Internet Archive Archives

Winsage

July 2, 2025

When Microsoft finally pulls the plug on Windows 10 its successor will be four years old, and for three of those, it was never the OS of choice amongst Steam users

Valve's hardware survey data shows that Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system among PC gamers, with a slow decline expected despite Microsoft's upcoming support cessation. Windows 11 has not surpassed 60% in any Steam survey sample, and its growth has been stagnant. Windows 7 currently holds a mere 0.1% share, and projections suggest it could take about 82 months for Windows 10 to reach that level if trends continue. Linux's share has increased from around 1% to over 2.5% in three years, while Windows 11's growth has only seen a 3.7x increase during the same period. The survey indicates that the launch of the Steam Deck has had a limited impact on Linux adoption.

BetaBeacon

June 23, 2025

Wikipedia introduces a daily quiz game for Android users

Wikipedia has introduced a new history quiz game called Which Came First? on its official Android app.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

A long-lost Duke Nukem prototype resurfaces after 24 years

The Duke Nukem franchise has seen a resurgence with the release of a prototype for the unreleased PlayStation 2 game, Duke Nukem: D-Day, developed by n-Space. This prototype, dating back to 2001, features twelve playable levels and has been made available on the Internet Archive. The game is described as "90% complete," though it lacks cutscenes and voicework. Players start in a strip club and engage in a time-traveling mission against the Third Reich and aliens. The controls are reminiscent of older gaming systems, and while the game framework is present, it lacks polish. To play the prototype, users need a PlayStation 2 with third-party software or an emulator like PCSX2. The game was in development until 2003, indicating that a more refined version may still exist.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

I miss old PopCap like you miss old BioWare

From 2000 to 2010, PopCap Games dominated the casual gaming market, influencing the design of many subsequent mobile games. The studio's notable titles included Peggle Extreme, featured in Valve's The Orange Box, and Gyromancer, a collaboration with Square Enix. PopCap's games often drew inspiration from earlier concepts, such as Zuma from Puzz Loop and Bejeweled from the Russian game Shariki. After being acquired by Electronic Arts, PopCap shifted towards mobile and free-to-play models, leading to the decline of its original PC titles. Despite this change, the spirit of PopCap's creativity persists in the indie gaming scene, with games like Donut County and Peglin reflecting its innovative approach. Bookworm Adventures remains accessible through the Internet Archive, contributing to PopCap's lasting legacy.

AppWizard

March 6, 2025

A demo for a lost videogame based on George Orwell’s 1984 has emerged from the memory hole

In the mid-1990s, MediaX, a US-based studio, conceptualized a video game titled Big Brother, inspired by George Orwell's 1984. Players would assume the role of Eric Blair, navigating a dystopian landscape with government installations to sabotage, across twelve levels filled with puzzles and challenges. The game was initially unveiled at E3 in 1998, with a planned release in September of that year, but faced delays and was ultimately canceled by 1999 or 2000 due to licensing issues. Despite its cancellation, a video showcasing its gameplay has been preserved by the Internet Archive. The game resembled a first-person adventure similar to Myst, with a graphical style like Quake, and included tasks such as locating tools and manipulating environmental elements. Another adaptation of 1984 is currently in development by the Narrative Designer behind games like Subnautica and Talos Principle.

AppWizard

March 4, 2025

George Orwell’s 1984 as a ‘90s PC game has to be seen to be believed

The 1998 video game project Big Brother, based on George Orwell's 1984, was announced at E3 1998 and aimed to extend the narrative of Orwell's universe. It featured a new protagonist, Eric Blair, who was on a quest to find his missing fiancée, Emma, and was involved in a resistance movement against the Thought Police. Despite initial excitement and a demo, the game never reached full release and fell into obscurity. Recently, a demo of Big Brother has been recovered and made available on the Internet Archive. The game's last preview appeared in the December 1998 issue of Next Generation magazine, and the demo's narrative shifted focus from the missing fiancée to Eric's role in creating a diversion against the Thought Police.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Microsoft is cracking down on unsupported Windows 11 installs

A support document on installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs has been removed from Microsoft's website. This document previously provided a method for users to bypass the mandatory TPM 2.0 requirement by modifying registry key values, but its removal indicates a shift in Microsoft's stance against this workaround. The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching, leaving many users on older PCs vulnerable to security risks. The original support article can still be accessed via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

Microsoft removes guide for installing Windows 11 on unsupported PCs – but this hack still works

Microsoft is pushing users to transition to Windows 11, which requires devices to have a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0. The company has removed instructions for a Registry hack that allowed users to bypass this requirement from its support page. The current installation guidelines include legitimate methods such as Windows Update and the Installation Assistant, while warnings against installing on unsupported devices remain. Despite the Registry hack still functioning, Microsoft prefers users not to publicize it, and alternative third-party tools exist for navigating hardware restrictions. The end of support for Windows 10 is approaching in October, increasing the urgency to upgrade, although many older PCs do not meet the upgrade criteria. Microsoft has reiterated the risks of installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware, including potential compatibility issues and loss of support.

Winsage

February 3, 2025

Microsoft hides “official” workaround for installing Windows 11 on older PCs

Microsoft has updated its online support articles for Windows 11 installation, removing "official" workarounds for installing the OS on older machines that do not meet hardware requirements. This change aims to encourage users to purchase newer PCs. Previously, Microsoft allowed sanctioned methods for installation on unsupported hardware, but as Windows 11 nears its fourth anniversary, the company is focusing on promoting new machines. The updated guidance no longer mentions bypassing hardware checks, although archived methods are still accessible online. This update follows the release of Windows 11 version 24H2, which faced issues for users with both new and old hardware. Microsoft emphasizes the importance of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and newer CPUs for security in future updates. Historically, users have bypassed hardware checks using third-party tools, especially in enterprise settings. Microsoft is now advocating for new PC purchases to experience the latest features of Windows 11, as Windows 10 will end official support on October 14, 2025. Analysts predict increased demand for upgrades as the Windows 10 support deadline approaches, despite Windows 10 still powering most active Windows PCs.

Winsage

December 16, 2024

Horror classic Clock Tower’s Windows 95 port jabbed a giant pair of scissors through my rose-tinted glasses

Pasokon Retro highlights the history of Japanese PC gaming, focusing on the 1997 release of Clock Tower, a suspenseful point-and-click adventure developed by Human Entertainment for Windows 95. The PC version featured a lackluster CG intro and inferior graphics compared to earlier versions, with intentional visual shortcomings such as dithered mist effects and smudgy softness. Despite these issues, the game maintained an engaging experience with intuitive mouse controls and randomization of key item locations, allowing for varied playthroughs. The game ran smoothly on Windows 11, showcasing its compatibility with modern systems.