landscape

TrendTechie
July 19, 2025
A 59-year-old Greek national was sentenced to five years in prison and fined €10,000, along with court costs of €1,800, for operating the torrent site P2Planet from 2011 to 2014, which hosted over 14,000 torrent links. His case is the second of its kind in Greece's legal history. The final verdict was delivered on May 29, and he had been awaiting sentencing since his arrest in 2014. The site experienced a DDoS attack that led to a database breach, which likely aided law enforcement in his apprehension. A similar case in the past resulted in a five-year prison sentence for another torrent site owner, but without a financial penalty.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
An abundance of gaming trivia quizzes is available, covering topics like health bars, in-game currencies, and patch notes. The video game landscape is often populated by a common archetype: the ruggedly similar white male protagonist, characterized by chiseled jaws, short brown hair, and names like John, Jack, or Jake. These characters, while present in iconic games, tend to be forgettable and blend together. A quiz invites participants to identify the games featuring these generic leads rather than naming the characters themselves.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.
Winsage
July 19, 2025
Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 as the end-of-life deadline for Windows 10 approaches. Despite this, many users remain loyal to Windows 10, leading Microsoft to offer extended support options for a fee. This situation has prompted some Windows 10 users to explore alternative operating systems, contributing to Linux achieving over 5% market share in the US for the first time, according to StatCounter. Linux's market share has increased by approximately 1.30% over the past year, coinciding with a decline of over 2% for Windows.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted an increase in the Kremlin's censorship efforts to control the digital landscape in Russia. On July 18, Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Information Policy, warned that WhatsApp may face restrictions in the Russian market and indicated that the Kremlin-backed messaging app, MAX, is intended to replace it. Committee member Anton Nemkin labeled WhatsApp a national security threat, suggesting Telegram as an alternative, but acknowledged MAX as the preferred option. WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging app in Russia, with about 84 million daily users, but a ban on it is seen as likely. Insiders believe Telegram will remain operational due to its support of Kremlin-affiliated channels. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, has been classified as an extremist organization by the Russian government. ISW has previously reported on the Kremlin's plans for MAX as a national messenger, and if successful, Telegram and other Western social media platforms may also face bans. The Kremlin's strategy aims to isolate and censor Russian citizens while promoting its narratives.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Between the late '80s and early '90s, DOS became the foundation of PC gaming, fostering innovation with advancements in 2.5D and 3D environments, first-person shooters, city-building simulations, and point-and-click adventures. DOS games are lightweight, allowing them to run on modern devices easily. Dangerous Dave (1988) is a nostalgic platformer that remains enjoyable today. Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) is considered one of the greatest DOS games, allowing players to build empires through various strategies. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) is credited with shaping the real-time strategy genre, introducing base-building and resource management. Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990) set the standard for PC platformers with its vibrant gameplay. Carmageddon (1997) is an iconic car combat game known for its humor and chaos. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) is a hallmark of the point-and-click genre with engaging puzzles. The Oregon Trail (1990) started as an educational tool and became a classic game blending survival strategy with humor. Command and Conquer (1995) revolutionized the RTS genre with engaging gameplay. X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) is known for its strategic gameplay where every decision matters. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) is a pioneer of the FPS genre, influencing many subsequent titles.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Valve has clarified that certain games on its Steam platform have been removed due to potential violations of rules and standards set by payment processors and their related card networks and banks. Over 100 games marked as "retired" from Valve's storefront in two days, many of which contain adult content. The removals are part of a broader initiative to ensure compliance with banking standards. The impact on developers remains unclear, but the rapid pace of removals suggests many creators may be affected.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
The Steam Summer Sale has ended, allowing the Epic Games Store to launch its offers, featuring exclusives like Alan Wake 2 and Blades of Fire. Other highlighted titles include Assassin's Creed Shadows, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Skin Deep, and To a T, which is on discount. The Steam Automation Fest is ongoing, and the Ubisoft Summer Sale has concluded. Black Ops 6 is now available on Battle.net. The Epic Games Store is offering Sid Meier's Civilization 6 Platinum Edition for free until July 24. Humble Choice subscribers can receive several games for .99 this July, including Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader and Cat Quest 3. Various game bundles are available for purchase, activating on Steam.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Five years have passed since the initial leak of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Ubisoft has not provided concrete updates on the remake or Splinter Cell during its recent Annual General Meeting. Chief Financial Officer Frederick Duguet indicated that the Sands of Time Remake is slated for release in Ubisoft's 2026 fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2026, with speculation suggesting a potential holiday 2025 release.
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