classification Archives

AppWizard

September 13, 2026

Upcoming vampire RPG Nighthawks has been removed from Steam search and delisted in certain countries as Valve classifies it Adults Only: ‘It’s very bad news for us’

Nighthawks, a vampire RPG from Wadjet Eye Games, has been classified as 'Adults Only' by Steam, resulting in its removal from search results and delisting in regions like Germany. Wadjet Eye's CEO, Dave Gilbert, criticized Steam's decision, arguing that the game’s content is not pornographic. The Adults Only label negatively impacts their launch strategy, especially in key markets, and the team is uncertain about the reasons for the classification. Valve's policies on adult content complicate the situation, as developers must navigate ambiguous guidelines. Richard Cobbett, the game's creator, expressed hope that Valve will reverse the decision before the planned launch on September 22.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Critical Windows BitLocker Flaw Sparks Urgent Patch

On September 8, 2026, Microsoft disclosed a security vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-69449, related to a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows BitLocker component, allowing authorized attackers to execute code on compromised machines. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-122, and is assessed as “Exploitation Less Likely.” It affects Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server versions from 2012 to 2025. The fixes are included in cumulative updates KB5124008, KB5124012, KB5122878, and KB5122871. No public disclosure or observed exploitation occurred before the patch's release. The flaw allows for remote code execution through in-network attacks, primarily posing a risk to insiders. Affected systems include various versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server, applicable to both x64 and ARM64 architectures. Administrators should verify installed build numbers to ensure updates have been applied. The advisory does not specify which BitLocker code path is affected or the nature of the input that reaches the vulnerable buffer.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

More Android apps could soon save you from sending accidental nudes

Google is enhancing Android's Photo Picker by integrating its on-device Sensitive Content Warning system, which aims to prevent users from unintentionally sharing explicit content like nudity through third-party applications. This system has already been implemented in Google Messages, where it detects and blurs explicit images and videos while keeping user data private. Recent code discoveries in the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 4 indicate that this feature will be integrated into the Photo Picker, allowing apps to check for nudity in selected media before sharing. This integration could help protect users, especially minors, from sharing inappropriate content and may include age-based restrictions for applications using the Photo Picker. However, users can still bypass these safeguards by sending images directly as files.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Microsoft accidentally admits new Outlook looks bad

Microsoft has introduced a new setting in Outlook on the web and Outlook for Windows that allows users to modify the interface to resemble the classic Outlook. This optional feature aims to ease the transition for users familiar with the classic version by changing visual styling, layout, typography, icons, and interactions. Feedback indicates that the transition to the new Outlook has been challenging, with users expressing frustrations about its performance and efficiency compared to the classic version. Critics have noted that the new Outlook functions as a web wrapper, raising questions about its classification as a native app. Additionally, Microsoft has disabled Mail & Calendar to encourage users to switch to the new Outlook, highlighting the difficulties in promoting this update.

Winsage

August 17, 2026

Microsoft is ditching the COPILOT function in Excel before it even launches

Microsoft has decided to discontinue the COPILOT function in Excel, which was never widely available and was accessible only to Frontier and Insider users since August 2025. The feature allowed users to interact with spreadsheets using natural language for tasks like summarizing text and categorizing feedback, and it could retrieve information from the web. Users will no longer be able to create new formulas using the COPILOT function after September 14, 2026. While the COPILOT function will be discontinued, similar functionalities will still be available through the Copilot side pane, which supports various AI-driven tasks. Microsoft is shifting towards a more unified Copilot experience within its Microsoft 365 suite, indicating a strategic reassessment of its Copilot offerings.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism

Russian authorities have charged Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, with aiding terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list. The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that Telegram facilitates criminal activities and operations related to Ukrainian intelligence, classifying it as a facilitator of "acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud." Instead of targeting the platform with fines or restrictions, Russian authorities are pursuing Durov personally. If convicted in Russia, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment. This case reflects a broader trend of governments holding technology executives accountable for content and activities on their platforms, with similar legal pressures observed on other platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Halloween: The Game is banned in Australia because incentivized drug use is bad but incentivized ultra-violence isn’t

The Australian Classification Board has denied a rating for Halloween: The Game, developed by Illfonic, preventing its sale in Australia. The game features a mechanic involving marijuana use that allows players to detect the killer, Michael Myers, which likely contributed to the classification issues. Despite receiving an automated R18+ rating in July, the Board's regulations state that games with illicit drug use tied to incentives cannot be classified under R18+ and must be Refused Classification. Consequently, listings for the game have been removed from major Australian retailers, and its page is no longer available on the PlayStation Store. Steam has not yet acted on the ban, but it is expected to do so.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems

Toronto's indie game studio, Soft Rains, has released Ambrosia Sky: Act Two on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game has received mixed reviews, with two-thirds praising it as an emotional journey, while one review questions its gameplay and the "immersive sim" label. Owners of Act One receive Act Two for free, while new players can purchase the full game for .99 USD, with a 20% discount available until around August 14, after which the price will increase to .99 USD. Ambrosia Sky is a first-person game where players control Dalia, a field scientist returning to her home colony after a fungal outbreak. Players use an upgradeable chemical sprayer to cleanse space stations and uncover a conspiracy. Act Two focuses on Dalia's search for her ex-girlfriend Maeve and introduces new locations, exo-fungus species, a revamped progression system, and new equipment. The Corruptor fungus adds a new mechanic that has received mixed reviews. The total playtime for both acts is approximately six to seven hours. Critics debate the game's classification as an immersive sim, with some arguing it lacks the open-ended environments typical of the genre. The narrative has been positively received, with praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. The full game is priced competitively for narrative-driven indie games, and the current pricing offers good value for players interested in the story and atmosphere. As of now, Ambrosia Sky has received two critic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 80 and 60.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

5 Hit PC Games No One Remembers Today

Black & White is a pioneering title from Electronic Arts where players act as a deity influencing civilizations through kindness or tyranny, featuring innovative design and strategic systems. Planescape: Torment, developed by Black Isle and published by Interplay, immerses players in the city of Sigil as The Nameless One, focusing on dialogue for conflict resolution rather than combat, offering rich narratives and characters. Myth: The Fallen Lords, developed by Bungie, is a real-time tactics game where players command a squad against dark forces, emphasizing real-time combat without resource management and featuring an innovative physics engine. Nox, released in 2000, is an action role-playing game where players control Jack in a fantasy realm, offering three distinct classes and a deep magic system, encouraging replayability and featuring multiplayer mode. FreeSpace 2, released by Volition and Interplay, is a space combat game known for its epic battles, a variety of ships and weapons, and exhilarating dogfighting mechanics, remaining a notable title in the space flight genre nearly three decades later.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

New Kingdom Come trademark filings mention ‘online’ virtual worlds—but we shouldn’t assume Warhorse is making a multiplayer game just yet

Warhorse Studios has filed trademarks for their upcoming title, Kingdom Come Salvation, in both Europe and the United States. The filings include references to "services for matching users with computer games," suggesting potential online features. The trademarks are categorized under IC 009, related to video games, and IC 041, which covers entertainment services, including online gaming. An expert noted that while the filings imply possible online capabilities, fans should manage their expectations regarding multiplayer features until an official announcement is made.