elements Archives

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Amid a tidal wave of new games in 2024, these 10 must-play deep cuts are cheap and will run on almost anything

Many gamers are facing a growing backlog of titles as they enter the new year. Instead of returning to popular games like The Witcher 3 or Persona 5, players are encouraged to explore quirky indie games that offer depth and creativity, are budget-friendly, and suitable for short gaming sessions. Eight standout indie games from the past year and two late entries from 2023 include: 1. Felvidek: Set in the Slovak highlands, featuring a disgraced protagonist investigating supernatural occurrences with a priest, utilizing sepia-toned visuals and retro turn-based combat. 2. Skald: Against the Black Priory: A DOS RPG-inspired game with pixel art and a rich soundtrack, offering modern hardcore CRPG mechanics. 3. Dread Delusion: A low-fi RPG with immersive world-building and exploration, captivating players since early access. 4. Anger Foot: An arcade FPS priced at , combining fast-paced action and humor, reminiscent of "Hotline Miami." 5. Judero: An action-adventure game with a druid protagonist in a whimsical claymation world, featuring surreal dialogues. 6. Mouthwashing: A claustrophobic narrative set on a marooned spaceship, known for its nonlinear storytelling and haunting atmosphere. 7. Straftat: A 1v1 FPS that combines classic map design with humor, serving as a contrast to live service games. 8. The Black Parade: An unofficial expansion for Thief Gold, featuring ten expansive missions that highlight immersive sim design. These indie titles offer a refreshing alternative to mainstream gaming, allowing players to enjoy unique narratives and innovative gameplay.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Best Windows 11 AI features that work on any computer

A Copilot+ PC is not required to access many AI features in Windows 11; older laptops that run Windows 11 can still utilize various AI-driven tools. The Photos app includes AI enhancements such as the Background tool, which allows users to blur, remove, or replace backgrounds in images. The Generative Erase function in Photos enables users to remove unwanted objects from photos. Microsoft Clipchamp offers an Auto Compose feature for quick video editing, allowing users to create videos with AI assistance. Microsoft's Copilot has become a standalone app, enabling window movement and custom keyboard shortcuts, and integrates advanced language models to assist with various tasks across Microsoft applications.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

Tips for finding inspiration for your next Minecraft project

Minecraft players can find inspiration for building projects by exploring creations on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Pinterest. Popular media, such as movies and TV shows, can also provide ideas, as seen in the recreation of the Shiganshina District from Attack on Titan. To start a project, players should select a captivating scene or structure and analyze its features, focusing on shape and scale. Planning the design, experimenting with building materials, and paying attention to detail, such as incorporating windows and lighting, can enhance builds. Landscaping elements like hills and gardens can create a cohesive environment. While drawing inspiration from others is helpful, developing a unique style is important for originality.

AppWizard

December 28, 2024

5 unimplemented Minecraft features Mojang should add to the game in the future

- Shaders are a highly desired unimplemented feature that could enhance the game's visuals, with partial integration in versions 1.16 and 1.17, but ultimately abandoned. - Fallen trees have been requested since 2012, potentially adding complexity to gameplay by serving as obstacles and hiding spots. - The fletching table lacks purpose and was initially teased for enhancement before the 1.15 release; upgrading it could introduce new gameplay mechanics related to hunting and gathering. - The concept of seasons, mentioned during Minecon 2013, remains unimplemented and could lead to visual transformations and changes in mob behaviors. - The Birch Forest biome was set to receive enhancements during the Wild Update announced at Minecraft Live 2021, but the anticipated features did not make it into the final version.

