Development Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

2026’s best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants ‘to do a first-person game at some point’

Christoffer Bodegård began his journey into PC gaming with a DOS machine from his father and first played Disney's The Jungle Book. His passion for role-playing games was ignited by Dragon Age: Origins, which led him to explore many titles, including Planescape: Torment. After eight years of development, his game Esoteric Ebb launched in March to critical acclaim. Currently, he is playing Victoria 3, having logged around 400 hours, and previously played Abiotic Factor. The oldest games on his PC are Heroes of Might and Magic 3, King of Dragon Pass, Deus Ex, and Diablo 2, with Heroes 3 being a favorite. He has logged around 1,000 hours in Esoteric Ebb and is particularly fond of Europa Universalis IV, especially the Anbennar mod. Bodegård has never uninstalled Deus Ex, which greatly influences his design philosophy. He relies on Notepad++ for scripting and has improved his desktop organization from a cluttered state to a cleaner setup.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs

ZeniMax Online Studios has experienced a significant workforce reduction, returning to headcount levels similar to those from 2015-2018, following layoffs of 213 and 136 employees, with an additional 62 positions cut in 2025 after the cancellation of the MMO Blackbird. Senior developers, including Brandon Adler, have expressed concerns about perceptions of the studio's talent pool amidst these changes. The layoffs at ZeniMax and id Software were strategic responses to the evolving game development landscape. Other companies like Bungie and BioWare have also seen similar workforce adjustments without necessarily improving productivity or creative output. There are concerns that this narrative may be used as a public relations strategy by Microsoft, potentially perpetuating negative stereotypes about laid-off employees.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a 4-pixel upgrade. It sounds like a joke, but it actually matters.

Windows 11 is set to receive a slightly larger search box in the Start menu, increasing its height by four pixels to enhance the search experience. This change is currently in preview and may be rolled out to all users. Microsoft is also addressing design inconsistencies in Windows 11 through the Windows K2 project, which aims to refine the operating system's aesthetic and performance. The initiative may lead to improvements in RAM usage and overall visual appeal, contributing to a more polished user experience.

TrendTechie

July 12, 2026

Релиз BATorrent 4.0 — BitTorrent-клиента, созданного на C++, Qt 6 и libtorrent-rasterbar

In mid-June 2026, BATorrent released version 4.0, a lightweight BitTorrent client developed with C++, Qt 6, and libtorrent-rasterbar. The source code is available on GitHub under the MIT license, with builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Key features include support for magnet links, resumable downloads, sequential downloading, customizable file priorities, and an automatic RSS download feature. The client prioritizes user privacy with no telemetry or analytics, and the only outgoing request is a release check on GitHub. The user interface includes three themes, a real-time speed graph, a detailed tabbed panel, drag-and-drop support, and multilingual options. Privacy features include a PT mode for anonymous connections and a one-click Tor proxy setup. Notifications are integrated with Telegram and Discord, and key improvements in versions 4.0 and 4.1 include an interactive tour, automatic launch after updates, refined protection against automatic updates, and the ability to add torrents via URL.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Console-exclusive Silent Hill game finally gets PC release 14 years later

Aleksey Shevchenko, a Russian developer, has announced an unofficial PC port of Silent Hill Downpour, originally released in 2012 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This port will feature enhanced graphics with resolutions up to 1440p and support for 60 frames per second, along with improved lighting and shadow effects. It will include both controller and keyboard/mouse support, quick-save and quick-load options, and the ability to skip cutscenes. The port will also restore previously cut content, including deleted cutscenes, dialogues, notes, quests, 3D models, weapons, and a teased deleted boss fight. A specific release date has not been provided, but it is expected to launch in autumn. Players will need to own the original game to access the port. The original Silent Hill Downpour received mixed reviews, with criticism of its combat mechanics and technical issues but praise for its character depth and storytelling.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Do you have the Sun App yet ? Available FREE on Apple and Android with rave reviews!!

