hospital Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Jack Black gives Minecraft Fan Surprise of a Lifetime from Kids Wish Network

Kids Wish Network facilitated a virtual meeting for 7-year-old David Henson from Xenia, Ohio, who has undergone 19 surgeries due to Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery (ARSA). David's dream was to meet Jack Black, the star of the Minecraft movie. The meeting took place on a Sunday afternoon, where David and Jack Black bonded over Minecraft, discussing game elements and sharing musical moments. Jack praised David's knowledge of the game and shared stories from the film, which inspired ideas for the upcoming Minecraft 2 movie. David's parents expressed gratitude for the experience, which provided their son with joy amidst his medical challenges. Tam Lai, Executive Director at Kids Wish Network, emphasized the importance of such moments for children facing difficulties.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

PC Gamers Can Claim Over $40 Of Free Games, Yours to Keep

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles for PC users until March 26 at 3 PM GMT: Electrician Simulator and World of Warships - Epic Anniversary Tachibana Pack. Electrician Simulator, typically priced at .99, allows players to perform tasks like installing sockets and repairing equipment, and has received Mostly Positive reviews on Steam. The World of Warships pack, priced at .99, includes the Japanese Premium destroyer Tachibana and five exclusive Epic permanent camouflages. Next week, new titles Havendock and Hyper Echelon will be available.

Tech Optimizer

March 17, 2026

How PostgreSQL on Azure helps modernize legacy databases

Microsoft is enhancing PostgreSQL to establish it as a high-performance, scalable, and enterprise-ready open database platform, addressing the limitations of legacy systems like Oracle. Many Oracle customers face rising licensing costs, performance bottlenecks, and scalability issues, prompting them to consider migration. Apollo Hospitals successfully migrated from Oracle to Azure Database for PostgreSQL, achieving a 60% reduction in operational costs and a threefold improvement in system performance. Microsoft has introduced an AI-assisted migration tool to simplify the transition from Oracle to PostgreSQL, automating the conversion of schemas and application code. Azure Database for PostgreSQL offers high performance, scalability, and security, with features like v6-series compute SKUs and SSD v2 storage. Azure HorizonDB, a new cloud-native PostgreSQL service, supports extreme performance demands and is designed for real-time analytics. Microsoft is committed to enhancing PostgreSQL as an open-source database for enterprise workloads, enabling organizations to innovate and become more agile.

AppWizard

February 28, 2026

In a sea of needlessly long videogames, Resident Evil Requiem proves that 10 hours is all you need if you’re able to make every second count

Resident Evil Requiem features Leon S. Kennedy and offers a complete narrative experience lasting approximately 10 hours. The game includes puzzles, horror, and action, maintaining a quality experience without filler content. It has a dual-protagonist system, allowing players to alternate between Grace and Leon, enhancing gameplay variety. The game is praised for its storytelling, level design, and combat mechanics, with a smooth pacing that keeps players engaged. The initial playthrough can lead to immersive sessions lasting several hours, and players may be motivated to explore the game further or attempt speedruns.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Proton beam therapy comes to Minecraft to help children prepare for cancer treatment at The Christie

Young cancer patients can now explore a virtual representation of the proton beam therapy centre at The Christie in Manchester through Minecraft, marking the first instance of a working NHS health facility recreated in the game. This initiative, developed by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Microsoft with input from clinical specialists, aims to familiarize children with the therapy environment to reduce anxiety before treatment. The virtual centre includes key areas such as reception, waiting areas, imaging rooms, and play preparation rooms, and features interactive elements like functioning MRI machines and hidden rooms. The Minecraft environment is scaled up to five times the actual centre for easier navigation. The project was primarily developed by Microsoft volunteers and has received positive feedback from young patients like 10-year-old Ramatulaye, who found it helpful in understanding the hospital layout.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 19/02/2026

From 4 PM GMT on February 19, 2026, to 4 PM GMT on February 26, 2026, the Epic Games Store is offering free downloads of Return To Ash and STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition. Return To Ash is published and developed by Serenity Forge, featuring a narrative set in a quiet hospital. STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition is published and developed by EXBO, offering MMOFPS gameplay with RPG elements and includes a Starter Pack with a 7-day Premium membership, weapons, armor, artifacts, and cosmetics.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

PC Users Can Claim 2 Free Games, Save Over $30

The Epic Games Store is offering two free games until February 26. The first is "Return to Ash," an indie visual novel developed by Serenity Forge, typically priced at .99, which allows players to guide Ashleigh through her afterlife with choices affecting her story. The second game is "STALCRAFT: X Starter Edition," a sci-fi MMO developed by EXBO, usually costing .99, set in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, featuring various gear to enhance gameplay. Both games can be downloaded for free until 8 AM PST / 4 PM GMT on February 26.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

WATCH: Alberta hospital worker seen playing Minecraft at work

A video from an Alberta hospital shows an employee playing Minecraft during work hours, which has sparked public discussion about workplace conduct and employee engagement in high-stakes environments. The footage, shared by Yeg Insider on TikTok, has elicited mixed reactions regarding the balance between personal downtime and professional responsibilities. The incident raises questions about workplace culture and the expectations of productivity in healthcare settings.

AppWizard

January 21, 2026

The death and reincarnation of game discoverability

Guy Ulmer leads platform partnerships at Plarium, part of the Modern Times Group, which develops and publishes games like Raid: Shadow Legends and Stormfall: Saga of Survival. The gaming industry is experiencing a shift in discoverability, with nearly one-third of developers identifying it as their primary challenge by 2026. Players increasingly discover new titles through platforms like YouTube (64%), TikTok (38%), and Instagram (36%), surpassing traditional storefront promotions. Developers must engage players through social media and creator ecosystems rather than relying solely on major storefront placements. Storefront interactions require strategic optimization, as platforms like Google Play and Apple are expected to prioritize games that align with new features. Developers must treat every game as a service, engaging in continuous updates and sales events. Successful developers will design games with marketing in mind, utilizing strategies like incentivized referrals, stream integration, and generative AI for content creation. The focus has shifted from maximizing visibility at launch to ongoing optimization throughout a game's lifecycle, making discoverability a fundamental design principle.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Disney suddenly pulls 14 games from Steam, including a childhood favorite, and the preservationist in me is wincing

More than a dozen Disney-published titles have been removed from sale on Steam, raising concerns about digital preservation. The delisted games include: - Afterlife - Armed and Dangerous - Disney's Cars Radiator Springs Adventures - Disney's Chicken Little Ace in Action - Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell's Adventure - Disney's Hercules - Disney Pixar Finding Nemo - Disney Pixar Toy Story Mania - Disney Planes - Disney The Princess and The Frog - Disney Winnie the Pooh - Lucidity - Phineas and Ferb: New Inventions - Stunt Island The removal affects both lesser-known licensed games and beloved classics from LucasArts, such as Afterlife, which allows players to build infrastructures of heaven and hell, and other notable titles like Armed and Dangerous and Stunt Island. Players were not given prior notice about the delisting.