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AppWizard

April 20, 2026

This week in PC games: the “final” Molyneux game, Game Boy horror, ski resort management, and a glamcore heist sim

Returning from a holiday, the author feels invigorated and is excited to explore new PC game releases. The new games include: - Space Drilling Station: An early access vertical outpost builder set in a magma pool. - TownsFolk: A hexagonal survival strategy game focused on rebuilding a home in the wilderness. - The Third Shift: A nostalgic horror game where players patrol a museum. - Vampire Crawlers: A game combining turn-based strategy, dungeon exploration, and deckbuilding roguelite mechanics. - Legendary Pilots: A flight simulator with sepia pixel art inspired by the golden age of aviation. - Tides of Tomorrow: A "plasticpunk" game with online features for shared storytelling in a post-apocalyptic setting. - Masters of Albion: An early access god simulation game from former Lionhead and Bullfrog developers, including Peter Molyneux. - Factory 95: A factory management game set in a nostalgic Windows OS environment. - Titanium Court: A surreal strategy game for clowns and criminals. - Offering App: A violent introspective journey with minigames and hand-drawn art. - Rollick N Roll: A collection of 3D marble runs involving toy trains. - Above the Snow: A management game focused on designing hiking trails for an alpine ski resort. - Snap & Grab: A game where players, as a burglar disguised as a fashion photographer, plan heists by capturing images. The RPS team is engaged in hands-on impressions and discussions about upcoming titles, including a focus on god sims and a recurring pirate theme in games.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Microsoft tests Windows Explorer speed, performance improvements

Microsoft is enhancing File Explorer for Windows 11 Insider program users, focusing on improved launch speed and performance. A preloading feature was tested that allows File Explorer to load in the background for faster access, which users can disable in the Folder Options. These updates follow the introduction of Startup Boost for Office applications, which also aims to improve loading times. The Windows Insider Program Team is also working on enhancing the reliability of the explorer.exe process and addressing issues with bright white flashes when opening File Explorer in dark mode. Additionally, a new Xbox mode has been introduced for Windows 11 PCs, providing a full-screen gaming interface to reduce distractions. These updates are being rolled out to Insiders in the Release Preview channel with specific Windows 11 builds installed.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Original Task Manager creator explains why it lies to you about CPU usage — former Microsoft engineer shows unique solution to a seemingly simple, but actually complicated, task

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer and architect of the original Task Manager, explained the complexities of measuring CPU usage. He noted that the process is not as simple as it seems, as CPU activity can vary across different cores and the timing of measurements can influence results. The Task Manager accounts for various states of CPU activity, including user mode, kernel mode, interrupt time, deferred procedure calls, and idle loops, making the measurement of CPU utilization a complex task rather than a straightforward one.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Your Samsung phone just got a big upgrade for editing photos, videos, and documents

Samsung has launched an update to its Galaxy Enhance-X app, now at version 16.3.00.31, featuring a redesigned interface with a three-tab layout: Plugins, Home, and History. The update includes three downloadable plugins: CinematicGlow, FilmStyle, and SkyGuide. New editing tools have been added for photos, videos, and documents, including features for blur fixing, reflection removal, HDR adjustments, and face editing. The "Doc tools" section allows for automatic cleaning and cropping of scanned documents, as well as conversion to JPEGs or PDFs. Batch editing is now possible, and all edited content is saved in standard formats, with the History tab for organization.

AppWizard

April 20, 2026

Minecraft Players Have Come Up With The Perfect Idea For A Deepslate Generator, Mojang Just Needs To Take Notes

Five years ago, deepslate was introduced in Minecraft's Caves & Cliffs update, serving as a robust block that transforms into cobbled deepslate when mined and can be used in crafting but cannot be generated through traditional means like cobblestone. A fan named u/SuperLeadership808 proposed a solution inspired by the upcoming Chaos Cube game drop, which will introduce a new sulfur cave biome featuring sulfur springs and the Sulfur Cube mob. The community is eager to see how these new elements might address the scarcity of renewable deepslate.

