Hitman Sniper, more

Today's Google Play deals include: - Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot - Hitman GO - Hitman Sniper - Deus Ex GO - Metal Soldiers 4 Pro - Tower Defense: Epic Turret Pro Additionally, the following tech products are on sale: - Nothing CMF Buds Neo with Active Noise Cancellation - Nothing CMF Clip Pro at all-time low pricing - Galaxy Z Fold 8 with discounts of up to 0

AppWizard

September 21, 2026

First 5-day Tokyo Game Show in 30 years cuts back to 4 in face of Typhoon Dujuan

The Tokyo Game Show (TGS) has canceled its final day due to the impending arrival of Typhoon No. 25, concluding the event after four days instead of the planned five. Ticket holders for September 21 will receive refunds. The decision was made to prioritize the safety of attendees amid expected strong winds and heavy rainfall. Typhoon Dujuan is forecasted to bring nearly 16 inches of rain to the Kanto region, leading to numerous flight cancellations by Nippon Airways and service suspensions on several East Japan Railway lines.

Tech Optimizer

September 16, 2026

AI helps scammers build convincing antivirus renewal pages

Antivirus renewal scams often begin with messages claiming automatic subscription renewals, leading victims to counterfeit pages designed to collect personal information. These scams impersonate well-known brands and do not indicate that the sender has accessed the recipient's device. Responding to such messages can provide scammers with valuable data, including names and phone numbers, which can be sold or used for further scams. A specific scam site impersonating Avast targeted users in Belgium, falsely claiming a subscription renewal for €129.99. The site appeared polished and requested basic contact information without asking for sensitive data. It contained notes suggesting AI involvement in its creation, indicating it was a half-finished project. To identify antivirus renewal scams, individuals should verify any claimed charges directly with their bank, check subscriptions through official channels, be cautious of cancellation forms requesting phone numbers, treat follow-up calls as potential threats, and avoid installing remote access software. If engagement with a scam occurs, disconnect from the internet, remove any installed software, and change passwords. Tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard can help block malicious sites, and Scam Guard can analyze suspicious communications.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Are Free VPNs for Android Actually Worth Using

A free VPN for Android can improve internet privacy, especially on untrusted networks, but it has limitations, such as not guaranteeing complete anonymity or security. The VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the device and the server, protecting traffic from local monitoring but not ensuring overall security if poorly implemented. Changing your IP address does not guarantee anonymity, as account logins and tracking technologies can still identify users. Free VPNs may be suitable for low-risk tasks, like occasional browsing on public Wi-Fi, but they do not protect against malware or phishing. Providers often rely on alternative revenue sources, such as advertising or data sharing, which necessitates careful examination of their privacy policies. Free VPNs may have limitations like data caps, slower speeds, and fewer server options compared to paid services. Users should evaluate the provider’s background, privacy policy, permissions, and performance before installation. A paid VPN generally offers better reliability, support, and transparency, making it a safer choice for sensitive activities.