events Archives

AppWizard

November 8, 2024

Timed Silence: An Open Source Android App to Automatically Silence Your Phone

Timed Silence is a Kotlin-based application for Android, created by Felix Nüsse, that manages smartphone volume settings, allowing users to mute, vibrate, or ring with sound. The app requires initial setup permissions and features an intuitive interface with a pause/play button. Users can create custom schedules, including pre-defined ones for "Night" and "Day." The app effectively activates Do Not Disturb (DND) at scheduled times, muting notifications while allowing calls and messages from specified contacts. Additional features include Calendar integration, Keywords for managing volume levels, Bluetooth compatibility, and a Sanity Check for priority contacts. The app is available on F-Droid, with source code and APKs on GitHub.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Death Stranding: Directors Cut out now on Xbox Series Consoles

505 Games has announced that Death Stranding: Director's Cut is now available on Xbox Series X|S, currently on sale for 50% off at £17.49 in the UK. The game includes the 'Play Anywhere' feature, allowing access to both console and PC versions. Enhancements include high frame rate performance modes, a dedicated photo mode, and ultra-wide support for PC. The game features crossover content from Valve's Half-Life series and CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077. The release follows a five-year exclusivity period with Sony, which has now ended. A sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, is in development exclusively for PlayStation 5. Kojima Productions has reportedly re-acquired the rights to the Death Stranding franchise, allowing for potential future releases on Xbox. Additionally, Hideo Kojima's upcoming project, OD, was announced for Xbox consoles, featuring a cast that includes Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schaffer, and Udo Kier.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Valve introduces recording function to Steam

Valve has introduced a new game recording feature for Steam that allows players to record, replay, and create clips of their gameplay. This feature is compatible with both PC and Valve's Steam Deck. The key component is the Background Recording mode, which continuously captures gameplay and saves it to a hard drive, with users able to toggle it on or off. The Steam Timeline interface provides real-time updates during recording sessions, logging significant events like achievements and screenshots. The technology is designed to minimize impact on gaming performance, but users with Intel GPUs may face limitations as the feature does not support these graphics cards. The feature was initially launched in beta in June before its official rollout.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Steam’s new recording features allow deep integration with games

Steam has rolled out its game recording capabilities for PC and Steam Deck users, moving from beta to full availability. The features include automatic recording, manual clipping with customizable keyboard hotkeys, and easy access to replays through the Steam overlay. Users can export clips using QR codes for sharing. The recording functions are designed to minimize game performance impact by using the GPU for encoding. Steam allows per-game customization of auto-recording durations and capture quality, and provides an SDK and API for developers to trigger recordings based on in-game events. The recording features work with any game, including non-Steam titles added to the Steam library.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Steam Game Recording Is Now Live For All PC And Steam Deck Users

Valve has introduced Steam Game Recording for PC and Steam Deck players, allowing users to capture gameplay highlights, record extended sessions, and share achievements through the Steam overlay. The feature includes a customizable background-recording mode, a quick-replay function, and the ability to save recorded gameplay in MPEG-4 format. Users can drop markers during gameplay, and developers can create "timeline-enhanced" games that notify the Steam platform of significant events. The recording process is designed to minimize resource impact by utilizing Nvidia or AMD graphics cards. To enable Steam Game Recording, users must update Steam, access settings, and adjust preferences. The feature is compatible with any game that supports the Steam Overlay, though some older titles may not be supported.

BetaBeacon

November 5, 2024

Pokémon TCG Pocket Lapras event is underway right now, letting you battle it out for new cards

One benefit of digital CCGs is the ability to easily obtain specific cards from promotional events without having to search through eBay listings or negotiate prices at local stores.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Microsoft Windows User Warning—50 Million Of You Are Now At Risk

Microsoft has extended the end-of-life deadline for Windows 10 from October 2025 to October 2026, but this extension comes with a fee that is not universally applicable. Approximately 50 million Windows users are at risk and need to take action to protect their systems. Recent data shows that around 50 million users have migrated from Windows 10 to Windows 11, causing Windows 10's market share to drop just above 60% and Windows 11's to rise to nearly 36%. There are still around 850 million Windows 10 PCs that have not transitioned, with about 400 million unable to upgrade. Microsoft warns that unsupported versions of Windows do not receive software updates, including security updates. The company is preparing for a potential increase in new PC purchases in 2025, driven by an anticipated upgrade boom to Windows 11. Microsoft is also enhancing Windows 11 with security features to protect against cyber threats.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

The Big Indie Interviews: Chorrus Games on their award-winning fantasy adventure game Radiant: Guardians Of Light

The Very Big Indie Pitch is a speed-dating style pitching event for indie developers held at Pocket Gamer Connects and other gaming events worldwide, where participants present their games to judges in five minutes. Chorrus Games, an indie studio from Madrid, Spain, developed the game Radiant: Guardians of Light, which won third place at the recent competition in Helsinki. The game blends 80s Beat 'Em Up gameplay with RPG elements, featuring fast-paced combat, a rich narrative, and a crafting system. The team, consisting of Oscar Ruiz and Roberto Martinez, focused on creating an engaging experience inspired by classic games while incorporating modern storytelling. They initially developed Radiant for PC but are exploring console opportunities. The pitching experience helped them refine their game and connect with industry professionals. The team aims to expand the Radiant universe through new titles and adaptations in various media.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

How AI will shape the games industry: Exclusive insights from the AI Gamechangers newsletter

OpenAI recently achieved record investments in AI, with ongoing funding announcements for AI in gaming. The Pocket Gamer Connects and Big Screen Gaming conferences featured over 10 hours of AI-related content, indicating strong industry interest. The AI Gamechangers newsletter was launched to inform readers about AI's impact on gaming, covering various platforms and aspects of game development. It offers weekly interviews with industry innovators and curated news on AI in gaming. Notable contributors to the newsletter include professionals from Charisma.ai, Quicksave, Kinetix, and others, discussing topics like interactive narratives, AI in game studios, and legal implications for intellectual property. The consensus among industry leaders is that AI will significantly impact gaming, but its implementation should enhance human creativity. Additionally, AI technologies may transform legal processes in mergers and acquisitions by streamlining document analysis. An upcoming AI-powered cozy game, AuraVale, is also mentioned, along with future interview topics related to AI in game development.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted returns for 2024 to countdown the most anticipated PC games heading into 2025

PC Gamer will host the 'PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted' on December 6, 2024, a week before The Game Awards, featuring a countdown of the most exciting PC games in development. Frankie Ward will lead the event, joined by Amelia Tyler. The Council, composed of industry leaders and creators, includes figures like Brian Fargo, John Romero, and Sid Meier. The show will be available for viewers in Australia and New Zealand at various times, and can be watched on platforms such as PC Gamer Twitch, YouTube, Twitch Gaming, and Steam.