experiences Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

10 reasons why PGC Barcelona is a must for PC game developers in 2025

The Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Barcelona is a two-day conference taking place in 2025, marking the 52nd edition of the series and the first time it is held in Spain. It aims to connect various stakeholders in the gaming industry, including indie developers, studios, and business professionals. The event will feature over 100 expert speakers across 17 themed tracks, with topics on global trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 500 companies, including major players like Epic Games and Ubisoft, and engage with C-level executives and senior management. The conference emphasizes networking through the MeetToMatch platform and fringe events, while also showcasing Spain's gaming ecosystem. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and is expected to attract over 1,000 industry professionals.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Otome Games Celebration PC Sale Starts on Steam

Valve has launched the Otome Games Celebration on Steam, running until May 26, 2025, featuring a selection of paid and free-to-play visual novels from the otome genre. The event includes significant discounts on titles from various publishers, such as Alaris, Bustafellows Season 2, Diffraction, Fate’s Masquerade, and Talents, as well as numerous indie otome games. It also highlights upcoming releases and demos, providing players with a preview of future titles in the genre.

Winsage

May 19, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5603 (KB5058488) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include AI actions in File Explorer, allowing users to edit images and summarize documents via right-click options. Four image actions are available: Bing Visual Search, Blur Background, Erase Objects, and Remove Background, supporting .jpg, .jpeg, and .png file types. Upcoming AI actions for Microsoft 365 files include generating document summaries and creating FAQs, requiring a Microsoft 365 subscription with Copilot. Advanced settings have been redesigned for easier access, introducing features like Enable long paths and Virtual workspaces. Improvements include updates to the taskbar, search functionality, and accessibility features. Known issues involve problems with Xbox Controllers and various features in File Explorer and Narrator.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

How to use Bluetooth audio sharing on a Google Pixel phone

Android 16 will introduce Auracast, allowing Google Pixel users with compatible devices to connect multiple Bluetooth headphones to a single Pixel phone for audio sharing. This feature can be accessed on Google Pixel 8 series or newer devices, and it relies on Auracast technology. Users can enable audio sharing through Developer Options, which is also available on Android 15 devices. Compatible earbuds or headphones must support Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio, with examples including Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and 3 Pro. To initiate audio sharing, users must access the Audio sharing page in the Settings app and follow specific steps to create a broadcast. The public debut of this feature is confirmed for Pixel phones with the release of Android 16, but the exact timeline is uncertain.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

NVIDIA DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and Other RTX Updates Shown Off for Upcoming and Existing PC Games

NVIDIA's DLSS 4 technology is integrated into over 125 games and applications. Portal with RTX has upgraded from DLSS 3.5 to DLSS 4, improving performance with the GeForce RTX 5090 achieving an average of 277 frames per second. Roadcraft will launch with DLSS Frame Generation, DLSS Super Resolution, and DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, running at over 250 frames per second on the RTX 5090. SplitGate 2 will fully integrate DLSS 4 technologies in its Open Beta, while NARAKA: Bladepoint will receive a path tracing update, showcasing approximately 350 frames per second. F1 25 will launch on May 24 with DLSS 4 technologies, and Dune: Awakening will feature these technologies in early June. MindsEye will launch on June 10 with full DLSS 4 support, followed by Remedy's FBC: Firebreak on June 17. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will launch on July 24 with complete DLSS technologies but without ray tracing. inZOI will receive a DLSS 4 update in August. Horizon 'clone' Light of Motiram runs at over 400 frames per second with DLSS 4 technologies. Crimson Desert will incorporate DLSS 4 technologies and ray-traced effects, aiming for high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

The PC Gaming Show returns June 8 with great hosts, amazing games, and a live on-air PC build and giveaway

The PC Gaming Show will take place on June 8, featuring hands-on experiences with PC assembly, including thermal paste and RAM installation. The event will showcase over 70 games from studios like Ubisoft, 11 Bit, CCP Games, and others. It will be broadcast on multiple platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, X, Facebook, and Steam, as part of the Summer Game Fest. Major studios such as Devolver, People Can Fly, Saber, and Aspyr will also participate.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2025

A spoof antivirus makes Windows Defender disable security scans

A researcher known as es3n1n explored Windows security mechanisms to bypass antivirus software validation checks in the Windows Security Center (WSC). He used tools like dnSpy and Process Monitor to analyze how legitimate antivirus solutions register with WSC. He confirmed that WSC validates the signatures of processes calling its APIs. Previously, es3n1n faced controversy when his project, no-defender, was removed from GitHub due to a DMCA takedown request from a software vendor.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

World of Warcraft game director on the woeful patch 11.1.5: ‘It’s not the experience our players are expecting or deserve’

World of Warcraft's patch 11.1.5 has faced backlash from players due to numerous bugs and the implementation of time-gated content. Senior game director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledged that the launch did not go as planned and highlighted issues with the Flame's Radiance events, which were a key feature of the patch. Other anticipated features, including a bad-luck protection system and a dual-boss raid mode, experienced delays, leading to player disappointment. Hazzikostas noted that the decision to stagger releases aimed to prevent player overwhelm but resulted in frustration over the lack of content at launch. Bugs from previous patches re-emerged, attributed to the accelerated eight-week patch schedule, which is the fastest in the game's history. Developers are using hotfixes to address issues quickly, but this can complicate resolutions. Hazzikostas emphasized the importance of quality over quantity and stated that the team is committed to improving their processes based on the challenges faced with this patch.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, PC, Switch video games to play this week. Release dates, system requirements

This week, three new video games are being released: "Deliver At All Costs," "Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping," and "Doom: The Dark Ages." "Deliver At All Costs" features Winston Green, a courier in 1950s America, and will be available on May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC. "Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping," starring gumshoe Eugene McQuacklin, also launches on May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch, and PC. "Doom: The Dark Ages," part of the iconic Doom series, allows players to control the Doom Slayer in a quasi-medieval setting and is available starting May 15 on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. All games can be played on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, PC, and Switch.