flight Archives

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Retiring Valve programmer says ‘at least one’ of the studio’s beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers

Programmer Christopher Green has had a long career in the gaming industry, working on titles such as Amiga's Flight Simulators, Ultima Underworld, and Magic: The Gathering Online. He has worked at Valve for a total of 16 years, during which he contributed to projects like both Source engines, Day of Defeat: Source, The Orange Box, and both Portal games. Green retired from Valve for the second time recently, having returned in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. He shared insights from his career in a blog post and hosted AMAs on Reddit. Green previously worked at Leaping Lizard Software, where he helped develop Magic: The Gathering Online. He noted that Valve's work culture allows for personal projects, but newcomers may face challenges if their ideas deviate from mainstream expectations. His retirement announcement included details about his home office setup, which features advanced technology, and he expressed enthusiasm for pursuing personal projects, likely to be shared on GitHub.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

The Last of Us and Valheim collide in surprise free PC game, days left to claim

KeepUp Survival is currently available for free on the Epic Games Store until 5 PM BST on July 19. The game, developed by Witte Studio, features a narrative that begins with a global pandemic and involves players as the sole survivor of a crash on a remote island. Players engage in resource gathering, crafting, and base building in an open-world environment with no strict objectives. The game includes voice recordings from a character named Jill, hinting at sinister occurrences related to a research facility. A free beta for a zombie expansion is available on Steam. KeepUp Survival is typically priced at .99 / £12.79. Players can tame dogs, manage hunger, thirst, and exhaustion, and explore using various vehicles, with a dynamic day and night cycle enhancing the experience.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

A hacker’s arrest just revealed how Microsoft can track your Windows device

A teenager named Peter Stokes is facing federal charges in Chicago for allegedly hacking a U.S. jewelry retailer while using a VPN to conceal his online activities. Microsoft provided the FBI with data linked to a tracking mechanism called the Global Device Identifier (GDID), which is a unique number assigned to every Windows installation that persists through updates. This identifier allowed authorities to connect Stokes' computer to specific websites, despite his VPN usage. Stokes was arrested in Helsinki in April 2026 while trying to board a flight to Japan, carrying two two-terabyte hard drives. The GDID enabled Microsoft to track Stokes' activities on third-party services, raising concerns about privacy and data tracking.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Can Consume Over 500GB of Storage Through Permission Log File

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that causes the Capability Access Manager's write-ahead log file to expand indefinitely, potentially exceeding 500GB of storage on affected devices. This issue is addressed in update KB5095093, which includes builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737. Users can manually install this update via the optional updates section of Windows Update or wait for its automatic rollout during the July 2026 Patch Tuesday. The Capability Access Manager manages app permissions and logs usage of privacy-sensitive features, but the WAL file continues to grow unchecked on affected systems. The file can reach sizes from 70GB to over 513GB. To check if a system is affected, users can check storage settings or use Robocopy to verify the file size. The update is available through the Optional updates section and will be included in the cumulative update on July 8, 2026. The excessive size of the WAL file can lead to critical storage shortages and related issues, but it does not compromise the security or core functionality of the permission system. Microsoft has not confirmed if Windows 11 26H1 Insider builds are affected.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Valve’s magical play-Windows-games-on-Linux tech is rebased, updated, and ready to play Resident Evil

Valve has launched Proton 11, which is based on Wine 11 and available to Linux users through Steam settings. This version includes support for several games, such as "Deadly Premonition," "Resident Evil," and "DCS World Steam Edition." Key fixes in Proton 11 include improved KDE window maximization support, video playback fixes, and enhanced controller support. The update also addresses various rendering issues, game crashes, and performance improvements for multiple titles. Proton 11 is rebased on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, enhancing the gaming experience on Linux platforms.

