landscape Archives

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Valve’s new Steam Controller has a major problem for PC games not on Steam

The new Steam Controller lacks native Windows drivers, making it dependent on the Steam application for functionality. This means it cannot be used effectively with games from other platforms like the Epic Games Store or Xbox Game Pass, as it cannot interface with locked files on Windows 11. Gamers wanting to play titles like Forza Horizon 6 via Game Pass must purchase them directly from Steam to use the controller. While Valve could release standard Windows drivers to address this issue, there is skepticism about their willingness to do so. The gaming community previously developed a tool called GlosSI to enable the original Steam Controller to work with non-Steam applications, and a similar solution may emerge for the new model.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Vampire The Masquerade Bloodhunt is officially dead. I should be sad, but instead, I’m just thankful for the memories

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodhunt is a battle royale game set in a rain-drenched Prague, allowing players to choose their clan and engage in survival gameplay. It launched in 2022 with a peak player count of 29,475 but saw a decline to around 1,000 players before ceasing content updates in 2023. The game was announced to close in October 2025 after four years. Bloodhunt featured atmospheric representation of the World of Darkness, parkour mechanics for navigation, and character customization options that reflected clan aesthetics. However, it faced balance issues, cheating problems, and struggled to compete in a saturated market. Despite these challenges, a vibrant community remained engaged with the game, sharing memories and experiences.

Winsage

April 28, 2026

‘Unlimited Attack Vectors’—All Windows Versions At Risk From New Flaw

Microsoft is facing a significant security vulnerability in its Windows operating system known as PhantomRPC, which allows for privilege escalation. Cybersecurity experts have expressed concern over the company's delayed response in issuing a patch for this flaw. The vulnerability resides within the Windows Remote Procedure Call (RPC) architecture and enables processes with impersonation privileges to elevate their permissions to SYSTEM level. Researcher Haidar Kabibo identified five distinct paths for exploitation, which require user interaction, coercion, or compromise of background services. Despite disclosing the vulnerability to Microsoft in September 2025, the company categorized it as moderately severe and did not issue a patch or a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) listing. Microsoft stated that the technique requires an already-compromised machine and emphasized the importance of following security best practices. Experts have criticized Microsoft's lack of action, arguing that it is operationally negligent and places the burden of risk management on users. In the absence of a patch, security professionals recommend focusing on access control and environmental hygiene to mitigate the risks associated with the vulnerability.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Google warns phone actions are getting cut from its smart home automations very soon

Starting in the first week of May, Google will remove "phone actions and automations" from its Nest devices, which include features like checking battery levels, toggling Do Not Disturb settings, and adjusting phone volume. While these phone-related actions will be phased out, core home automations will remain functional. Google has introduced a new feature for its Gemini platform called "Continued Conversations," allowing users to engage in extended dialogues without repeating context. Additionally, some Nest Hub users are experiencing a glitch where alarms set for PM are announced as AM.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

These 3 Android Apps Can Block Ads On Your Phone

Users are increasingly seeking effective solutions to enhance their browsing experience in digital advertising, with some opting for methods beyond traditional ad-blockers, such as configuring a private DNS server to filter ads at the system level. This method can face challenges, including certain applications circumventing settings and networks blocking custom DNS configurations, which may lead to connectivity issues. DNS-based ad-blocking can disrupt app functionality or create voids where ads would typically appear. NextDNS offers customizable blocklists for ad-blocking and functions as a customizable endpoint, requiring users to set it up through Android's native DNS settings. It provides a dashboard with parental controls, tracking protection, and analytics tools, free for up to 300,000 queries per month. AdLock focuses on system-wide ad-blocking across various platforms and requires users to download the APK and subscribe for use on multiple devices, starting at .05 per month. It does not allow ads to be displayed and includes a safety check feature for potential threats. Total AdBlock, developed by Total Security Limited, offers free and premium versions, with the premium version providing full functionality, including ad-blocking on YouTube. It has a high effectiveness score on the AdBlock Tester tool and includes features like content blocking and direct support access. The curated list of ad blockers targets options that do not require root access and are cost-effective, designed to operate at the device level for Android users, as the default Chrome browser does not support extensions. Trustworthiness and reputation were key factors in the selection process, focusing on maintaining a clean browsing experience without invasive tracking mechanisms.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Pearl Abyss paid its employees a 5 million won bonus after Crimson Desert reached 5 million sales: ‘Our journey does not end here’

Crimson Desert achieved five million sales as of April 15. The Prime Minister of South Korea celebrated the game's success, calling it a "new chapter in K-content." Pearl Abyss rewarded its employees with a bonus of 5 million won (approximately ,392 or £2,513). The total bonus payout could amount to around 6.6 million won (or .5 million/£3.3 million) based on a workforce of 1,323 employees. The latest game update includes quality-of-life improvements, addressing community concerns such as storage for looted items and fast travel mechanics.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

The new Moomin game is lovely, but also illustrates the limits of cozy comfort over the harsher lessons of a children’s book

Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth is a sequel to Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, where players follow Moomintroll as he wakes from hibernation in a snowy landscape and embarks on a quest to bring spring. The game emphasizes Moomintroll's proactive role in helping Moominvalley residents during winter, contrasting with the themes of uncertainty found in Tove Jansson's original book, Moominland Midwinter. The game focuses on perseverance, camaraderie, and courage, aiming to provide a comforting experience while subtly altering the narrative's message. The original work's theme of resilience is echoed in Moomintroll's encouragement for the crocus to struggle through the frost, highlighting the beauty in overcoming adversity.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Line Games to Participate in ‘2026 PlayX4’… Showcasing 4 New PC Titles

Line Games will participate in the '2026 PlayX4' game show at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do, from May 21 to May 24. They will showcase four new PC titles: Ember and Blade, QUIET, Come to my party!, and CODE EXIT. The booth will feature high-performance gaming laptops and peripherals provided by Lenovo Legion. Visitors can receive souvenirs, including exclusive merchandise and products from PRETTYSKIN and I'm donut. Line Games aims to gather user feedback to refine their titles.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Rumored New Minecraft Character Leaked in an Unexpected Way

Minecraft is rumored to introduce a new mobile entity, or "mob," as it approaches its two-decade anniversary. Mojang has changed its update strategy from large annual updates to more frequent compact updates every three to four months. This includes the addition of baby versions of mobs during the Tiny Takeover event. The new strategy aims to enhance sustainability within development teams by allowing them to focus on various features throughout the year.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

Finding a Good Minecraft Seed Changes Everything

Players in Minecraft often overlook the importance of the seeds that generate their worlds, leading to varied experiences based on the terrain they spawn in. Seeds are numerical values that can result in vastly different starting conditions, such as resource availability and landscape aesthetics. A "good" seed typically offers easy access to resources, space for building, and visually appealing terrain. Players may feel a connection to certain seeds, prompting them to build close to their spawn point. However, visual appeal in screenshots can mislead players, as the actual gameplay experience may differ significantly. In multiplayer settings, the need for accommodating space and diverse playstyles becomes crucial, often leading players to seek modded server setups for better performance. After encountering disjointed worlds, players tend to abandon random seeds in favor of community-recommended ones, aiming for a seamless experience. Ultimately, a good seed facilitates gameplay by providing accessible resources and favorable terrain, while experimentation is essential for finding the right fit.