event Archives

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Free Play Days – GTA Online, Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2

This week, the Free Play Days lineup includes Crisol: Theater of Idols, Planet Zoo, and Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members from July 16 to July 19. Grand Theft Auto Online and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are available for all XBOX members from July 14 to July 21 without a Game Pass subscription. After the Free Play Days, players can purchase the games at a limited-time discount while retaining their Gamerscore and achievements. Crisol: Theater of Idols offers a survival horror experience optimized for XBOX Series X|S. Planet Zoo: Console Edition allows players to create and manage their own zoos. Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports features classic sports in a chaotic 4-player local co-op format. Grand Theft Auto Online allows up to 30 players to collaborate or compete in a dynamic universe, while Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 lets players train with iconic characters and tackle raid missions online.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Denshattack! review

The game is a whimsical adventure set in a post-disaster Japan where trains perform tricks, developed by Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games and Boltray Games. It is priced at or £ and has been reviewed on an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX with an RTX 5090 laptop and 64GB of RAM. The game does not offer multiplayer or VR options but is compatible with Steam Deck. Gameplay mechanics often feel disjointed, focusing on flashy tricks rather than a genuine connection to the railway theme. The design prioritizes a trick-based score attack experience, leading to frustration and a lack of player creativity. Visual cues for dangers can be misleading, and the game enforces strict rules about contact with surfaces, limiting exploration. Despite its anti-corporation and environmentalist themes, the narrative struggles to integrate with gameplay, making the train feel like a prop rather than a central element. The game lacks clarity and cohesion, leaving players wanting a more engaging experience.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

PC gamer turns Steam games into cartridges with ingenious 2.5-inch SSD system — games are stored on 128GB drives alongside a script to auto-start the title once plugged in

A Reddit user named Jibril-sama has created a Steam Game Cartridge system that uses old SATA SSDs as game cartridges, allowing users to access their Steam library in a nostalgic format. The system includes a disk mount detection and execution script for easy game launching, alleviating storage issues for gamers. It operates on Linux, utilizing Valve’s Steam URL Protocol for navigation. The setup requires a systemd template and a udev rule to function properly. There are concerns about the compatibility of Steam game libraries when transferred across different PCs, and there is potential for Jibril-sama to share guides and resources for others to replicate the project.

Tech Optimizer

July 15, 2026

Can Chromebooks Get Viruses? How to Protect Your Device

Chromebooks are designed with robust security features, including sandboxing, Verified Boot, automatic updates, data encryption, and Recovery Mode, which collectively reduce the risk of malware infections. However, they are still vulnerable to threats such as malicious Chrome extensions, scam Android apps from third-party stores, phishing attacks, and risks associated with using Developer Mode and cloud storage. Users can identify potential malware through signs like slow performance, unexpected pop-ups, and unusual battery drain. To remove malware, users should eliminate suspicious extensions, uninstall dubious apps, run antivirus scans, enable Google Play Protect, or perform a Powerwash to reset the device. To protect their Chromebooks, users should avoid Developer Mode, check app permissions, use two-factor authentication, verify website URLs, and use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct returns September 20

The summer PC Gaming Show featured world premieres and in-depth explorations of games such as Control Resonant, Total War: Warhammer 40,000, and Arkheron. The next PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct is scheduled for September 20, 2026. Last year's Tokyo Direct was well-received, and PC Gamer's Midas Whittaker attended, bringing back exclusive merchandise.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Game Research Launches Official Service for Traditional PC Wuxia MMORPG ‘Blood Wind’ on the 14th

Game Research launched the Wuxia MMORPG 'Blood Wind' on the 14th, developed by Supergins Co., Ltd. It is a prequel to 'Mookhon Online' and a successor to 'Mookhyang Online' from 2004. Pre-registration began on June 23, with rewards for participants, and additional sign-ups open until July 27. Players can earn in-game items and entries into a raffle for prizes, including gold and gift certificates. New users receive seven perks upon account creation, rewards for class advancements, and support for joining a guild. An 'On-Time' event rewards players for daily logins, and there is a limited-time sale for costume items and a payment event for purchasing in-game currency. Game Research aims to cater to both nostalgic players and newcomers, ensuring the game's longevity through updates and stable service.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Windows 11 Pro is under $10 until July 16

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is currently available for .97, reduced from its regular price of 9. This limited-time offer expires on July 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as BitLocker for data encryption, Remote Desktop for accessing work PCs, Hyper-V for creating virtual machines, and Windows Sandbox for safely testing software. The Pro edition has received a 4/5 rating from PC Magazine and TechRadar.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Streator Public Library offers Minecraft, arts, and games

The Streator Public Library is offering a variety of summer programs, including: - Minecraft Ore Scavenger Hunt until July 25 - Lego Club for children aged 5 and up throughout the week - Minecraft movie screening on July 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. - “Are You Smarter Than a Librarian?” robotics challenge on July 20 at 4:30 p.m. - Murder Mystery Meetup for teens on July 22 at 6 p.m. - Afternoon Watercolor on July 21 and Evening Acrylic on July 23 for ages 10 and up - Minecraft IRL craft and building sessions on July 24 and 25 - Dig In Reading Club on July 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with free pizza and games - Book Buddy Storytime and Game Time on July 22 - Mother Goose Club for toddlers on July 23 - Indoor Volleyball on July 25 Additionally, the library will host the Artist to Be Expo from August 3 to August 8, with an opening reception on August 3 from 3 to 7 p.m.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Even though Old School RuneScape was ‘not built to have a LAN setup at all,’ it just had a live esports tournament with 4,000 attendees: ‘We were doubting at times whether we actually can pull it off’

On June 20, 4,000 fans attended the Deadman All Stars PvP tournament for Old School RuneScape in Chicago, with over one million viewers online. The tournament showcased a successful adaptation of the game for modern esports, featuring a combat system that requires quick item switching and strategic gameplay. Players used their own equipment for comfort and performance, often opting for a low-resolution display to enhance focus. The matches followed a format similar to crew battles, with players starting fresh accounts and a 120-hour playtime limit to prepare. Jagex faced logistical challenges in creating a LAN setup for the tournament, which was their first major event in North America and their largest to date, surpassing RuneFest in the UK.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

More than 17,000 games on Steam now come with an AI disclosure, 30% use AI for two or more reasons

Over 17,250 games on Steam feature AI-generated content, with 69% of this AI usage dedicated to enhancing in-game content such as artwork, writing, audio, and localization. During a recent Steam event, nearly 20% of showcased games carried an AI warning. Some well-known titles like PUBG and Call of Duty also disclose their use of AI. While some developers express hesitance towards AI integration, data suggests that many gamers are open to the benefits of AI in their gaming experience. The primary use of AI is for in-game assets, followed by marketing materials at 17%, while only 5% of developers use AI solely for development purposes.