AppWizard

July 2, 2026

July is a little light on the big new game releases, but your co-op horror Discord gang will be feastin’

In July 2026, notable game releases include: - Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced (July 9, Steam | Singleplayer): A remake of the original game with enhanced visuals. - College Football 27 (July 9, Steam | 4-player co-op): The latest installment in the football franchise. - Palworld 1.0 (July 10, Steam | 4-player co-op): A survival crafting game with new features. - Halo: Campaign Evolved (July 28, Steam | 4-player co-op): A remake of the original Halo campaign with additional missions. Co-op indie horror games releasing include: - Cursed Cooking Mama - Happy's Burgatory (July 16, Steam | 4-player co-op). - After Hours Puzzler - Storebound 1.0 (July 16, Steam | 3-player co-op). - Asymmetric Rabbit Hunt - Carnival Hunt (July 23, Steam | 5 players). - Killer Customer Service - Shift at Midnight (Release date TBD, Steam | 3-player co-op). Gaming events include: - Tennocon (July 10 – 11). - Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest (July 25 – 26). - Various Steam Sales throughout the month. Game updates and expansions include: - Flight Simulator 2024 (July 4). - Doom: The Dark Ages (July 7). - Granblue Fantasy: Relink (July 8). - Phasmophobia (July 21).

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Palworld 1.0 update has ’27 pdf pages of changes and additions,’ says publishing lead

Palworld is set to launch its version 1.0 on July 10, completing its development cycle. The game will introduce numerous new features, including a flight-enabling wing pack and various items and pals, with the World Tree playing a significant narrative role. It currently has over 35,000 concurrent players and has received multiple Steam awards. Players will not need to restart their progress for the new content, although starting fresh may enhance the experience.

AppWizard

June 26, 2026

Down with tactical rocks

The evolution of miniature design in tabletop gaming has shifted from simple character representation to exaggerated poses and precarious placements. Miniatures like the ork, once depicted in dynamic stances, now feature characters such as a dwarf leaping off a statue for dramatic effect. Maugan Ra, the Phoenix Lord, is shown straddling two tactical rocks, resembling a politician rather than a harbinger of doom. Games Workshop has popularized the trend of "tactical rocks," which are intended to elevate characters for visual impact but have become excessive. Originally, key figures were distinguished by size or mounting, but now even imposing figures like Kragnos awkwardly perch on these rocks. There is a growing sentiment among enthusiasts that this trend detracts from the artistry of miniatures, with many preferring to use color schemes and banners for distinction rather than relying on exaggerated poses. The balance between creativity and practicality in miniature design continues to be a topic of discussion.

Tech Optimizer

June 15, 2026

How to safely stay online while travelling

Traveling exposes individuals to potential cyber threats and scams. To enhance online security during travels, consider the following strategies: - Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to protect sensitive information; instead, use mobile data or a global eSIM. - Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to conceal your IP address while browsing, but be aware of potential access restrictions on some websites. - Invest in a robust antivirus suite for all devices, including laptops and mobile phones. - Secure devices with login passwords and consider adding a password to your SIM card. - Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security on accounts. - Research local scams and cybersecurity threats specific to your destination before traveling. - Keep apps and phone firmware updated to ensure the latest security enhancements.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

18 embargoes from Summer Game Fest just lifted, so let’s rank everything I saw in LA

Morgan Park attended a recent gaming showcase featuring various titles with mixed reactions from attendees. Grave Seasons had a demo focused on introducing townsfolk and watering seeds, with a plot twist involving a murderer left unexplored. Resident Evil: Veronica was presented in a Capcom theater segment that included a Q&A with producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, but offered little new information. Join Us combined management sim and third-person shooter mechanics, allowing players to expand a cult's influence while fending off a gang. Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 aimed for a Left 4 Dead-style co-op experience, but early impressions noted a lack of excitement in shooting mechanics. Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game impressed with its faithful recreation of the Nickelodeon show's aesthetic and attention to detail in character movesets. Gears of War: E-Day showcased visual engagement but revealed little about gameplay evolution, confirming a shift to 4v4 PvP modes. Bad Magpie featured whimsical chaos-driven gameplay, allowing players to disrupt a soccer match among mice. The Wolf Among Us 2 demonstrated smoother animations and an immersive experience through Unreal 5 and motion capture. Spyro: A Realm Beyond hinted at new gameplay mechanics, including an innovative flight system. Blood Message offered a grounded action gameplay experience set in the late Tang dynasty, blending stealth and combat. Stupid Never Dies featured a zombie protagonist who absorbs enemy powers in a roguelite format. Fable highlighted an intricate social sandbox system with various activities, though some interactions felt mechanical. Onimusha: Way of the Sword showcased exceptional combat mechanics, while N+ Infinity Times Two provided an exciting multiplayer platforming experience, particularly in its Tag mode.