Montreal Archives

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft: Windows CLFS zero-day exploited by ransomware gang

Microsoft reported that the RansomEXX ransomware gang has been exploiting a critical zero-day vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System, identified as CVE-2025-29824, allowing them to gain SYSTEM privileges on targeted systems. This vulnerability stems from a use-after-free flaw and affects organizations in various sectors, including IT and real estate in the US, financial institutions in Venezuela, a Spanish software company, and the retail sector in Saudi Arabia. Microsoft has released security updates for most affected Windows versions but has postponed patches for Windows 10 x64 and 32-bit systems. Customers running Windows 11, version 24H2, are not vulnerable to the exploitation. The RansomEXX group, also known as Storm-2460, uses the PipeMagic backdoor malware to facilitate the exploitation of CVE-2025-29824, alongside ransomware payloads. The group has targeted high-profile organizations, including GIGABYTE, Konica Minolta, the Texas Department of Transportation, Brazil's court system, Montreal's STM public transport system, and government software provider Tyler Technologies.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows hits 1m players on launch

Over one million players have engaged with the newly launched Assassin's Creed Shadows, reaching this milestone by 16:00 Montreal time. The game peaked at 46,813 concurrent players on Steam. The one million figure does not directly indicate sales, as players can access the game through the Ubisoft+ subscription service. Ubisoft expressed gratitude on Twitter for the community's support. The performance of Shadows against Ubisoft's internal goals is unclear, and the previous installment, Valhalla, had doubled the player count of its predecessor, Odyssey.

TrendTechie

February 22, 2025

5 отличных игр, в которые вы не сможете сыграть. Почему они исчезли даже с торрентов

1. **Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game** was removed from digital storefronts in 2014 due to copyright issues and remained inaccessible until a re-release was announced by Ubisoft in 2020. 2. **P.T.**, an interactive teaser for Silent Hill, was removed from the PlayStation Network after its cancellation by Konami, making it unplayable for those who had downloaded it, with access only for those who had not deleted it. 3. **Tekken Revolution**, a free-to-play game released in 2013, had its servers shut down in 2016, rendering it unplayable. 4. **Battlefield Heroes** was closed down after becoming inundated with pay-to-win elements, despite attempts by fans to create private servers. 5. **Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII**, released in 2004 for Japanese mobile phones, was shut down in 2018, and Square Enix stated that the original code has been lost, making it a complete loss.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has almost hit 2 million sales, a ‘reminder’ to parent company Embracer ‘to bring great products to the market’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has sold nearly two million units across all platforms within two weeks of its launch, following one million units sold on its first day. Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors emphasized the importance of focusing on core competencies and delivering quality products. The Embracer Group has faced challenges, including layoffs and project cancellations, particularly with Daedalic Entertainment's troubled project, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. The company has also experienced layoffs and the cancellation of a new Deus Ex game amid an aggressive acquisition strategy.

AppWizard

February 7, 2025

Rocksteady is looking to make a new singleplayer Batman game, but Warner’s Wonder Woman game is struggling

Warner Bros. Games is facing significant challenges following the poor performance of several titles, including Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which led to a 0 million loss. Rocksteady Studios is planning a new single-player Batman game, returning to its roots after the disappointing reception of previous games. Hogwarts Legacy was a success, but Quidditch Champions has struggled with only 90 users on Steam, and Multiversus has halted development due to a loss of interest. The anticipated Wonder Woman game has been rebooted, and WB Games Montreal shifted focus from Gotham Knights to a now-scrapped Flash game. CEO David Haddad is departing, and JB Perrette has projected a return to profitability by 2025, although it may take two to three years to achieve this.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue announces closing date in Plano

Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue opened to the public on October 18 in Plano and will close on January 20. It will begin a global tour in 2025, with future locations yet to be announced. During the holiday season, the experience will extend its hours for families. The interactive experience lasts approximately one hour, featuring a collaborative rescue mission through various Minecraft biomes, where participants will build structures and interact with both friendly and hostile mobs. The exhibit is created by Supply & Demand, led by executive producer Olivier Goulet, with production primarily based in Montreal and in development for about two years.

AppWizard

December 17, 2024

Casual and cute exploration in Revenge of the Savage Planet

Revenge of the Savage Planet, developed by Raccoon Logic, is set to launch in May 2025 for PC and consoles. It is a sequel to Journey to the Savage Planet, originally released in 2020. The game features Martin Tweed, CEO of Kindred Aerospace, and introduces a new antagonist, Gunther Harrison, CEO of Alta Interglobal. Players will explore and colonize multiple planets, facing challenges and engaging in resource gathering and crafting. The game is designed for approximately 15 to 20 hours of gameplay, with solo and co-op options. It will feature three distinct endings and has been developed by a team of around 30 with a budget of under a million.

AppWizard

December 13, 2024

Warner Bros Montreal cuts 99 staff

Warner Bros Montreal has laid off nearly 100 employees, specifically 99 staff members, with an eight-week notice period. The layoffs primarily impact quality assurance subcontractors from Keywords Studios. The company has offered these workers the chance to return in 2026 or assistance in finding new jobs. An affected employee expressed feelings of stress and depression due to the layoffs. This announcement coincides with Rocksteady Studios pausing development on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

Ubisoft Montreal Is Currently Working On Minecraft’s Biggest Challenger Which Draws Inspiration From Animal Crossing

Ubisoft is developing a new game called Alterra, which aims to redefine the social simulation genre through voxel creation, inspired by titles like Animal Crossing and Minecraft. The game is being created by Ubisoft's Montreal studio and is anticipated to compete with Minecraft by offering a nuanced approach to world-building and introducing fresh mechanics and social interactions. Alterra's voxel-based design and community-driven elements are expected to meet the growing demand for interactive experiences that encourage creativity and collaboration among players.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

Ubisoft Reportedly Making a Minecraft Meets Animal Crossing Social Sim

Ubisoft is developing a game titled Alterra, inspired by the Nintendo franchise Animal Crossing. In Alterra, players will inhabit their own home islands with unique biomes, resources, and enemies, and can visit other players' islands. The game allows players to shape their islands using materials gathered from different locations, similar to Minecraft. The creatures in the game, called Matterlings, are designed with a playful aesthetic reminiscent of Funko figures. Production has been underway for about 18 months under creative director Patrick Redding at Ubisoft Montreal, but the game may be several years away from release.