3109 Studio has announced an unofficial 27-centimeter statue of the android Diana from the game Pragmata. The statue is available for preorder for 203.14 euros and is scheduled for release in the third to fourth quarter of 2026.
Silent Hill f features Shimizu Hinako, a young woman in 1960s Japan, who faces societal expectations and the evolving roles of women. The game emphasizes the complexity of choices and the fears associated with them, particularly regarding marriage and stagnation. The development team, led by director Al Yang, incorporated insights from female team members to authentically portray Hinako's struggles and fears. Monsters in the game symbolize her anxieties, including a representation of her fear of pregnancy, designed with input from female artists. The narrative reflects the importance of communication and diverse perspectives in storytelling.
Everplay is developing a turn-based strategy game called Warhounds, inspired by classics like XCOM and Jagged Alliance. The game faced criticism during its Steam Next Fest demo for using generative AI for character portraits, which were described as "shiny, unrealistic, and completely at odds with the look of the game." In response to community feedback, Everplay clarified that the AI-generated portraits were temporary placeholders and announced plans to replace them with over 100 hand-crafted designs. The new portrait system will create images directly from each character's in-game 3D model, ensuring visual consistency and accommodating custom recruits. Warhounds features an accuracy system that calculates bullets individually, eliminating random misses, and introduces meaningful consequences based on player decisions. The game is set for release in 2026, with a wishlist option available on Steam and a free demo for players.
The Stone of Madness is a free PC game inspired by 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya, featuring hand-painted settings and characters dealing with mental health issues. Players assist these characters in escaping their traumas within a top-down adventure set in a Monastery. The game is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store until April 23, 2026.
Microsoft, Apple, and various Linux distributions compete for user loyalty in the operating system market, with Microsoft leading through its Windows OS. PeekDesktop is a free utility developed by Scott Hanselman, allowing Windows users to hide open windows by clicking on the desktop, similar to a feature in macOS Sonoma. Early testing revealed issues, such as interference with emptying the Recycle Bin and the Task Manager not responding to clicks on the wallpaper. Hanselman noted that PeekDesktop was inspired by macOS features, aiming to help Apple users transition to Windows.
2023 has seen a resurgence in mecha games, particularly with the release of Armored Core 6, leading fans to look for new titles from indie developers. Notable upcoming projects include:
- Ironwing Valiant: Record of Astera by Tiger Team, featuring vibrant landscapes and party customization, with no announced release date but available for wishlisting on Steam.
- Code Rapid by Hitbreak Games, showcasing dynamic combat inspired by PlatinumGames, with a demo expected in the coming months and no specific release date yet.
- Rig Riot, which blends Armored Core aesthetics with a roguelike format, currently has a demo available on Steam.
- Omega Phenex Commenced Project Six by Surumemanzyu, aiming for high-speed mecha combat, set for release in 2027, with players able to wishlist it on Steam.
Google is developing a feature called "Your Day" for its Gemini platform, which aims to enhance user experience by creating a personalized "proactive feed" using AI's Personal Intelligence capabilities. This feature was discovered in the Google app's code and is designed to provide users with an overview of their day by integrating data from connected apps like Gmail, Photos, and YouTube. "Your Day" will offer tailored responses based on individual user information, allowing users to access relevant photos, emails, and project deadlines. The feature is optional, giving users control over the level of personalization.
The shooter game market is currently saturated with both successful and unsuccessful multiplayer titles, making it challenging for developers to stand out. Dmitri Ogorodnikov, co-head of Nomion Games, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities of creating a successful shooter. He points to the failures of games like Concord and Highguard, which struggled due to lackluster character design and muddled identities. Ogorodnikov believes that many big studios lose the essence of their games by relying too heavily on marketing and formulas. In contrast, Nomion aims to focus on quality gameplay and a clear vision for their upcoming title, Rush is Real, which is still in the prototyping phase. He asserts that the game will not be just another generic shooter and will prioritize unique ideas and quality over following market trends.
Enterprises in Malaysia are transitioning from legacy systems to modern infrastructure to facilitate AI deployment. A roundtable discussion highlighted the challenges of AI integration, emphasizing the need to reduce costs associated with outdated systems. Organizations are adopting hybrid cloud approaches and utilizing various databases to manage extensive data across multiple applications. The push for AI is driven by management and customer expectations, but employee willingness to upskill remains a challenge. Not all challenges require AI solutions, and starting with smaller use cases can lead to successful scaling. The adoption of open-source database systems like Postgres is increasing, necessitating reliable support to address issues and ensure application availability. Data sovereignty is a concern for enterprises operating in mixed environments, and EDB Postgres AI offers a platform that combines security with cloud agility. Reducing infrastructure costs is essential for freeing up resources for new initiatives.
Recent polling data shows that Microsoft Edge users dislike the browser's automatic launch upon logging into Windows 11. Microsoft is testing a feature that would have Edge open automatically at startup, which has sparked significant discussion and frustration among users. A banner notifying select users of this change has been observed, and the behavior has been confirmed in the latest Edge Beta build. User reactions on Reddit include strong negative sentiments, with some users threatening to abandon Windows 11 if this feature is enforced. Despite the backlash, Microsoft Edge is viewed as a competent browser, though its aggressive promotion tactics may alienate potential users.