division Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

The new game from the makers of Botanicula and Chuchel is like 1984 meets the Keystone Kops, but in a way that actually works

Phonopolis, developed by Amanita Design, was released last week and has received positive early impressions. The game features straightforward puzzles that resemble interactive toys, with a notable sequence involving evasion during a parade. It is inspired by the works of Karel Čapek and George Orwell, showcasing themes of class division, surveillance, and punishment. The soundtrack by Tomáš Dvořák contrasts the game's harsh environment with a gentle, dreamy lullaby. The game is described as having overt thematic elements, making it feel heavier and less joyful than previous titles like Machinarium and Botanicula. Phonopolis is available for purchase on Steam, Epic, and GOG for .49/£18/€19.79, with a collector's edition and a demo also offered on Steam.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

MediaDailyNews: Microsoft Consumer CMO To Leave, Hints At Changes To Windows OS

Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, is leaving the company after 35 years. He plans to continue working through the next fiscal year on projects related to Windows, Microsoft 365, and One Copilot. Mehdi's departure follows other notable exits at Microsoft, including Rajesh Jha, who will retire next month, and others such as Charlie Bell, Phil Spencer, and Sarah Bond, who left in February.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

Embark finally pulls back the curtain on Arc Raiders’ matchmaking systems

Arc Raiders is clarifying its matchmaking system, emphasizing that it is not limited to a binary division between PvP and PvE, but operates on a spectrum that embraces unpredictability. Players are not confined to specific lobbies, allowing for a more authentic gaming experience. The matchmaking system adapts to individual playstyles, aiming to pair players with compatible approaches to reduce friction and enhance enjoyment. Isolated acts of aggression do not significantly impact a player's reputation, and loadouts do not influence matchmaking. Upcoming changes will allow players to defend themselves without being penalized for engaging in combat, promoting a richer social interaction experience.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Norton 360 review: what the security suite adds for US users

Norton 360 is a subscription-based consumer security software suite developed by Norton, a division of Gen Digital, designed for everyday home devices. It includes antivirus protection, VPN capabilities, and privacy tools, catering primarily to the US consumer market. The suite offers features such as malware scanning, spyware detection, and Card Shield for managing payment data. It provides cloud storage and multi-device coverage, making it suitable for personal devices like phones, tablets, and computers. Norton 360 aims to meet the evolving cybersecurity needs of consumers by integrating various protective measures into one cohesive package. It is available through Norton channels and app stores, appealing to a broad global consumer base.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Take-Two CEO says “Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit” without $50 million art style change gamble

The original Borderlands, unveiled in 2007, resembled other mid-2000s shooters with a muted aesthetic. As the game neared release, Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive faced a decision about its art style, which was deemed insufficient by his team. Despite the risk of delaying the project and the significant investment already made, Zelnick chose to support a shift to a hand-inked art style, which ultimately contributed to the game's success. He described this decision as a gamble that few in the industry would have taken, emphasizing the importance of trusting creative vision and fostering innovation within the company.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Hauntingly Beautiful Horror Game Gets Free Taster On PC Ahead Of Release

Black Omens: House of Crimson Silk is a horror game set in fictional Edo-era Japan, where players assume the role of Idate Chiyo, a junior investigator in the Tokugawa Shogunate’s Magical Arcane Division. The game features the Hon'iden Mansion, an abandoned estate rumored to be haunted, and involves solving escape room-style puzzles while using supernatural abilities to interact with the paranormal. A free demo is available for download on Steam and itch.io, and early player feedback highlights its atmospheric qualities. The game revolves around uncovering the mystery of a vanished merchant family, but a definitive launch date for the full version has not been announced.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Take-Two CEO says the original Borderlands’ art style overhaul cost a year of dev time and $50 million: ‘Had we not done that, Borderlands wouldn’t have been a hit’

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, discussed the development of Borderlands in a conversation with podcaster David Senra. The game, initially revealed nearly two decades ago, started with a muted palette and somber tone, contrasting sharply with its final vibrant aesthetic. Transforming Borderlands required an investment of millions and an additional year of development, as the team realized the original art style was not differentiated enough. Randy Pitchford, a key developer, noted that early testers found the initial design reminiscent of other titles like Rage and Fallout 3, which felt dated. Ultimately, Borderlands' unique style has become a defining characteristic, distinguishing it from other shooters.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

ON THIS DAY: Microsoft offers an olive branch for users of ‘Non-Genuine’ Windows PCs to get a Windows 10 upgrade

On this day 11 years ago, Microsoft extended full Windows 10 upgrades to non-genuine Windows PCs, marking a shift in its strategy to prioritize a unified Windows ecosystem over strict licensing enforcement. Earlier in the same year, Microsoft announced that owners of licensed Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs could upgrade to Windows 10 for free within a year of its launch, and later allowed users of unlicensed versions to upgrade as well, although they would still be using unlicensed software. This decision aimed to consolidate users onto a secure platform, enhancing security and fostering a cohesive ecosystem.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Former Windows boss reveals why modern Windows 11 apps feel slower, says Microsoft once gave every engineer a stopwatch

Steven Sinofsky, former head of the Windows Division at Microsoft, discussed the company's engineering culture and its focus on resource management from 1980 to 2000, where every engineer was given a physical stopwatch to measure various performance metrics. This practice emphasized optimizing software for speed and efficiency, a stark contrast to modern applications that consume significant RAM due to shifts in market dynamics and hardware advancements. The current trend prioritizes rapid feature deployment over optimization, leading to performance issues in applications. Microsoft is responding to criticism by enhancing the performance of Windows 11, focusing on native desktop applications and optimizing core components, including the Start menu and File Explorer. They are also testing new CPU scheduling profiles to reduce micro-lags during user interactions.

Winsage

May 13, 2026

Microsoft aims to speed Windows with ‘leap forward’ in WinUI 3 perf

Microsoft has announced a 25 percent improvement in the performance of WinUI 3, specifically in File Explorer components. There has been a 41 percent reduction in memory allocations and a 45 percent decrease in function calls. Some optimizations may involve breaking changes, which will initially be optional for developers. The enhancements are intended to become the default in future iterations of WinUI and the Windows App SDK. Despite these improvements, developers have expressed concerns about WinUI 3's performance, noting it is slower than WPF and UWP. The reliance on WinRT interop for component actions is seen as a significant factor hindering speed. Additionally, there are historical tensions regarding the adoption of Microsoft's frameworks within the Windows and Office teams, leading to skepticism about their reliability.