collaborative environment

AppWizard
June 27, 2025
Microsoft has introduced a feature in its Xbox PC app that allows users to access a gaming library from various PC storefronts, including Epic and Steam, enabling players to view popular PlayStation games available on PC, such as Spider-Man: Miles Morales. While these games can be viewed in the Xbox app, they will not include Xbox achievements or enhanced functionalities. Microsoft is pursuing a strategy to transform Xbox into a platform similar to Steam, focusing on collaboration rather than direct competition. Xbox president Sarah Bond has indicated a vision for a more interconnected gaming ecosystem with the next generation of Xbox consoles. Microsoft has canceled plans for a dedicated Xbox handheld device and is instead supporting third-party devices like the ROG Xbox Ally and collaborating with Meta on the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition.
Winsage
June 26, 2025
Microsoft is preparing to initiate a private preview of new Windows changes aimed at relocating antivirus (AV) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) applications away from the Windows kernel. This initiative follows a significant incident involving a faulty update from CrowdStrike that disrupted 8.5 million Windows-based machines globally. Microsoft is collaborating with industry leaders such as CrowdStrike, Bitdefender, ESET, and Trend Micro to develop a new endpoint security platform. The company is engaging its top engineers, including original architects of Windows, to work on these security enhancements. The upcoming private preview will allow security vendors to suggest modifications, with several iterations anticipated before the final version is ready. Microsoft is also addressing concerns related to kernel-level drivers in anti-cheating engines for gaming and is engaging with game developers on minimizing kernel usage. A forthcoming Windows update will introduce a Quick Machine Recovery feature to expedite restoration of machines encountering boot issues. Additionally, Microsoft is redesigning the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) from blue to black as part of its commitment to enhancing user experience and system reliability.
AppWizard
May 30, 2025
A new gaming venture, Atlantis Studio, has been formed by former employees from Ready at Dawn, Ubisoft, and Midgar Studio. It is led by Ru Weerasuriya, founder of Ready at Dawn, and writer Nico Augusto. Weerasuriya previously worked at Blizzard and was the studio head at Ready at Dawn until March 2025, after its acquisition by Meta. Atlantis Studio aims to create a collaborative environment for game development and will focus on titles for PC and console platforms using Unreal Engine 5.
Winsage
May 29, 2025
Redpill was a mechanism in Windows 8 designed to activate disabled features for authorized users, inspired by the red pill from The Matrix movie. It utilized the licensing subsystem to shield under-development features from both internal employees and the public. Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen confirmed the origin of the Redpill codename. The mechanism aimed to restrict access to hidden features, which included enhancements like a new Start menu and a redesigned logon interface. Critics argue that this approach may have limited valuable feedback, contributing to the perception of Windows 8 as a misstep. In contrast, current Windows development trends favor transparency and collaboration.
Winsage
May 20, 2025
Microsoft has announced that the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is now open source, marking a significant milestone in its development. The company has closed issue #1 on its GitHub issue tracker, which asked if WSL would be open source since April 6, 2016. WSL allows Windows users to run Linux distributions alongside their operating system and has evolved from WSL 1, which used a pico process provider, to WSL 2, which introduced a dedicated Linux kernel and various enhancements such as GPU support, graphical applications, and systemd support. In 2021, WSL was decoupled from the Windows codebase and made available via the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 users. Future updates will further refine the installation process for Linux distributions.
AppWizard
May 20, 2025
The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.
AppWizard
April 28, 2025
Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily, creating a diverse gaming landscape. Navicula Meatus - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Torgomind - Description: A game focused on immersive discomfort, lacking traditional fun but featuring dark humor. Replicube - Release Date: April 24 - Developers: Walaber Entertainment LLC - Description: A programming game where players replicate voxel-based objects using code, featuring a 3D voxel editor and a 2D image editor. GeckoShop - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Reptoid - Description: A retail simulator where players sell geckos in an open world filled with quirky NPCs and quests. Dishventory - Release Date: April 25 - Developer: Final Offer - Description: A strategy card game centered on doing dishes, where players use cards to manage dishwashing tasks; it is free to play.
AppWizard
April 16, 2025
Developer Funcom has delayed the release of Dune: Awakening by one month, moving the launch date from May 15th to June 10th, due to feedback from closed beta testing. The company emphasized the importance of player input in refining the game and plans to implement significant improvements based on this feedback. Funcom also announced a large-scale beta weekend next month to allow more players to experience the game and provide feedback before the revised launch date.
AppWizard
March 30, 2025
SAG-AFTRA has introduced new waivers, the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, allowing union actors to participate in student projects and game jams during its ongoing strike. The waivers aim to support both actors and emerging game developers while adhering to strike protocols. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for eight months, primarily due to concerns over artificial intelligence and its impact on video game actors' careers. The strike has led to game studios recycling old voiceover clips, affecting new project developments.
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