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AppWizard

December 24, 2024

I played at least one retro game every week in 2024: Here are 10 I’d still recommend to everyone

The text discusses the appeal of classic video games and their modern counterparts, highlighting several notable titles. - Dig Dug (1982) is an arcade classic known for its simple yet challenging gameplay, where players clear dirt and drop rocks on monsters. - Mr. Driller DrillLand (2002) is a modern twist on the Dig Dug experience, featuring puzzle-solving and whimsical aesthetics, originally a GameCube exclusive now available on Steam. - Thief (1998) offers a first-person stealth experience in a detailed steampunk universe, focusing on exploration and heists. - Wing Commander (1990) combines space combat with a narrative that evolves based on player choices. - Strahd’s Possession is an RPG inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, featuring an innovative automap system for exploration in a gothic fantasy setting. - Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2 (2004) provides engaging character development and loot collection, compatible with modern platforms. - The Castlevania Dominus Collection includes classic titles like Haunted Castle (1987) and Dawn of Sorrow (2005), showcasing the potential for redemption through redesign. - Alone in the Dark (1992) is recognized as a pioneer of the survival horror genre, known for its puzzle design and atmospheric tension. - Skald: Against the Black Priory (2024) captures retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics, reminiscent of classic Commodore 64 adventures. - Devil Blade Reboot (2024) channels '90s arcade shooters with vibrant pixel art and fast-paced action.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Only 15% of all Steam users’ time was spent playing games released in 2024

Steam users played 50% fewer games in 2024 compared to the previous year, influenced by Game Pass, emulation, and the Nintendo 3DS XL. Only 15% of total gaming time was spent on titles launched in 2024, while 47% was dedicated to games released in the last one to seven years, and 37% to titles over eight years old. The free-to-play game Banana gained significant attention, and the action-adventure game Black Myth: Wukong led in single-player concurrent players. Long-standing games like Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and PUBG dominated the Most Played charts, making it challenging for new live service games to succeed. Steam offers over 200,000 titles, with around 18,000 released in 2024, making the 15% of playtime on new games seem reasonable.

BetaBeacon

December 19, 2024

Got a Samsung phone? You can now get an exclusive Squid Game season 2 sneak peek

Samsung users can get an exclusive look at Squid Game season 2 through the Galaxy Store.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

December Patch Tuesday arrives bearing 71 gifts

Microsoft released a comprehensive update on Tuesday that includes 71 patches addressing vulnerabilities across ten product families. Among these, 17 vulnerabilities affecting Windows are classified as Critical, with a CVSS base score of 8.1 or higher. Ten of these vulnerabilities are related to Remote Desktop Services. CVE-2024-49138, which affects the Windows Common Log File system driver, is currently exploited in the wild, and Microsoft expects six additional CVEs may be targeted in the next 30 days. The update includes advisory notes on two Edge CVEs and a Defense-in-Depth update for Microsoft Project. The total number of CVEs addressed is 71, with 1 publicly disclosed and 1 exploit detected. The severity breakdown includes 17 Critical and 54 Important vulnerabilities. The impact categories are as follows: 31 for Remote Code Execution, 27 for Elevation of Privilege, 7 for Information Disclosure, 5 for Denial of Service, and 1 for Spoofing. There is 1 CVE with a CVSS base score of 9.0 or greater and 27 with a score of 8.0 or greater. CVE-2024-49112 is highlighted as the only vulnerability this month with a CVSS base score exceeding 9.0, rated at 9.8, affecting all supported versions of Windows 10, 11, and Server versions since 2008. CVE-2024-49138 is an Important-severity elevation of privilege issue impacting all supported client and server versions of Windows. CVE-2024-49117 is a Critical-severity RCE that could enable cross-VM attacks, while CVE-2024-49114 introduces a new vulnerability category termed False File Immutability. Microsoft has addressed a total of 1,015 CVEs through its Patch Tuesday process in 2023, the highest annual count since 2020. December 2023 recorded the lowest patch count in five years, with only 33 patches released. For users of Sophos protections, a detailed table outlines the CVEs and corresponding detection capabilities.

