game Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

This is not a drill: All-timer weirdo game Deadly Premonition now playable on Linux as of Valve’s most recent Proton beta, plus 17 others and your EA library (until EA breaks it again)

Proton 11 beta 1 has been released by Valve, enhancing the Steam Deck and Linux desktops, and incorporating features from Wine 11. This update includes an initial Arm64 version of Proton, with plans for implementation in the upcoming Steam Frame. Some Windows games may perform better on Linux with this update. Newly playable games include "Unknown Faces," "Gothic 1 Classic," "X-Plane 12," "Breath of Fire IV," and "Deadly Premonition." The update also fixes various issues, such as video playback in "She Sees Red," rendering problems with the Ukrainian language option in "Chambers," and voice chat issues in "Phasmophobia." Improvements have been made in VR support for "No Man's Sky," and many other gameplay and performance enhancements have been implemented across various titles. Proton 11 beta 1 is based on Wine 11.0 and includes updates to several components, including vkd3d, dxvk, and Wine Mono.

Tech Optimizer

April 18, 2026

Avast Antivirus: Free Protection Faces Premium Competition Pressure

Avast Antivirus offers a free version with features like real-time scanning, malware detection, a ransomware shield, and network security, appealing to budget-conscious users on multiple platforms. It has a lightweight design, regular updates, and community-driven threat intelligence. Gen Digital acquired Avast in 2022 and integrated it into its cybersecurity portfolio, focusing on transitioning users from free to premium services and emphasizing AI-driven threat detection. Avast faces competition from free alternatives like Windows Defender and premium solutions such as Bitdefender and Kaspersky, while regulatory scrutiny affects all providers. The demand for antivirus tools is driven by rising ransomware attacks and data breaches, with remote work increasing the need for endpoint protection. Risks for users include performance issues on older devices, false positives, data privacy concerns, and potential subscription traps. Future updates may incorporate more AI features, and partnerships with hardware manufacturers could expand Avast's market reach.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

‘They mopped the floor with me and pulled every childish game they could’: Disgruntled researcher releases second major Windows zero-day — claims Microsoft ‘would ruin my life, and they did’

A new zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Defender has been disclosed by a researcher known as "Chaotic Eclipse," who has created a proof-of-concept exploit called "RedSun." This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation to SYSTEM level on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server when Microsoft Defender is active. The vulnerability has attracted attention from antivirus vendors, with some detecting it on VirusTotal due to an embedded EIRCAR in the executable. Chaotic Eclipse previously disclosed another vulnerability named BlueHammer, which also allowed local attackers to gain SYSTEM or elevated permissions. The researcher expressed dissatisfaction with Microsoft's vulnerability disclosure process, recounting negative interactions with the company. A Microsoft spokesperson stated the company's commitment to investigating security issues and supporting coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Steam Giving Away 4 PC Games for Free

Steam is offering four free PC games for a limited time, with the following details: 1. Legend of Keepers: Career of a Dungeon Manager - Free until April 23, 2021 release, 76% approval rating from 1,584 reviews, playable on Steam Deck. 2. Uncanny Tales: Cold Road - Free until April 20, 2025 release, 62% approval rating from over 100 reviews. 3. Stickman: Killing Zombie - Free until April 19, 2024 release, 92% approval rating, limited reviews. 4. NineHells - Free until April 20, 2024 release, no user review score available. Only one game, Legend of Keepers, is confirmed as playable on Steam Deck, while the compatibility of the others is unknown.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

‘I don’t want Sloppy Spire 2’: Slay the Spire 2 dev teases exciting updates, rejects the concept of deadlines

Slay the Spire 2 has gained popularity on Steam since its March launch, surpassing the original game in features. Upcoming updates include alternate versions of Acts 2 and 3, Steam Workshop support, experimental game modes, a new character, new cards, events, relics, and potions. Players can also expect bug fixes, enhanced audio and artwork, balance adjustments, and additional languages. The studio has not provided specific timelines for these updates. Recent balance changes will be integrated into the main version once stable. Developers are committed to maintaining a whimsical experience in the game. A full newsletter detailing updates is available on Steam.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

The Backstage Experience with Ninja, Pokimane, Minecraft & more!

