competitive Archives

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

PC Players Spend More On Microtransactions Than Actual Games

Newzoo's report reveals that in 2024, microtransactions account for over 58 percent of spending in the PC gaming sector, while only 28 percent is allocated to full game purchases, reflecting a 2.6 percent decline from the previous year. Players dedicated only 8 percent of their gaming time to new releases, with over 60 percent spent on titles released more than six years ago. In contrast, console gaming shows microtransactions at 32 percent of player spending, a 4.5 percent increase year-over-year, while full game purchases still dominate. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus Extra capture about 16 percent of the console market.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Microsoft Is Ready to Try Again With Recall AI Feature That Screenshots Your Activity

Microsoft's Recall feature is being rolled out in preview mode to Windows Insiders using Copilot PCs powered by Snapdragon technology. The tool allows users to retrieve previously displayed content by searching for keywords, capturing screenshots throughout the day, and using AI for organization. The rollout faced delays due to privacy concerns, leading Microsoft to pause and review security measures. Users must opt in to save snapshots and enroll in Windows Hello for access, with the ability to control what is saved and pause saving at any time.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Readers name Windows 2000 Server peak Microsoft

Microsoft's 50th anniversary has sparked nostalgia among its community, particularly for Windows Server 2000, which is viewed as a high point in the company's history. Readers fondly remember Windows NT and acknowledge Windows 2000 Server for its robust capabilities. While Windows XP and Windows 7 received positive feedback, Windows 8 and its successors were less well-received due to their design choices. The handling of Windows Phone post-Nokia acquisition is seen as a significant misstep. Despite criticisms regarding software pricing and code quality, the Office suite remains valued. Microsoft's shift to cloud computing is noted as a strategic achievement, and the company has shown resilience in facing legal challenges. The community sentiment suggests that Microsoft's most celebrated days may be behind it, with future success dependent on the next generation of IT professionals and their views on the company's focus on artificial intelligence.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Industry report says Steam users play more noncompetitive games than console players—and our interest in PvE keeps growing

According to a report by market research firm Newzoo, 58% of games played by Steam users in 2024 were noncompetitive, player-versus-environment (PvE) titles, an increase from 47% in 2021. In contrast, only 42% and 41% of games played on PlayStation and Xbox, respectively, fell into the PvE category. The report analyzed gameplay data from over one million players and noted that players who engage with more games are more likely to prefer PvE experiences. Additionally, the trend indicates that once Steam users play more than one game in a year, their interest in PvE titles increases significantly.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Google launches Gemini in Android Studio for Businesses, making it easier for devs to design work apps

Apple is the leading smartphone manufacturer in the U.S., while 60% of corporate-owned devices are powered by Android, according to a survey by Stratix. Google announced Gemini in Android Studio for businesses at the Google Cloud Next 2025 conference, a subscription-based service aimed at enhancing the Android ecosystem for enterprise app developers. Gemini focuses on secure, privacy-oriented AI solutions, with a strict data governance policy ensuring confidentiality and ownership of company code. It includes enterprise-grade management features and extends Google's generative AI indemnification policy to protect against copyright infringement claims related to AI-generated code. The enterprise edition allows customization using internal repositories, improving code acceptance rates by 70%. Gemini is compliant with various industry certifications, including SOC 1, 2, and 3, and ISO/IEC 27001, among others. A free version of Gemini remains available for independent developers, while organizations can acquire a Code Assist Enterprise license through the Google Cloud Console.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

CHARTS: Schedule 1 drops to No.2 in second week

The latest weekly sales figures from Steam show that Counter-Strike 2 is the highest grossing game, followed by Schedule 1 in second place, REPO in third, and Steam Deck in fourth. InZoi has dropped to fifth place despite surpassing one million sales. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered debuted at sixth, Monster Hunter Wilds rose to seventh, Call of Duty returned to the Top Ten, Dead by Daylight is in ninth, and Split Fiction is in tenth. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending April 8th includes: 1. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 2. Schedule 1, TVGS 3. REPO, Semiwork 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. InZoi, Krafton 6. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, PlayStation 7. Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom 8. Call of Duty, Activision 9. Dead by Daylight, Behaviour 10. Split Fiction, EA

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

I tried gaming on Linux — and it’s better (and worse) than you think

The gaming experience on Linux, particularly with Ubuntu, has been positive, with many single-player and co-op games performing well due to compatibility tools like Wine and Steam's Proton. While most Windows games can be played on Linux, limitations exist, particularly for MMORPGs and competitive multiplayer games that rely on kernel-level anti-cheat systems, rendering titles like Fortnite and Valorant unplayable. Some competitive games do offer Linux support, but this is not guaranteed. Additionally, accessory applications for gaming peripherals often lack support on Linux, although open-source alternatives exist. As of 2025, while Linux gaming has improved, significant gaps remain, particularly in compatibility with anti-cheat systems, making it less appealing than Windows for many gamers.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

Bungie is finally ready for a Marathon ‘gameplay reveal’

Bungie is set to reveal its latest project, "Marathon," on April 12, transforming the classic first-person shooter into a multiplayer extraction shooter. The game features a vibrant world with robotic wildlife and will include player-versus-player (PvP) gameplay where players compete for loot that must be extracted to avoid losing it. Character codenames like "Thief" and "Stealth" suggest a strategic gameplay layer. Bungie has also launched a dedicated Twitch channel and a Steam page for updates.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft AI chief Suleyman sees advantage in building models ‘3 or 6 months behind’

Microsoft's CEO of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, outlined the company's strategy for AI development, focusing on adapting its Copilot digital assistant to consumer needs. Despite having a large inventory of Nvidia GPUs, Microsoft is not using them for the most advanced AI models, opting instead for a measured approach that allows for lower costs and targeted solutions. The company collaborates with organizations like OpenAI and CoreWeave to enhance products such as Bing and Windows. A new feature called "memory" will be added to Copilot, allowing it to retain user information for personalized interactions. Microsoft has invested .75 billion in OpenAI, but in July 2024, it classified OpenAI as a competitor. OpenAI announced a collaboration with Oracle on the Stargate project, moving away from exclusive reliance on Microsoft Azure, although Microsoft stated that OpenAI remains committed to Azure. Suleyman emphasized the importance of developing internal AI capabilities and maintaining a long-term partnership with OpenAI through at least 2030.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

Microsoft’s AI division head wants to create a lasting relationship between chatbots and their users

Microsoft's CEO of the AI division, Mustafa Suleyman, envisions creating a personalized AI companion that will evolve over time and become integral to daily life. This vision was shared during a celebratory event at Microsoft's headquarters, highlighting the importance of AI in the company's future. The flagship product, Copilot, integrates chatbot functionality with tools like Excel and PowerPoint, aiming to foster meaningful relationships with users. Recent updates to Copilot include new visual memory capabilities, while features like an animated avatar are still in development. Suleyman, who has a background at DeepMind and Inflection AI, focuses on personal AI companions rather than artificial general intelligence. The competition in the AI personal assistant space is increasing, with major companies adjusting their strategies. Despite excitement about AI advancements, there are concerns regarding the costs and limitations of generative AI, as demonstrated by Copilot's occasional inaccuracies. Suleyman emphasizes the need for user-friendly tools to encourage adoption and envisions AI alleviating mundane tasks for knowledge workers. During his keynote, he faced protests regarding Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli military but continued to advocate for the potential of AI companions.