gaming experiences Archives

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Limits Start in November: 15 Hours on Ultimate

Microsoft will implement monthly limits on Xbox Cloud Gaming starting in November 2026. Game Pass Ultimate members will receive 15 hours of cloud gaming per month, Premium members will have 10 hours, and Essential members will have 5 hours. Additional hours can be purchased, but pricing details are not yet available. Currently, Game Pass subscribers have unlimited access to cloud gaming. Microsoft estimates that only about 4% of subscribers will be affected by these new limits. The service will be accessible on various platforms, and Microsoft plans to expand the library of games available for cloud streaming. The decision to impose limits is attributed to rising infrastructure costs due to increased usage. Specific details regarding the purchase of additional hours and other related information are still pending.

Winsage

September 4, 2026

These 5 Linux distros promise to run Windows apps—I tried them all, and one was clearly the best

One of the main challenges for users transitioning from Windows to Linux is software compatibility. Linux has many applications, but users often depend on specific Windows programs. Wine and its frontends allow Windows applications to run on Linux without a virtual machine, although the ease of use varies by distribution. Zorin OS integrates Windows application support directly into its desktop experience, allowing users to install .exe and .msi files easily through its Windows App Support component. It provides a familiar workflow and recommends the best usage options for popular Windows installers. Winux (Wubuntu) aims to create a Linux environment that resembles Windows, making it easier for users to adapt. However, running Windows software can be challenging due to compatibility issues with proprietary components. Bazzite focuses on gaming, offering excellent compatibility for Windows games through Wine-based tools, but may not be ideal for users seeking to run standard Windows applications. Nobara Project, based on Fedora, enhances gaming experiences and simplifies configuration for gaming on Linux, but is not primarily designed for running Windows productivity applications. Garuda Linux caters to experienced users and gamers, leveraging Wine and Proton for compatibility but may be complex for those simply wanting to install Windows applications. Zorin OS is identified as the best choice for users needing to run Windows applications on Linux, providing a manageable transition while maintaining a familiar aesthetic.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

RPCS3 Team Won’t Touch Leaked DLSS 5, Calls the Output “Slop”

The RPCS3 development team has stated they will not incorporate the recently leaked DLSS 5 technology into their PS3 emulator, despite some users testing it. They expressed a preference to distance themselves from DLSS 5, criticizing the use of upscalers and frame generation that they believe obscure optimization issues. The team previously integrated AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), leading to discussions about their stance on different upscaling technologies. The leaked DLL from an early build of NBA 2K27 has been used in various PC titles with mixed results, but RPCS3 remains committed to game preservation, asserting that DLSS 5 does not align with their mission.

Winsage

September 2, 2026

Microsoft will expand Windows 11 Memory Integrity feature to more PCs starting in October — security feature reduces gaming performance on some systems

Microsoft will automatically enable its Memory Integrity feature on more eligible Windows PCs starting in October 2026, enhancing kernel-level protection. PCs with Memory Integrity currently disabled will retain their settings. Windows will also activate Virtualization-based Security (VBS) where necessary, which supports Memory Integrity. An automatic assessment will determine device eligibility based on hardware capabilities and compatibility. The rollout applies to Windows 11 installations meeting specific hardware specifications, including an 8th Generation or newer Intel processor or AMD Zen 2 or newer processor, at least 8GB of RAM, an SSD with a minimum of 64GB, compatible drivers, and enabled hardware virtualization. Memory Integrity, also known as Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), has been part of Windows since the Windows 10 era and is now more integral to Windows 11 security for new installations. However, it may impact gaming performance, leading some gamers to disable it, which Microsoft has acknowledged in its recommendations.

