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The best mobile games of 2025 so far (February 2025)
BetaBeacon
February 22, 2025

The best mobile games of 2025 so far (February 2025)

The text describes the process of reviewing mobile games in 2025, where the team at Steel Media selects and filters through new releases to pick out the best ones for review. The best mobile games of 2025 are listed by review ranking, with games receiving awards such as the Pocket Gamer Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.
Can't quit Windows 10? You can pay Microsoft for updates after October, or try these alternatives
Winsage
February 20, 2025

Can’t quit Windows 10? You can pay Microsoft for updates after October, or try these alternatives

An ESU subscription allows customers to receive updates automatically through Windows Update, with updates also available for individual download via the Microsoft Update Catalog. Customers can set reminders to check for updates after their release, typically on the second Tuesday of each month. For a more streamlined approach, the third-party service 0patch offers critical security patches for Windows 10 for at least five years after the end-of-support date, costing between and per PC annually. 0patch provides "micropatches" for vulnerabilities discovered after October 14, 2025, which are small and applied to running processes without altering Microsoft's original files. Unauthorized alternatives, like PowerShell activation scripts from the Massgrave hacking collective, allow users to bypass Microsoft's licensing agreements for a free three-year ESU subscription, but using these scripts is illegal and poses significant risks to businesses.
VR studio Toast Interactive lays off most of its staff
AppWizard
February 20, 2025

VR studio Toast Interactive lays off most of its staff

Toast Interactive has announced a major reduction in its workforce, including the shutdown of its office and layoffs of a substantial portion of its staff. Founded in 2016, the studio is known for titles like Max Mustard and Richie's Plank Experience. The founders, Toni and Richard Eastes, expressed sorrow over the decision and noted that the majority of their talented staff have suffered redundancies. They plan to continue enhancing their existing projects despite the challenges.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 players are seized by the spirit of generosity, band together to buy strangers in need over $1,500 in copies
AppWizard
February 19, 2025

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 players are seized by the spirit of generosity, band together to buy strangers in need over $1,500 in copies

A subreddit thread initiated by user verdantsf shared their struggles with financial constraints and inspired a wave of altruism within the Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 community. User Flando1 encouraged others to help those without copies of the game, leading to a gifting frenzy where 15 individuals contributed. The collective effort resulted in £750 added to the gifting pool, with more contributions expected. The initiative generated over £2,500 in gifts to strangers, highlighting the goodwill and camaraderie among players.
Epic Games Store has more PC players than ever - 295 million, in fact
AppWizard
February 14, 2025

Epic Games Store has more PC players than ever – 295 million, in fact

Epic Games Store attracted 295 million PC players over the past year, an increase of 25 million since 2023. The platform has 898 million Epic cross-platform accounts, up by 94 million, with a collective playtime of 2.68 billion hours. The game catalog expanded by 1,100 new titles, supported by Self-Publishing Tools allowing developers to retain 100 percent of their revenue. The Free Games Program has provided over ,000 worth of premium PC titles through 89 giveaways, continuing into 2025. Daily Active Users (DAU) peaked at 37.2 million, while Monthly Active Users (MAU) declined slightly from 75 million to 74 million. DAU increased by 6 percent to 31.5 million, and MAU grew by 6 percent to 67.2 million. Popular titles include Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai Star Rail, GTA 5, and Fortnite. The Now on Epic program will extend until January 31, 2026, including mobile games. Third-party gametime rose from 2.41 billion hours in 2023 to 2.68 billion in 2024, an 11 percent year-over-year growth. The Walt Disney Company acquired a .5 billion stake in Epic Games, initiating a multi-year partnership for a games and entertainment universe linked to Fortnite.
Despite a 'teamwide oops, guess we made it too hard moment,' Hyper Light Breaker has 'no regrets' about its mixed-response early access launch, and now it's got a roadmap so everyone can 'git gud'
AppWizard
February 14, 2025

Despite a ‘teamwide oops, guess we made it too hard moment,’ Hyper Light Breaker has ‘no regrets’ about its mixed-response early access launch, and now it’s got a roadmap so everyone can ‘git gud’

Hyper Light Breaker, launched in early access a month ago, currently has a 63% Mixed rating on Steam, with players reporting technical difficulties, control issues, and high difficulty levels. Lead producer Michael Clark acknowledged the developers' realization that the game may be too hard and expressed no regrets about entering early access, emphasizing the importance of player feedback for improvement. Heart Machine plans to release a roadmap with significant updates, including a February patch to address performance issues and rebalance combat, followed by a smaller update in March and a larger "Buried Below" update in April. Clark noted the team's intention to create a challenging yet fair experience, admitting they misjudged the difficulty for new players. The developers are committed to refining the game based on player feedback.
Russian Hackers Leverages Weaponized Microsoft KMS to Hack Windows Systems
Winsage
February 13, 2025

Russian Hackers Leverages Weaponized Microsoft KMS to Hack Windows Systems

The Russian state-sponsored hacking group Sandworm, affiliated with the GRU, has been using pirated Microsoft Key Management Service (KMS) activation tools to infiltrate Ukrainian Windows systems since late 2023. They distribute a harmful ZIP file named “KMSAuto++x64_v1.8.4.zip” on torrent platforms, which, when executed, deploys the BACKORDER loader and disables Windows Defender. The BACKORDER loader then downloads the Dark Crystal Remote Access Trojan (DcRAT) from attacker-controlled domains, allowing data theft, including keystrokes and browser credentials. The campaign exploits Ukraine's high prevalence of unlicensed software, estimated at 70% in the public sector, increasing vulnerability to cyberattacks. Researchers have linked this activity to Sandworm through shared infrastructure and tactics, highlighting its role in Russia's hybrid warfare strategy against Ukraine. Cybersecurity experts recommend avoiding pirated software and implementing robust security measures to mitigate these threats.
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