The Sun News App, developed by Mystic Media Dot Com, consolidates headlines from Wellsville, Hornell, and Keuka into a single platform, allowing users to access news easily. The app is free, has received positive feedback from users, and has no reported complaints. It offers local businesses an opportunity for brand visibility as the user base is expected to grow through 2026. Interested businesses can inquire about advertising opportunities via email at WellsvilleSun@yahoo.com. Mystic Media Dot Com also offers app development services for businesses.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft wants to integrate your smartphone more natively across Windows 11’s user experience

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows 11 user experience by improving the integration of smartphones through significant upgrades to the Phone Link feature. Key upgrades include enhancements to the Phone Companion feature in the Start menu, allowing users to view recent activities and notifications without launching the app. A new smartphone flyout will be tested in the Taskbar's system tray, displaying a phone icon for connected devices and offering quick access to settings and file sharing. Clipboard history synchronization between the phone and PC is also being considered, enabling users to access a comprehensive list of copied content. Additionally, a standalone Messages app for Windows 11 is in development, allowing users to sync SMS conversations and respond directly from their PC. These features are in the exploration and prototyping stages, with feedback from Insiders expected before any final decisions are made. Microsoft aims to create a cohesive ecosystem where smartphones and PCs work seamlessly together.

Tech Optimizer

July 12, 2026

What Is Serverless PostgreSQL?

Serverless PostgreSQL is a fully managed cloud database model that separates compute and storage, allowing them to scale independently and automatically based on demand. It eliminates the need for manual infrastructure provisioning and capacity planning, charging only for active usage. Unlike traditional PostgreSQL setups, which require continuous resource allocation and manual scaling, serverless PostgreSQL provisions resources on demand and can scale down to zero during idle periods. Serverless PostgreSQL integrates with serverless compute platforms, enabling analytical queries to access the same data within a unified architecture. Key differences between traditional and serverless PostgreSQL include manual versus automatic provisioning and scaling, fixed versus usage-based billing, and high versus reduced operational overhead. Lakebase architecture is an emerging model that combines transactional databases with lakehouse foundations, allowing operational and analytical workloads to coexist on a single platform. This architecture minimizes data duplication and simplifies access, enhancing data management and analysis. Serverless PostgreSQL operates on a cloud-native architecture that enhances efficiency by allowing compute and storage to scale autonomously. It features scale-to-zero behavior, where compute resources are suspended when inactive and reactivated upon new queries. Major providers include Databricks Lakebase, Amazon Aurora Serverless v2, and Neon, each offering varying capabilities and integrations. Pricing for serverless PostgreSQL typically includes charges for compute resources, storage, and data transfer, with costs fluctuating based on workload activity. Cold start latency is a performance consideration, as reactivating compute resources can introduce delays. Strategies to mitigate this include keeping resources partially active or selecting providers with minimal cold start impacts. Serverless PostgreSQL is well-suited for OLTP workloads, while lakebase architecture is better for AI development, variable workloads, and environments requiring rapid iteration. Setting up serverless PostgreSQL involves choosing a provider, creating a database instance, and configuring access settings. It can also be used alongside serverless compute platforms for analytics, further extending its capabilities.

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear’

Microsoft has restructured Xbox, resulting in significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and the disbanding of four game studios, including Double Fine and Compulsion Games returning to indie status, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were sold. Obsidian Entertainment, initially thought to be unaffected, also faced layoffs but is reportedly developing a new Fallout game with Josh Sawyer as director. A member of Obsidian's leadership, Adler, expressed frustration over misconceptions about the studio's evolution, emphasizing that key figures from its past successes remain. He reassured fans that the core essence of Obsidian is unchanged, despite recent challenges. Adler acknowledged the emotional toll of the layoffs and expressed support for departing employees. Anticipation for Obsidian's new Fallout title is growing.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft is now using AI to fix Windows bugs before hackers exploit them

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence into its vulnerability detection processes for the Windows operating system to enhance security. This will lead to more frequent security updates during monthly Patch Tuesday releases. The company aims to address the rise in AI-driven exploits and is refining its secure software development model to combat evolving tactics used in AI-driven attacks. While AI will assist in identifying vulnerabilities, human oversight will remain essential, with developers reviewing code and validating AI-generated findings before deploying updates.