Tech Optimizer

December 28, 2024

Don’t Let the Cyber Bugs Bite! Top Antivirus Software at Low Prices in 2025

The selection of antivirus software involves evaluating features and compatibility beyond just pricing. Key features to consider include: - Real-Time Protection: Software should detect and neutralize threats as they emerge. - Multi-Device Support: Plans should cover multiple devices for seamless protection. - Additional Features: Look for extras like VPNs, password managers, and parental controls. - User-Friendly Interface: The software should be easy to navigate for non-technical users. - Performance Impact: The antivirus should operate efficiently without slowing down the device.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

Best PC Game of 2024 — Best New PC Games This Year

PC gaming in 2024 featured a variety of innovative titles, with Hades 2 winning the Best PC Game of 2024. Hades 2, which entered early access in May, follows Melinoë, the Princess of the Underworld, as she attempts to thwart Chronos, the Titan of Time. The game introduces new mechanics, including a Magick Bar and a sprint ability, and offers multiple exploration paths. It can be completed in under 20 hours, but completionists may invest nearly 60 hours. Other notable nominations for Best PC Games of 2024 include: - I Am Your Beast: Released in September, this fast-paced action game features 25 levels designed for quick play sessions, appealing to speedrunners. - UFO 50: A collection of 50 distinct games that pays homage to retro console games, showcasing a variety of genres. - Frostpunk 2: A city-builder set three decades after the original, allowing players to manage complex societal issues and construct larger cities. It won the Best Gameplay award at the Gamescom Awards 2024.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

4 ways to restart File Explorer in Windows 11

When File Explorer on Windows 10 or 11 has issues like freezing, it can often be resolved by restarting it. There are several methods to restart File Explorer: 1. From Task Manager: Press Win+Shift+Esc, go to the Processes tab, right-click Windows Explorer, and select Restart. 2. Kill explorer.exe and run a new instance: Open Task Manager, right-click Windows Explorer, choose End task, then click Run new task, type explorer.exe, and hit OK. 3. From the command line: Use PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator and execute the commands: - taskkill /f /im explorer.exe - start explorer.exe 4. Create a Batch File: Write the following in Notepad:


   taskkill /f /IM explorer.exe
   start explorer.exe
   exit

Save it with a .bat extension for quick access. These methods help restore access to files and folders when File Explorer is unresponsive.

BetaBeacon

December 27, 2024

Top 25 best tower defence games for Android phones and tablets

Kingdom Rush is a tower defense game available on iOS and Android, considered the pinnacle of the genre with tight unit balance, intuitive controls, inventive level design, and a comic book aesthetic.

AppWizard

December 27, 2024

DeathSprint 66 combines one of my favourite mods with one of my favourite movies

DeathSprint 66 is a game inspired by Stephen King's The Running Man and its '80s film adaptation. It features a neon-drenched future where players navigate deadly obstacles in a race for survival. The game incorporates elements from surfing mods and transforms them into a fast-paced challenge with PvE courses for practice. Players face numerous deaths and respawns as they navigate through traps. The PvP mode allows up to eight players to compete in chaotic races without weapons, focusing on strategy and speed. Players can deploy traps to eliminate competitors, adding depth to the gameplay. The game emphasizes precision and control, creating moments of triumph and failure in a competitive environment.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

ACPI wake alarm does not disable; How to disable it?

If your Windows system is waking up at night due to an ACPI Wake Alarm, you can try several solutions to resolve the issue: 1. Adjust Hibernate Settings: Change the Hibernate after Sleep feature in Power Options to a higher value or disable it by setting it to 0 (Never). 2. BIOS/UEFI Configuration: Access the BIOS/UEFI setup and disable the Wake on RTC Alarm if enabled. 3. PowerShell and Command Line for Wake Timers: Use commands like PLACEHOLDERd65d9fd27963b5bd to review power settings and PLACEHOLDER0384fd2e90496902 to disable specific devices from waking the computer. 4. Disable Wake Timers: In Power Settings, set Allow wake timers to disable for both On Battery and Plugged In states. 5. Check Security and Maintenance Settings: Uncheck the option for Allow scheduled maintenance to wake up my computer in the Security and Maintenance settings. 6. Task Scheduler Settings: Review scheduled tasks and uncheck the “Wake the computer to run this task” option in the Conditions tab. 7. Event Viewer Analysis: Check the Event Viewer under Windows Logs > System to identify the Wake Source, which may indicate the ACPI Wake Alarm. The issue often arises from ACPI wake alarms that can override wake timer settings, necessitating a thorough examination of all related configurations to fully disable them.