gaming environment Archives

Winsage

July 18, 2025

Final Fantasy 14 ending support for Windows 10 OS alongside Microsoft

Final Fantasy 14 will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, following Microsoft's cessation of security updates for the OS. While players may still use Windows 10 after this date, formal support for OS issues will no longer be available, though some informal technical support may be provided on a case-by-case basis. On the same date, the OS and CPU requirements for the Windows version of Final Fantasy 14 will be updated. Windows 10 was launched in July 2015 and will have nearly a decade of service by the end of its support. Windows 11 was launched in 2021. The game’s latest expansion, Dawntrail, includes a graphical update, and patch 7.3, titled The Promise of Tomorrow, is set for release early next month.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Minecraft Update Fixes a Problem That’s Been Around for a Year

Mojang has announced that players of Minecraft: Bedrock Edition can now earn achievements regardless of the number of add-ons installed. This update applies across all platforms and allows players to use add-ons without missing out on achievements. Some add-ons may even make it easier to complete achievements, although Mojang cautions against excessive stacking of modifications. Since their introduction in 2024, a variety of add-ons have been made available, enhancing player customization and experience in the game.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Xbox tests letting you stream your own games on PC

Xbox is expanding its “stream your own game” feature to PC for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, allowing them to stream owned titles from the Xbox PC app. Previously, this feature was available for consoles like Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One. The extension to PCs enables streaming on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and Meta Quest headsets. This is beneficial for gamers facing large file sizes, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which requires 128GB of free SSD space. Xbox currently offers streaming for over 250 games and plans to add more console-exclusive and Play Anywhere titles.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Activision takes Call of Duty: WWII offline after hackers apparently disrupted the game with RCE exploits — malicious code wreaks havoc on PC gamers as bad actors take complete control of your computer

Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023 to enhance PC and console gaming integration, focusing on the inclusion of Call of Duty in Xbox and PC Game Pass. Call of Duty: WWII, released in 2017, remained active in 2025 but faced issues when hackers exploited remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities shortly after its addition to Game Pass. Although no serious damage was reported, the potential risks were concerning, especially given the game's outdated peer-to-peer matchmaking system. Activision introduced the Ricochet anti-cheat system in 2019, but Call of Duty: WWII lacks these protections. In response to the hacking incidents, Activision temporarily removed the game from the Microsoft Store for investigation, while it remained available on Steam and PC Game Pass. Reports of hacks included a streamer experiencing a live hack that changed their desktop wallpaper and the sharing of hacking tools by users.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

Just days after joining Game Pass, the Xbox PC edition of Call of Duty: WW2 is taken offline for “an issue”

The PC version of Call of Duty: WWII has been taken offline due to security concerns related to remote code execution (RCE) hacks that allow unauthorized code execution on players' PCs. This issue has led to fears of malware installation and data breaches. The game's removal from online access has caused frustration among players, who criticize the lack of transparency from the Call of Duty team regarding the vulnerabilities. While the game is still available for installation on Xbox PC and the Microsoft Store, it is currently not accessible online. The Xbox version remains available, and concerns persist about the potential for similar vulnerabilities in other older titles.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Human adaptability explained through a Minecraft experiment

Researchers from the Technical University of Berlin conducted a study using the video game Minecraft to explore how individuals learn both independently and collaboratively in changing environments. Participants engaged in a virtual foraging task, alternating between solo and group efforts to find hidden resources. The study manipulated environments to create "patchy" and "random" settings, examining when players chose to explore alone versus follow others. Data on players' visual attention and movements allowed the researchers to develop a behavioral model predicting actions based on individual and social learning strategies. Findings indicated that adaptability—switching between learning modes based on context—was crucial for success, highlighting that individuals are capable of adjusting their strategies rather than strictly imitating others or working independently. The research suggests that personal rewards influence learning types and emphasizes the importance of flexibility in decision-making.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Gaming on Linux is better than ever — but it’s still bad

Linux has evolved significantly in the gaming sector, becoming a credible alternative to Microsoft for PC gaming, aided by tools like Proton and a dedicated community. However, challenges remain, such as compatibility issues and a lack of native Linux game versions. The introduction of DirectX by Microsoft solidified Windows as the primary gaming platform, creating a focus on Windows that disadvantages Linux. Proton allows many Windows games to run on Linux but does not create native versions, and essential software for graphics cards is often missing. Currently, Windows holds over a 95% share in the Steam hardware survey, while Linux accounts for only 2.69%. Despite progress, Linux still faces a long journey to become a mainstream gaming platform.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Hundreds of Minecraft mods on GitHub are infested with hard-to-spot spyware

A sophisticated malware campaign known as the “Stargazers Ghost” network is targeting young gamers, particularly those playing Minecraft, to capture sensitive login information and personal data. This operation, based in a Russian-speaking region, uses a two-pronged approach: initially acquiring login credentials and then extracting more extensive personal information, including passwords and cryptocurrency details. The malware has infiltrated over 500 GitHub repositories, disguising itself within Minecraft Java installers to evade antivirus protections. GitHub, while monitoring for malicious content, faces challenges due to the volume of attacks. To enhance safety, parents are advised to vet GitHub pages, test mods on a “burner” account, and restrict access to official mods in the “Bedrock Edition” of the game.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

These 7 games need a remaster, and they need it now

Fallout: New Vegas, released in 2010 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a unique RPG praised for its player agency, writing, and world-building, making it a candidate for a remaster to fix technical bugs and improve visuals. Dragon Age: Origins, released in 2009 by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is regarded as the best in its series, but a remaster seems unlikely due to a lack of familiar staff. Black & White, a 2001 game by Lionhead Studios and published by Electronic Arts, is not available on major platforms, and a remaster could enhance its AI and gameplay. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, released in 2004 by Troika Games and published by Activision, is a classic RPG with bugs and unfinished elements that could benefit from a remaster to fix glitches and restore content. No One Lives Forever, a 2000 game by Monolith Productions and published by Fox Interactive, is unavailable due to rights disputes, but a remaster could modernize its visuals and controls. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, released in 2004 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by LucasArts, is an unfinished narrative that could be improved with a remaster to restore missing content. Freedom Force, a 2002 game by Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts, could benefit from a remaster to improve compatibility and support user-generated content.

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

Users can now search Steam by accessibility requirements

Valve has updated its Steam platform to improve accessibility for gamers, allowing users to search for games based on specific accessibility options such as adjustable gameplay difficulty, customizable text size, and narration of menus. Detailed accessibility information is now displayed on game store pages, and over 5,000 applications have included details about their accessibility support. This initiative responds to feedback from developers and players with disabilities, encouraging more developers to consider accessibility in their game design.