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June 2024

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Got a Remastered Mod
AppWizard
February 1, 2026

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Got a Remastered Mod

Ubisoft announced the cancellation of the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which was initially unveiled in September 2020 and faced multiple delays. The project was ultimately halted due to not meeting quality standards. In response to this cancellation, a mod called Sands of Time Remastered Mod has been released for PC gamers, enhancing the original game with high-quality textures and improved HD cutscenes. The mod also revamps the Dagger of Time's appearance and allows for additional visual enhancements using Reshade. The mod is available for download, but installation instructions can be found on the NexusMods page. Screenshots of the mod have been shared, showcasing the improvements.
To the MAX: Authoritarian states are developing messaging apps in an effort to control their populations
AppWizard
January 28, 2026

To the MAX: Authoritarian states are developing messaging apps in an effort to control their populations

In Novorossiysk, Russia, students are mandated to install the state-backed MAX messaging app to avoid exclusion from winter examinations, part of a broader initiative to shift communication to this platform. This reflects a trend in Russia where the government promotes state-sanctioned IT services, similar to efforts seen in other authoritarian regimes. MAX is compared unfavorably to WeChat, which has a robust ecosystem and a large user base, while MAX struggles to gain traction in a smaller Russian market. Previous Russian efforts at creating sovereign messaging apps, like TamTam and ICQ New, have failed. Laws now require communication through MAX, raising concerns about privacy and security. Despite initial resistance, there is a potential for MAX to become a communication staple in Russia if alternative platforms are restricted. In Iran, the state-run super app Rubika has faced public resistance, similar to the skepticism surrounding MAX in Russia as it may facilitate state censorship.
Valve faces lawsuit over developer commissions on Steam
AppWizard
January 28, 2026

Valve faces lawsuit over developer commissions on Steam

Valve is facing a legal battle over allegations of imposing excessive commissions on publishers using its Steam platform, with potential damages reaching £656 million. The lawsuit, initiated in June 2024, represents the interests of up to 14 million UK consumers who purchased games via Steam since 2018. Vicki Shotbolt leads the case, claiming Valve restricts publishers from offering lower prices on competing platforms and locks customers into its ecosystem. Valve's commission is reportedly as high as 30 percent. The London Competition Appeal Tribunal has allowed the case to proceed, despite Valve's objections. This is not the first scrutiny Valve has faced; a previous antitrust lawsuit from Wolfire Games was dismissed in late 2021 but was refiled and merged with another claim in 2022, gaining class action status by November 2024.
Valves faces $900 million lawsuit, accused of abusing its dominance in PC gaming to over-charge for games and DLC, as UK court says the case can continue
AppWizard
January 27, 2026

Valves faces $900 million lawsuit, accused of abusing its dominance in PC gaming to over-charge for games and DLC, as UK court says the case can continue

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal has allowed a lawsuit against Valve, alleging that the company has used its market dominance to charge inflated prices for games and downloadable content (DLC). The lawsuit, set for 2024, seeks £656 million in damages, claiming that up to 14 million UK gamers may have overpaid between £22 and £44 since June 5, 2018. Vicki Shotbolt, an advocate for children's digital rights, is the proposed class representative for the case, which is part of her campaign "Steam You Owe Us." A judgment on January 26 confirmed the case can proceed to trial, but it does not indicate the merits of the claims. The tribunal's decision suggests there may be grounds to explore allegations of unfair pricing practices by Valve. Additionally, a UK court has ruled that in-game gold can be classified as "property," making it subject to theft laws.
Minecraft is changing how it handles update version numbers — but what does that mean for us players?
AppWizard
December 3, 2025

Minecraft is changing how it handles update version numbers — but what does that mean for us players?

Since the Tricky Trials update in June 2024, Minecraft has been at version 1.21, as Mojang Studios shifted to more frequent, smaller updates instead of large annual releases. Mojang is revamping its version numbering system to better reflect this new update cadence, with the latest game drop titled "The Copper Age" designated as version 1.21.9 for Java Edition and 1.21.110 for Bedrock Edition. The first snapshot for the upcoming Mounts of Mayhem update will be labeled as 25.4-snapshot-1. The familiar "Minecraft 1.x.x" format will be retired, with the Mounts of Mayhem update scheduled for release on December 9 and the first update of the new year recognized as Minecraft 26.1. Mojang has also pledged to eliminate code obfuscation from Minecraft: Java Edition to enhance the modding experience.
Evicting Copilot: The Insider’s Guide to Purging AI from Windows 11
Winsage
November 20, 2025

Evicting Copilot: The Insider’s Guide to Purging AI from Windows 11

Microsoft's Windows 11 has introduced Copilot, an AI assistant aimed at enhancing productivity, but it has faced criticism from users concerned about privacy and resource usage. Copilot offers features like document summarization and image generation, but some users have labeled it an unwelcome presence. During the March 2025 Patch Tuesday, some users experienced Copilot being inadvertently uninstalled. Privacy concerns and performance issues have led many to seek ways to disable or remove Copilot, with methods including hiding the Copilot button, using Group Policy Editor, editing the Windows Registry, and uninstalling the app through Settings or PowerShell commands. In corporate environments, IT administrators can disable Copilot using Intune or Group Policy. Users have reported that Windows updates can reinstall Copilot, prompting them to disable automatic updates or block related domains. Recent user sentiment indicates growing fatigue with AI features, and there is potential for Microsoft to introduce easier opt-out options in future updates.
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