modding capabilities Archives

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

GOG agrees with Ultrakill publisher boss that “the future of preservation is decided by players who give a s**t”

Dave Oshry, CEO of New Blood Interactive, questioned the long-term viability of GOG as a competitor in the PC gaming market after its acquisition by a co-founder of CD Projekt Red. He praised GOG's commitment to game preservation and modding but expressed skepticism about its sustainability. In response, GOG acknowledged his concerns and emphasized the importance of community support for game preservation, encouraging players to engage with the platform. GOG has been focused on preserving classic games for nearly 20 years and differentiates itself from competitors like Steam and Epic Games Store through its DRM-free offerings and modding capabilities. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in attracting users away from Steam, which dominates the market.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

After 17 years, Minecraft Java Edition starts replacing OpenGL with a Vulkan multi-threaded renderer — update will prove a boon for performance and modding

Mojang Studios is releasing a new Vulkan renderer for Minecraft Java Edition to improve performance, stability, and modern graphical effects. The update, called the Vibrant Visuals update, will begin testing this summer, allowing players to switch between the OpenGL and Vulkan renderers. Players with graphics cards that do not support Vulkan may face challenges with the update.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

Poking around Hytale’s unfinished sandbox is the first time I’ve felt hope for a voxel RPG since Cube World broke my heart (twice)

Cube World is a voxel-based, procedurally generated RPG released in 2019 that failed to meet player expectations due to a lack of engaging content, minimal NPC interaction, and monotonous exploration. The game was criticized for its hollow adventure and mindless combat. In contrast, other titles like Dragon Quest Builders and V Rising successfully combine survival, crafting, and narrative depth. Hytale, developed by Hypixel Studios, aims to learn from Cube World's shortcomings, offering a voxel world with dynamic combat and a promising adventure mode. Hytale features engaging combat mechanics and has a strong focus on modding, with nearly 4,000 user-generated mods available. The game has rekindled interest in the open-world survival crafting genre, standing out as a promising contender.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

PS2Recomp: Porting PlayStation 2 Games to PC

Software developer ran-j (Ranieri) has announced a project called PS2Recomp, which aims to recompile PlayStation 2 code for modern platforms like Windows, Linux, and potentially Android. The project is open-source and available on GitHub for developers and gamers to contribute. PS2Recomp is inspired by the N64Recomp initiative and seeks to address challenges in current PS2 emulation, such as high power demands and graphical glitches. The focus is on PC development, and while no playable games are available yet, updates will be shared regularly.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

5 things to be ready for if you’re leaving PC gaming for consoles in 2026

In 2026, consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X offer a compelling alternative to PC gaming due to rising costs and complexities. Transitioning to a console means giving up hardware customization for stability, as games are guaranteed to perform consistently. Consoles simplify graphics settings, allowing players to focus on gameplay rather than optimization. Subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass influence buying habits, encouraging gamers to be selective and explore a wider range of titles without the financial burden of purchasing each game. However, switching from PC to console results in a loss of modding capabilities, which can limit creativity and customization. Console gaming provides a more curated experience, reducing chaos from numerous storefronts and launchers. Ultimately, the switch is about reprioritizing the gaming experience towards stability, predictability, and simplicity.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

A fan managed to run Windows 95 and classic Minecraft inside Hytale

Hytale launched in Early Access on January 13, 2026, and quickly gained popularity, achieving over 2 million mod downloads within 72 hours. A 15-year-old developer, @iamcxv711, successfully ran a fully functioning instance of Windows 95 and classic Minecraft (version 0.30) within Hytale, showcasing the game's modding capabilities. This was accomplished through map pixel data manipulation without external assets. The game's developers have emphasized its mod-friendly nature, supported by partnerships like CurseForge to facilitate user-generated content integration.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Hytale modder gets Windows 95 OS up and running inside the actual game — other projects include running Minecraft, and Hytale inside itself

Modders have begun showcasing achievements in Hytale, a sandbox RPG that launched into Early Access on January 18, 2026. Engineer Sadat Sahib, known as iamcxv7, successfully ran Windows 95 and Minecraft within Hytale. Running Windows 95 revealed some cumbersome interactions, likely due to using a joypad instead of a mouse and keyboard. A modder also managed to run Doom inside Hytale before its official release. Hytale attracted 2.8 million players on launch day and over 420,000 viewers on Twitch, making it the most-watched game globally. The game was developed by the Hypixel Minecraft team and emphasizes modding capabilities.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Hytale Is Becoming What Minecraft Used to Be

Hytale has been released after a tumultuous development journey that included its acquisition by Riot Games and a subsequent cancellation. The game, initially seen as a competitor to Minecraft, is still a work in progress but has foundational elements of a great gaming experience. The developers aimed to create a standalone game for greater creative freedom, and despite initial disinterest, the author chose to support Hytale after its revival. The game offers a crafting-focused RPG adventure, contrasting with the monetization strategies of Minecraft under Microsoft. While there are issues with the current build, the author remains excited about Hytale's potential for future updates and content.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Hytale comes full circle as modder transforms it back into Minecraft, right down to The End

Dedicated fans of Minecraft are integrating elements from the game into Hytale, which has been anticipated for seven years. French YouTuber 'LAirHisson' announced the creation of "the end in Hytale," incorporating Minecraft's final boss area, The End, into Hytale. His video features a character resembling Minecraft's Steve using a modded Eye of Ender, leading to a challenge biome similar to Minecraft's Ender Dragon domain. LAirHisson engages in combat with Endermen and attempts to fight the Ender Dragon, showcasing Hytale's modding capabilities. Simon Collins-Laflamme from the Hytale community praised LAirHisson's work. Hytale has released its first significant content update, adding dinosaurs and improved melee combat. The game is available for .99, with premium tiers offering exclusive in-game accessories.