controversies Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 27, 2025

Microsoft is trying to get antivirus software away from the Windows kernel

Microsoft is engaging with third-party companies to establish new standards for collaboration and address concerns. The company is implementing security enhancements for Windows, including a redesign of the "blue screen of death," now called the "unexpected restart screen," which will change from blue to black. This redesign aims to improve readability and align with Windows 11 aesthetics. A new feature, "quick machine recovery" (QMR), will help users recover from multiple unexpected restarts or boot loops by transitioning to Windows Recovery Environment (RE). QMR will be enabled by default on Windows 11 Home, with configuration options for Pro and Enterprise versions. Both QMR and the redesigned screen will be included in the Windows 11 24H2 update, set to launch later this summer, with additional customization options planned for later in the year.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Steam’s new in-game overlay offers some useful upgrades – and I’m particularly happy about one that exposes a controversial AI trick

Valve is enhancing Steam's in-game frame rate counter by transforming it into a comprehensive overlay that displays frames per second (FPS) and provides insights into CPU and GPU status, including utilization levels, clock speeds, and temperatures. The new beta version of the Steam app introduces this performance monitor, currently available only to beta testers on Windows PCs, with plans to extend similar capabilities to other platforms like SteamOS in the future. The overlay can be customized to show only the FPS counter and allows users to adjust its transparency and positioning on the screen. It will help players identify if frame generation technologies, such as Nvidia's DLSS, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS, are active and highlight instances of micro-stutter. This update aims to simplify the process of understanding game performance metrics for gamers, reducing reliance on third-party tools.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Elon Musk’s latest gaming take is ruthlessly mocked by Bioshock fans: ‘Probably thinks Andrew Ryan was the hero’

Elon Musk attempted to align himself with the No Kings protests in the U.S., which had over five million participants, to enhance his image on X. On June 15, he posted a message interpreted as a reference to protests against Trump, amid a contentious relationship with the former president. Musk had previously claimed credit for Trump's election victory, leading to Trump's threats to withdraw government subsidies for Musk's ventures. Reactions to Musk's post varied, particularly within the BioShock community, where fans noted the character Andrew Ryan's downfall. Musk has faced criticism for previous misinterpretations of gaming culture and was recently criticized for account boosting in Path of Exile 2. Speculation surrounds Musk's understanding of gaming narratives, especially regarding his reference to Andrew Ryan, whose ambitions lead to ruin.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

After all the anger and noise, Borderlands 4 isn’t $80 anyway but there’s a whopping expensive deluxe edition if you want to spend even more money on it

Preorders for Borderlands 4 have launched, with the base edition priced at £60/€70 on Steam, which is lower than expected. The Deluxe Edition is priced at £90/€100, and the Super Deluxe Edition at £120/€130. Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Software, encouraged fans to preorder due to the absence of a price increase. The Standard Edition is priced at £59.99, the Deluxe Edition includes additional content, and the Super Deluxe Edition offers the most extensive features. The pricing has received a positive reception from fans, although some gamers outside the US, UK, and EU find it high. The game quickly became a top-ten seller on Steam after preorders opened.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

The Borderlands cup overfloweth with a huge sale—1-3, The Pre-Sequel, all their DLCs, and one very good Telltale game are available for $36

The Borderlands series is currently on sale, with Borderlands 2 available for free until June 8. The Pandora's Box bundle, which includes all three main Borderlands games, The Pre-Sequel, and Tales from the Borderlands, is discounted by 45%. Borderlands 3 is priced at £2.50, and the Handsome Collection is available for £11. Tiny Tina's Wonderlands is not included in the sale.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

‘Why are they so greedy’: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players are in disbelief to find bundle ads but Activision claims it’s simply a ‘UI feature test’ that was published ‘in error’

A player of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 discovered embedded bundle advertisements in the weapon select menu, leading to frustration among the gaming community. Activision removed the ads, stating they were an oversight and part of a test that unintentionally went live. This incident sparked outrage, with players expressing dissatisfaction over rising costs and unresolved bugs in the game. The controversy reflects ongoing concerns about Activision's monetization strategies, including a costly Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover and overpriced Squid Game skins, raising questions about the balance between gameplay and corporate profit motives.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Vietnam orders messaging app Telegram to be blocked

Vietnam's technology ministry has mandated telecommunication service providers to block the messaging application Telegram due to its alleged non-cooperation in addressing criminal activities associated with its users. This directive, dated May 21, requires telecom companies to restrict access to Telegram and report their actions to the ministry by June 2. A report from the police indicated that 68% of the 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam are violating local laws, including fraud and drug trafficking. The ministry highlighted the need for providers to implement measures to prevent Telegram's activities in the country. Telegram has faced scrutiny for not complying with requests for user data during criminal investigations, and the Vietnamese government has previously urged other companies like Facebook and YouTube to help eliminate content deemed "toxic."

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

After raising over $800 million from its community, Star Citizen’s developer delays the release of a new ship upgrade as players baulk at having to pay for it

Cloud Imperium Games has raised over 0 million for Star Citizen through various funding methods over thirteen years. Recently, a new ship upgrade caused significant backlash from the community, with nearly 2,000 forum responses expressing discontent. Players criticized the introduction of purchasable flight blades, with some feeling disillusioned about investing further in the game. Despite the criticism, some players remain excited about the Greycat MTC, a planetary exploration vehicle priced at . In response to the uproar, Cloud Imperium Games announced that flight blades would be available for in-game currency in the upcoming June patch and acknowledged the need for better alignment between store items and in-game availability. The development of Star Citizen and its single-player counterpart, Squadron 42, continues, with Chris Roberts suggesting Squadron 42 may launch in 2026.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

Stellar Blade Devs Address PC Release Controversies

Stellar Blade has become highly popular on the PlayStation 5, topping the PlayStation Store charts and selling out merchandise. The game is set to release on PC on June 11th, following its transition from a former exclusive. The developer, Shift Up, has addressed community concerns regarding region locks, content parity between PC and PlayStation versions, and the necessity of a PlayStation Network account for the PC version. All content, including the Nier: Automata crossover, will be available on PC. The introduction of Denuvo DRM has sparked debate due to potential impacts on frame rates and offline playability, but the development team claims it is optimized to maintain performance. Stellar Blade is available for pre-order on Steam, with the base version priced at .99 and a Complete Edition at .99, which includes additional content.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

‘Murderbot,’ ‘The Brutalist,’ ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘Duster,’ and the best to stream this weekend

Apple TV+ has released a new sci-fi series titled "Murderbot," adapted from Martha Wells’ "Murderbot Diaries." The show features Alexander Skarsgård as a self-aware cyborg tasked with protecting scientists on an uninhabited planet while secretly binge-watching a space opera. The first two episodes are now available for streaming. FX's "Welcome to Wrexham," a docuseries about a Welsh football club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, returns for its fourth season on Hulu. " Duster," an action drama set in the 1970s, stars Josh Holloway and is now streaming on Max. Amazon's "Overcompensating," a college comedy created by and starring Benito Skinner, follows a closeted freshman and his outsider friend on a journey of self-discovery, with all eight episodes available on Prime Video. "The Brutalist," a historical drama starring Adrien Brody, is now streaming on Max after winning three Academy Awards. The Apple TV+ documentary "Deaf President Now!" recounts a 1988 protest at Gallaudet University for a Deaf president, directed by Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim. "The Quilters," a documentary short about incarcerated men making quilts for foster children, is available on Netflix. The "Minecraft Movie," featuring Jack Black, is now available for purchase on Amazon. Disney's live-action "Snow White" can now be watched on VOD platforms despite previous controversies surrounding its production.