This week, "The Backstage Experience" features actors Jack Black and Jason Momoa discussing MINECRAFT, comedian Adam Sandler reminiscing about classic arcade games, and actor Tye Sheridan exploring the virtual reality universe from Ready Player One. Twitch streamers Ninja and Pokimane share insights on online gaming and streaming, while Sonic and Tails make a special appearance.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Find your home in Minecraft: here’s how to see your real-life city in incredible detail

Minecraft has evolved into a platform that allows users to create playable maps of real-world locations through an open-source tool called Arnis, developed by the user louis-e. This tool replicates cities, roads, and landscapes using geospatial data from OpenStreetMap, functioning on both Java and Bedrock versions of the game. Arnis is built in Rust and features a user-friendly graphical interface with a command-line mode available. Users can select a location to transform it into a Minecraft world without needing mods or advanced programming skills. The project is open-source, inviting contributions from users. Arnis effectively turns Minecraft into a "playable Google Maps," enabling exploration of real locations while adhering to the game's rules.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

‘They mopped the floor with me and pulled every childish game they could’: Disgruntled researcher releases second major Windows zero-day — claims Microsoft ‘would ruin my life, and they did’

A researcher known as “Chaotic Eclipse” has revealed a new zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft Defender, called “RedSun,” which allows local privilege escalation to SYSTEM privileges on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server when Microsoft Defender is enabled. The exploit has been confirmed to function correctly, and some antivirus vendors have begun detecting it. This follows another vulnerability disclosure by the same researcher, named BlueHammer, which also allows local attackers to elevate permissions. Chaotic Eclipse expressed dissatisfaction with Microsoft’s handling of vulnerability disclosures, claiming they were threatened and experienced frustration with the company’s response. A Microsoft spokesperson stated the company is committed to investigating reported security issues and supports coordinated vulnerability disclosure.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Android 17 Beta 4 arrives with post-quantum cryptography and new memory limits

On April 16, Google released Android 17 Beta 4, concluding its beta phase and focusing on app compatibility and platform stability. Developers must finalize updates for Android 17 to avoid delays when the stable version is released. Key behavioral changes for apps targeting Android 17 include: - Large-screen resizability restrictions, preventing apps from opting out of maintaining orientation, resizability, and aspect ratio constraints. - Expanded restrictions on dynamic code loading, requiring native files loaded via System.load() to be read-only. - Certificate Transparency is enabled by default. - Local network access is restricted by default, with a new ACCESSLOCALNETWORK permission for persistent access. - Stricter rules on background audio interactions, including playback and volume change APIs. Android 17 introduces per-app memory limits based on device RAM to target memory leaks and anomalies, with minimal impact expected on app sessions. Developers can check for memory limit impacts via ApplicationExitInfo and utilize profiling tools in Android Studio Panda. An on-device anomaly detection service monitors resource-intensive behaviors and provides profiling artifacts. Additionally, the Android Keystore now supports ML-DSA for quantum-safe signatures, allowing developers to generate keys and create signatures within secure hardware.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Stop Killing Games delivers ‘absolutely incredible’ hearing in European Parliament: ‘There was no [parliament member] that wasn’t responding positively’

The Stop Killing Games campaign, founded by Ross Scott, aims to prevent the discontinuation of server-dependent video games once they are no longer financially viable. Recently, Scott and organizer Moritz Katzner presented their case to the European Parliament, receiving positive feedback from attendees, including MEPs and committee chairs. Consultant Daniel Ondruška clarified that the movement seeks reasonable guidelines rather than perpetual support for games. The hearing was seen as a significant step in the legislative process, with all present MEPs showing support for the initiative. Katzner noted plans to establish NGOs in the EU and US for long-term advocacy against game shutdowns and mentioned support for a lawsuit against Ubisoft regarding the discontinuation of The Crew.