landscape Archives

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Microsoft Overhauls Windows Insider Program To Fix Channel And Feature Rollout Confusion

Microsoft has revamped the Windows Insider Program by streamlining it from three channels to two: Experimental and Beta. Experimental replaces the Dev and Canary channels, allowing users to test new features immediately, while Beta provides a more stable preview of major updates. The program now offers previews across three branches: Windows 11 25H2 for x86 PCs, Windows 11 26H1 for ARM PCs, and a "Future Platforms" branch for upcoming Windows 11 26H2. Feature Flags have been introduced to customize notifications for new features, and the program has eliminated gradual rollouts, providing immediate access to new features for Experimental users. The process of unenrolling or switching between channels has been simplified with a new In-Place Upgrade (IPU) system, allowing users to transition between versions without losing applications, data, or settings.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Hackers demand ransom from GTA6 studio Rockstar, threaten to leak stolen data

Rockstar Games is facing a security breach involving the hacking group ShinyHunters, which has issued a ransom demand for sensitive data. A Rockstar spokesperson confirmed that a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed due to a third-party data breach, stating it has no impact on the organization or its players. This incident follows a similar breach in 2022 when a 17-year-old hacker infiltrated Rockstar's systems. ShinyHunters has targeted various high-profile companies in the past, including Microsoft and AT&T. The breach highlights that many security incidents can result from simple human errors rather than sophisticated hacking techniques.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

This Russian military intelligence group has been stealing people’s sensitive data, so you might want to connect your router through a VPN

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK has reported that the Russian military intelligence group APT28 is exploiting vulnerabilities in routers to redirect internet traffic through malicious servers, siphoning off sensitive information from users. This includes login credentials, search histories, and private messages. APT28's servers function as anti-VPNs, designed to extract user data rather than protect it. The group appears to be gathering data for strategic objectives, particularly targeting businesses in sectors like manufacturing and military contracting, while also potentially weaponizing information from individuals to influence public opinion. The NCSC has issued guidance for businesses on online privacy, and recommends the use of VPNs as a protective measure for individuals, with NordVPN being highlighted as a top choice among various reliable options.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Overwatch Season 2 is “modernizing” old heroes, and I’m ready for a Pharmercy revival

The Overwatch Season 2 update will feature significant changes, including the return of the 'Pharmercy' duo with revamped abilities for original heroes. Mercy will receive a Flash Heal ability, enhancing her healing capabilities, while Pharah will gain Drift Thrusters to improve her maneuverability during Barrage. Reaper will have Dire Triggers as a standard ability to better engage distant targets. The post-match experience will be revamped with a new accolades system for player recognition and a shared lobby voice chat during the Play of the Game. Competitive play will see reduced ranking penalties for losses on new or reworked maps, and a system for automatic map selection based on player votes. Blizzard is also considering improvements to the hero bans system for future updates. Overwatch Season 2 is set to launch on April 14, introducing new character Sierra.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

New Proton Experimental build fixes up a bunch of old Capcom games for Steam Deck and Linux

The Steam Deck has become popular among retro gaming enthusiasts due to its efficient storage use. Players have faced challenges accessing Steam versions of classic Capcom titles like Dino Crisis and the original Resident Evil series. Recent updates to Proton Experimental have improved compatibility, with games like the original Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), Dino Crisis, and Dino Crisis 2 now playable on the Steam platform. The appeal of these original games lies in nostalgia, as they resonate with players despite the availability of modern versions.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

League of Legends lead Phroxzon says “frustrating” counters like Mel are part of the MOBA’s “secret sauce”

Matt 'Phroxzon' Leung-Harrison, lead gameplay designer for League of Legends, engaged with a group of 20 players to discuss champion balance, focusing on Mel, whose abilities can disrupt opponents. He described Mel as "a balanced champion," though players expressed frustration over her matchups. Phroxzon acknowledged that there are moments where Mel can feel overwhelmingly powerful and emphasized the importance of diverse gameplay experiences. He noted that navigating difficult matchups is integral to the game and encouraged players to develop strategies against challenging champions. He also discussed the concept of 'loser's queue' and the psychological aspects of player perceptions in competitive environments. Additionally, he addressed the balance between introducing changes through patches and maintaining game stability, suggesting that new champion releases contribute to player growth and understanding. Riot Games is committed to evaluating champion dynamics and player experiences in the evolving landscape of League of Legends.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

This ‘highly realistic’ city-builder could be the first real competition Cities: Skylines has seen in over a decade

City Masterplan is a newly unveiled metropolis simulator that offers expansive environmental canvases measuring 24x24 km, allowing players to design urban landscapes in various architectural styles. The game features a visual aesthetic similar to Cities: Skylines 2, with realistic skies, dynamic lighting, and immersive weather conditions. It is built on the Unreal Engine, which may present performance challenges. As Cities: Skylines approaches its twelfth anniversary, there is a demand for a fresh city-building experience, with City Masterplan potentially revitalizing the genre. There is no official release date, but speculation suggests a launch not before 2027.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Roblox Plus is replacing the current Premium subscription, and it sounds like a big upgrade

Roblox will retire its Premium subscription model and introduce a new subscription called Roblox Plus, effective April 30. Existing Premium subscribers can keep their plan but will lose certain benefits, such as bonus Robux. Roblox Plus will offer a fixed monthly rate of .99, a 10% discount on in-game purchases (increasing to 20% after three consecutive months), and access to free unlimited private servers. Creators can earn 100 Robux for each Plus user spending time in their private servers and receive a bonus of 250 Robux for each new subscriber they bring in. Users will be able to trade and resell avatar items and transfer Robux, with parental approval required for users under 18. Optional extras for bundling subscriptions with additional Robux will be introduced after launch, but the 10% bonus on additional Robux purchases will be eliminated.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Security researchers find 213 vulnerabilities in Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

Security researchers discovered 213 vulnerabilities in Max, Russia's state-backed messaging app, during a bug bounty initiative. This information was shared by Alexei Batyuk, CTO of Positive Technologies, at the Svyaz-2026 exhibition. The bug bounty program has been active since July 1, 2025, resulting in 288 accepted vulnerability reports and total payouts of nearly 22 million rubles. Common vulnerabilities could allow unauthorized access to user data through the manipulation of object identifiers. Max's press service claimed that user data is "reliably protected" and emphasized the importance of independent white-hat hackers in identifying vulnerabilities. Max was launched by VK in March 2025 and is being promoted by Russian authorities amid efforts to block other messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. The app has faced criticisms regarding user surveillance and security vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Former Escape From Tarkov dev says “no amount of millions of dollars can save a weak product”

The shooter game market is currently saturated with both successful and unsuccessful multiplayer titles, making it challenging for developers to stand out. Dmitri Ogorodnikov, co-head of Nomion Games, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities of creating a successful shooter. He points to the failures of games like Concord and Highguard, which struggled due to lackluster character design and muddled identities. Ogorodnikov believes that many big studios lose the essence of their games by relying too heavily on marketing and formulas. In contrast, Nomion aims to focus on quality gameplay and a clear vision for their upcoming title, Rush is Real, which is still in the prototyping phase. He asserts that the game will not be just another generic shooter and will prioritize unique ideas and quality over following market trends.