design Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Forgotten FPS sequel Heretic 2 gets a ‘reverse-engineered sourceport’ that fixes bugs, improves the framerate and adds ‘lots of cosmetic improvements’

Classic boomer shooters Heretic and Hexen have been made more accessible for PC gamers by Nightdive Studios. Hexen 2 is available for purchase on Steam, while accessing Heretic 2 requires obtaining a boxed copy. Heretic 2, released in 1998, is a third-person action-adventure game that received positive reviews for its level design and 3D action. MaxEd on GitHub has created a reverse-engineered sourceport called Heretic2R, which enhances the game with features like widescreen support, unlocked framerate, improved map loading times, and cosmetic improvements. To use Heretic2R, players need the original Heretic 2 game data updated to version 1.06. The potential for a future rerelease of Heretic 2 exists, as both it and Hexen 2 were published by different companies now under Microsoft.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Mechabellum is a conversation you should be having

Mechabellum is an autobattler game that supports 1v1, 2v2, or 1v1v1v1 matchups, where players deploy various mechs to engage in combat. The game emphasizes strategic interaction over execution, allowing players to adapt their strategies based on their opponent's moves. After about ten hours of gameplay, players experience the game's depth, characterized by a dynamic exchange of tactics that resembles a conversation. Defeats often arise from understanding the opponent's intentions rather than from executing a pre-learned strategy. The game provides clear cause-and-effect feedback, enabling players to learn from their decisions. New units are regularly introduced, and matches are designed to be concise, fitting easily into players' schedules. The visual presentation of the game enhances the experience, making battles easy to follow and rewarding strategic planning.

Winsage

March 28, 2026

How to Enable JavaScript in Windows: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

When JavaScript is disabled on a Windows browser, users may experience issues such as websites not loading properly, unresponsive buttons, videos not playing, and online forms or payment processes failing. Enabling JavaScript is generally safe and is necessary for most reputable websites to function correctly. The process to enable JavaScript is straightforward and does not require advanced technical knowledge. Many browsers, like Firefox, have JavaScript enabled by default, although some users may disable it for privacy or security reasons. If websites malfunction after enabling JavaScript, troubleshooting steps include clearing the browser cache, disabling extensions, restarting the computer, updating the browser, or checking antivirus restrictions. Users on work devices may need to consult their IT administrator for assistance.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

I ditched Google Drive and Photos for this privacy-focused app, and I couldn’t be happier

Rita El Khoury is transitioning from Google Drive to Proton Drive due to privacy concerns. A poll indicated that 62% of respondents would consider moving away from Google Drive for security reasons. El Khoury values Proton Drive's end-to-end encryption, which ensures only users can access their files, unlike Google Drive, which lacks this feature. She appreciates Proton Drive's unified interface and minimalist design in Proton Docs, but notes its limitations, such as fewer convenience features and only 5GB of free storage compared to Google Drive's 15GB. The choice between the two services depends on individual priorities regarding privacy and features.

Winsage

March 28, 2026

Microsoft design chief shares new update on Windows 11’s dark mode

Microsoft is working on enhancing the dark mode in Windows 11, with Marcus Ash, the head of Windows Design and Research, indicating efforts to expand the dark theme across more areas of the operating system. Improvements are being made to legacy system panels and dialogs to enhance consistency, although no specific timeline for updates, including for Regedit, has been provided. Additionally, Microsoft is responding to user feedback by refining the user experience, which includes plans to improve the file explorer and reintroduce taskbar customization options. Currently, dark mode is only partially integrated, with key features like File Properties in File Explorer, Regedit, and Disk Management lacking support.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Pokemon Pokopia Players Use Minecraft Trick to Farm Pokemetal

Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Mojang hired a “cow whisperer” and “real animal voice actors” to record new Minecraft animal noises: “The cows started to speak to him immediately”

Minecraft's latest update, Tiny Takeover, features new animal sounds created with the help of "real animal voice actors" to enhance authenticity. The update includes an overhaul of baby mob sounds, with recordings of kittens, wolf puppies, foals, piglets, and baby chickens, as well as new sound variants for adult animals. The reception of update 26.1 has been mixed, with some players criticizing it as a "low effort marketplace add-on," while others defend the developers' efforts. The Minecraft development team remains optimistic about future updates and the abundance of ideas available for the game.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Soren Johnson on keeping his game studio small: ‘You get better games if you take longer to make games’

Mohawk Games, established in 2013 by former Firaxis developers, is preparing to launch new downloadable content (DLC) for their 2021 grand strategy game, Old World. The studio, which employs 15 individuals, has sustained its operations through revenue from Old World. The upcoming expansion, titled Empires of the Indus, will introduce three new civilizations and is scheduled for release on March 30. Co-founder Soren Johnson expressed a desire to explore creative avenues beyond grand strategy and has ambitions to develop a light tactical RPG. While there are no immediate announcements for new projects, Johnson has a list of game ideas he finds exciting.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Get every Frictional horror game ever made—Penumbra, Amnesia, and SOMA—for just $15 in this screamingly good bundle

Amnesia: The Dark Descent, released 16 years ago, is a significant title in horror gaming, known for its unsettling experience that leads to a numbing acceptance of horror. Humble Bundle is offering The Dark Descent along with five other Frictional Games titles for a discounted price. The collection includes: - Penumbra Collectors Pack: A trilogy that precedes Frictional's later works. - Amnesia: The Dark Descent: A game set in a Gothic castle where players confront grotesque creatures and their dark past. - Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs: A cerebral horror experience developed by The Chinese Room. - Amnesia: Rebirth: A direct sequel to The Dark Descent set in the 1930s. - Amnesia: The Bunker: A survival horror entry praised for its innovative approach. - SOMA: Regarded as Frictional's finest work, focusing on narrative depth rather than jump scares. The entire bundle is available for a limited time until April 1, 2027, and can be purchased via Steam keys.

Tech Optimizer

March 28, 2026

Trend Micro Maximum Security Review 2026: Is It The Best Protection?

Trend Micro offers five distinct subscription versions for online security, including a 12-month subscription to its Maximum Security Suite Pro Plus, which provides multi-device antivirus, anti-scam software, a VPN, and identity theft protection. The pricing starts at AUD for a basic subscription for one device, with additional costs for more devices and features. The tested plan costs 99.95 AUD per year for six devices. Key features include AI-scam detection, a Gamer Mode that pauses notifications during gameplay, and a minimalist user interface. Installation requires separate logins for each program, and the suite supports MacOS, Android, and iOS, though with limited features on Mac. The built-in VPN is developed in-house, and phishing protection is provided via a browser extension. Folder Shield protects against ransomware by securing specific folders. Independent lab tests show mixed results for Trend Micro's performance, particularly in real-time web-threat protection and ransomware defense, with some weaknesses in offline malware detection.