controversies Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Can the Snapdragon 8 Elite run Popular PC Games?

The realme GT 7 Pro, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has demonstrated the capability to run AAA PC games like Assassin’s Creed Black Flag at 60 frames per second with a GPU usage rate of around 70%. Videos have also shown the device running Assassin’s Creed Rogue and Grand Theft Auto V. The gaming performance is facilitated by an upcoming application called GameFusion, which is designed for running demanding games on mobile devices. The developers of GameFusion have faced scrutiny for past work on the EggNS emulator and have introduced a paid subscription model. There is an ongoing partnership with GameSir, and details about GameFusion's availability and business model are currently unclear.

AppWizard

October 31, 2024

Steam now requires developers to tell people when their games have kernel mode anticheat

Kernel mode anticheat software has become a controversial topic in the gaming community, with concerns about game performance and system security on one side and a demand for effective cheating measures on the other. Steam has introduced a feature that requires developers to disclose the type of anticheat software used in their games, making it mandatory for those using kernel mode anticheat. This change aims to enhance transparency for players before purchasing games. Kernel mode anticheat was first implemented in 2020, leading to debates, particularly regarding Doom Eternal. Activision introduced the Ricochet kernel mode anticheat for Call of Duty in 2021, promising it would only activate during gameplay, which received mixed reactions. EA followed with similar assurances in 2023.

AppWizard

October 30, 2024

Red Dead Redemption Is Finally On PC, More Than 14 Years Later

PC gamers can now play Red Dead Redemption and its Undead Nightmare expansion after a 14-year wait. The game features enhancements for PC, including support for ultrawide monitors and Nvidia DLSS. The pricing has sparked controversy, with Take-Two CEO defending it as "commercially accurate." Red Dead Redemption 2 is available for a lower price on PC. Players hope for a smoother launch than the GTA Trilogy's troubled debut on PC. Rockstar Games is developing Grand Theft Auto 6, which will initially release on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a potential PC release following later.

AppWizard

October 28, 2024

Disgraced ex-TV chef promotes Airbnb on messaging app

Former television chef Pete Evans is promoting an Airbnb getaway in Byrill Creek, New South Wales, available for short stays from November to January. Since launching in July 2023, the property has received five-star reviews and is described as a health retreat featuring amenities like a sauna, ice bath, mineral spa, magnesium pool, and natural swimming holes. Additionally, Evans and his partner have secured an offer for their wellness retreat, Evolve Sanctuary, which accommodates up to 17 guests and is recognized in wellness tourism. The property is being marketed with options for new owners to start a business or maintain rental operations with Evans. Evans has also recently changed his hairstyle, dyeing his hair blonde.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

10 amazing games you can play with a modest GPU

Star Wars Battlefront II can run on a GTX 1060 3GB. DOOM Eternal requires a GTX 1050 Ti. Batman: Arkham Knight can be played with a GTX 760. Alien: Isolation runs on a GTX 660. NieR: Automata needs a GTX 980 or better. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt requires a GTX 770. Shadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition can be played with a GTX 1060 6GB. Far Cry 3 requires a GTX 600-series GPU. Life is Strange Remastered runs on a GTX 1060. Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut is compatible with basic GPUs.

Winsage

October 15, 2024

Removing Windows 11 Recall Feature Corrupts the File Explorer

The 24H2 version of Windows 11 introduces an AI feature called Recall, which logs user actions to create a timeline for easy access to previous tasks. Despite being intended to be disabled by default, Recall has become a standard feature, raising privacy concerns among users. Deactivating Recall has proven problematic, as it can lead to the loss of modern features in Windows file explorer. Some users have found workarounds to disable Recall, but these methods are not user-friendly and may cause inconsistent system behavior. The integration of Recall has sparked renewed discussions about privacy and user autonomy, reminiscent of past controversies related to Windows 10 telemetry.

AppWizard

October 6, 2024

The Trolling of the ‘Minecraft Movie’ Trailer Isn’t Exactly What You Think

In early September, Warner Bros. released a teaser for A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, featuring Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa. The trailer's whimsical tone sparked online backlash, particularly against cast member Danielle Brooks, with right-wing influencers criticizing her inclusion as “forced diversity.” This reaction mirrored past campaigns against diversity in entertainment, reminiscent of Gamergate. Wendy Via noted that the portrayal of “wokeness” as a threat in entertainment is not new, citing similar criticisms aimed at other projects like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and The Acolyte. The backlash against A Minecraft Movie aligns with a broader trend of targeting diverse representation in media, with right-leaning fans of the franchise feeling activated by the film's adaptation. The US Department of Justice also indicted two employees of the Russian news network RT for allegedly funding the right-wing influencer network Tenet Media, which disseminated Kremlin-approved narratives. Additionally, reports indicated that The Acolyte would not be renewed for a second season, which some interpreted as a victory for far-right narratives against diversity in media.

AppWizard

September 27, 2024

Telegram to disclose to authorities phone numbers, IP addresses of those who violate messenger’s rules

Telegram plans to disclose personal information, including phone numbers and IP addresses, to authorities in response to valid legal requests. CEO Pavel Durov announced this decision on September 23, following his legal troubles in France, where he was detained on August 24 and charged with facilitating terrorism and drug trafficking. After his release on bail, Telegram began cooperating with French authorities. A poll indicated that 44% of Ukrainians use Telegram for news, but the Ukrainian government has restricted its use among government agencies due to security concerns. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence, described Telegram as a "threat to our national security."

AppWizard

September 26, 2024

Why We’re Worried About The Minecraft Movie – Looper

Minecraft enthusiasts have reacted negatively to the trailer for "A Minecraft Movie," expressing concerns about its production and creative choices. The film has spent over a decade in development, with initial discussions starting in 2012 and multiple attempts to produce it failing over the years. The decision to create a live-action and animation hybrid has puzzled fans, as it raises questions about the filmmakers' confidence in the source material. The trailer appears to target a younger audience, potentially alienating older fans. The plot follows a common trope of characters being transported to another dimension, which raises concerns about originality. The visual effects in the trailer suggest a lack of seamless integration between live-action and animated elements. The choice of the Beatles song "Magical Mystery Tour" for the trailer has drawn criticism, and character designs have been compared to "Ugly Sonic," evoking unease among fans. Jack Black's involvement in the film comes after his role in the poorly received "Borderlands" adaptation, raising questions about his reliability in video game movies. Some YouTubers reported copyright strikes on negative reaction videos, leading to speculation about Warner Bros.' attempts to control the narrative. The film has faced racist backlash related to its casting choices, which could impact its box office performance. Reports of a potentially toxic environment on set have emerged, and Markus Persson's positive reaction to the trailer is complicated by his controversial history.

AppWizard

September 8, 2024

The ‘Minecraft’ Movie Trailer Blows Past 1 Million Dislikes

The Minecraft movie trailer has garnered 26 million views in three days but has a negative reception with 573,000 likes and 1.1 million dislikes. Viewers criticize the animation style and casting choices, particularly Jason Momoa's haircut and Jack Black's portrayal of Steve. There are questions about the need for live-action actors and the decision not to use the actual Minecraft environment. Despite the poor reception, the film is expected to generate substantial revenue, similar to other children's movies that perform well at the box office despite criticism.