creation Archives

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Magical girl RPG Mirage: Miracle Quest announced for PC

French independent studio Toe Bean Club has announced its new project, Mirage: Miracle Quest, a magical girl RPG featuring innovative deckbuilding mechanics. The game will be available on PC via Steam, but the release date is not yet disclosed. Players will assume the role of Mirage, a young exorcist whose life is disrupted by a mysterious creature. The game combines traditional RPG elements with magical girl aesthetics and allows players to customize their gameplay through deckbuilding, fostering strategic approaches and character relationships. Screenshots showcasing the game's vibrant artistry and environments have been released.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

These $80 Windows XP Crocs just made me desperate for Android footwear

Microsoft has collaborated with Crocs to create limited-edition footwear celebrating the 50th anniversary of the company and the nostalgia of Windows XP. The shoes feature a sky blue design with grassy green soles, reminiscent of the Bliss wallpaper. Each pair includes a six-pack of Microsoft-themed charms, such as the MSN logo, Internet Explorer emblem, Clippy, and the classic mouse pointer. Microsoft employees have exclusive pre-order access, and each purchase comes with a matching Bliss drawstring backpack. The price of the Crocs is not specified. There is also a growing desire in the tech community for similar custom footwear, particularly Android-themed Crocs.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

How to set up Windows 11 with a local account

Redmond prefers users to log into Windows 11 using a Microsoft account, particularly during installation. This can be problematic for those valuing privacy. A local account, which is stored solely on the device, offers benefits such as keeping preferences off the cloud and avoiding OneDrive. There are methods to set up Windows 11 with a local account: 1. Method 1: During installation, boot from a USB drive with the Windows 11 installer. After reaching the country selection screen, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt and type PLACEHOLDER5199f62cf80342e3. After rebooting, disconnect from the internet using PLACEHOLDERf8cfa33cc93b6e53 in the command prompt. You can then create a local username and password. 2. Method 2: Use Rufus to prepare a USB installation drive. Select the option to "Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account" during setup. After booting from the USB, repeat the process of disconnecting from the internet and creating a local account. To add a local account to an existing Windows 11 setup, go to Settings > Accounts > Other Users, then select "Add account" and choose "Add a user without a Microsoft account." Enter the required information to create the local account.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Microsoft is making Windows XP crocs — complete with XP inspired Jibbitz for maximum nerd cred

Microsoft has announced the creation of Windows XP-themed Crocs, featuring the Bliss wallpaper design and Jibbitz charms inspired by Microsoft products. Currently, these Crocs are available exclusively to Microsoft employees but will soon be accessible to the public. This launch is part of Microsoft's 50th anniversary celebration. The Bliss wallpaper was captured by photographer Charles O'Rear in 1998 and became synonymous with Windows XP after Microsoft acquired its rights in 2000.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

2025 One Hertz Challenge: Analog Clock For Microsoft Windows

A contributor named glgorman has submitted an entry for the One Hertz Challenge, which is an analog software clock designed for Microsoft Windows. The project is in its early stages and features code that computes geometric objects like points, lines, and circles without branch instructions. It includes calculations for the angle of the sun to accurately cast shadows from the clock hands onto the clock face. The project is inspired by Euclid’s Elements, a significant historical geometry text. Additionally, it explores creative designs that emphasize date display and use colors instead of traditional clock hands.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

North Korean Cyberattackers Conceal Malicious Software Inside JPEG Images

North Korean state-sponsored hackers, part of the APT37 group, are using advanced steganography techniques to embed malicious software within JPEG image files. The RoKRAT malware variant employs a two-stage encryption process, starting with the creation of large malicious shortcut files disguised as legitimate documents. These .lnk files download JPEG images from cloud storage services, which appear to contain valid image headers but actually conceal encrypted malware code. The malware is revealed through multiple XOR decryption operations. Security researchers have identified the steganographic payload at offset 0x4201 within the images. The malware generates temporary files in the %LOCALAPPDATA% directory and executes through rundll32.exe, complicating detection. APT37 also uses fileless attack strategies, injecting shellcode into legitimate Windows processes and exploiting cloud services for command and control operations. Recent attacks have targeted South Korean organizations using social engineering tactics. Traditional antivirus solutions are inadequate against these techniques, prompting experts to recommend Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems for real-time monitoring of anomalous activities.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Reveals Visual, Cast for New Smartphone, PC Game

