holiday Archives

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Windows 8 had a 30-second ad with more creativity than all of Microsoft’s Copilot-heavy Windows 11 marketing

In 2025, users reported over 20 issues with Windows 11, leading to dissatisfaction reminiscent of past criticisms of Windows Vista and Windows 8. The original Windows 8 promotional campaign effectively highlighted its features through engaging marketing, contrasting with recent Copilot ads that faced backlash for showcasing the AI's limitations. Microsoft has shifted its focus towards AI integration, particularly with Copilot, despite negative feedback from users and developers regarding its effectiveness. Historically, Microsoft responded to Windows 8's challenges by releasing Windows 8.1, which addressed user concerns and improved functionality. A similar update, Windows 11.1, could help restore user confidence and improve the overall experience with Windows 11.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

The Monster Train 2 DLC is very good: the Railforged, a challenging new mode, and a mechanical spider factory

The author has logged 370 hours and achieved 127 victories in Monster Train 2, feeling their journey was complete until a pre-release build of the DLC Destiny of the Railforged reignited their passion. The DLC introduces new mechanics, such as smelting blight cards into resources and a forge system that enhances strategic decision-making. It includes a new mode called Soul Savior, featuring enhanced units, powerful upgrades called souls, and increased difficulty with formidable enemies and new status effects. The DLC is set to release on February 2 at a reasonable price, enriching the gameplay experience and expanding the Monster Train 2 universe.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Windows 11 has reached 1 billion users faster than Windows 10

Windows 11 has officially surpassed 1 billion users, achieving this milestone during the recent holiday quarter. This marks a faster adoption rate than Windows 10, which took nearly six years to reach the same number. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reported a year-over-year increase of over 45 percent in Windows 11 users, partly due to the end of support for Windows 10. Windows 11 reached 1 billion users in 1,576 days, compared to 1,706 days for Windows 10.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

GTA 6 To Thwart Leakers with Digital-Only Launch

Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive have terminated employees suspected of leaking information about Grand Theft Auto VI to protect the game's integrity. Reports indicate that GTA VI will launch as a digital-only title to reduce leak risks associated with retail access, with a physical edition expected to follow shortly after. The digital release is scheduled for November 19, 2026, and the physical version may be available in time for the holiday season, likely just a few weeks later.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

‘We’re going to let VR be what it is and what it does great,’ says Meta execs regarding Quest changes

Meta is shifting its focus from first-party development to third-party games for Meta Quest headsets, with Horizon Worlds taking a mobile-only approach. Oculus Founder Luckey Palmer refuted claims that Meta is abandoning VR.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Warframe Confirms Android Release Date & Next Update

- Warframe on Android will be available for Canadian residents starting February 11, with exclusive rewards for early players. - The game will be compatible with Android devices running 64-bit Android on an ARM64 processor, Android OS 12.0 or higher, and a minimum RAM of 4GB.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Warframe Launches on Android Devices Feb. 18, Followed by Latest Update The Shadowgrapher Arriving in March for All Platforms

- Warframe on Android will have a soft launch in Canada on Feb. 11, with exclusive rewards available until March 4. - Warframe on Android will be compatible with devices running 64-bit Android on an ARM64 processor, Android OS 12.0 or higher, and a minimum RAM of 4GB.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Football Manager 26 is never being saved as the game just flubbed its most important sales period

January typically sees a surge in player engagement for Football Manager due to the reopening of the transfer window and the return to regular routines after the holiday season. However, this year, the expected increase in activity for FM26 has not materialized. Currently, only 29.78 percent of user reviews for FM26 on SteamDB are positive, making it one of the lowest-rated games on the platform, in contrast to FM24's 89.48 percent approval rating. FM26 has around 33,500 concurrent players, with a 24-hour peak of approximately 55,800, and an all-time high of 84,909 shortly after its November launch. Despite attracting players, recent data shows a flat trend in early January, with a slight decline of about 0.9 percent in peak player numbers over the past month. December saw a peak concurrency drop of over 31 percent from November, and FM26 ranks around #83 for daily active users and #119 in top sellers on Steam. Twitch viewership has also been low, with peaks of roughly 1,400 viewers. Historically, January has been crucial for Football Manager, as it is a time for players to engage with the game more deeply, but this year's stagnation in player activity is unusual and may impact the game's ecosystem and community engagement throughout the year.

BetaBeacon

January 16, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Maneater, Pocket Stables, Ninja Village, more

The Android app price drops include Pocket Stables, Ninja Village, Dungeon Village, Maneater, Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition, 1944 Burning Bridges Premium, Guns’n’Glory WW2 Premium, Guns’n’Glory Premium, Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom, Tennis Club Story, Oh!Edo Towns, and Wall of insanity.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

Hackers Use Fake Windows BSOD To Spread Malware

Security researchers have identified a social engineering campaign that mimics the Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to deceive users into installing a remote access Trojan (RAT). The campaign, named PHALT#BLYX, begins with phishing emails that appear to be legitimate cancellation notices from travel websites, leading victims to a fake login page and an interactive CAPTCHA. This culminates in a full-screen imitation of the BSOD, prompting users to follow instructions that ultimately allow attackers to gain control of their computers. The attackers use a “ClickFix” process that involves executing commands through native Windows tools like PowerShell and MSBuild, making detection more challenging. The malware delivered is an obfuscated version of DCRat, which provides attackers with remote control capabilities, keylogging, and the ability to download additional malware. The campaign primarily targets hotels and hospitality businesses in Europe, exploiting the urgency of front-desk staff to respond to apparent technical issues. Indicators of a fake BSOD include the ability to interact with the screen, requests to execute commands via Windows tools, and the presence of CAPTCHA prompts. Organizations are advised to train employees, implement application control, enhance email and web defenses, and prepare for incident response to mitigate risks associated with such attacks.