expansion Archives

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

The next ‘Minecraft’ could come from a Niagara College student

Conor MacNeill, a game development professor at Niagara College, highlights the excitement of students presenting their capstone projects at the Welland campus library. The game development program has grown from about a dozen graduates to a large community, now including collaborations with Brock University. Students are now creating VR games, a significant development compared to the program's early years. First-year student Mark Lampman and fourth-year student Dante Bell showcase their projects, with Bell's team, Slugworks, presenting a game called "Green Thing from the Planet Jupiter." This game features a competitive chase between a green alien and a cat, requiring significant time commitment from the team. The GDLaunch event has evolved, with students actively promoting their games through various marketing strategies. Approximately 25 alumni attended, many looking to hire graduates. The gaming industry is expected to grow through 2027, providing promising opportunities for students. After GDLaunch, 64 graduates attended the Level Up Showcase in Toronto, where their game won second place for Achievement in Audio. The event attracted around 5,000 attendees, showcasing the innovation and dedication of the students.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Minecraft details raft of new licensees across accessories, footwear, gaming gear and more

Minecraft has announced new partnerships in various sectors, including accessories, footwear, and gaming gear, as part of its licensing initiatives. Hanna Willis, Head of Consumer Products for Minecraft, expressed enthusiasm about the brand's global licensing program and the diverse new partners. The partnerships are expected to introduce new products appealing to both fans and newcomers, leveraging the expertise of different companies while capturing the essence of the game.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

How to get New Land Beyond in Destiny 2

Acquiring the New Land Beyond exotic sniper rifle in Destiny 2 requires a pre-order of the Year of Prophecy Ultimate Edition, as it is currently not available for free in-game. Players can expect future opportunities to obtain it without cost. Pre-ordering grants immediate access to the weapon. The Ultimate Edition also includes all playable content for the year, such as the Renegades expansion, battle passes, three Star Wars-themed outfits, an exotic sparrow, an emote, and an exotic catalyst and ornament for New Land Beyond. Players must collect the weapon from the Exotic Archive in the Tower after pre-ordering. The weapon has several perks, including increased damage from precision hits, enhanced range, and improved handling speed.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Introducing all-new Surface Copilot+ PCs: The Surface Pro, 12-inch and Surface Laptop, 13-inch

Copilot+ PCs are a new category of personal computing devices designed to enhance AI experiences and productivity. Microsoft has introduced the Surface Laptop (13-inch) and Surface Pro (12-inch) as part of this lineup, both featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors with Neural Processing Units (NPU). The Surface Laptop, available from May 20, 2025, starts at 9, is the thinnest and lightest model yet, and offers up to 23 hours of video playback. It has a full HD touchscreen, AI-enhanced camera, and a keyboard with a fingerprint reader. The Surface Pro, also powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, weighs 1.5 pounds and features a detachable keyboard and adjustable kickstand. Both devices incorporate sustainable materials, with the Surface Laptop using 100% recycled cobalt in its battery and the Surface Pro made from 82.9% recycled content. They provide access to AI tools for productivity, including features like Recall and Click to Do. Pre-orders for both devices are available, with the Surface Pro starting at 9 and the Surface Laptop at ,199.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Exploring ChromeOS – A New Era In Android App Support

ChromeOS has introduced significant enhancements, particularly in Android app support, improving functionality and integration. The latest updates include upgraded Bluetooth technologies, improved content search capabilities, and the integration of Android 11 changes using virtual machines for better app performance. The initiative "Start building apps for ChromeOS" provides guidance for developers to optimize applications for these devices. Accessibility features like Face Control, Bounce Keys, and Slow Keys have been added to assist users with various needs. Security improvements include theft detection and quick locking, while usability enhancements like Fast Pair simplify device connections. Recent updates also focus on integration and compatibility with existing file systems and support for Android and Linux applications, aiming to create a cohesive ecosystem.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – May 2025 round-up

- Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE is a game included with Apple Arcade subscription where players roll katamari to make them bigger in a mock livestream format. - The gameplay of Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE remains similar to its original version from 2004, with some minor changes in controls and influencer window dressing.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Just Quietly Added The Most Chill Way To Play God In A Classic City Builder

Anno 1800 is a city-building game by Ubisoft set in a Victorian-inspired industrial era, recently launched on Xbox Game Pass. Players colonize resource-rich islands, managing production chains and trade networks while balancing the needs of a growing populace. The console version maintains the depth of the original PC experience with a redesigned user interface that features clean menus and a radial menu system for easier navigation. The game offers a rewarding loop of expansion, optimization, and strategic planning, encouraging immersive gameplay with vibrant visuals and smooth performance. It is designed for players willing to invest time in its complexities, with a campaign mode providing a structured introduction for newcomers.

AppWizard

May 4, 2025

Minecraft has not gotten worse, you were happier

Minecraft is a sandbox game that has evolved significantly since its initial release over fourteen years ago, receiving regular updates that introduce new blocks, mobs, and mechanics. While some players prefer the simplicity of earlier versions, others appreciate the innovations and complexities of newer updates. Critics argue that recent iterations have diminished the game's quality, but this perspective overlooks the fact that the newer versions are simply different, not inferior. The game encourages creativity and allows players to engage with any version they prefer, fostering a diverse community. Significant changes, such as the revamping of the Nether and the expansion of caves, have added new layers of difficulty. The fondness for earlier versions is often rooted in nostalgia rather than a decline in quality, and Minecraft's ongoing evolution is essential to its longevity and appeal.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Get 27 Star Wars Games Dirt Cheap For May the 4th

This weekend, in celebration of Star Wars Day, a variety of new products and deals will be launched, including lightsabers and Droid replicas. Fanatical is offering 27 Star Wars PC games at discounted prices. The “Star Wars Collection,” originally valued at .99, is now available for .99 and includes 14 games from 2003 to 2008. The “Star Wars Classics Collection,” previously priced at .99, is now offered for .59 and contains eight titles. The “Star Wars Jedi Knight Collection” features iconic games for .79. All games are compatible with PC, and many support MacOS. The collections provide Steam keys for an average price of less than each.