TOHO Games has announced a new mobile and PC game titled Tensui no Sakuna Hime: Hinuka Junreitan, which combines rice cultivation simulation with exploration and battle RPG elements. The game will be released as a free-to-play title with optional in-game purchases and features characters Sakuna and Hinuka, voiced by Naomi Ōzora and Machico, respectively. It is developed by Edelweiss and TOHO Games, with G2 Studios leading the development and Ryōta Murayama overseeing character design. The Sakuna franchise is expanding with an anime adaptation that premiered in July 2024 and a sequel in production. The original game was released in November 2020. Additionally, a spinoff game titled Sakuna Chronicles: Kokorowa and the Gears of Creation will be published in the West by XSEED and Marvelous Europe, and a manga adaptation ran from November 2021 to November 2022.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

This week in PC Games: a new Mafia, a bustling Homeworld homage, a cosmic lighthouse and some strange jigsaws

In the first week of RPS Post-Graham, the office atmosphere is chaotic, with a resident Viking serpent named Horace and a demanding news hub called the Maw. The wifi network frequently changes its name to "Execute Order 66." The staff is engaging in morale-boosting activities, including reminiscing about video game intros. New PC games introduced this week include: - Texnoplazm: A gun-fu brawl-o-shooter set in an urban landscape with sorcerous technology. - Tall Trails: An exploratron featuring a golem with a rocket-powered boot. - Static Dread: A game where players manage a lighthouse during a cosmic apocalypse. - Era One: A real-time space strategy simulation for fans of Homeworld. - Mafia: The Old Country: A game set in pre-WWI Sicily with car chases and shoot-outs. - The Royal Writ: A card game roguelite inspired by Inscryption and Monster Train. - Wildwood Down: A point-and-click comedy mystery featuring a protagonist with Down Syndrome. - Artis Impact: A pixel-art RPG with a unique aesthetic. - The Lilliput Workshop: An automation game inspired by Brio toy train sets. - Cleanfall: A game featuring a mining robot in a world of insects and airships. Staff activities include James creating buzzwords for graphics cards, Ollie working on a guide to Life, Jeremy lost in literary thoughts, and Mark battling his neighbors, the Ice Giants.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

FPS legend John Romero says Wolfenstein 3D was the first game id Software took its time with⁠—a luxurious 4-month development instead of just 2

John Romero discussed the early 1990s transformation of PC gaming during a Nightdive Studios podcast, highlighting id Software's rapid development cycles and innovative technology. He noted that John Carmack's programming breakthroughs in September 1990 were pivotal, and that id Software's initial pitch to Nintendo for a Super Mario 3 port was rejected, leading to the creation of Commander Keen. In 1991, id released three Commander Keen sequels and Catacomb 3D. Romero emphasized a shift in development practices with Wolfenstein 3D, allowing for a four-month development period focused on quality. He contrasted the simpler processes of that time with today's complex game development landscape. Additionally, he mentioned the rise of the hunting game genre and the potential of indie developers, while noting that Romero Games is seeking a new publisher after Microsoft withdrew funding for a triple-A shooter project.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

8 new features arriving with the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11

On August 12, 2025, Microsoft will roll out the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11, which includes significant security enhancements and new features. Key improvements in version 24H2 include: - A complete reset feature for Windows Recall. - Enhanced AI actions for Click to Do. - A redesigned Search settings page. - A new gamepad keyboard layout with PIN sign-in support. - The Reading Coach app available through the Microsoft Store, allowing users to utilize Click to Do while on a snapshot. - A new action for Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers called "Draft with Copilot in Word." - A new AI agent in the Settings app that improves the search experience using natural language. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature to minimize downtime from boot failures, enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users. - Upgraded Snap Layouts feature with inline descriptions. - Consolidation of "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows" into a single "Search" page. - Enhanced gamepad touch keyboard layout for quicker PIN sign-ins. - Replacement of the Blue Screen of Death with a new black error page that presents essential information. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed, with options for manual checks via Settings > Windows Update.