milestone Archives

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

GTA 5 finally launches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 12 years after its global release — will be age-rated 21+ as part of the new regulatory framework

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

Linux breaks a new record for US market share as people presumably flee Windows for its open-source rival

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.

Winsage

July 18, 2025

This Windows XP recreation that runs in your browser really scratches my retro itch, and I think you’ll like it too

An online recreation of Windows XP has been developed, allowing users to experience the operating system in their browsers. This project replicates the iconic interface, pre-installed games, file system, programs, and classic dialogs of Windows XP. It was created to evoke nostalgia and celebrate the 25th anniversary of Windows XP's development. While it does not function as the original operating system, users can navigate through the interface, though some features, like the Internet Explorer icon, do not lead to actual web pages. The creator plans to enhance the project with additional features.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Update 2.3 Patch Notes

Update 2.3 for Cyberpunk 2077 will be released tomorrow for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a later release for Nintendo Switch 2. The update introduces four new vehicles, the AutoDrive feature for self-driving Delamain cabs, and enhancements to CrystalCoat™ and Photo Mode. It also adds support for AMD FSR 3.1 Frame Generation, Intel XeSS 2.0, and HDR10+ Gaming on PC. Cyberpunk 2077 is now available on Mac with Apple silicon, purchasable via the Mac App Store and other PC storefronts, with existing owners able to transition to compatible devices. The new vehicles include: - Yaiba ARV-Q340 Semimaru, unlocked through a new side job after completing The Hunt and The Beast In Me. - Rayfield Caliburn "Mordred," obtainable by completing side jobs including The Beast in Me: Badlands. - Yaiba ASM-R250 Muramasa, available after purchasing a Yaiba vehicle and completing specific tasks. - Chevillon Legatus 450 Aquila, purchasable through AUTOFIXER. AutoDrive allows players to relax while their vehicles navigate, with self-driving Delamain cabs available after completing the job Don't Lose Your Mind. Photo Mode enhancements include 27 new NPCs, outfit switching options, new Look-At Camera features, and additional stickers and frames. Quality of life improvements include automatic adjustments for inverted mouse settings and enhanced accessibility options for aiming controls. Gameplay fixes address various mission issues and improve overall performance. PC users will see enhanced graphics with AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 4 and Intel XeSS 2.0, while console players benefit from Variable Refresh Rate support and fixes for foliage interactions with weather conditions.

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

Metaphor: ReFantazio hits 2m sales

Metaphor: ReFantazio has sold over two million copies, as announced by developer and publisher Atlus. The game sold one million units on its first day and reached the two million mark nine months after its release. It debuted in October 2024 and became the third highest-grossing game on Steam during its launch week.

Tech Optimizer

July 16, 2025

ParadeDB takes on Elasticsearch as interest in Postgres explodes amid AI boom

Open source database management system Postgres is nearing its 40th anniversary and has seen increased demand due to its compatibility with AI applications, although its search and analytics capabilities are limited. ParadeDB is an open source extension that enhances full-text search and analytics within Postgres, integrating with various data infrastructure tools like Google Cloud SQL, Azure Postgres, and Amazon RDS. Founded in 2023, ParadeDB released its first version the same year and gained Alibaba as its first customer in May 2024. The company recently secured a million Series A funding round led by Craft Ventures to expand its team and improve its platform. The growing popularity of Postgres is highlighted by recent acquisitions, such as Snowflake's acquisition of Crunchy Data and Databricks' purchase of Neon.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Xbox Game Pass Users Will Be Able to Stream Console Exclusive Games to Play on PC

Xbox is enhancing gaming accessibility by allowing Xbox Insiders in the PC Gaming Preview to stream console games directly on their PCs. This feature is part of their initiative to bridge the gap between console, PC, and mobile platforms. Over 250 console games, including recent hits and classic titles, are available for streaming on PC. The feature is accessible via the Xbox PC app in 28 countries, but only for users who own digital copies of the games.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Ancient Aliens vs Predator game briefly resurrected by Steam player thirst for Six Packs

A dormant space hulk on a forgotten planetoid contains remnants of a past era, including desiccated hand monsters and abandoned Pulse Rifles. The vessel is identified as the 2010 sequel to Alien Vs Predator, which has seen a resurgence in player engagement, reaching around five thousand concurrent players due to a community-run server. This revival is partly driven by the pursuit of a rare achievement called The Six Pack, which requires players to participate in a ranked match with six friends. The original multiplayer scene struggled, with only 2.2% of players achieving this milestone. The resurgence highlights the positive impact of proactive measures by publishers to sustain online games post-official support. The 1999 installment of Alien Vs Predator is noted for its atmospheric lighting and iconic film set adaptations, while the 2010 version has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing renewed interest due to community initiatives. The game has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, with humorous commentary suggesting a more accurate title reflecting the player demographics.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Games & Numbers (July 2

Rust has surpassed 20 million copies sold on Steam. Lords of the Fallen has attracted 5.5 million players. Peak has sold 4.5 million copies. Sultan's Game has achieved 1 million copies sold. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sold over 674,000 copies in its first three days, with total sales exceeding 1 million. The Alters sold 280,000 copies in under a month. Mafia: The Old Country has over 2.5 million wishlists. Pokémon GO has generated over billion in revenue. Whiteout Survival has surpassed billion in gross revenue. Zenless Zone Zero generated .1 million in its first year. Clash Royale earned .8 million on July 8. Wittle Defender achieved million in gross revenue. Sky: Children of the Light has surpassed 270 million mobile downloads. MLB Rivals reached 5 million installs. Valorant Mobile in China has over 40 million pre-installs. Destiny: Rising has 5 million pre-registrations. The Nintendo Switch 2 has over 5 million units sold, with 1.8 million in the U.S., 1.47 million in Japan, and 1.18 million in Europe.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Summer Games Done Quick 2025 raised $2.4m

This year's Summer Games Done Quick charity speedrunning event raised ,436,614 for Doctors Without Borders from July 6th to 13th, attracting over 2,600 attendees at the Hilton Minneapolis in Minnesota. The event featured popular games such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Balatro, Super Mario Maker 2, Blue Prince, Mario Kart World, and Beat Saber. Although the total raised is slightly below the .5 million raised in 2024, Games Done Quick has raised over million for various charitable organizations since its inception. Founder Mike Uyama stepped down in August 2024, passing leadership to operations head Matt Merkle.