console Archives

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is selling more than twice as fast as other JRPGs on PC, analyst says

Sandfall Interactive's game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has sold one million copies within three days of its release and surpassed 785,000 copies sold on Steam in its first week. It has also sold over 350,000 copies on PlayStation. The game has more than 1.5 million wishlists on Steam. Its success is attributed to quality visuals, a rewarding turn-based combat system, a compelling narrative, and a strategic pricing decision. The game is available on Xbox Game Pass, which has positively impacted its sales through increased visibility and word-of-mouth promotion. Expedition 33 has outperformed recent titles in the Japanese RPG genre, including Atlus's Metaphor Re:Fantazio, and has even surpassed Oblivion on Steam's global sales charts.

TrendTechie

May 2, 2025

Релиз BitTorrent-клиента Deluge 2.2

Deluge version 2.2 is an open-source, cross-platform BitTorrent client built on libtorrent and the Twisted framework, offering interfaces such as GTK, a web interface, and a console variant. The source code is written in Python and distributed under the GPL license. Deluge operates in a client-server mode, allowing the daemon to run on a remote machine. Key features include support for DHT, UPnP, NAT-PMP, PEX, LSD, protocol encryption, proxy support, selective speed limiting, and sequential download mode. The update introduces support for creating torrents in the BitTorrent v2 format, enhancing security with SHA2-256 and improving efficiency with a Merkle hash tree. The GTK interface now includes light and dark themes and a system tray indicator, while the web interface supports theme switching. Support for Python 3.6 has been removed, with Python 3.7 as the minimum supported version. Additionally, qBittorrent version 5.1 was released on April 27, 2025, as an open-source alternative to µTorrent, with its source code available on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Lightweight Windows 11 version finally gets an update

Microsoft has released version 2504 of Validation OS, a streamlined version of Windows 11 designed for hardware validation, error diagnosis, and quality control in Windows device production. This version includes enhancements in .NET support, driver management, and USB boot capabilities. It operates through a command-line interface (CLI) and supports Win32 applications. Key features of the 2504 release include support for WPF applications via the Microsoft-WinVOS-WPF-Support package, inclusion of Surface Dock drivers, improved USB boot functionality with RAM disk size configuration through DISM, separation of CJK fonts from the general font package, and an upgrade to the latest .NET implementation. Some known issues remain, such as instability with Bluetooth and Serial Console packages on ARM64 systems. The update builds on previous releases that added features like the Out of Box Experience (OOBE) and Hyper-V-compatible VHDX images. Validation OS is not intended for end users but benefits manufacturers and IT professionals in hardware production and validation. The latest build is available for download from Microsoft's official page.

BetaBeacon

May 2, 2025

The retro gaming and emulation community needs to take a deep breath

- The development of Winlator was officially put on pause following harassment due to a Trojan found in the APK file after version 10.0 was released.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The best Oblivion Remastered mods

The modding community has become essential to the experience of Bethesda RPGs, particularly with the launch of Oblivion Remastered. Modders are updating existing mods and creating new ones, although the introduction of Unreal Engine 5 alongside Gamebryo may slow the maturation of the modding scene. Key mods include: - Oblivion Script Extender: A crucial tool expected to support complex customizations. - Ultimate Engine Tweaks: Helps alleviate performance issues by allowing players to disable certain visual effects. - Universal Achievement Unblocker: Prevents mods or console commands from blocking achievements. - Better HUD: Provides smaller compass options and minimalist designs for a more immersive experience. - No HUD No Effects: Toggles off UI elements and visual effects for distraction-free gameplay. - Unleveled Item Rewards: Ensures players receive optimal quest reward items. - Difficulty Slider Fixed: Balances difficulty settings for a consistent challenge. - Auto Local Map: Automatically opens the local map when entering an interior space. - First Person Horse: Allows first-person riding, despite some clipping issues. - Faster Sleep and Wait: Speeds up the waiting process for players.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

App Developer Magazine may 2025

Google's Play Store has undergone a significant overhaul, resulting in a 47% reduction in app listings due to stricter enforcement, enhanced developer verification, and AI-driven moderation. This change aligns Google more closely with Apple's curated ecosystem. New tools in the Play Console Insights are designed to improve app performance for developers. Apple has achieved a milestone in emissions reduction and is preparing for WWDC 2025 on June 9. Blizzard's Diablo 4 has introduced a new mechanic called Piranhado, and SEMO has launched a game development degree program. Nutrient is expanding its cloud services, and student-led initiatives are addressing cybersecurity threats in universities. AI developments include a smart builder for converting spreadsheets into applications and AutonomyAI's autonomous agent platform.

Tech Optimizer

May 2, 2025

Amazon Aurora now supports PostgreSQL major version 17

Amazon Aurora has integrated support for PostgreSQL major version 17, specifically version 17.4. This release includes enhancements such as improved memory management, faster storage metadata initialization, and optimizations for write-heavy workloads on Graviton 4 instances. It also introduces new features for Babelfish, security updates, and revisions to extensions like pgvector 0.8.0 and postgis 3.5.1. PostgreSQL 17.4 is available across all commercial AWS Regions and AWS GovCloud (US) Regions. Users can create a new Aurora PostgreSQL-compatible database through the Amazon RDS Management Console and should review the Aurora documentation for upgrade strategies.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Oblivion is a lot better now that I can read

The author recently played Oblivion Remastered and engaged in a side quest involving a character named Glarthir, which felt new and captivating. They reminisced about their first experience with the game in 2006 at the age of nine, when they received The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Collector's Edition, which included two discs, an art book, a map, and a metal coin. The author’s father bought the game without prior knowledge of the franchise and never progressed beyond the sewers. The author struggled with character creation and navigation, recalling a chaotic encounter in Weynon Priory that led to a panicked escape. They revisited the game on PS3 but rushed through the main quest without engaging with the story. Upon returning to Oblivion Remastered, the author recognized the game's depth and the wealth of side quests they had previously overlooked.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

PC gaming can’t stop getting Ws, as Microsoft shares it’s being weighed down by console and hardware revenue woes

Gaming revenue increased by 5% (6% when adjusted for currency), while Xbox content and services revenue grew by 8%. However, Xbox hardware revenue declined by 6% (5% CC) and experienced a 30% drop between early 2024 and early 2023. Microsoft has acquired game studios, including Blizzard and Bethesda, but faces challenges such as layoffs and a lack of compelling console exclusives. Current standout titles on Xbox Game Pass do not require an Xbox purchase, reflecting a trend where console exclusivity is becoming less relevant, except for Nintendo.

BetaBeacon

May 1, 2025

Why does retro gaming and emulation matter so much?

The author's family primarily played Nintendo and Microsoft games, with limited exposure to Sony consoles. They missed out on playing some Nintendo consoles and games, but now they can easily access a variety of games on their phone. The author has recently become a father and their child is not interested in gaming controllers, only in how they feel or make noise.