commentary Archives

AppWizard

January 14, 2026

Lead dev of one of 2025’s best games goes on a wild ramble about pricing, but hold up, let him cook — it actually makes perfect sense, and he’s right

Publishers in the gaming industry face challenges in pricing games, balancing profitability with fair deals for players. Kaman, a lead developer of Another Crab's Treasure, discussed the psychological perception of pricing, noting that consumers often round prices to more appealing figures. He highlighted that pricing their previous game, PEAK, at .99 instead of .00 was a strategic choice, as it aligns with consumer perception of value. PEAK sold over 10 million copies in its first year, with significant sales during promotional periods when it was discounted to .95, demonstrating the impact of pricing strategies on consumer behavior.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

This new FPS game uses your framerate as your health bar, so I’ll brb after I’ve bought a 240Hz monitor

FPS Quest is a unique meta game that uses framerate as a health bar, allowing players to navigate a low-framerate environment without the discomfort typically associated with performance issues. Players traverse dungeons armed with a shotgun, experiencing framerate dips as they take damage, but can restore it by defeating enemies or adjusting game settings. The game features mechanics such as demolishing walls and removing doors, which affect gameplay and map navigation. It includes roguelike elements, cheats, glitches, and customizable settings, encouraging multiple runs to unlock upgrades and weapons. FPS Quest is set to launch on Steam, with no announced release date yet.

Winsage

January 5, 2026

Microsoft Bets on Windows as AI Agent Hub to Revive Dominance

Microsoft Corp. is redefining its Windows operating system as a central hub for artificial intelligence agents, aiming to create an ecosystem where AI can autonomously manage tasks and integrate into user workflows. This strategy, announced in 2025, seeks to attract developers by providing tools like Agent 365 for proactive task management. However, challenges related to privacy, security, and user trust persist, as AI agents require extensive access to personal data. Microsoft is embedding AI agents at the OS level, allowing third-party developers to deploy agents that interact with Windows features. The company’s ecosystem includes Azure AI Foundry and Copilot Studio, which support agent development. Despite having 1.4 billion devices, Microsoft faces competition from Apple and Google, and must navigate privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny. The success of this initiative depends on developer adoption and user acceptance, with potential risks of job displacement and over-reliance on automation.

BetaBeacon

December 31, 2025

Best mobile games of 2025 for Android and iOS | 2025 in REVU

- Where Winds Meet is a Wuxia open-world RPG set in 10th-century China, featuring console-grade graphics and support for physical controllers. - Red Dead Redemption is an open-world Western game with intense gunfights and side activities, available as a faithful port on mobile with the Undead Nightmare expansion. - WWE 2K25: Netflix Edition is a wrestling simulation game available for Netflix subscribers, offering a premium experience without microtransactions or ads.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin is upset with Microsoft, calls Windows boot process ‘dystopian’ – The Times of India

Vitalik Buterin expressed concerns about Microsoft's requirement for internet connectivity during the installation of Windows, calling the experience “dystopian.” He encountered a barrier while trying to boot into Windows to install Linux, as it required an internet connection to communicate with Microsoft’s servers. This commentary was in response to a post on X that suggested corporations are increasingly eliminating personal computer ownership, which could lead to a societal shift towards radical political ideologies. Buterin's remarks reflect unease regarding the power dynamics between consumers and corporations in the tech industry. In contrast, another user on X, known as ‘iRish,’ argued that most users may not share these concerns and that Microsoft is catering to the majority rather than tech-savvy individuals.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Here are DSOGaming’s Games of the Year 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, the Game of the Year (GOTY) selections are highly anticipated. The GOTY will be unveiled earlier this year, allowing for more exploration of the gaming landscape. Nick McCaskey selected "The First Berserker: Khazan" for its compelling demo, robust combat system, character customization, and stunning art style, recommending it even on Beginner difficulty. Spencer chose "Ninja Gaiden 4," praising its exhilarating boss fights, new protagonist Yakumo, innovative playstyles, and commendable level design, marking it as a worthy successor in the action genre. pirovashMX highlighted "The Outer Worlds 2" for its sharp satire on corporate culture and consumerism, engaging gameplay, and witty writing, making it a memorable title of the year. John Papadopoulos picked "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" for its captivating narrative, unexpected twists, superb soundtrack, and engaging turn-based combat system, despite its less polished graphics.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Minecraft criticized for calling solo players “sad” in promo message for multiplayer subscription service

Minecraft allows players to engage in various gameplay styles, including solo or multiplayer experiences, and offers both vanilla gameplay and mod enhancements. A recent advertisement for the Realms Plus subscription, which includes a notification referencing the song "One is the loneliest number," has drawn criticism for suggesting that playing alone is sad and encouraging players to invite friends. The backlash includes concerns about the advertisement's insensitivity towards players who prefer single-player experiences, particularly children, and its potential negative impact on mental health. Minecraft Realms provides private server access for a monthly fee, with basic and enhanced subscription options available. Players have expressed that the advertisement could lead to feelings of inadequacy and has sparked discussions about empathy in marketing strategies.

Winsage

December 23, 2025

Ex-Microsoft engineer says ‘Windows sucks’ and explains how it could be fixed

A former Microsoft engineer, Dave Plummer, has criticized the Windows operating system for lacking in key areas, particularly following Microsoft's discontinuation of support for Windows 10, which leaves millions of users vulnerable to malware and cyber threats. Many Windows 10 users remain unprotected, risking their personal data. Microsoft has introduced payment options for Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10, but many users have not taken action to safeguard their systems. Approximately 500 million computers eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 are still on Windows 10, with Windows 11 holding a market share of 53.7% and Windows 10 at 42.7%. Plummer advocates for a "hardcore mode" for advanced users and greater transparency regarding data collection. He criticizes Microsoft's aggressive marketing strategies within Windows, which he believes undermine user autonomy. Despite his critiques, he acknowledges the strengths of Windows, including its mature core engine and file management capabilities.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Finji announces arcade game collection CorgiSpace for PC, now available

Finji has released CorgiSpace, a collection of small arcade video games for PC and Mac on platforms like Steam and itch.io, priced at .99 / £4.29 / €4.99. The games are created using the PICO-8 game engine and are designed for quick play sessions under an hour. CorgiSpace includes over a dozen games, such as Kuiper Cargo, Cave of Cards, Mole Mole, Dino Sort, and Rat Dreams, each with unique gameplay mechanics. To celebrate the launch, Finji is hosting CorgiJam, a game jam from December 10, 2025, to January 11, 2026, culminating in a live-streamed event on January 19, 2026, where submitted games will be played and commented on by the Finji team and special guests.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Decline of Native Windows Apps: Electron’s Rise and Hybrid Future

Native Windows apps, once central to the desktop experience, are declining in favor of web-based technologies like Electron and Chromium. Developers are shifting towards web wrappers for cross-platform compatibility and efficiency, despite performance drawbacks. WhatsApp has transitioned from a native app to a web wrapper, prioritizing maintenance over performance. This trend is evident across various software categories, with applications like Spotify and Slack adopting web frameworks, leading to increased resource consumption and slower performance. Microsoft’s focus on cloud services and AI has influenced this shift, as has the demand for cross-platform solutions. Native apps are being overshadowed by web technologies, which often lack deep integration with Windows features. Performance trade-offs are significant, with web wrappers consuming more memory than native apps. The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and AI integration further complicates the landscape, suggesting a future where the definition of "native" may evolve. The tech community is divided on these changes, with some advocating for a balance between web and native solutions.