departure Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

Amazon is shutting down its Android app store next week

The Amazon App Store on Android devices will close on August 20, marking a shift in Amazon's strategy to focus on its own products like Fire Tablets and Fire TV. The decision, announced in February, comes as Amazon has determined that the incentive to maintain the service for Android users has diminished, given that most interactions with the app store are from its proprietary devices. The app store, available in over 200 countries, provided a platform for various applications but will soon be discontinued, along with Amazon Coins, which will also be refunded by the closure date.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

Rod Fergusson is leaving Blizzard

Rod Fergusson, the general manager of the Diablo franchise, has announced his departure from Blizzard Entertainment. He joined Blizzard in February 2020 after over 15 years with the Gears of War franchise. Fergusson expressed fulfillment in his time at Blizzard, having driven the Diablo franchise forward with four major launches. Xbox head Phil Spencer acknowledged Fergusson's contributions to the franchise. The future leadership of the Diablo franchise at Blizzard remains uncertain.

AppWizard

August 9, 2025

‘Let’s just kill everyone on the station:’ The videogame audio log was apparently invented to avoid ‘awkward’ RPG dialogue trees

Marc LeBlanc, a programmer from Looking Glass Studios, discussed the innovative design of audio logs in the game System Shock during a Nightdive podcast episode. The team aimed to move away from traditional RPG mechanics, avoiding the limitations of D&D-style stats and skills that could frustrate players. They rejected the idea of conversation trees with NPCs, seeking a more immersive narrative delivery. Designer Austin Grossman suggested using audio logs by having all characters dead, allowing players to access their diaries. This approach streamlined storytelling and enhanced player engagement. LeBlanc acknowledged that while audio logs can be overused today, they remain effective for narrative delivery, offering players choices in how they engage with the story.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

Finally, a game that makes Marvel superheroes exciting again

Marvel Cosmic Invasion is a 2D beat-'em-up game developed by Tribute Games Inc., featuring a roster of 15 playable characters, including Wolverine, She-Hulk, and Rocket Raccoon. The game includes a tag team system that allows players to form teams of up to four characters and switch between two heroes during gameplay. The pixel-art animation is vibrant and colorful, reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon. The gameplay focuses on straightforward beat-'em-up mechanics, allowing players to navigate levels, battle foes, and face bosses without convoluted systems or RPG-like progression.

Winsage

August 6, 2025

Microsoft’s 2030 Vision: AI Windows That Sees, Hears, and Anticipates

Microsoft envisions a future for Windows by 2030 where devices will have sensory capabilities, allowing them to see, hear, and engage in conversation. This shift towards "agentic" AI aims to transform the operating system into a proactive assistant that anticipates user needs. Recent advancements, such as Copilot Vision in Windows 11, exemplify this evolution by enabling real-time analysis of on-screen content. The integration of AI features, including Bing Chat, positions Windows 11 as the first operating system with a centralized AI assistant. Sensory AI will facilitate devices interpreting visual and auditory inputs, offering proactive suggestions based on user context. Microsoft is addressing privacy concerns through responsible AI frameworks while promoting a hybrid model where AI augments human capabilities. This evolution could redefine industries, with potential applications in healthcare and creative sectors.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Best space flight simulation games, ranked