Winsage

September 1, 2026

Microsoft extended Windows 10, but Nvidia just made the extension meaningless for gamers

Windows 10 will receive support until October 2027 under the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, with approximately 30% of PCs still operating on this system. Nvidia will stop releasing Game Ready Drivers for Windows 10 in October 2026, and from November 2026, users will not receive game-related fixes or optimizations. Security updates will remain available until at least October 2029, but the lack of patches for new bugs may affect gaming experiences. HP reports that around 30% of PCs are still running Windows 10, and the company expects these users to transition to Windows 11 or invest in new hardware. Microsoft acknowledges that the growth of Windows 11 has slowed and is focusing on enhancing its features.

Winsage

August 31, 2026

Why Windows stopped including fun games like Minesweeper, Solitaire, and Pinball

Microsoft integrated games into the Windows operating system from its early versions, starting with Reversi in Windows 1.0 in 1985 and introducing Solitaire in Windows 3.0 in 1990. Over the years, various versions of Windows included a range of built-in games, peaking with Windows Vista and Windows 7, which featured titles like Chess Titans and Mahjong Titans. However, with the release of Windows 8, Microsoft removed classic games from the operating system and transitioned to an app-centric model, directing users to the Windows Store for gaming. The Microsoft Solitaire Collection became a single app, while other games were made available as separate downloads. This shift marked a change in how Microsoft approached gaming, moving from integrating games as part of the OS to treating Windows as a platform for independent applications and services.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Windows 11 Update Breaks Games: The RGB Fix

The cumulative update for Windows 11, KB5121003, has caused game freezes and crashes for users, attributed to conflicts with third-party software and drivers managing RGB components, particularly related to the inpoutx64.sys file. Affected games include ARC Raiders, MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and THE FINALS, with symptoms such as unresponsive games, sudden closures with an EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION message, and unexpected system reboots. Microsoft has not provided a permanent fix but suggests users report issues via the Windows 11 Feedback Hub and consider removing or renaming the problematic driver as a temporary measure.

Winsage

August 24, 2026

Microsoft Blames RGB Peripherals for Game-Breaking Windows 11 Update—Still No Real Fix

Many Windows 11 users are experiencing crashes, freezes, and forced restarts after a recent update. Microsoft is investigating these issues, which are linked to interactions between certain games and RGB-enabled peripherals that may install conflicting drivers, specifically those with file names similar to inpoutx64. As a temporary solution, Microsoft recommends disabling the inpoutx64 driver via the Windows Registry, although this may disrupt the functionality of RGB features on peripherals. Microsoft is working on a definitive fix but has not yet provided one.

AppWizard

August 24, 2026

Ray Chase, the voice of Cyclops in X-Men ’97, has ‘1,000 freaking hours’ in Slay the Spire and is running a ‘smell build’ in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: ‘ I wear perfumes and walk into battle with my fancy boy outfit’

Ray Chase began his gaming journey on a DOS computer and was influenced by shareware games from his grandfather, including Duke Nukem 1 and 2, Ken's Labyrinth, and Wolfenstein 3D. He is a voice actor known for roles in hundreds of games, including Noctis in Final Fantasy 15 and Cyclops in X-Men '97. He is currently involved in the dating simulator Date Everything and is working on its next chapter. Chase enjoys playing Deltarune Chapter 5, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Mina the Hollower, praising their unique features. He has logged 600 hours in Slay the Spire, which he played from early access to release, and considers it one of his favorite games alongside Brotato. He uses Reaper and Audacity for voice recording and maintains a tidy desktop with minimal items.

AppWizard

August 22, 2026

The latest cooperative craze is a physics-based fishing simulator where you can launch your catch into the air and no-scope it with a sniper rifle

How to Fish is a physics-based fishing simulator available on Steam for 1 to 4 players, allowing them to engage in absurd aquatic adventures. Players can launch fish into the air and shoot them with firearms, barbecue seagulls, and gamble their catches. The game features NPCs that provide quests and a variety of islands to explore, including larger marine life like sharks and king crabs. Feedback from the Steam community has been mostly positive, though some concerns about security issues have been raised. The game is currently offered at a discounted price of £4, down from £6.40, with the promotion ending on August 27.