elements Archives

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Tarae: The Unbound is an ‘Eastern dark fantasy’ action RPG, and I for one am here for K-Diablo

Many enthusiasts are experiencing fatigue towards the action role-playing game (ARPG) genre. The trailer for Tarae: The Unbound was revealed during Gamescom 2026, showcasing a fresh aesthetic that diverges from typical dark themes in ARPGs. The game promises a vibrant reimagining of Eastern mythology and folklore, featuring battles set against serene Buddhist temples and formidable foes inspired by East Asian monster illustrations. One character class includes an elderly gentleman wielding a matchlock gun that fires rapidly. Tarae: The Unbound is set to be released on December 11 and is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Metro 2039 gameplay trailer looks like bad news for your aging graphics card

The latest trailer for Metro 2039 showcases a visually stunning world with radiation-sickened creatures and gameplay elements like gun customization, mask wiping, and stealth kills. 4A Games has significantly advanced photorealism in this installment. The game will be developed for consoles, including the Xbox Series S, and aims for stable performance on mid-range PCs. 4A Games uses a proprietary engine, which may provide smoother performance compared to other high-fidelity engines. A playable demo will be available at Gamescom this week in Germany. A release date has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Nothing’s Android 17 update debuts this week with redesigns, new apps, 3D emoji [Gallery]

Nothing OS 5.0, based on Android 17, will begin rolling out in mid-October. Key features include a new font style, status bar animations, camera app enhancements, improved sorting in Nothing Gallery, enhanced homescreen personalization, new lockscreen clock designs, added depth in wallpapers, new widgets, a dedicated Glyph app, upgraded Bluetooth controls, and essential AI updates. The rollout will start with Phone (3) and extend to other devices, including Phone (2a) by mid-January. Open Beta builds will launch on August 26 for Phone (3), with subsequent releases for other models. Official release dates for Nothing OS 5.0 are set for various devices from mid-October to mid-January 2027.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

‘The version Microsoft will build should be known as Copilot OS’: Windows built around AI may not be happening, but leaked concept remains a grim portent for desktops

Microsoft is exploring a project for a Windows operating system integrated with AI capabilities, referred to as "Copilot OS" or "Agent OS." This system aims to stream applications directly to the desktop and create a cross-platform experience. It is designed to function as an "agent," managing local computers and cloud services for users. Currently, Microsoft is downplaying its AI initiatives while enhancing Windows 11, focusing on user concerns and gradually introducing AI elements, including smaller-scale AI agents for specific tasks. The company is also working on improving voice interaction across applications. Despite the current focus, Microsoft remains committed to an AI-centric operating system, with potential future monetization strategies for AI agents.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Why did the Windows 95 CD have a Weezer music video on it?

Windows 95 included an installation CD featuring music videos such as Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” and “Good Times,” a cinematic trailer for Rob Roy, and animations by Bill Plympton. It also offered interactive content like the game Pinball and the hovercraft game Hover!. In February 2026, Raymond Chen wrote a blog post discussing the inclusion of the Weezer music video in the installation package, reflecting on the innovative efforts of Microsoft during that time.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Nothing OS 5.0 Official: Android 17, New Glyph App, AI Tools and Release Date

Nothing OS 5.0 is an upcoming major Android software release built on Android 17, featuring a redesigned visual identity, expanded lock screen customization, improved Glyph Interface controls, new widgets, optimized system performance, and AI-powered Essential tools. Open beta testing will start tomorrow with the Nothing Phone 3, and a stable release is expected by mid-October. Key features include a refined design language with a new typeface, adaptive color system for app icons, enhanced lock screen customization with new clock styles, two new widgets for personal organization, a dedicated Glyph Interface app, improved system performance and Bluetooth controls, and expanded Essential AI tools. The update will not be available for the Nothing Phone 1, Nothing Phone 2, and CMF Phone 1, which have reached the end of their software support.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Paradox’s next grand strategy game is taking cues from Fallout and Mad Max

Paradox Development Studio is developing a new game titled Afterworld, set in a post-apocalyptic North America. Players will lead a tribe of survivors, choosing their tribe's origins and focusing on survival by gathering resources. The game allows players to rebuild civilization or create new societal structures, including religions and laws, while utilizing pre-collapse technology. A unique tech tree evolves through exploration, with procedural generation ensuring varied experiences in each playthrough. Dan Lind, the game director, emphasizes that Afterworld is Paradox's first non-historical setting in a decade, offering a fresh perspective for a grand strategy game. A preview of the game mechanics will be released in the coming weeks.

Winsage

August 25, 2026

Microsoft’s leaked new OS is one you’ll hope stays buried, and it’s not Windows

Leaked documents reveal that Microsoft developed Project Aion, a Copilot-centric operating system distinct from Windows 11, which was never released. Aion was designed without a Start menu, desktop icons, or a traditional taskbar, placing Copilot at the center of user interaction. The project was conceived as early as 2024 and aimed to redefine user engagement with technology, focusing on education, entertainment, and task completion. It utilized a streamlined Windows codebase called Win3, which was lighter than Windows 11 but lacked support for legacy Win32 apps. Aion featured a personalized dashboard with task cards and app icons for both Microsoft and third-party applications. It was intended to run on various AI-focused devices and aimed to create a versatile operating system adaptable to different hardware configurations. Key features included a conversational user experience, an "Ask me anything" box for queries, and "Spaces" for project organization. Despite its innovative design, Aion was primarily aimed at enterprise use and faced limitations due to the absence of traditional desktop applications. The likelihood of Aion's release is slim as Microsoft has shifted its focus to refining Windows 11 and has begun retracting ambitious AI integrations, prioritizing stability and performance enhancements over new operating systems.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

A disturbing ’90s point-and-click horror game about waking up in a rundown asylum with no recollection of who you are is getting a glow up in 2026

In 1998, notable PC games included Half-Life, Unreal, StarCraft, Thief, and Baldur's Gate, while console games featured Nintendo 64's Ocarina of Time and Banjo-Kazooie, and PlayStation's Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil 2. Sanitarium, an isometric point-and-click adventure game, was released in April 1998, focusing on the story of Max, an amnesiac in a sanitarium. A new version, Sanitarium Enhanced, is set to be released by Ziggurat, featuring widescreen support, controller support, an extras gallery, a new hint mode, bug fixes, and optimizations for the Steam Deck, with availability on Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles in 2026.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

My FOMO over The Duskbloods not coming to PC evaporated once I actually played it

The Duskbloods is a multiplayer game exclusive to the Switch 2, which was tested in a closed network event. Players had access to only one map and six characters, with no build customization and significant input lag issues. The tutorial was incomplete, leaving many gameplay aspects unclear. The game features mechanics similar to MOBAs, where players collect Virtue points while battling AI-controlled enemies and other players. Players can recruit enemies as allies, adding a strategic element. The game has a nostalgic charm reminiscent of older titles, but it currently lacks the depth and cohesion seen in previous FromSoftware games. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki's comments suggest that the game may remain a Nintendo exclusive, similar to Bloodborne's situation.