Several space flight simulation games are set to release or have released recently, appealing to a broad audience. 1. Underspace: - Release date: April 10, 2024 - Platform: PC - Developer: Pastaspace Interactive - Features sandbox gameplay inspired by Freelancer, with ship customization and exploration. 2. Everspace 2: - Release date: April 6, 2023 - Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC - Developer: Rockfish Games - Offers an open-world adventure with a compelling storyline and engaging side missions. 3. Freelancer: - Release date: March 4, 2003 - Platform: PC - Developer: Digital Anvil - Allows players to traverse 48 star systems, engaging in trading, piracy, and bounty hunting. 4. Starfield: - Release date: September 6, 2023 - Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC - Developer: Bethesda Game Studios - Features customizable spacecraft and immersive dogfights. 5. Star Citizen: - Release date: December 23, 2017 - Platform: PC - Developer: Cloud Imperium Games - Known for its ambitious scope and immersive flight simulation experience. 6. Star Wars: Starfighter 1 & 2: - Release dates: February 21, 2001 / March 11, 2002 - Platforms: Xbox, PS2/3, PC - Developers: LucasArts, Blitz Games, Secret Level - Arcade-style space combat games set in the Star Wars universe. 7. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron series: - Release dates: December 3, 1998 / November 18, 2001 / October 21, 2003 - Platforms: Nintendo 64, PC / GameCube - Developers: LucasArts, Factor 5 - Celebrated for engaging gameplay and tight controls. 8. No Man's Sky: - Release date: August 12, 2016 - Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch 1/2, PC - Developer: Hello Games - Offers a vast universe for exploration and various activities, including VR support. 9. Star Wars Squadrons: - Release date: October 2, 2020 - Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC - Developer: Motive - Provides a pure flight simulation experience with engaging controls and VR support. 10. Elite: Dangerous: - Release date: April 2, 2015 - Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC - Developer: Frontier Developments - Known for its realism and immersive gameplay, allowing players to take on various roles in a living galaxy.

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Windows 11 is testing Taskbar companions and it might be another AI feature

Microsoft is exploring a new taskbar feature called "companions," which may integrate artificial intelligence into the Windows experience. This initiative is in early stages, with references to "Agentic Companions" found in recent Windows 11 preview builds. A specific string indicates users may manage these companions from their settings, although the features are not yet operational. Previously, Microsoft aimed to introduce a "recommendations" feature for the taskbar to enhance engagement with Bing and web content, but the project was abandoned after the departure of Mikhail Parakhin. Additionally, Microsoft is testing features such as support for "shared audio" for multiple devices and a clock displaying seconds in the Calendar flyout, with the latter already available to Windows 10 users.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft has fixed the only Windows bug I’ve ever liked: the Vista startup sound ‘unexpectedly’ playing on Win 11 machines

Microsoft addressed a bug in the Canary channel of the Windows Insider program where the Windows Vista start-up sound was unexpectedly used instead of the Windows 11 boot sound. The company reverted to the standard Windows 11 boot sound and clarified the issue. The Vista boot-up sound, which is also associated with Windows 7, is considered nostalgic by many users. The latest update also fixed other issues, including audio playback interruptions when casting to a TV and crashes in the power and battery settings menu. Users can modify the registry to change startup sounds, allowing them to enjoy a unique 'tada' sound upon booting up their computers.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft has fixed the only Windows bug I’ve ever liked: the Vista startup sound ‘unexpectedly’ playing on Win 11 machines

The Windows Insider program allows users to test new features before public release. Recently, some users experienced the Windows Vista start-up sound instead of the Windows 11 sound. Microsoft quickly addressed this issue in the Canary channel, reverting to the standard Windows 11 boot sound, noting that the Vista sound was used unexpectedly. The Vista sound, which is nostalgic for many, was also present in Windows 7. The latest update not only fixed the sound bug but also resolved issues with audio playback when casting to a TV and crashes in the power and battery settings menu. Users can customize their startup sounds by editing registry settings, although the option to revert to the Vista sound is not available in the sounds folder.

AppWizard

August 1, 2025

Milky Tea CEO Jon Holmes steps down after 20 years

Jonathan Holmes, the founder and CEO of Milky Tea, is leaving the company he established in 2005, with Chris Wood, the current general manager, set to succeed him as managing director. Under Holmes' leadership, Milky Tea gained recognition with titles like HyperBrawl Tournament and Coffin Dodgers, and is preparing to release Grit and Valor - 1949 in August. The studio was acquired by Aonic in 2023. Holmes expressed gratitude for his time at Milky Tea and emphasized the importance of stepping back to focus on family. Chris Wood expressed pride in taking on the leadership role and acknowledged Holmes' contributions over the past 20 years.