elements Archives

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Everyone assumed the Windows taskbar copied a rival OS. Microsoft says no

The Windows taskbar originated from the Microsoft project "Cairo," launched in 1991, which introduced a design with visible fields at the bottom of the screen. The Windows 95 taskbar combined this design with the window-minimizing functionality from Windows 3.1. Although a similar concept appeared in the 1988 NeXTSTEP operating system, Microsoft veterans assert that the Windows taskbar was developed independently, without inspiration from NeXT. The NeXTSTEP solution later influenced the macOS Dock. The taskbar continues to evolve while maintaining its significance in user interface design.

AppWizard

September 1, 2026

Fable’s story will be ’15-20 hours’ long, according to its game director, although the game’s life systems are ‘limitless’

Fable will offer approximately 40 hours of gameplay, including 15 to 20 hours for the main storyline and an equal amount for side quests and exploration. The game features innovative life-systems that allow players to engage with NPCs, commit various acts, and purchase property, potentially leading to limitless gameplay possibilities. It will also introduce a sophisticated reputation system that is character-specific, allowing for nuanced in-game navigation, and wealth may enable players to bypass certain moral dilemmas.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

Onimusha: Way of the Sword review

Miyamoto Musashi is the central character in Capcom's upcoming game, Way of the Sword, set to release on September 3, 2026, for £60. The game features a physics-driven combat system that emphasizes parrying and timing, with players building a "burning" meter to increase damage. Notable encounters include battles against a demon named Byakue. The game allows for straightforward controls while encouraging players to utilize environmental elements strategically. Musashi's Oni Armaments serve as secondary weapons that add depth to combat. The visuals are impressive, particularly on high-end hardware, achieving 120 fps, and the narrative explores Musashi's evolution as a warrior.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker review

The Blood of Dawnwalker, developed by Rebel Wolves and published by Bandai Namco, is set to launch on September 3, 2026, priced at in the U.S. and £60 in the U.K. It is a vampire RPG set in a world reminiscent of 1300s Romania, featuring a protagonist named Coen, a peasant navigating a land ruled by a warfaring vampire named Brencis. The game emphasizes moral ambiguity and presents players with difficult choices that often lead to unfavorable outcomes. It has a runtime of approximately 40 hours and is noted for its worldbuilding and storytelling, though it has been criticized for lacking innovative RPG design and suffering from common open-world issues.

AppWizard

August 31, 2026

This open-source Android launcher is my new Niagara Launcher replacement

Niagara Launcher is appreciated for its minimalist design but is not open source, prompting the exploration of alternatives like Escape Launcher, which is available on F-Droid. Escape Launcher features a text-only interface, presenting favorite apps in a list format and allowing users to swipe left for all installed applications. It emphasizes thoughtful font selection and spacing, creating a curated experience. Users can customize fonts, color themes, and basic clock styles, and hide unwanted apps. While it lacks some features of Niagara Launcher, it is favored for its minimalist approach and reduced distractions.

Winsage

August 31, 2026

Microsoft proves Windows 11’s modern UI can beat legacy Win32, if it works hard enough

Microsoft is modernizing Windows by transitioning legacy features to its WinUI framework, including a redesign of the Run dialog. The new Run dialog, implemented with C#/WinUI 3, shows improved performance with a median time-to-show of 94 milliseconds, compared to 103 milliseconds for the legacy version, reflecting an 8.7% speed increase. Despite this improvement, Microsoft acknowledges that WinUI requires further performance enhancements in various areas. The development of the Run dialog utilized .NET AOT compilation to achieve native code speed while maintaining C# flexibility. Concerns about performance on lower-end machines persist, as seen with the Task Manager and File Explorer. Microsoft aims to modernize Windows features without sacrificing performance, with the Run dialog serving as a potential model for future updates.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company’s permadeath makes it a better RPG than most RPGs, even though it’s not really an RPG

Star Wars Zero Company is a role-playing game that combines tactical gameplay with narrative depth, allowing players to explore a universe similar to Mass Effect 2. A key feature is its system of permanent character loss, where main characters can be lost if they fall in battle three times without medical attention, adding emotional weight to player decisions. The game emphasizes meaningful choices, enriching the narrative experience. Companion questlines, such as that of the clone trooper Trick, personalize the story and deepen player engagement. While the game successfully integrates permadeath into its mechanics, the narrative and tactical elements are somewhat distinct, with potential for greater integration in future developments.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

DLSS 5: Modders Push Leaked Neural Rendering Into 10+ More PC Games

Modders have integrated Nvidia’s leaked DLSS 5 Neural Rendering library into over a dozen PC games, including Cyberpunk 2077 and GTA V, following its discovery in an early access build of NBA 2K27. The RenoDX Discord community reverse-engineered this feature and used tools like RenoDX and ReShade to apply the library to various games. Nvidia describes DLSS 5 as a significant architectural advancement in real-time neural rendering that enhances graphics with photorealistic lighting and materials. Modders have successfully applied the library to titles such as Control, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered. These modifications are unofficial and not sanctioned by Nvidia or the game publishers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has defended the technology against criticism, emphasizing that it allows for artist oversight rather than being a generic AI filter. DLSS 5 is set to launch in fall 2026, with support confirmed from major industry players. All current comparisons and tests are based on the leaked build rather than official Nvidia code.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

PSA: Swap the radial ability menu in Star Wars Zero Company for more of a trad XCOM-style experience

Star Wars Zero Company, also known as ZCOM, features a radial menu for character abilities that can be cumbersome during gameplay, particularly when targeting enemies. Players can customize their experience by choosing between Radial and Linear options in the Ability Selection Style within the Gameplay settings. The Linear style presents actions in a straightforward numbered row, while a Hybrid option is also available for those who prefer elements of both styles.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Elden Ring players are hard at work putting the new Tarnished Edition DLC’s new gear to the test

The Tarnished Edition of Elden Ring has introduced new armor sets, weapons, and starting classes, prompting players to experiment with the game's mechanics. Notable player SaxSlaveGael demonstrated the effectiveness of a new sword's Muleta skill against the boss Gaius, while Ilamahradeys showcased the sword's power by nearly depleting the health of the Full-Grown Fallingstar Beast with a single jab. Players are also focusing on aesthetics, with the "fashion souls" concept thriving, as seen with admiration for a new chestpiece from the Idus starting class. Additionally, the heavy armor class introduced in the DLC has gained attention for its enhanced vigor and strength stats, beneficial for melee characters. The excitement for the Tarnished Edition reflects players' eagerness to explore the new content.