At Build 2026, Microsoft announced plans to enhance Windows 11 personalization through AI agents, with API endpoints available for developers to create tailored experiences. Product Manager Samantha Song highlighted the need for a more user-friendly interface that reflects individual preferences, noting current customization options can be cumbersome. Microsoft introduced "WinUI skills," enabling developers to use AI agents like Copilot to create native applications that interact with Windows APIs. Users could instruct AI to modify themes, such as creating a cherry blossom theme, which would adjust wallpapers and accent colors automatically. AI skills could also apply accent colors to File Explorer and download themed wallpapers. The theme module can orchestrate multiple actions, allowing users to change their entire Windows theme with a single command. Microsoft is exploring a themes agent for generating new themes. While currently an open-source project, there is potential for these features to be integrated into Windows 11, enhancing user experience through personalized customization.
Modern Jet Fighters Online is a fast-paced multiplayer air combat game available for free on iOS and Android in Canada, with plans for a worldwide rollout. It features competitive gameplay, deep aircraft customization, and cinematic aerial warfare. The game is designed for mobile devices with intuitive controls and quick matchmaking.
Amazon is offering the Razer BlackWidow V4 X Minecraft Edition full-size mechanical keyboard for .99, including shipping, down from its typical retail price of 9.99, marking a significant discount. The keyboard features Razer’s tactile mechanical switches, dedicated macro keys, a multi-function roller, media buttons, Snap Tap feature for enhanced gameplay, per-key Chroma RGB lighting, and a Minecraft-themed design. It includes 6 dedicated macro keys, a multi-function roller, and customizable RGB lighting with over 16.8 million colors.
Woot is offering a special deal on Razer's Minecraft gaming bundle for .99 with Prime shipping, which can be reduced to .99 using the Woot app for an additional 10% discount. The bundle includes the BlackWidow V4 X mechanical keyboard, Gigantus V2 mousepad, Kraken V4 X headset, and Cobra wired gaming mouse, typically valued at around , representing a savings of or 62%. The keyboard retails for .99 on Amazon. The peripherals feature a Minecraft-themed design in green and maintain Razer's quality and performance standards. Woot is also running a Best of Tech sale with discounts up to 86% on various tech products and has an ongoing PC clearance sale.
The term "badly optimized" in PC gaming is often used when a game does not meet players' expectations for frames per second (FPS) after release. Game performance is influenced by various factors beyond the graphics processing unit (GPU), including central processing unit (CPU) workloads, shader compilation, memory usage, and GPU driver behavior. Frame consistency is crucial; a game may have a high average FPS but still feel unsmooth due to inconsistent frame pacing.
Performance is not dictated solely by the GPU; modern games require a balance across the entire system, including CPU and memory management. When a game exceeds its video RAM (VRAM) capacity, it can lead to stuttering as the system resorts to slower memory. Storage devices also impact performance, as modern games stream large amounts of data.
Average FPS can be misleading; consistent frametimes are more indicative of a smooth experience. Benchmarks often include 1% and 0.1% lows to account for stuttering. Visual quality should align with performance demands, and well-optimized games allow players to achieve good visuals without significant performance loss.
Shader compilation stutter can occur if shaders are compiled during gameplay, leading to interruptions. Technologies like NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR can improve performance but should not mask underlying optimization issues. The belief that older games were better optimized is a myth, as many faced significant performance issues at launch.
Perceptions of optimization can vary among players, influenced by individual sensitivities to FPS and frametime fluctuations. A more nuanced approach to evaluating game optimization is needed, considering multiple criteria such as the scope of the game, performance data beyond averages, and the balance between visuals and performance demands.
Pragmata is developed by Capcom using the RE Engine, showcasing significant advancements in visual fidelity while maintaining gameplay reminiscent of the Xbox 360 era. The game performs well across various hardware platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2, and most gaming PCs can handle it effectively. High-end machines, such as those with an RTX 5080, can maximize settings for an enhanced visual experience, but average gamers may need to adjust settings for optimal performance.
The game features ray tracing technology, offering two options: a standard toggle for global illumination and reflections, and a path tracing mode that replaces traditional rasterized lighting. Lower ray tracing settings can sometimes produce noisy reflections, particularly in areas with shiny surfaces. Nvidia users can enhance visuals with the DLSS Ray Reconstruction setting, but it requires path tracing to be enabled.
Recommended graphics settings for Pragmata suggest that players can enjoy high settings even with mid-range graphics cards. For example, an RTX 3060 Ti at 1080p can achieve around 97 fps with ray tracing on, but enabling path tracing can drop the frame rate to about 44 fps. Players are advised to start with the “Balanced” preset and make incremental adjustments to optimize performance and visual fidelity.
Performance tests revealed that the RTX 3060 Ti at 1080p achieved 100 to 110 fps, while the AMD Radeon RX 9070 excelled at 1440p with 130 to 140 fps. The RTX 5080 delivered 100 to 110 fps at 4K, and the RTX 5090 reached 195 fps at minimum settings but dropped to 126 fps with the balanced preset. Enabling ray tracing at the Quality preset reduced the frame rate to 115 fps, and for path tracing, DLSS should be set to performance, as the RTX 5090 managed only 59 fps under maximum settings. Pragmata demonstrates scalability, accommodating both lower-end and high-performance hardware.
City Masterplan is a newly unveiled metropolis simulator that offers expansive environmental canvases measuring 24x24 km, allowing players to design urban landscapes in various architectural styles. The game features a visual aesthetic similar to Cities: Skylines 2, with realistic skies, dynamic lighting, and immersive weather conditions. It is built on the Unreal Engine, which may present performance challenges. As Cities: Skylines approaches its twelfth anniversary, there is a demand for a fresh city-building experience, with City Masterplan potentially revitalizing the genre. There is no official release date, but speculation suggests a launch not before 2027.
The most popular mobile RPG games in 2026 are "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail," which dominate the app store charts and offer deep stories, smooth controls, and regular updates on Android and iPhone.
Pirates VR has been released on standalone VR platforms a year after its initial PC VR launch. The game has received significant updates since its original review in 2025, including improvements to combat mechanics, motion controls for swimming, and enhanced enemy AI. Players can now toggle dialogue from a parrot companion, and new narrative elements have been added. The Quest version uses optimization techniques like Application Spacewarp and fixed foveated rendering, which affect performance and visual quality. The introductory scene showcases advancements in graphics, with dynamic lighting and improved environmental details. While some graphical quality has been reduced, the overall experience remains immersive, with better water rendering compared to other Quest titles. The game is priced at .99 on Steam and PlayStation VR2, and .99 on Meta Quest 3/3S.
