design Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ Now Has Overwhelmingly Negative Reviews on Steam – How One of 2025’s Best Games Is Crashing on PC

Monster Hunter Wilds has received an "Overwhelmingly Negative" rating on Steam, despite being Capcom's fastest-selling title earlier this year. Players have expressed dissatisfaction primarily due to performance issues with the PC version, including frequent crashes, sluggish server response times, and high system requirements for smooth gameplay. Many negative reviews come from players with significant hours logged in the game, indicating that the discontent is not impulsive. While some players appreciate the gameplay, others criticize the narrative-driven approach and simplified mechanics, which have disappointed long-time fans.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Old apps and third-party providers blocked: Major Microsoft 365 security impact

Microsoft is implementing default blocks on legacy protocols and third-party applications for Microsoft 365 to enhance security. This includes deactivating the RPS protocol for SharePoint and OneDrive, as well as blocking the FPRPC protocol. Administrators will now need to give explicit approval for third-party applications to access files and pages, limiting user consent. These changes will begin in mid-July 2025 and are expected to be completed by August. Additionally, new security settings for Windows 365 will disable clipboard, storage, USB device, and printer linking by default on newly set up cloud PCs, with VBS, Credential Guard, and HVCI activated by default for those using a Windows 11 Gallery image. These updates for Windows 365 are planned for the latter half of 2025.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

The Windows 11 beta build adds a new UI effect, and people already hate it

The recent beta update for Windows 11 introduced a new touchscreen effect where a trail of bubbles follows the user's finger movement. User feedback has been largely negative, with many comparing the effect to "defect monitor ghosting" and expressing a preference for the previous design. Some users have suggested that Microsoft should allow an option to revert to the old touch input visuals. There is also a growing concern among users about the overall direction of Windows 11, with some feeling that certain aspects are not improving.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft 365 brings the shutters down on legacy protocols

Microsoft will implement default settings in Microsoft 365 starting mid-July 2025 that block legacy authentication protocols as part of its Secure Future Initiative. Legacy authentication methods, including the Remote PowerShell (RPS) protocol for SharePoint and OneDrive, and the FrontPage Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocol, will be phased out due to their vulnerability to attacks. Additionally, administrator consent will be required for third-party applications seeking access to organizational files and sites, which may disrupt existing workflows. All changes will be applied by default across all Microsoft 365 tenants.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Old tech is getting the boot inside Windows and Microsoft 365

Microsoft is removing obsolete drivers from Windows Update, starting with those that have modern replacements. Older drivers will be allowed to expire, and partners can republish them only with justification. After a six-month grace period for feedback, outdated drivers will be permanently removed if no issues are raised. This cleanup is part of a recurring process to enhance security and streamline drivers for users. In Microsoft 365, outdated authentication protocols will be blocked by default starting in July 2025, requiring administrator approval for third-party app access. The first protocols to be discontinued include outdated browser authentication methods for SharePoint and OneDrive accessed via Remote PowerShell, as well as the FrontPage Remote Procedure Call protocol. Third-party applications will need explicit administrator permission to access files and sites, which may disrupt existing workflows.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27881 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27881 has been released to the Canary Channel, with downloadable ISOs available. This build introduces a new profanity filter setting for voice typing, allowing users to manage the transcription of profane words. A new feature called speech recap has been added to Narrator, enabling users to track spoken content and access live transcriptions. General improvements include security certificate updates, a redesigned needy state pill on the taskbar, enhanced accessibility features, and new image editing capabilities in the Windows share window. A new FAQs section has been added to the Settings > System > About page, and various fixes have been implemented across different components. Known issues include problems with the taskbar display and the "Reset this PC" option not functioning after the upgrade. Users joining the Canary Channel on new Copilot+ PCs may experience loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Sword of the Sea fuses Journey with Tony Hawk to make a pro skater game that feels as good as it looks

