exploration Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Take my money: These are the 7 apps I gladly pay for every month

The subscription model for digital services is becoming more common, eliciting mixed feelings among users. Many are willing to invest in apps that enhance their daily lives. A recent poll showed varied monthly spending on app subscriptions, with most users balancing free and premium options. Balance is a popular meditation app with a yearly subscription cost of around , appreciated for its guided sessions. Todoist, a task management app, faces scrutiny due to recent price hikes, leading users to reconsider its value. YNAB (You Need A Budget) costs monthly or annually and is valued for its financial planning capabilities. Gemini, a versatile tool for content creation, has a monthly subscription price of , which users find justified by its features. Spotify, a leading music streaming service, costs .99 per month and is favored for its extensive library. Netflix is a preferred video streaming service, though users often switch between platforms like HBO and Prime Video based on content preferences. Niagara Launcher, a minimalist smartphone customization app, costs annually and is valued for its clean interface and accessibility features.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

PlayerUnknown’s new survival game already has three DLCs planned, but won’t include one fan-favourite idea: ‘I think the weather is sufficiently worrying at this stage’

In early 2025, the survival game Prologue: Go Wayback! was released, prompting discussions about the potential inclusion of wildlife to enhance immersion. Brendan Greene, the game's creator, acknowledged the technical feasibility of adding animals but highlighted the complexities of developing realistic AI for them. He indicated that if animals were introduced, players would need means to defend against them. Greene expressed a desire to focus on creating a more complete world with features like paths and power lines, rather than immediate wildlife additions. He also mentioned the potential for underground areas as a future DLC feature, aiming to enrich the game's atmosphere. Since its early access launch, Prologue has received updates, including new features and modes, with plans for three DLCs to introduce new story elements. Future updates may include multiplayer functionality, particularly in the third DLC, which Greene noted is highly requested. He emphasized the need for a more structured environment to transition out of Early Access, focusing on visual and optimization improvements.

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners

The Microsoft Store Awards recognized exceptional applications that enhance user experiences within the Windows ecosystem. AI Assistants category: - Winner: Perplexity by Perplexity AI - Features native voice dictation, multi-modal AI search, and deep desktop integration for rapid research. - Winner: ChatGPT by OpenAI - Provides instant answers, direct image and file uploads, and enterprise-level privacy controls. Business category: - Winner: Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd. - Streamlines finance tasks with customizable templates and real-time payment tracking. Computer-Using Agents (CUA) category: - Winner: Manus by Manus AI - Automates complex tasks within a secure sandbox and allows users to guide ongoing actions. Creativity category: - Winner: n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I. - Transforms devices into recording studios with support for unlimited tracks and advanced effects. Developer Tools category: - Winner: ngrok by ngrok - Facilitates secure tunneling and remote access with automatic updates and compatibility with Windows Defender. Education category: - Winner: Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation - Empowers students in computational thinking through engaging projects and block coding. Game category: - Winner: Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd - Offers an immersive gaming experience with dynamic resource merging and family-friendly design. Music category: - Winner: Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc - Leverages real-time AI audio separation technology for remixing and practice. Productivity category: - Winner: Notion by Notion Labs Inc - Consolidates tasks and notes into a searchable workspace with automation features. Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

ChatGPT for Android is about to be low-key flooded with ads

OpenAI may soon introduce advertisements in its ChatGPT application for Android users, as indicated by findings in the app's beta code, which includes terms like "AdTarget" and "SearchAd." The ads may be tailored based on user interactions, potentially affecting only free version users while premium subscribers remain unaffected. Additionally, ChatGPT has updated its music capabilities, allowing users with Spotify Premium accounts to discover new songs and access playlists.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

10 Best Dinosaur Mods in Minecraft

DragN’s Deadly Dinos introduces over fifty dinosaurs and ancient creatures, focusing on survival challenges. Jurassic World Craft allows players to engage in DNA processing and manage high-tech labs to create a Jurassic-style park. MineJurassic features fossil gathering and DNA processing to create cinematic dinosaurs. De-Extinction emphasizes scientific research to resurrect extinct species using DNA strings and editing machines. Prehistoric World offers a realistic portrayal of prehistoric animals in their natural biomes. Unusual Prehistory focuses on lesser-known ancient creatures, allowing players to revive them and craft new weapons. AlternaCraft presents over twenty iconic prehistoric beasts and allows for custom enclosures. Fossils and Archeology: Revival combines paleontology and genetics, enabling players to excavate fossils and create embryos of ancient creatures. The Dawn Era features fifteen detailed dinosaurs that can be tamed and ridden. Pelagic Prehistory introduces ancient marine life into Minecraft's oceans. Many of these mods can be compatible, but some may conflict, and certain mods require Forge for installation. For a Jurassic Park-style build, mods like Jurassic World Craft, MineJurassic, or Fossils and Archeology: Revival are recommended.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

This week in PC games: Marvel beat ’em ups, Nightdive shooter revivals and a festive selection of horror games

