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SereneDB lands $2.1M to fuse search, analytics and Postgres into one engine
Tech Optimizer
December 3, 2025

SereneDB lands $2.1M to fuse search, analytics and Postgres into one engine

Berlin-based startup SereneDB has completed its Pre-Seed funding round, raising .1 million from venture funds Entourage and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF). The company aims to improve traditional search and analytics tools, which struggle with dynamic datasets. SereneDB integrates live data and analysis within a single system, combining a search engine with OLAP execution under PostgreSQL for real-time data ingestion and updates. The platform allows for rapid retrieval of complex results and supports insightful queries from both human users and AI agents. CEO Alexander Malandin and CTO Andrey Abramov lead the company, drawing on their extensive experience in IT and database design. They aim to create a unified engine that integrates search and database functionalities, addressing the limitations of existing enterprise search technologies. The initial response from the developer community has been positive, with interest in SereneDB's capabilities, particularly among startups and existing search users. The funding will help expand the team and support open-source development.
Chinese Room co-founder wanted Paradox to drop the 'Bloodlines 2' name, because "no one would be happy" with the final game
AppWizard
November 25, 2025

Chinese Room co-founder wanted Paradox to drop the ‘Bloodlines 2’ name, because “no one would be happy” with the final game

Many players are disappointed with Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 due to performance issues, a lack of meaningful stakes, and disengaging RPG systems. The sequel does not maintain continuity with the original game, offering only scattered lore snippets. Dan Pinchbeck, co-founder of The Chinese Room, revealed that he advocated for a title change during development discussions with Paradox to reduce comparisons with the original game. He aimed to take over the development of Bloodlines 2 but noted the team wanted to infuse their own storytelling rather than simply finish Hardsuit Labs' work. Pinchbeck recognized the challenges of creating a true sequel within time and budget constraints and suggested aiming for a focused experience similar to Dishonored. He acknowledged the complexities of collaborative game development and the enduring legacy of the original Bloodlines game, which continues to overshadow its sequel.
Tavern Keeper: It's Good
AppWizard
November 21, 2025

Tavern Keeper: It’s Good

Tavern Keeper is a fantasy barkeeping video game that combines management simulation with creative customization. Players manage taverns by designing layouts, hiring staff, and ensuring operations run smoothly. The game features a creation suite that allows players to craft items like bookshelves and paintings, fostering a community for sharing designs. Challenges include hiring staff with questionable skills and managing customer satisfaction amidst chaotic scenarios. Players can adjust difficulty settings to suit their preferences. The game incorporates humor throughout, enhancing player engagement. Currently in Early Access, it has received positive feedback for its depth and personalization options.
Hytale, the Minecraft-Like MMO, Is Resurrected by Its Creator and Will Launch Soon in Early Access
AppWizard
November 18, 2025

Hytale, the Minecraft-Like MMO, Is Resurrected by Its Creator and Will Launch Soon in Early Access

Simon "Hypixel" Collins-Laflamme has regained the rights to Hytale from Riot Games, shifting the game's development direction after the studio's closure announcement. Hytale was originally acquired by Riot Games in April 2020, but faced challenges due to a new game engine that did not meet gameplay feature expectations. The studio is returning to its original vision, welcoming back over thirty developers and planning additional hires. An early access date is forthcoming, but players should expect potential crashes and incomplete features. Hytale currently includes over 100 NPCs and various items and blocks, though Adventure Mode and official minigames will not be available at launch. The development team encourages community-created minigames and modding will be integral to the game, with plans to provide access to server source code in the coming months.
Google to penalize battery-draining apps in new Play Store policy
AppWizard
November 11, 2025

Google to penalize battery-draining apps in new Play Store policy

The Android Developers Blog has announced new features aimed at enhancing app development, including updates to Jetpack Compose for intuitive UI development, improved performance metrics for better app insights, and expanded libraries for increased resources. The blog also highlights the importance of community engagement, encouraging developers to share feedback and participate in webinars and Q&A sessions with the Android team.
Civilization 7's new initiative lets you test features before they go live, including the one you've all been asking for
AppWizard
November 4, 2025

Civilization 7’s new initiative lets you test features before they go live, including the one you’ve all been asking for

Firaxis is launching the Firaxis Feature Workshop to enhance player engagement and satisfaction for Civilization 7 by incorporating community feedback. The studio is developing a mode that allows players to guide a single civilization through all three ages, responding to player criticism of the current gameplay. Creative Director Ed Beach mentioned that they are playtesting this feature and inviting community members to help refine it. Following the recent patch 1.3.0, which included a naval rework and new civilizations, the team will focus on larger features like the single-civ mode and the Workshop, with plans for smaller, less frequent updates. Early participants in the Workshop will test upcoming changes to Legacy Paths and Victories. Applications to join the Workshop are currently open, and successful applicants will have access to a private Discord server for feedback.
Battlefield 6's XP farm crackdown is having all the right effects, and the dev just got even more ruthless
AppWizard
October 24, 2025

Battlefield 6’s XP farm crackdown is having all the right effects, and the dev just got even more ruthless

Battlefield Studios has implemented measures to reduce the influence of XP farm servers in Battlefield 6, responding to community feedback. They increased XP rewards in standard game modes and obscured XP farming-focused Portal experiences. This has led to a decline in Player versus Environment (PvE) servers and an increase in Player versus Player (PvP) server activity, indicating a preference for competitive gameplay. Verified Experiences with 'Bot Backfill' disabled continue to grant full progression and XP, while the studio advises server owners on maintaining 'full XP' status. EA is also working on updates to make in-game challenges more accessible, as the initial slow progression rate contributed to players seeking XP farms. Despite the crackdown on XP farms, some players feel frustrated by the challenges and the lengthy process to acquire top-tier weapons and attachments.
The creator of this forgotten, Valve-funded FPS with Half-Life ties couldn't "wait to get out of the room" with Gabe Newell
AppWizard
October 9, 2025

The creator of this forgotten, Valve-funded FPS with Half-Life ties couldn’t “wait to get out of the room” with Gabe Newell

Gunman Chronicles, released in 2000 and built on the Half-Life engine, was published by Sierra Studios but has never been available on any official PC storefronts, including Steam. The project lead, Herbert Flower, revealed that the development team, composed of modders from various countries, faced financial constraints that led them to seek assistance from Valve. Valve invited the team to its Seattle headquarters, where they worked for about two and a half months and received a funding boost. Despite the collaboration, Flower's relationship with Gabe Newell was strained, and the team ultimately received only 11% of the game's earnings after Sierra's cut. The game's launch was described as "anticlimactic," and Flower speculated that disputes over rights following Sierra's merger with Vivendi might explain the game's absence from Steam. Despite solid sales, the game received mixed reviews, with some critics noting its similarities to Half-Life.
It looks like Microsoft is about to launch a new "Windows AI Labs" program for testing experimental AI features in Windows 11 apps
Winsage
September 18, 2025

It looks like Microsoft is about to launch a new “Windows AI Labs” program for testing experimental AI features in Windows 11 apps

Microsoft is introducing a new initiative called "Windows AI Labs" for Windows 11 users, allowing them to test experimental AI features in Microsoft Paint. Users can sign up to provide feedback on these features, although some have faced technical difficulties during enrollment. The initiative aims to gather insights from participants to refine AI enhancements before their mainstream release. Additionally, Microsoft has updated Paint to support project files similar to Adobe Photoshop and has introduced on-device AI generation tools in Notepad. Currently, the Windows AI Labs program is exclusive to Paint, but it may expand to other applications in the future.
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