experience Archives

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Dragon Age setting creator David Gaider is pitching a heist RPG that’s ‘make or break’ for his studio

David Gaider, the creator of Thedas and the Dragon Age series, is developing a new RPG centered on a crew of rogues performing heists. He chose not to engage with Dragon Age: The Veilguard, released in 2024, due to concerns over the challenges faced by the team and constraints from Electronic Arts. A review by PC Gamer praised The Veilguard but noted a lack of ideological conflict, which Gaider believes is essential for character agency and authenticity in games. He critiques the trend of creating agreeable companions, advocating for complex characters that resonate with players. Gaider expresses uncertainty about his new project but desires to focus on creativity rather than studio management pressures. He is open to revisiting the Dragon Age franchise, envisioning a return to its roots with darker storytelling.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced promises smooth handheld sailing with Steam Deck and Steam Machine verification

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will be released on July 9th and has secured the Steam Deck Verified badge, indicating it operates seamlessly on SteamOS handheld PCs. This new version surpasses the original Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, which only received a Playable badge due to technical issues. Black Flag Resynced is the first major title to achieve full compatibility across all SteamOS devices since the launch of the Steam Machine. Previous titles in the Assassin’s Creed series have had mixed performance reviews on the Steam Deck. The game must maintain a frame rate of at least 30fps on the Deck’s 800p screen to meet Verified status criteria, but there are concerns about its technical performance based on preview reports.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

The best PC games of 2026 (that don’t need a graphics card)

Mina the Hollower is an indie game from the studio behind Shovel Knight, inspired by classic top-down Zelda adventures, featuring a mouse hero and RPG-like customization. Mewgenics, developed by Edmund McMillen, involves breeding cats and genetic manipulation in a tactical turn-based format. Typing Break combines typing skills with gameplay reminiscent of Space Invaders and Breakout. Dosa Divas features two sisters using a mech food truck to combat the fast-food industry, blending RPG mechanics with culinary creativity. Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator offers a satirical take on trading mechanics from the perspective of an alien day trader. Cardburners is a fast-paced card game with multiple modes for solo or online multiplayer. Cassette Boy features puzzle mechanics with an environment that players can rotate. Beatdown City Survivors combines bullet heaven elements with direct combat mechanics. Forbidden Solitaire adds horror elements to the classic card game format with roguelike mechanics. Replaced features a noir-inspired cyberpunk narrative with 3D environments and pixel art. You Have Billions Invested in Generative AI is a free-to-play indie game that satirizes technology investment.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

How to Enable Windows 11 CPU Boost

Modern processors can automatically adjust their clock speeds based on demand. Windows 11 includes a feature called CPU boost that allows users to manage CPU performance responsiveness, balancing power efficiency and performance. CPU boost modifies how often Windows prompts the CPU to enter boosted states without changing the maximum turbo speed or hardware limitations. Users can select aggressive settings for improved responsiveness or less aggressive modes for reduced heat and power consumption. To enable CPU boost, users can either modify the Registry Editor or use a command in the Command Prompt. Once enabled, users can configure their preferences in the Control Panel under Power Options. Available boost mode settings include Disabled, Enabled, Aggressive, Efficient Enabled, and Efficient Aggressive, with options varying by CPU model and Windows version. Monitoring performance and system metrics after selecting a mode is recommended.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Google Play Store widgets will soon be available for individual Collections

Google Play Store has introduced a feature called Collections, allowing users to group apps by categories like Shop, Listen, and Food. The latest updates indicate that Google is developing new widgets for the Play Store that will enable users to select individual Collections instead of displaying multiple at once. In version 52.1.26-31 of the Play Store Android app, users currently have two widget options: a compact version with icons for individual Collections and a larger widget listing Collections. The upcoming update will allow users to choose from eight distinct widgets corresponding to categories: Food, Game, Listen, Read, Shop, Social, Travel, and Watch. These new widgets are still in development and not yet available for public use.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

This gorgeous Android launcher is basically dead — and it’s all Google’s fault

Stario Launcher, launched in 2024, is an aesthetically pleasing Android launcher that combines speed and functionality, featuring custom animations, widgets, and automatic app categorization. Its design is influenced by Google’s Material Expressive language, with a minimalist interface that emphasizes essential widgets. The launcher includes a search function similar to Pixel Launcher, supports alternative search engines, and has a dedicated Briefing page for personalized news feeds. It also offers a widget page for customization and a Low Spec mode for older devices. However, the developer plans to cease updates due to Google's tightening policies on third-party apps, which will complicate the installation of non-verified apps starting in September 2026. This situation reflects broader concerns about the future of third-party applications in the Android ecosystem.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

EVE Online studio Fenris follows through on yearslong promise to make its in-house game engine fully open source

On July 1, Fenris Creations released its Carbon Engine as open source, which supports EVE Online and EVE Frontier. The Carbon Engine repositories are now available on GitHub. Fenris is also developing a new FPS project, Vanguard, using Unreal Engine. EVE Frontier has introduced dynamic dogfighting mechanics and server-side modding support. EVE Online continues to be popular, with a recent player experiencing a rare in-game drop.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

12 handy hidden Google Docs tricks for Android

The Google Docs Android app has introduced several new features to improve document management and productivity. Key updates include an automatic document outline for easier navigation, integration of tabs for seamless transitions between documents, and the ability to create and save native Word files directly within the app. Document sharing has been simplified, allowing users to send files to compatible apps easily. A built-in Docs file finder has been added to save time, and the integration with Google Drive enhances user experience. Users can now add frequently used documents to their home screen for quick access and enable offline access for uninterrupted productivity. The text actions pop-up now includes a three-line icon for additional editing options, and emojis have been incorporated for creative document creation. Additionally, the introduction of Gemini within Docs provides users with a powerful writing enhancement tool.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

Google Wallet on Android phones now shows Wear OS payment history

Users can now access their payment history from Wear OS watches within the Google Wallet app. The update allows users to view NFC payments made via Wear OS devices, with a note indicating "Purchase made on watch" on the transaction details page. The app still only displays the last ten transactions for each payment method. This update also retroactively shows past transactions made with watches.