media

AppWizard
July 11, 2026
The Ghost City in Grand Theft Auto 3 was a hidden location that became lost over time, particularly after the original mod allowing access to it was hosted on a now-defunct site. ModSaver, a hobbyist, recreated the mod from scratch after the original was deemed "Lost Media," enhancing it by adding new collision files to make the area fully playable for the first time in over two decades. This revival highlights the gaming community's dedication to preserving gaming history.
AppWizard
July 11, 2026
Push Square has established itself as a significant player in the gaming industry by offering in-depth analysis, timely news, comprehensive reviews, and opinion pieces. Its editorial team prioritizes quality content, fostering a loyal readership. The platform features interactive elements that encourage reader participation and user-generated submissions, enhancing engagement. Push Square is well-positioned to adapt to emerging trends in the gaming industry, focusing on new technologies, gaming events, and industry shifts. It actively engages with its audience through social media, building a sense of community and gathering valuable feedback for editorial decisions.
AppWizard
July 11, 2026
The Elder Scrolls Online has launched its new seasonal content, Return of the Thieves Guild, amidst significant turmoil at ZeniMax Online Studios, which has seen a reduction of over half its development team due to layoffs, totaling 213 employees. The launch has generated a muted response from fans, with many expressing support for the developers in the comments on the trailer, despite some sarcasm regarding the timing of the release. Players have shown dedication to the game, highlighting its positive impact on their experiences, while also voicing frustration over the corporate decisions affecting the studio.
AppWizard
July 10, 2026
Sony has announced it will cease physical disc production by January 2028. A petition to reverse this decision has garnered over 200,000 signatures. A nostalgic video from PlayStation's YouTube channel has resurfaced, reflecting gamers' emotional connection to physical media. Concerns about long-term ownership of digital content have been raised, particularly after reports of purchased titles being removed from users' libraries. The trend towards digital gaming is evident, with some gamers opting for the PS5 Digital Edition for convenience. The shift may impact local retailers and the second-hand market, as well as the experiences of trading or renting games. Limited edition physical disc releases and optional disc drives for future consoles could provide a compromise for both digital and physical media enthusiasts.
AppWizard
July 10, 2026
Google is exploring new sharing features in the Google Photos app, specifically in version 7.83.0.943371825, which includes an option to export media directly to CapCut, a video editing app by ByteDance. This feature appears in the export sheet when users select multiple photos or videos, allowing for direct editing in CapCut. If CapCut is not installed, users will be prompted to download it from the Play Store. The feature is currently in testing and not available to the general public, and modifications to the app’s package indicate ongoing experimentation by Google. An APK teardown has revealed these features, but not all may be included in the final public release.
AppWizard
July 10, 2026
PlayStation announced the closure of the PlayStation 3 digital store, raising concerns about the preservation of gaming history. The majority of the PlayStation 3 library is available on physical discs, but the loss of digital content is significant. PlayStation plans to phase out physical media production by 2028. A community of PlayStation 3 enthusiasts is working to keep titles accessible online. Efforts to decompile PlayStation 3 games are underway, with a new tool simplifying the emulation process. This tool navigates the complexities of the console's Cell Processor, potentially revolutionizing emulation. Many PlayStation 2 and 3 games are only available through cloud-streaming or require a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, which has technical issues. Fans are taking on the responsibility of preserving these games, highlighting a need for PlayStation to enhance compatibility with modern platforms or consider porting games to PC.
AppWizard
July 10, 2026
John Carmack, co-founder of id Software, expressed sadness over the recent layoffs at the studio, which saw 96 employees at its Richardson location and 40 remote positions cut, representing a 50% workforce reduction. This restructuring is part of a broader initiative by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, which has resulted in 1,600 staff layoffs earlier in the week, with another 1,600 expected throughout the financial year. Carmack suggested that id Software may have been viewed as a "marginal business" within Microsoft's portfolio and noted that its financial contributions to Microsoft appear minimal compared to the tech giant's overall revenue of 1.72 billion. He reflected on the competitive nature of the gaming industry and questioned whether different strategies could have improved id Software's financial performance. Despite the layoffs, he remains hopeful for the studio's future. Fellow co-founder John Romero also expressed support for the affected staff and emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of iconic franchises like Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein.
Tech Optimizer
July 10, 2026
Cybercriminals are exploiting the VLC media player to install ValleyRAT, a remote access trojan, by embedding malware in a seemingly harmless file linked in phishing emails. The attack starts with an email that prompts the victim to download a ZIP archive containing a fake VLC executable and a malicious DLL named libvlc.dll. This method uses DLL sideloading to execute the malware under the guise of a legitimate application. Once executed, the malware establishes persistence by creating a registry entry and connects to a remote server to retrieve the final payload. ValleyRAT employs evasion tactics to avoid detection, including assessing system characteristics before executing harmful actions and using a fileless approach to deliver the payload directly into memory. Researchers have identified indicators of compromise, including specific SHA1 hashes and URLs associated with the malicious campaign.
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