Winsage

December 11, 2024

New Windows 0Day Attack Confirmed—Homeland Security Says Update Now

Microsoft has confirmed a zero-day security vulnerability, CVE-2024-49138, which poses a significant risk of full system compromise for Windows devices. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has included this vulnerability in its Known Exploited Vulnerability Catalog and recommends immediate action to mitigate risks. CVE-2024-49138 is a heap-based buffer overflow in the Microsoft Windows Common Log File System driver, affecting various editions of Windows since Server 2008. It has a CVSSv3.1 score of 7.8 and is rated Important by Microsoft, with risk-based prioritization suggesting it should be treated as Critical. Evidence indicates that this vulnerability is being exploited in the wild, raising concerns about potential ransomware attacks. Users are urged to update their systems promptly.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Microsoft Store expands to update all Win32 apps, but users remain skeptical

Microsoft is working to enhance the Windows App Store by allowing third-party publishers to manage updates for their Win32 applications directly through the Store. The Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27758 introduces support for Win32 applications, enabling users to manage and update these programs without leaving the Store. Users can access updates via the "Downloads" page, but must manually initiate the update process. This centralized update feature is exclusive to applications downloaded from the Microsoft Store, while traditional Win32 software remains unaffected. The update capability provides developers with a new distribution method while retaining control over updates. Additionally, the build addresses various bugs in Windows components, although some compatibility issues with Windows 11 24H2 persist.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

The Big Indie Interviews: Hyena Hon on award-winning competitive game Crush!

The Very Big Indie Pitch competition at Pocket Gamer Connects Jordan allows developers to present their games to expert judges for feedback and potential prizes. Mostafa Harb from Hyena Hon showcased their game Crush!, a competitive party game for two players that evolved from a game jam project. Harb highlighted the challenges of indie game development in Lebanon due to economic instability, emphasizing the need for funding and stable employment. He described the positive reception of Crush! during the pitch, noting the valuable feedback received from both casual gamers and industry experts. Harb plans to expand Crush! with a unique art style and diverse gameplay mechanics, aiming for a Steam release. Additionally, he and co-founder Jawad Karaky have ideas for future projects, including an educational cooking game, a racing game, and a narrative-driven game for the visually impaired.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Alpine Partners with Minecraft in Huge New Formula1 Project

The collaboration between Alpine and Microsoft has resulted in the launch of a Minecraft Education world aimed at promoting the Race into STEM initiative, which focuses on engaging youth in STEM education and encouraging gender diversity in motorsports. The initiative includes global outreach events in cities like Mexico City, London, and Melbourne, designed to inspire young people to consider STEM careers in the motorsports industry. A key feature is a Minecraft recreation of Alpine's Enstone factory, allowing players to learn about Formula One car development and racing mechanics. The initiative has seen participation from over 100 students and over 80,000 visits from users in 99 countries. The partnership also involves FIA Girls on Track UK, which curates educational content to motivate young women in STEM fields. Local schools, such as Middle Barton Primary School, have participated by touring Alpine's facility for hands-on learning experiences.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

How to find out what apps are draining your Android phone’s battery

Many Android users experience battery life issues, especially with non-flagship devices. To identify apps that drain battery, users can check the Battery section in the Settings app, where they can view battery usage by app over the past 24 hours. Apps with significant battery consumption should be closed, force-stopped, updated, or uninstalled if necessary. Users can force stop an app by selecting it in the Battery Usage window. In older Android versions, users can also configure apps for Optimized Battery Usage. Recent versions allow users to manage background usage through Settings > Apps > [App Name], which can help conserve battery life but may prevent real-time updates for certain apps.

AppWizard

November 17, 2024

The Big Indie Interviews: Message Photon on their award-winning roguelike Painted Peril

Painted Peril secured second place in The Very Big Indie Pitch at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki. The game is a roguelike experience developed by a team from Finland, where players explore a world of color magic and combine hues to create spells. The project originated about 1.5 years ago as a university course initiative at Chalmers University of Technology, where a group of six students developed the initial prototype and won the Jury Spotlight Award at the Gotland Game Conference. Players control Sylvia the squirrel, navigating a cave system and using color effects and spellcasting mechanics. The game includes various bottles that affect spell behavior, promoting experimentation with color combinations. Emil Ekroth, a developer, discussed the challenges of indie development, emphasizing the need for versatility and motivation. The pitching experience highlighted the importance of clear communication. The team is exploring publishing options for Painted Peril, including potential self-publishing on Steam.