culture

AppWizard
July 20, 2025
Baskin Robbins launched a Minecraft-themed ice cream cake in Japan on July 17, 2025, priced at 4,000 JPY. The cake measures 11 cm by 16.5 cm and features six flavors: Caramel Ribbon (Skeleton), Chocolate x Chocolate Chip (Zombie), Chopped Chocolate (Enderman), Melon au Lait (Creeper), Popping Shower (TNT), and Very Berry Strawberry (Pig), each with chocolate toppings representing Minecraft characters. Additionally, Baskin Robbins offers a Super Mario Bros. ice cream cake as part of its themed desserts. The popularity of Minecraft has been boosted by the release of A Minecraft Movie in April 2025, which became the second highest-grossing video game adaptation and the third highest-grossing film of the year. Minecraft is available on multiple platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, and mobile devices.
Winsage
July 14, 2025
Microsoft has announced the retirement of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) after nearly forty years, transitioning to a new error screen called the Black Screen of Death. The new screen will feature a black background, replacing the blue, and will provide clearer error messages, such as "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." This change is part of a broader initiative to improve user experience during critical failures, including a significant reduction in reboot times to approximately two seconds. The redesign was influenced by the CrowdStrike outage and aims to enhance clarity and efficiency in troubleshooting. The rollout will begin with Windows Insiders and expand to millions of PCs globally.
AppWizard
July 11, 2025
The RTS genre has faced challenges and is currently underserved as of 2025. The latest Humble Bundle offers a selection of RTS titles, providing some relief for fans. The Commandos HD project allows players to experience classic titles in modern resolutions, but Commandos: Origins is not included and remains a full-price title following its favorable user reviews since its debut last April.
Tech Optimizer
July 10, 2025
EnterpriseDB (EDB) has returned to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, focusing on the impact of advanced AI data systems in the automotive industry. A global survey by EDB of 190 automotive executives revealed that only 13% of organizations are successfully leveraging agentic and generative AI, with these companies achieving a fivefold return on investment through a focus on data sovereignty. The automotive sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with the U.K. automotive AI market projected to grow from £8 million in 2024 to £2 million by 2030, reflecting a 21.7% CAGR. EDB is also fostering future talent through initiatives that encourage students to propose innovative data and AI solutions, with a £2,000 prize for the winning idea. The U.K. STEM workforce is expected to grow by 10% by 2030, while many tech firms face challenges in filling roles. EDB has received multiple recognitions for its innovation and workplace culture, including listings in various industry awards. EDB Postgres® AI is described as an open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platform that integrates various workloads while ensuring compliance and security.
AppWizard
July 10, 2025
Roblox reported 79.5 million daily active users (DAUs) in Q1 2025, while Minecraft had 140 million monthly active users (MAUs) in 2023. Roblox generated .8 million in revenue in Q1 2025, compared to Minecraft's million for the entirety of 2023. 54% of Roblox users are under 13 years old, while Minecraft appeals to a broader demographic, including adults. Roblox focuses on user-generated content and social interaction, while Minecraft emphasizes creativity and nostalgia.
AppWizard
July 10, 2025
Game-based learning through Minecraft Education effectively engages students across various subjects, promoting critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity while equipping them with essential digital skills. The platform offers ready-to-use, standards-aligned resources in subjects like coding, AI, science, history, and math, transforming education into an enjoyable experience. Minecraft Education prepares students for a digital world by providing hands-on experiences that enhance digital citizenship, responsible AI usage, and coding fluency. Specific programs include "CyberSafe AI," which focuses on digital citizenship and AI literacy; "Hour of Code," which involves solving coding puzzles in a theater setting; and "GameCode," where students create their own mini-games. The platform also addresses core subjects and STEM education through immersive experiences like "Ocean Heroes," which teaches marine conservation; "Data Explorers," which emphasizes data collection and analysis; "Ratio Riddles," which engages students with foundational math concepts; "Peter is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage," which explores architectural history; and the "James Webb Space Telescope Challenge," which invites students to explore the universe. Minecraft Education fosters creative classroom environments through activities like "Wheel of Steve," which enhances collaboration and critical thinking, and "Renewtopia," which teaches about renewable energy sources. The platform supports educators with resources and a community to integrate game-based learning effectively.
AppWizard
July 8, 2025
Borderlands 4 is set to release with a promise of improved storytelling, moving away from the "toilet humor" and meme culture of previous titles. Episode two of Beyond the Borderlands has generated optimism about the game's narrative potential, suggesting a more refined approach to storytelling. While the series has faced criticism for execution, it has maintained engaging gameplay. If Borderlands 4 successfully integrates a compelling story, it could enhance the overall experience for both new and returning players.
AppWizard
July 8, 2025
Pneuma Games Group has established a new studio, Cast Iron Games, in Tileyard North, Wakefield, specializing in triple-A co-development and games porting. The studio is led by CEO Arden Aspinall and COO Jon Seymour, both of whom have extensive experience in the gaming industry. Cast Iron Games operates as a sister company to Double Eleven, sharing values and principles with it. Aspinall emphasizes the studio's commitment to reliability and quality in client partnerships. Seymour highlights the importance of a collaborative environment for the team, focusing on empowering them to realize clients' creative visions.
BetaBeacon
July 7, 2025
- Destiny: Rising is a free-to-play RPG shooter for iOS and Android set in an alternate timeline to the main franchise. - The game will be released on August 28th by Chinese developer NetEase Games. - Players can choose to play as a customizable character named Wolf or established Destiny characters. - Features include single, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes, customizable weapons, and a new weapon type and gear tier. - Preorders are available on Google Play and the App Store, with a pre-launch event offering special in-game bonuses.
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