Creative Archives

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Drop everything and grab the popcorn: Majuular’s 4.5-hour documentary on Ultima Online is here to devour your weekend

YouTube essayist Majuular has released a new video focused on Ultima Online, part of a series that took six months to produce. The video explores the game's origins under Richard Garriott and Starr Long, its development by Raph Koster and his team, and its impact on the gaming landscape. Ultima Online has adapted to competition and remains accessible through official and fan-operated servers, including the In Mani Ylem server. Majuular's efforts to document the making of Richard Garriott's series have gained him over 200,000 followers on YouTube. His retrospective highlights Ultima's influence on role-playing games and includes personal stories and historical context.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Android 17 QPR1: What Pixel Gets

Android 17 QPR1 began its stable rollout in the United States on September 15, 2026, coinciding with Google’s September Pixel Drop. This update introduces the Pause Point feature, which temporarily halts access to a selected app for 10 seconds, allowing users to reconsider their choice. The update is compatible with Pixel phones from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 10a generations, as well as the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold models. The rollout is staged, leading to varying delivery times for users. Pause Point imposes a 10-second delay when accessing a configured app, offering options like breathing exercises and alternative app suggestions. Disabling Pause Point requires a phone restart. Scam protection features vary by region, with Gboard scam warnings initially exclusive to the U.S. for Pixel 6 and newer devices, while notification-based Scam Detection has expanded to nine additional regions, excluding Spain. Android 17 QPR1 also includes a refresh of the Pixel interface, adding a new Keyboard tile to Quick Settings and improving visual aesthetics with enhanced translucent and blurred backgrounds. Screen recording defaults to capturing a single app, and the VIPs widget has been upgraded for easier calling and messaging. Google and Audible have collaborated to provide Harry Potter-themed packs for Pixel users, featuring customized wallpapers and icons, along with a two-month Audible trial, though eligibility conditions are unspecified.

AppWizard

September 26, 2026

Guess who patented a new system for in-game ads

Microsoft has a patent titled "Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access" (US 202610260258 A1) that describes a system for pausing gameplay to present advertisements to players. Key features include: - A content management system that can suspend user interaction with the game based on a content trigger event. - The presentation of promoted audiovisual content to the user. - A credit system that delays the suspension of user interaction. This system aims to integrate advertisements into gameplay, similar to ad-supported models in mobile gaming. Matthew Ball, Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer, supports in-game advertisements, while EA has launched EA Advertising for in-game integrations and scalable advertising capabilities. The integration of advertisements poses both opportunities and challenges for monetization and user experience in gaming.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Your Googlebook has a hidden app that turns its Glowbar into a disco

Google has introduced a hidden feature called the Glowbar Disco app in its new line of Googlebook laptops. This app transforms the laptop's lid light strip into a music-synced light show. The Glowbar is a design element across various manufacturers, indicating battery status and Gemini activity. Alexander Kuscher, Google’s Senior Director of Product for Laptops and Tablets, mentioned this feature during an interview, inviting users to explore it. Users had previously experienced the disco mode during demonstrations, but the method to access it was not disclosed until Kuscher's comments. The Glowbar is also functional, displaying essential information and responding to device activity, with plans for developers to create applications utilizing its capabilities.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

Tim Cain: ‘Among other things that Steve Jackson Games didn’t like about Fallout was Vault Boy’

The Fallout video game was initially developed with the intention of using the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Play System) license from Steve Jackson Games. However, misunderstandings led to the dissolution of the licensing agreement, which Steve Jackson learned about from a press member rather than Interplay directly. Jackson's objections were primarily due to creative differences, particularly regarding the violent opening cutscene, character design, and the whimsical style of the mascot, Vault Boy. After extensive discussions, Jackson threatened legal action if Interplay continued with Fallout in its current form, prompting Interplay to abandon the GURPS license. This decision significantly impacted the future direction of the Fallout franchise.

AppWizard

September 25, 2026

It’s tough to stand out in today’s games industry, but ‘sorta like Helldivers 2 except dog people’ worked on me

Gravhounds is a co-op wave shooter currently in early access on Steam, available for free during its open playtest. The game features polished gameplay, allowing players to team up against waves of enemies. It includes unique movement mechanics, enabling players to glide across buildable cables, and introduces light resource mining and tower defense elements using a gravity gun. The characters are designed as dogs with human bodies, adding a whimsical touch, and players respawn with a humorous cone of shame. Gravhounds distinguishes itself from traditional military-themed shooters through its creative design and engaging mechanics.

Winsage

September 24, 2026

Microsoft tried to ban “Microslop,” and six months later it has given up

Microsoft has lifted its ban on the term "Microslop" in its official Copilot Discord server, which was initially blocked due to its use as a critical nickname for the company in response to its AI features. The term gained popularity around late 2025, leading to significant user frustration and the development of a browser extension to replace "Microsoft" with "Microslop." By March 2026, messages containing the term were being filtered in the Discord, prompting users to find ways around the restrictions. Microsoft later clarified that the filtering was a temporary anti-spam measure. Discontent with Copilot had been growing prior to this, with backlash against Windows chief Pavan Davuluri's comments about AI integration. In March, Davuluri announced a more intentional integration of Copilot, leading to changes such as the removal of the Copilot button from the Snipping Tool and the rebranding of features in Notepad. Microsoft also ceased the auto-installation of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app and promised a less cluttered user interface. The Copilot key has become customizable, although some users are frustrated by changes to the Copilot logo. Despite improvements, user backlash persists, with some expressing a desire for the "old Copilot." Microsoft is shifting from overt branding of AI features to a more integrated approach in user experience.

AppWizard

September 22, 2026

Adobe Premiere finally brings powerful video editing to Android, and it’s free

Adobe Premiere for Android can handle high-bitrate 4K clips smoothly, with no significant lag during import, though processing newly added video tracks may take up to a minute. Exporting a three-minute 4K60 video on a Pixel device takes approximately three minutes. The app requires a minimum of 5GB of RAM and offers a robust editing interface suitable for casual users. It is free to use, with optional subscription access for generative AI tools, providing 250 monthly AI credits for creating clips. The latest version includes features like image-to-video and text-to-video capabilities. A subscription increases monthly AI credits to 1,200. The app is available on Android after previously launching on Apple devices.

AppWizard

September 21, 2026

Ahead of GTA 6’s Release, Rockstar Updates Modding Guidelines Touching on Monetization, Multiplayer

Take-Two Interactive has not confirmed the release date for Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC, but the game is anticipated to launch in November. Rockstar Games has updated its modding guidelines for GTA 6, which include prohibitions on altering storylines, combining elements from different titles, and unauthorized monetization of mods. The guidelines emphasize respect for Rockstar's intellectual property and the creator community, and they state that monetization is only allowed through approved digital storefronts. The game is set to launch on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with the PC version's release date still unannounced. Additionally, Rockstar will release "Grand Theft Auto 6: The Album," featuring 34 original tracks from contemporary artists.

AppWizard

September 20, 2026

I urge you to check out this hidden object game where you play as the world’s most helpful sniper

Sniper Dan is a game developed by Denki that combines hidden-object puzzles with first-person shooting mechanics. Players identify problems and resolve them with shots, engaging in quirky tasks like clearing leaves or planting seeds. The game features amusing animations and rewards players with coins for upgrades and cosmetic items. It is currently priced at £8.79, available until October 1.