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AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Knight of the Old Republic 2 was great because it peeled back Star Wars’ black-and-white morality

Knights of the Old Republic II is a sequel that deconstructs its predecessor by exploring darker themes and the complexities of morality rather than adhering to a simple good versus evil narrative. Designer Chris Avellone challenges traditional Star Wars mythos, presenting players with the Exile, an outcast dealing with the consequences of past decisions. The game features a diverse cast, including Kreia, a mentor whose philosophy complicates the understanding of morality. Despite facing development challenges, such as a rushed timeline leading to technical issues and incomplete content, the game has been enhanced by the Sith Lords Restored Content mod, which restores missing material. Kreia is recognized as one of gaming's most compelling characters, and the game's writing and character development are praised, contributing to its legacy in video game history.
The database storage problem is solved. Here’s what comes next.
Tech Optimizer
June 25, 2026

The database storage problem is solved. Here’s what comes next.

Postgres has been a reliable transactional database for three decades, used for managing customer records and financial transactions. Innovations in the Postgres ecosystem are now focused on minimizing data movement rather than just data storage. The challenge of interoperability is becoming crucial, as organizations seek to share operational data seamlessly across various systems without creating additional copies or pipelines. Many organizations are spending as much effort on data movement as on data storage. Postgres is increasingly viewed as the authoritative system for critical information, and its role is evolving to facilitate better interaction with operational data. Technologies like logical replication and change data capture are enhancing Postgres's integration within data ecosystems. The rise of AI has highlighted the need for real-time access to operational data and has prompted organizations to reconsider the necessity of maintaining multiple copies of the same data. The database industry is shifting focus from optimizing storage to enabling effortless data sharing across systems. Postgres continues to adapt to new workloads and architectural patterns, maintaining its reputation as a stable foundation for operational data while expanding its capabilities through innovative extensions.
John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says 'Quake ruined id Software,' and for once John Romero doesn't tell Sandy he's wrong
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

John Carmack apologizes after Sandy Petersen says ‘Quake ruined id Software,’ and for once John Romero doesn’t tell Sandy he’s wrong

The 30th anniversary of Quake on June 22, 2026, led to reflections from its creators, particularly Sandy Petersen and John Carmack. Petersen stated, "Quake ruined id Software," acknowledging the game's achievements but highlighting the intense workload that drained the team. Carmack described the project as "overly ambitious technically" and admitted to pushing the team too hard, recognizing the need for a more balanced approach to ownership and work environment. He noted that the original corporate stock arrangement created poor incentives. Petersen mentioned that working in a large room eliminated spaces for relaxation, contributing to team stress. John Romero echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the culture at id Software and praising designer American McGee's contributions. The founders recognized their past mistakes while appreciating the legacy of their work, with id Software continuing to thrive with franchises like Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.
Marie Android is a 3D action game in which the cute heroine can get absolutely shredded 
BetaBeacon
June 25, 2026

Marie Android is a 3D action game in which the cute heroine can get absolutely shredded 

Marie Android is a 3D action-adventure game developed by Jinbey Aoyama, set to be released this summer. Players control a small robot named Marie with unique powers, such as transforming into a tank or flattening herself. The game involves solving puzzles and combat, with each section of the map presenting different challenges that players must master to progress. Aoyama, who has been active as a VTuber since 2018 under the name Marie Android, is working on the game solo, with virtual singer Pochi Korone lending her voice talents to the project.
Google’s new rules for the app store will allow alternative billing next week
AppWizard
June 25, 2026

Google’s new rules for the app store will allow alternative billing next week

Google is overhauling its app store billing structure, moving away from the 30 percent commission rate. A tiered fee system will be introduced, allowing developers to potentially receive direct payments from users. Developers earning over one million dollars annually will have a reduced rate of 20 percent on new in-app purchases and 10 percent on subscriptions. Google is launching two new initiatives, the Games Level Up and Apps Experience programs, to reward developers who meet specific performance benchmarks and guidelines. Changes to the billing system will roll out in phases, with updates expected by the end of September 2026 and full implementation by September 30, 2027.
Steam Machine: Hardly any cheaper gaming PCs, 8 GiByte is enough
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Steam Machine: Hardly any cheaper gaming PCs, 8 GiByte is enough

PCGH and PC Games discussed the new Steam Machine with Valve's Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat. The final cost of the Steam Machine exceeded initial expectations due to unforeseen supply chain challenges related to memory and storage. Aldehayyat expressed pride in the product's quality and performance, despite its higher price point potentially excluding some buyers. Yang mentioned that future price adjustments could be considered if market conditions allow. The SteamOS does not currently support dual booting, but users can set up dual boot systems using external media. Valve is collaborating with anti-cheat providers like Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye to implement solutions for Linux. The Steam Machine is equipped with 8 GB of VRAM, which Aldehayyat believes is sufficient for most games at 1080p resolution. A verification program for the Steam Machine will be implemented, similar to that of the Steam Deck, ensuring better performance for verified games.
Waiting for GTA 6's PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops, based on my wading through GTA 5's editions soup
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Waiting for GTA 6’s PC release might save you dropping an extra $20 for access to some special shops, based on my wading through GTA 5’s editions soup

On June 24th, Rockstar Games announced details about GTA 6, which will not be available on PC at launch. The PC version of GTA 5 was released on April 14, 2015, a year and a half after the console version, featuring enhancements and additional content not available in the original release. The PC version has since become the definitive experience for GTA 5, with many features from special editions of the console version eventually included, though some content was made purchasable. For GTA 6, the ultimate edition will include exclusive access to five shops, raising concerns about whether PC players will have access to these features without additional costs. The landscape of game monetization has changed, and there are questions about whether PC players will miss out on exclusive content due to platform choice. Players of the standard edition may face disadvantages in accessing certain shops only available to premium purchasers.
'Don't blame yourselves' for Destiny 2's end, community lead tells players: 'No words can accurately depict how lucky we are to have shared these worlds with you'
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

‘Don’t blame yourselves’ for Destiny 2’s end, community lead tells players: ‘No words can accurately depict how lucky we are to have shared these worlds with you’

Destiny 2 has released its final update, marking the end of support for the game. Bungie's management has faced criticism regarding the game's decline, with players expressing frustration over various decisions. Bungie's communications lead, Dylan Gafner, reassured the community that players should not blame themselves for the game's trajectory. The studio has dealt with backlash and threats from players, leading to a reduction in communications and legal action against an abusive player in 2023, resulting in a 0,000 judgment. Despite challenges, most of the community has expressed frustrations respectfully.
Pixel testers are getting Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5: this is what's important
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Pixel testers are getting Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5: this is what’s important

Google has released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, which includes the June security patch and fixes for disappearing widgets. The update is available for enrolled Pixel devices with the build number vCP31.260608.007. It addresses issues related to the Game Dashboard, download functionalities, and camera corrections. Despite these improvements, Pixel users have reported problems with 5G connectivity and display performance. The previous Beta 4 introduced May's security enhancements and a new feature called Screen Reactions for content creators. Users experiencing issues are encouraged to report them through the Issue Tracker.
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