Tech Optimizer

April 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus: Between Free Tier Strength and Privacy Risks, Things Are Getting Interesting

Avast Antivirus offers free protection against malware, phishing, and unsafe websites, featuring real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and a behavior-based detection system. The free edition includes protective shields for files, emails, and web browsing, while Avast Premium Security provides advanced ransomware defense and a secure browser. Avast One bundles additional features like a VPN and parental controls. Gen Digital acquired Avast in 2022, positioning it as a key part of its consumer cybersecurity strategy, with a freemium model that attracts users and encourages upgrades to premium plans. Avast has a user base of 435 million, with millions transitioning to paid subscriptions annually. The global antivirus market is experiencing double-digit growth, driven by increasing cyber threats. Avast competes with major players like Norton, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky, while facing challenges from free alternatives like Windows Defender. The company previously faced privacy issues related to the sale of anonymized browsing data but has since implemented transparency measures and compliance with EU regulations. Avast is exploring AI-driven detection methods and post-quantum defenses to enhance its offerings.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

We owe Fallout to an admiral and his officers teaching its designer to play D&D in 1979

Tim Cain, a veteran RPG designer known for the Fallout series, shared his first experience with Dungeons & Dragons during the Carter administration, guided by his mother’s colleagues in the U.S. Navy. He contrasted this experience with modern gaming, noting that players starting on computers lack the direct interaction that comes with a Dungeon Master. Cain was captivated by the novelty of polyhedral dice and expressed excitement about the game. His mother supported his interest by suggesting a stop at a game store, leading him to acquire the AD&D Monster Manual and a boxed set. This engagement with D&D significantly influenced his career, particularly his expertise in the 2E AD&D's THAC0 system, which helped him secure a position at Interplay and lead the development of The Temple of Elemental Evil. His introduction to tabletop roleplaying was facilitated by a DM known as “Captain Dave,” whose influence extended to Cain's later work in game development.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

“A solid list from the community,” as Reddit users highlight 10 open‑source apps that run great on Windows 11 and deserve more attention

Open-source software is becoming increasingly popular among Windows 11 users for its control, privacy, and avoidance of subscription models. Key applications highlighted include: - Firefox: A recommended open-source browser known for its privacy, customization, and performance, with robust extension support and regular updates. - Bitwarden: An open-source password manager that offers encrypted vault syncing across devices, end-to-end encryption, and features like password generation and autofill. - OBS Studio: A standard tool for screen recording and live streaming, praised for its flexibility and hardware acceleration support on Windows 11. - LibreOffice: A comprehensive office suite that provides document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools without subscription fees, supporting common Microsoft Office file formats. - 7-Zip: A file compression utility recognized for its speed and efficiency, offering enhanced security features not present in Windows 11's built-in archive support. - LocalSend: A file transfer tool that allows secure transfers over a local network without needing accounts or cloud services. - GIMP: An open-source image editing tool regarded as an alternative to Photoshop, known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. - Blender: An advanced open-source application for 3D modeling, animation, and video editing, benefiting from strong GPU acceleration on Windows 11. - PowerToys: A suite of productivity utilities for Windows 11 that enhances core features with tools like FancyZones and PowerRename. These applications are favored for their ability to enhance the user experience while prioritizing control, transparency, and long-term usability.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Forget Photos and Maps, this is the Google app I can’t live without anymore

Google Wallet has become an essential tool for managing payments and tickets in daily life. Initially limited by bank support, the user gained trust in the app after opening a new bank account that embraced it. The app allows for contactless payments, simplifies ticket management by enabling users to scan and save tickets, and provides offline access to tickets. It also stores loyalty cards, insurance cards, and travel itineraries, enhancing the overall travel experience. The app facilitates seamless public transport navigation, although full integration with Paris' metro system is still pending.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Steam Giving Away 4 PC Games for Free

Steam is currently offering four PC games for free until specific dates: 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 established user score due to insufficient reviews. Only Legend of Keepers is confirmed as playable on the Steam Deck.