experiences Archives

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, July 2025 Edition

Microsoft has released updates addressing 137 vulnerabilities across its Windows operating systems and supported software, with 14 classified as "critical." CVE-2025-49719 is a publicly disclosed information disclosure flaw affecting all SQL Server versions since 2016, posing a supply-chain risk due to its potential exploitation without authentication. SQL Server 2012 has reached its end of life, meaning no future security patches will be available. CVE-2025-47981 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8, affecting Windows clients and Windows Server. Microsoft also addressed four critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in its Office suite, including CVE-2025-49695 and CVE-2025-49696, which can be triggered through the Preview Pane. Other high-severity vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-49740, which could bypass Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, and CVE-2025-47178, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries with minimal privileges. Adobe has also released security updates for various software, and users are advised to back up data before installing patches.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Borderlands 4 certainly looks like it’s taking its story more seriously: ‘We wanted to go back to this sense of dread about the villain of our game’

Borderlands 4 is set to release with a promise of improved storytelling, moving away from the "toilet humor" and meme culture of previous titles. Episode two of Beyond the Borderlands has generated optimism about the game's narrative potential, suggesting a more refined approach to storytelling. While the series has faced criticism for execution, it has maintained engaging gameplay. If Borderlands 4 successfully integrates a compelling story, it could enhance the overall experience for both new and returning players.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Multiplayer musical adventure game MAJJAM announced for PC

Opus Major, a Paris-based studio founded by former Ubisoft professionals, is developing a massively multiplayer online player-versus-environment musical adventure game called MAJJAM, which is currently in early development and will launch on PC via Steam. Players can register for an upcoming playtest on the official website. MAJJAM emphasizes music as the core of gameplay, allowing players to engage in a cooperative adventure where they use rhythm and melodies to interact with the environment and each other. Players combat a corruptive force known as Kode by utilizing musical energy through a mechanic called "Jamming," which encourages creativity and collaboration among players, regardless of their musical expertise. Each character has a unique Jam ability enhanced by musical powers that can be unlocked and collected. Key features include an inclusive jamming experience, a dynamic world that evolves based on player input, a fog system representing Kode that limits exploration, and customizable characters with distinct musical capabilities.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

John Wick Hex and Tron Catalyst dev Mike Bithell thinks licensed games have evolved past ‘lunchbox tie-ins’ because ‘the people who played licensed games are now bosses in the companies that are licensing IP’

Mike Bithell, founder of Bithell Games, discussed the changing landscape of licensed games, particularly with the release of Tron: Catalyst. He noted a significant divide in the gaming industry between smaller-scale spin-offs and large triple-A titles, indicating that the mid-tier game development has diminished. Bithell highlighted a shift in how companies view their intellectual properties compared to the '90s and early 2000s, affecting game development strategies. Tron: Catalyst was released on Steam after the Summer Sale, missing a promotional price drop, while other titles from Bithell Games, such as Thomas Was Alone and John Wick Hex, are available at steep discounts.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

This brilliant dark and moody cyberpunk city builder is my kind of cosy game—and for less than $7 you might as well see if it’s yours too

Dystopika is a low-pressure city-building game that challenges traditional cozy aesthetics by offering a darker, more complex experience. Players construct megacities filled with towering structures and vibrant holograms, evoking a unique sense of coziness amid a harsh environment. The game features a simple interface, allowing players to focus on creativity with customization options for colors, sizes, and personal images. It incorporates procedural generation, enabling smaller buildings to emerge organically, creating a vibrant ecosystem. The developer, Voids Within, has released updates that introduce new districts, props, and a synth soundtrack. Dystopika is priced under £6, providing an accessible and uncomplicated escape for players.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Video Games Europe responds to Stop Killing Games petition

Video Games Europe, representing the gaming industry, has responded to concerns from the consumer movement Stop Killing Games, which has gathered over 1.2 million signatures advocating for the preservation of discontinued online titles. The organization emphasizes that the decision to discontinue online services is complex and necessary for business viability, citing examples like Ubisoft's cessation of support for The Crew. They acknowledge gamers' frustrations but stress the importance of maintaining user safety and data integrity, which could be compromised by unofficial platforms. Video Games Europe also highlights that many games are designed as online-only experiences, making discontinuation a significant issue. They express a willingness to engage with policymakers and advocates to find solutions that balance consumer rights and developer choices.

Tech Optimizer

July 8, 2025

PostgreSQL Mistakes and How to Avoid Them, Video Edition

The content describes a video edition of a book titled "PostgreSQL Mistakes and How To Avoid Them," which aims to help readers learn from common PostgreSQL errors. The book covers various topics, including avoiding configuration and operational issues, maximizing utility and performance, rectifying poor SQL practices, addressing security and administration challenges, facilitating migrations and upgrades, and diagnosing problematic databases. It provides detailed explanations of mistakes, real-world examples, and actionable recommendations, along with illustrative code snippets and diagrams. The book is intended for PostgreSQL database administrators and application developers, and the author is Jimmy Angelakos, a systems and database architect.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

LET’S PLAY: DWELLERS 2.0

The blood moon phenomenon casts an eerie glow and signals a series of challenges, including encounters with zombies, spiders, and witches. After facing numerous deaths, a ruined portal is discovered near the spawn point, leading to a loot chest containing a golden sword. A wandering trader appears, offering potential trades to improve survival chances, but negotiations do not go as planned.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Xbox bet that Game Pass would be the future of gaming, and we’re all paying for it

Microsoft announced a reduction of 9,100 employees, significantly affecting the Xbox division, following a previous round of 6,000 layoffs, totaling 27,600 positions eliminated since the beginning of 2023. Promising titles have been canceled, raising concerns about the future of gaming projects and workforce stability. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's compensation increased by 63% to million in 2024 amid these layoffs. Game Pass currently has around 35 million subscribers, falling short of the goal of over 100 million by 2030. The focus has shifted from hardware to services, with concerns about the sustainability of the Game Pass model and its impact on the gaming ecosystem. Rumors suggest the next generation of consoles may resemble PCs more than traditional gaming hardware.

BetaBeacon

July 7, 2025

5 Best Android Games to Play in 2025

The text describes five Android games that offer versatile worlds, actions, adventures, and murder mysteries. Some of the games mentioned are Monster Train, Trinity Trigger, Chronomon, Jenny LeClue, and Pandoland.