At the Summer Game Fest, players experienced Sword of the Sea, where they navigate desolate dunes as the Wraith, a magical hero on a hoversword, working to restore ancient ocean life. The gameplay allows for a free, mood-based approach without rigid formulas, inspired by the Tony Hawk series and snowboarding. Creative director Matt Nava emphasized that players can recover from mistakes without harsh penalties, enhancing the surfing experience. The game encourages exploration with seamless instructional breaks and features a vibrant aesthetic reminiscent of Nava's previous titles, particularly with its use of the color orange. The design integrates graceful movement and dynamic action, creating a harmonious connection between gameplay and environment.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Kojima says he prefers smaller development teams

Hideo Kojima advocates for smaller development teams in gaming, believing they foster creativity and efficiency. He praised the compact team size of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has about 30 core members, despite a larger pool of contributors from outsourcing firms. Kojima reflected on his early experiences with a six-member team, noting that larger teams complicate control and communication. He expressed a preference for smaller groups, stating that they can lead to more innovative projects. Kojima highlighted the tension between the desire for grandiosity in game design and the efficiency of smaller teams, emphasizing the challenges modern developers face.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Best deals for PC gamers today: boutique rigs and game bundles

Today's technology offerings include high-end and budget-friendly gaming systems. The MAINGEAR RUSH Mk. IV is priced at ,774 and features an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D CPU, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 48GB T-Force Xtreem RGB Memory, 2TB T-Force A440 NVMe SSD, ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi Motherboard, MAINGEAR Epic 360 RGB Cooling, 850W MSI MAG A850GL PSU, and Windows 11 Home. It is designed for serious gamers and delivers exceptional performance within five days of ordering, though GPU availability may vary. The Skytech King 95 is a budget option priced at ,099.99, with an additional 5% coupon available. It includes an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT GPU, 32GB DDR5 5600MHz RGB Memory, 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD, 850W Gold PSU, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Home, and a free RGB keyboard and mouse. The ASUS ROG Strix Scope II 96 Wireless Gaming Keyboard is available for .99, featuring a 96% compact layout, tri-mode connection, hot-swappable NX Snow pre-lubed switches, sound-dampening foam, and durable PBT double-shot keycaps. The ASUS ROG Azoth 75 Wireless Keyboard has an OLED screen and hot-swappable switches, combining high performance with aesthetics. The ASUS ROG Keris II Ace Wireless Gaming Mouse weighs 54g and features ASUS's AimPoint Pro sensor. The Logitech G502 X Plus Wireless Gaming Mouse includes hybrid switches and a 25K HERO sensor. The ASUS ROG Spatha X Wireless Gaming Mouse offers customization options, swappable switches, and wireless charging. The Keychron K6 Pro Wireless Mechanical Keyboard supports wired and wireless use with customizable features. The Crucial T500 2TB NVMe SSD is a fast and affordable storage solution. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Processor is budget-friendly and suitable for 1080p gaming and multitasking. The PNY 256GB PRO Elite Prime microSDXC Card is priced under , offering speed and affordability for game storage. The Fanatical NSPCC Charity Bundle 2025 provides 0 worth of family-friendly and indie games for under , supporting the NSPCC. Dynasty Warriors: Origins is the latest installment in the Warriors franchise. The Fanatical Summer Mystery Bundle 2025 offers a gamble for gamers, potentially yielding great titles or quirky indie games at an affordable price.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds for Canary and Release Preview Testers

Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Release Preview Channels. The Canary build 27881 includes features such as: - Speech recap in Narrator for monitoring spoken content and live transcriptions. - A profanity filter setting for voice typing that can be disabled. - A redesigned needy state pill UI for taskbar icons. - An accessibility flyout in quick settings categorized by assistive technology types. - Enhanced Windows Share allowing image editing and sharing through the context menu. - A new FAQs section in Settings addressing common system questions. - Updated touch input visual design with "animating bubbles." ISOs for the Canary build 27881 are available for clean installs, and an updated Snipping Tool with GIF export is accessible for Insiders. The Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 for the Release Preview Channel includes: - An option for the taskbar to automatically resize icons. - Enhanced Windows Share with visual previews and three image compression levels. - A Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for privacy. - A settings homepage tailored for managed PCs with enterprise features. - Updated app defaults in the EEA for selecting new default browsers. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during setup. Additionally, Microsoft has released the Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.5548, which addresses issues from a previous build, and Windows 10 Insiders can access build 19045.6033 to rectify issues from an earlier release.