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"Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy": Why I think we're on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

“Subscription-based gaming is the final boss of piracy”: Why I think we’re on track to own nothing and be happy we get to play at all

A study published in the Entertainment Computing journal analyzed 86 games released on Steam from 2014 to 2022, finding that games with cracked versions available within the first week of launch experienced a 20% drop in revenue. If DRM delayed cracks by at least six weeks, the revenue decline was only 5%, and if DRM withstood cracks for three months, there was no significant loss in revenue. Denuvo's defenses have been breached within hours of game releases, and the future of DRM may rely more on contractual agreements than technology. Subscription-based gaming models, like Xbox's PC Game Pass, are emerging, allowing players to access games without owning them, which raises concerns about game ownership and the potential for titles to be removed from libraries. The rise of cloud gaming is seen as a solution to affordability issues for gamers, but it also leads to questions about the future of game ownership and piracy.
You will never guess who turns up in this video about why you can't build British towns in SimCity 4
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

You will never guess who turns up in this video about why you can’t build British towns in SimCity 4

YouTuber Chris Spargo analyzes why a SimCity game set in the UK may not resonate as well as its American version, noting that the game's design reflects American city governance, misrepresenting British cities. He discusses the complexities of public service management in the UK, highlighting the role of a British mayor and financial challenges faced by local councils due to centralization and social care costs. The video features a surprise cameo by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who discusses the importance of empowering local communities and the Labour government's commitment to decentralization, granting more authority to local mayors.
Microsoft reveals how to verify Windows 11's Secure Boot update, what to do if your PC missed it
Winsage
June 21, 2026

Microsoft reveals how to verify Windows 11’s Secure Boot update, what to do if your PC missed it

The expiration of Microsoft's Secure Boot 2011 certificates on June 24 will not prevent older Windows PCs from booting, as confirmed by Microsoft. Devices will continue to operate normally, but they will miss future boot-level security updates, including updates to the Windows Boot Manager and mitigations for newly identified vulnerabilities. The ability to receive the Secure Boot 2023 update depends on the device firmware's compatibility, with many manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, having cutoffs for BIOS updates based on the device's End of Service Life. Older PCs using Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) mode do not utilize UEFI Secure Boot, making the update irrelevant. Users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may have Secure Boot disabled or improperly configured. Without the 2023 certificates, devices cannot receive future revocation updates to the Secure Boot DBX, which lists compromised bootloaders. Users on Windows 10 with supported OEMs may receive the update if a compatible BIOS is available, while those on older PCs without updates can continue using their devices but will lack future security updates. The Secure Boot status can be checked through the Windows Security app, with color-coded badges indicating the status of the certificates.
Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: 'We're still unravelling the source'
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Marathon players are amassing way too much loot in Season 2, and the primary cause is a mystery: ‘We’re still unravelling the source’

Season 2 of Marathon began with technical issues and a free-to-play week, but introduced new features like the Night-time Dire Marsh map and Sponsored Survival mode. Players experienced unexpected ease in progression, leading to an influx of treasures and a disrupted in-game economy. Bungie acknowledged that player progression and access to power in Season 2 moved much faster than in Season 1, with players accumulating wealth comparable to weeks 11 and 12 of Season 1 by the second week of Season 2. Contributing factors included bugs causing guaranteed gold drops, early access to Sponsored Kits, and lucrative chests in the Complex Control area. Bungie is investigating the source of excessive loot, as it was not observed in internal playtests. Temporary adjustments have been made, such as disabling boosted containers and reducing Cradle XP rates, with plans to reinstate previous conditions later in the season.
Sideloading Android apps is great — until you have to update them. Here's my fix
AppWizard
June 21, 2026

Sideloading Android apps is great — until you have to update them. Here’s my fix

Obtainium is a free and open-source sideload manager designed to simplify the updating process for sideloaded Android applications. Users can add their sideloaded apps to Obtainium’s tracking list after a one-time setup, allowing the app to monitor these sources for updates in the background. Obtainium supports various sources, including GitHub, GitLab, F-Droid, APKMirror, and Uptodown. The app checks for updates every six hours and can either download and install updates automatically or notify the user. Setting up Obtainium involves downloading the APK, adding app source URLs, and ensuring the correct source is used for each app. However, it has limitations, such as relying on HTML scraping for websites without an API and potential API rate limits for GitHub apps. Additionally, Obtainium may have read-only access to certain sites, requiring users to manually update apps in some cases.
I spent an entire day with a fan-mod of North Korea's homegrown operating system, and I'm sorry to say it's not a Windows killer yet
Winsage
June 20, 2026

I spent an entire day with a fan-mod of North Korea’s homegrown operating system, and I’m sorry to say it’s not a Windows killer yet

RedStar OS 3.0 is a national Linux distribution from North Korea, designed primarily for the DPRK's intranet, Kwangmyong. The modified version, RedStar OS 3.5, claims to enhance the original by removing spyware and providing easier access to root privileges. The author faced challenges in accessing the system, implementing a 64-bit kernel, and connecting to the broader internet due to the OS's limitations. Attempts to run the game Tux Racer were unsuccessful due to compatibility issues, resulting in a system with only basic applications available. The overall experience highlighted the shortcomings of RedStar OS 3.5 in terms of practical usability, especially for gaming.
I installed Android 17 on my Pixel 10, and now I'm about to step up my social media game
AppWizard
June 20, 2026

I installed Android 17 on my Pixel 10, and now I’m about to step up my social media game

Android 17 has introduced a new feature called screen reactions for Pixel devices, allowing users to create reaction videos easily by overlaying a small floating video of themselves while reacting to content. This feature enhances viewer engagement and simplifies the process, requiring only a few taps on a Pixel 10. However, it has limitations, such as requiring full-screen recording, which can lead to quality issues, and the presence of a screen recording status icon that may detract from the video's professionalism. Additionally, stopping the recording currently involves a two-step process, which could be improved for user convenience.
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