imitation Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

“Joke’s on you,” says No Man’s Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it’s replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic

Developer Starry Studio has introduced significant updates to the survival game Once Human, including a new class system, a PvP-centric Raid Zone, and a crossover with Palworld. A new decorative item in the game’s loot crates, specifically an exercise bike, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. Hello Games' Sean Murray responded humorously to the criticism, while Starry Studio confirmed it would remove the contentious item. The Thunder Overload cosmetic lineup features outfits and a weapon skin that transforms the SKS into a mechanical dragon. Earlier this year, Once Human was also accused of borrowing design elements from Rainbow Six Siege. Starry Studio has pledged to replace the disputed asset and review their art and design policies, emphasizing the importance of originality and community feedback.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Lies of P director says ‘I will not disappoint you’ when it comes to the sequel, and after playing its award-winning DLC this year, I fully believe him

Lies of P has gained critical acclaim with its recent downloadable content (DLC) titled Overture, which won the Best Game Expansion at the Golden Joystick Awards. The DLC features a rich narrative and stylistic innovation, incorporating cinematic storytelling and team-up challenges. It enhances gameplay with a stance break mechanic inspired by Bloodborne and Sekiro. Overture transforms a convoluted story into an emotionally engaging experience, showcasing character arcs that evoke genuine emotion. Anticipation for a sequel is high, with promises of hauntingly beautiful covers of classic rhythm game tracks integrated into the game's gothic atmosphere.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Popular Windows 11 bypass tool hit by malware copycat | Flyoobe hijacked putting Windows 10 users at risk

A counterfeit version of the Flyoobe tool, which helps install Windows 11 on unsupported devices, is circulating and may contain malware. The official developer warns users to download Flyoobe only from the official GitHub page to avoid risks. Reports indicate that malicious updates have been released through a seemingly legitimate domain. Users are advised against engaging with third-party tools, as they can cause critical issues, including potentially "bricking" devices. Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available, but critics view it as a temporary solution. Microsoft claims that Windows 11 PCs are significantly faster than Windows 10 PCs, and as support for Windows 10 ends, the use of tools like Flyoobe is expected to rise, along with associated risks.

Winsage

November 8, 2025

Fake Flyoobe tool puts Windows 10 users at risk

Cybercriminals are exploiting Windows 10 users' desire to upgrade to Windows 11 by distributing a counterfeit version of the Flyoobe tool, which is meant for installing Windows 11 on unsupported devices. This imitation may contain malware or altered code. The original developer of Flyoobe has warned users to avoid unofficial download sources and to download software only from the official GitHub page, avoiding third-party sites.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

6 Android Apps Caught Recording Conversations

Security researchers from ESET discovered that 12 malicious Android chat applications, including Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat, were found to covertly harvest users’ messages and deploy a remote access trojan called VajraSpy. Six of these apps were available on Google Play before being flagged for suspicious activity, resulting in approximately 1,400 downloads, primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan. The spyware could extract messages from encrypted chat platforms, record ambient sounds in real time, and intercept communications on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The operators used honey-trap tactics to entice users into installing the apps, which requested permissions typical of espionage tools, such as RECORD_AUDIO and access to notifications and accessibility services. Users are advised to uninstall these apps and review permissions to protect against potential threats.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

Must-play Arthurian roguelike boldly launches mere days before Hades 2, and I get why it’s so confident

Sworn, an Arthurian roguelike game, has officially launched on Steam after a successful six-month early access period. The game features a combat system influenced by Hades, with dynamic boss encounters and an array of boons. Players can enhance their characters through four unique skill trees and multiple characters, each with four upgradeable weapons. Sworn is set in the realm of Arthurian legends and Celtic lore, contrasting with Hades' Greek mythology. It also includes a co-op mode for up to four players, a potion lab unlocked by Guinevere, new blessings, balance adjustments, and refined weapon upgrades. The game is priced at .99 / £24.99.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

If you’re sad Pokopia isn’t on PC, grab eight great Pokémon-like alternatives at 92% off

The upcoming release of Pokopia is generating interest among gamers without a Nintendo console. Temtem, an indie game available in the Critter Chaos Bundle for .45 (£1.55 each), offers a Pokémon-like experience with 165 unique creatures, a vibrant visual style, and a complex battle system. Cassette Beasts introduces a nostalgic twist with a tape recorder mechanic and a fusion system for creating powerful creatures. The bundle includes eight games: Temtem, Fruitbus, Farewell North, Meg's Monster, Cassette Beasts, Moonstone Island, Copycat, and Coroman, and is available until October 8, 2025. All titles are verified for Valve's console.

Tech Optimizer

September 12, 2025

Shamos malware tricks Mac users with fake fixes

A new malware campaign targeting Mac users has been identified, featuring a variant called Shamos, part of the Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS) family, created by the cybercriminal group COOKIE SPIDER. The malware spreads through deceptive tactics that lure victims to counterfeit websites or GitHub repositories, where they are tricked into executing a command in Terminal that downloads Shamos, bypassing macOS Gatekeeper protections. Once installed, Shamos seeks sensitive information such as Apple Notes, Keychain items, browser passwords, and cryptocurrency wallets, sending the stolen data to attackers along with additional malware. The fraudulent distribution of these "fixes" is facilitated through malvertising campaigns and imitation tech support sites. Victims are encouraged to execute commands that download malicious scripts, which can capture passwords and disable file protections, allowing Shamos to maintain control even after system restarts. To protect against Shamos, users are advised to avoid running unfamiliar commands, steer clear of sponsored search results, be cautious with GitHub projects, use strong antivirus protection, consider personal data removal services, and keep macOS updated to close vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

August 5, 2025

Peak dev would rather you pirate Peak than play a ‘microtransaction Roblox slop ripoff’

Peak, an indie game released for PC in June, has become one of the top 15 most-played titles on Steam and inspired clones on Roblox, including a game called Cliff, developed by PewStudio. Cliff has over 7,000 active users and 59,173 favorites, acknowledging its inspirations from Peak and another game, Mountain Climbing. The resemblance between Cliff and Peak has raised concerns about originality in game development, with some developers expressing frustration over the prevalence of imitations.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

This Windows XP recreation that runs in your browser really scratches my retro itch, and I think you’ll like it too

An online recreation of Windows XP has been developed, allowing users to experience the operating system in their browsers. This project replicates the iconic interface, pre-installed games, file system, programs, and classic dialogs of Windows XP. It was created to evoke nostalgia and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Windows XP's development. While it does not function as the original operating system, users can navigate through the interface, though some features, like the Internet Explorer icon, do not lead to actual web pages. The creator plans to enhance the project with additional features.