judge Archives

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

Soulframe dev says launching in 2025 is now an ‘aspirational goal’, but you can play the fantasy RPG’s pre-alpha right now if you’re quick

Developer Digital Extremes has raised uncertainty regarding the release of its fantasy action RPG, Soulframe, which was initially expected later this year. Creative director Geoff Crookes suggested that a 2025 release is not guaranteed. However, players can currently access the pre-alpha version called "Preludes" for a limited time this weekend. Interested players can sign up for access through the Soulframe website. Crookes acknowledged that the team underestimated the demand for the alpha, leading to a large queue of players eager to participate. During Tennocon, a new trailer was released showcasing the game's combat system and a battle with a three-headed bear.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

channelnews : Epic Settles Samsung Antitrust Case Over Android App Store Restrictions

Epic Games has settled its antitrust lawsuit against Samsung Electronics, dismissing allegations of collusion with Google to restrict rival app marketplaces on Android devices. The lawsuit, initiated in September, accused Samsung of working with Google to maintain its market dominance, particularly through Samsung's Auto Blocker feature, which was designed to prevent malicious software but also hindered downloads from competing app stores. The settlement removes Samsung from the broader antitrust case, leaving Google as the sole defendant on remaining claims. Both companies deny wrongdoing, with Google calling the lawsuit "meritless." The settlement comes ahead of Samsung's new Galaxy phone announcements and does not disclose specific terms. Epic's ongoing challenges with its mobile app store highlight the difficulties faced by alternative marketplace operators.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

Microsoft says goodbye to the Windows blue screen of death

Microsoft has announced the retirement of the "blue screen of death" in favor of a new black screen for Windows 11 24H2 devices, set to debut this summer. This change aims to streamline the restart experience and reduce downtime during unexpected interruptions to two seconds for most users. The blue screen has been part of Windows since the early 1990s, and the transition is part of a broader initiative to minimize disruptions.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Türkiye’s answer to Disco Elysium just broke cover, featuring more lawyers, fewer cops, an indeterminate amount of communism and twin fistfuls of guilt and regret

Elyzio, a Turkish game studio, is set to release Pera Coda, a narrative-driven game inspired by Disco Elysium. Players will assume the role of Deniz, an attorney in a metaphysical struggle between life and death, exploring themes of guilt, regret, and inner peace. The game features an isometric camera and a painterly art style that reflects Istanbul's working-class life. The announcement trailer suggests a haunting and beautiful narrative guided by an unseen narrator.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Isometric narrative mystery adventure game Pera Coda announced for consoles, PC

Turkish game developer Elyzio and its subsidiary Falan have announced Pera Coda, an isometric narrative mystery adventure set in a surreal reimagining of Istanbul. The game features a protagonist named Deniz, an attorney navigating a subconscious limbo between life and death, focusing on themes of guilt, regret, and the search for peace. Players will engage in impactful dialogue choices and solve layered environmental puzzles, exploring Deniz’s traumatic memories. The game draws inspiration from titles like Disco Elysium and Outer Wilds, and emphasizes a rich psychological narrative with branching dialogue and puzzle integration. Pera Coda utilizes an accessible point-and-click mechanic and is designed with visually striking environments that reflect the emotional depth of the story. Specific console and PC platforms have not yet been disclosed, nor has a release date been confirmed.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Minecraft fan wins Latitude festival poetry competition for kids

A seven-year-old boy named Myles from Wymondham, Norfolk, won a poetry competition for children with his poem titled "A Friend Like Steve." He will perform it at the Latitude festival on July 24. The competition was organized in collaboration with the BBC and was open to children aged seven to eleven from Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire. Myles' poem was praised by judge Luke Wright for its subject matter related to Minecraft. Two runners-up, eleven-year-olds Zara and Eleanor, were also selected to read their works at the festival. The competition aimed to showcase the creativity of young people, with a focus on the theme of friendship. The Latitude Festival will take place from July 24 to 27, 2025, featuring headliners like Sting and Snow Patrol.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

The FTC has dropped its case against Microsoft over Activision Blizzard deal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has withdrawn its appeal regarding Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, stating that the "public interest is best served" by terminating the case. Microsoft’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, expressed enthusiasm for the ruling, calling it a "victory for players" and thanking the FTC. This dismissal follows the FTC's unsuccessful attempt to impose an injunction against the acquisition, where Judge Daniel P. Collins noted that the FTC did not present a compelling case to show a significant likelihood of success in its claims and raised no serious questions about the merger's impact on competition.

AppWizard

May 11, 2025

Scrutinizing the security of messaging apps continues.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the White House are facing scrutiny over security vulnerabilities in their messaging application. Hacktivists breached GlobalX, the airline handling U.S. deportation flights, exposing sensitive flight manifests. The FBI warned about threats exploiting outdated routers. Pearson confirmed a cyberattack compromising customer data. Research shows cybercriminals are using Windows Remote Management (WinRM) for lateral movements in Active Directory environments. A new email attack campaign is delivering a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) via malicious PDF invoices. A zero-day vulnerability in SAP NetWeaver allows remote code execution, affecting multiple sectors. An Indiana health system reported a data breach affecting nearly 263,000 individuals.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

US court throws out FTC appeal against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not sufficiently prove that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would restrict the availability of the Call of Duty franchise on competing platforms. The court upheld a previous ruling that blocked the FTC's attempt to halt the merger, stating that the FTC's case lacked adequate evidentiary support and did not raise substantial questions about reduced competition. The merger, initially announced in 2022, received approval in 2023, allowing Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard into its portfolio.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

New report reveals top Trump admin. officials discussed classified information on messaging app

A judge compared the due process received by Nazis to that of Venezuelans facing deportation under the Trump administration. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration discussed classified military operations on the messaging app Signal, raising security concerns. A GOP senator admitted that claiming Social Security will remain untouched is disingenuous. GOP Senator Curtis clarified that Elon Musk's comments on potential cuts were merely suggestions rather than specific policy advocacy. A GOP senator indicated that impeachment of a judge who ruled against Trump is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reaffirmed his commitment to his position amid internal party pressure and expressed concerns about a constitutional crisis in American democracy. Canadian officials responded to Trump's tariffs by stating that "nothing is off the table" regarding retaliatory measures. Trump asserted that he will have the final say in deportation cases, prompting discussions about the need for a nuanced approach to immigration policy.