journey Archives

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Retro enthusiast injects Snake game into vintage S3 graphics card VBIOS — enjoy some serpentum fun while your old PC boots

A retro PC enthusiast modified the VBIOS of an S3 ViRGE DX graphics card to include a version of the classic game Snake, allowing users to play it briefly during system boot. This project, by the YouTube channel Bits und Bolts, involved embedding Snake 512, a compact game written in x86 assembly language. The modification includes a dynamic text splash screen displaying the GPU's operating frequency and prompts users to play Snake or skip to the boot process. The implementation does not support USB keyboards and has no sound during gameplay. The enthusiast also customized the game's colors using hexadecimal values from the VGA color palette.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

NYC Mayor Mamdani Goes Live on Twitch, Blanks on Minecraft

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani debuted on Twitch on May 21 with a show called "Talk with the People," where he interacted with New Yorkers and answered questions in real-time. During the stream, he was asked about playing Minecraft and admitted he had not played it, confusing it with a movie adaptation released earlier this year. Despite this moment, he addressed significant topics such as his 4.7 billion executive budget, changes to SNAP eligibility, and free childcare initiatives. The Twitch chat was chaotic, with viewers requesting him to play various games, including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Undertale. Mamdani's unfamiliarity with Minecraft was notable, given its popularity and cultural significance. His Twitch channel is available at nyc_mayor for future episodes.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Rosemont’s New Minecraft Experience Is Built For Kids

A new attraction called "Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue" has opened in Rosemont’s Pearl District, allowing visitors to engage in an immersive adventure based on the popular video game. Guests receive an “Orb of Interaction” to unlock challenges, collect resources, and rescue villagers from zombies while exploring seven themed environments inspired by Minecraft. The experience includes interactive elements such as hurling snowballs at Creepers and crafting potions. Developed by Supply + Demand in partnership with Mojang Studios, the attraction is accessible to both seasoned players and newcomers. It is available for a limited time at EXP Rosemont, with tickets starting at a specified price. Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling video game of all time.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

How to find a Stunt Party event in Forza Horizon 6

In Forza Horizon 6, players face the "Welcome to the Party, Pal!" challenge in Series 1 of the Festival Playlist, which requires them to complete round three of a Horizon Stunt Party event within a week. To find a Stunt Party event, players enter a multiplayer lobby and participate in mini-games, including racing, smashing objects, and performing aerial stunts. Completing the challenge takes about 10 to 15 minutes and rewards players with approximately 11,000 credits, an additional 5,000 credits for finishing the challenge, and one point towards Festival Playlist season progress.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Windows is entering its “Agentic Era”—and its AI architect is moving on

Yusuf Mehdi, head of product marketing for AI and Copilot at Microsoft, is transitioning to a new role focused on reimagining Windows before leaving the company after 35 years. He aims to enhance Microsoft 365 services and the vision of One Copilot in the upcoming fiscal year. In late 2022, Pavan Davuluri initiated a reorganization to develop an agentic operating system, consolidating engineering and features teams for better cohesion. Microsoft plans to introduce a new agentic workspace feature with AI agents in secure sessions, allowing users control over data sharing. The company has moderated its AI integration strategy in Windows 11 to improve user sentiment and is addressing pain points through the Windows K2 project, which will continue through 2026. Jacob Andreou has been appointed as the lead for consumer and commercial Copilot experiences, reporting to CEO Satya Nadella. Mehdi expressed gratitude for his time at Microsoft and reassured his team of a smooth transition.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

MediaDailyNews: Microsoft Consumer CMO To Leave, Hints At Changes To Windows OS

Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, is leaving the company after 35 years. He plans to continue working through the next fiscal year on projects related to Windows, Microsoft 365, and One Copilot. Mehdi's departure follows other notable exits at Microsoft, including Rajesh Jha, who will retire next month, and others such as Charlie Bell, Phil Spencer, and Sarah Bond, who left in February.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Dying Light’s former director believes devs are obligated ‘to focus and listen to the players’ because as soon as a game’s released ‘it stops being only your game’

Tymon Smektała, who spent 13 years directing the game Dying Light, recently stepped down from his role. At the Digital Dragons Conference, he discussed the importance of player feedback, stating that a game evolves into a shared experience with numerous stakeholders after its release. He emphasized the need for developers to engage with their community and build relationships, while also cautioning that player feedback should not be viewed as absolute truth. Smektała acknowledged that while players may not always have the right solutions, their feelings are crucial indicators of a game's direction. He highlighted the importance of understanding player sentiment and maintaining a balance between creator intent and player experience.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Yusuf Mehdi to Reimagine Windows 11 in Final Year

Yusuf Mehdi, executive vice president and consumer chief marketing officer at Microsoft, has announced his intention to leave the company at the end of the 2026-27 fiscal year after 35 years with the organization. He plans to work through the next fiscal year to help reimagine Windows, grow services, and implement the One Copilot vision. Mehdi is collaborating with CEO Satya Nadella and CMO Takeshi Numoto for a smooth transition, but Microsoft has not yet named a successor.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies – Official PC Launch Trailer

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies has launched on PC through Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. Players follow Hershel Wilk, a spy with the cryptonym CASCADE, as she returns to the city of Portofiro to reunite her team for a final mission after the collapse of her network five years prior. The game features a narrative rich in espionage, decision-making, and character development, emphasizing themes of redemption and trust. The launch trailer showcases the game's storytelling and gameplay.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Dune: Awakening has decided it’s ‘not an MMO’ anymore

The author has been writing professionally about video games for three years and finds the English language's insistence on defining concepts, particularly genres, frustrating. They highlight the ongoing debate about the classification of the game Deadlock as either a MOBA or a hero shooter. Joel Bylos, the director of Dune: Awakening, stated that his game does not fit the mold of an MMO, despite opinions suggesting it might be a hybrid. The author leans towards categorizing Dune: Awakening as an action RPG due to its stronghold management feature, illustrating the complexity of genre definitions in gaming.