December will see the release of several new games, including: - Marvel Cosmic Invasion: A nostalgic beat 'em up from Dotemu. - Wild Growth: An incremental strategy game where players heal a Norse warband. - Tingus Goose: A game featuring trees that sprout baby geese. - Sleep Awake: A horror game focused on sleep deprivation and madness. - Horses: A surreal farming fable exploring psychosexual themes. - Don't Scream Together: A cooperative horror game requiring microphone use. - Blood: Refreshed Supply: A revitalized version of the classic 1997 shooter. - Routine: A sci-fi horror adventure set on a derelict Moonbase. - Flotsam: A city-builder leaving early access, allowing players to build floating communities. - Octopath Traveller 0: A prequel to the RPG incorporating elements from Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. - Agreeee: A humorous take on agreeing to terms and conditions. Additionally, new downloadable content will be available for games like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, Total War: Warhammer III, Destiny 2, and Mechwarrior V.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

The best PC games of all time in 2025

Since 1873, Rock Paper Shotgun has annually curated a selection of the finest PC games, beginning to document this list in 2021. The definition of the best PC games evolves each year, reflecting the current team's tastes. They aim to highlight personal favorites, intentionally leaving out other important titles. The team will unveil their selections for the RPS 100: 2025 Edition throughout the week. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth features dual protagonists Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, blending serious themes with surreal humor in a turn-based RPG format. Inscryption challenges players in a card game against a gremlin in a haunted forest, known for its creativity and unexpected twists. House Of The Dying Sun is a space combat game inspired by classics, offering exhilarating battles and intuitive controls. Dragon's Dogma II introduces the Unmaking Arrow, adding unpredictability to its gameplay. Devotion is recognized as a top horror game, exploring despair through a masterfully crafted narrative. DayZ is a survival mod for ArmA II that retains its core essence despite updates, emphasizing player interactions. Wreckfest is a driving game focused on chaos and enjoyment rather than just winning. Dyson Sphere Program immerses players in factory building across planets with smooth gameplay. BattleTech incorporates mercenary economics into tactical gameplay. Full Throttle is a classic adventure game with high production values and a gripping narrative. Deep Rock Galactic features procedurally generated environments and cooperative gameplay. Stray portrays a cat navigating a dystopian city, creating an immersive experience. Return Of The Obra Dinn involves investigating a maritime mystery through unique gameplay mechanics. Plants Vs Zombies is a charming tower defense game appealing to all ages. Pentiment explores 16th-century life through a monk's perspective, enhancing storytelling with its art style. Gorogoa offers a unique puzzle experience with hand-drawn art. Conquests of the Longbow blends historical authenticity with engaging gameplay in the Robin Hood saga. Into The Breach presents a tactical challenge with innovative mechanics prioritizing civilian safety. The Stanley Parable encourages exploration and choice, thriving on humor and inventive design. Peggle encapsulates randomness and joy through its simple premise. The next reveal of the 80th to 61st best PC games will occur tomorrow, with previous selections available from 2021 to 2024.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Last year’s addictive co-op building game, Satisfactory, is 30% off Humble’s Cyber Monday sale

Satisfactory is a factory-building game set on an alien world where players construct and optimize automated production networks. The game emphasizes automation, resource gathering, and intricate constructions, allowing players to explore and experiment with their designs. It features a first-person perspective and a co-op mode for collaborative play. Currently, Satisfactory is available for .45, down from .50, as part of the Humble Store's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, which offers a 30% discount. This offer is valid until December 4th, 2025.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Sometimes, an FPS really is better with a controller

The text discusses the ongoing debate between using a mouse and keyboard versus a controller in first-person shooters (FPS). The author reflects on their experiences with various games, noting that gameplay dynamics can differ significantly based on the input method. In particular, they found that while playing Halo with a mouse and keyboard was enjoyable, it lacked the immersive intensity experienced with a controller. The design of Halo's enemies is noted to complement controller use, enhancing combat engagement. The author also mentions their experience with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, where they found the controller more intuitive due to design choices favoring controller users, such as analog movement and aim assist. They express surprise at how well classic titles like Doom adapted to controller play, leading to a reevaluation of input preferences in FPS games.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Psychological Adventure Game Sublustrum Announced for Consoles and PC

Publisher Brickworks Games and developer Phantomery Interactive are releasing a psychological adventure game titled Sublustrum, set to launch in fall 2026 for consoles and PC via Steam. The game is a reimagining of the 2008 cult classic Outcry, known as Sublustrum in Russia and Poland. The narrative follows a writer investigating the disappearance of his brother, a scientist, while exploring a liminal space that blends reality and dreams. Players will navigate a 3D environment featuring Victorian melancholy, industrial aesthetics, and early-20th-century retrofuturism. Sound plays a crucial role in the game, with audio-driven puzzles and a dark ambient score shaping the narrative. The game includes a mix of new and reimagined puzzles that require associative and lateral thinking.