multi-platform Archives

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

‘Stellar Blade’ Rockets To A Million PC Sales In Three Days

Stellar Blade achieved sales of one million copies within three days of its PC launch, contributing to total sales of 3 million since its release in April 2024, a 50% increase. Approximately 58% of sales occurred in China, where the game is priced lower than in the U.S. The game reached a peak concurrent player count of over 190,000 and received a 92% rating on Steam and an 86 score on Metacritic. SHIFTUP plans further updates and is considering a sequel for 2027, with no current plans to bring the game to Xbox. Sony is focusing on releasing major AAA titles on PC, while multiplayer games are launched simultaneously on PC.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

PlayStation Appears To Be Removing Region Restrictions For Its Games On PC

PlayStation is porting its first-party, console-exclusive games to PC, aiming to expand access to these titles. However, the strategy has faced challenges due to the requirement of linking Steam accounts with PlayStation Network accounts, which has restricted access to certain games in over 100 countries without PSN availability. The release of Helldivers 2 highlighted these accessibility issues, but recent reports indicate that PlayStation is lifting regional restrictions for several titles, including God of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Helldivers 2. The launch of Days Gone Remastered without regional locks suggests a shift towards a more inclusive approach, potentially ending the era of regional limitations for PlayStation games on PC.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Sonic Racing CrossWorlds launches in September with Hatsune Miku, Persona 5, and Minecraft collabs

SEGA has announced the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on September 25, 2025, for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are available with bonuses, including early access and the Werehog Pack. The game features 24 tracks and a CrossWorlds mechanic that changes the race's layout after the first lap. It will support full cross-play across all platforms. The character roster includes guest stars like Hatsune Miku, Joker, and Minecraft characters, with additional content available through the Season Pass and Digital Deluxe Edition.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Mongil: Star Dive PC version releases first on Epic Games Store

Netmarble announced that its upcoming title, Mongil: Star Dive, will be released exclusively on the Epic Games Store for PC as part of the Epic First Run program. A mobile version will also be available through the Epic Games Store's mobile app. The game features voiceovers in Korean, Japanese, and English, with subtitles in multiple languages.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has sold half a million copies

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has sold over 500,000 copies within three days of its launch. The game was released on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch. It became the second highest grossing title on Steam, following Counter-Strike 2. Developer Level 5 expressed gratitude for the support and released a new illustration to celebrate the achievement.

Tech Optimizer

May 13, 2025

If I would ever install an antivirus, this open-source tool would be my choice, and here is why

ClamAV is a free, open-source antivirus tool that allows public scrutiny of its code, ensuring security and integrity. It is compatible with multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and macOS, and is suitable for self-hosted servers and virtual machines. ClamAV includes features like SigTool for managing the virus signature database and ClamBC for advanced dynamic detection capabilities. It operates through a command-based interface, which may be intimidating for some users, and requires initial configuration. Despite its thorough scanning process, it may not perform as quickly as other antivirus solutions. ClamAV is recognized for its ability to identify a wide array of potential threats without financial investment.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Props for the honesty: Tim Sweeney says the reason ‘people characterize the Epic Games launcher as clunky’ is—wait for it—’because the Epic Games launcher is clunky’

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, described the Epic Games Store launcher as "clunky" and acknowledged that many users find it slow and cumbersome compared to Steam. The Epic launcher received a score of 41% in a recent evaluation, ranking behind competitors like the Microsoft Store and EA, and significantly trailing Steam and GOG Galaxy. Performance issues vary based on a user's proximity to a content delivery network and the size of their game library, with slower internet connections exacerbating loading frustrations. Sweeney believes the Epic launcher should incorporate convenient features from Steam while maintaining its unique advantages. He emphasized the importance of connecting players across platforms and criticized Valve for not allowing cross-platform functionality with Steamworks. Sweeney also addressed negative backlash against developers using Epic Online Services, citing harassment related to crossplay features. Users seeking alternatives to the Epic launcher can consider GOG Galaxy or Heroic, which are noted for better functionality.

Tech Optimizer

March 3, 2025

New malware exploits fake updates to steal data

Recent developments indicate that Mac users are facing an escalating threat from malware designed for macOS systems, particularly with the emergence of a strain called FrigidStealer. This malware spreads through deceptive browser update prompts on compromised websites, leading users to download a malicious DMG file that seeks elevated privileges to steal sensitive information. Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint has traced the operations of FrigidStealer to two threat actors: TA2726, a traffic distribution service provider, and TA2727, which delivers the malware. This campaign also targets Windows and Android devices, indicating a multi-platform strategy. Additionally, the rise of infostealer malware has compromised approximately 330 million credentials in 2024, with around 3.9 billion credentials circulating from infostealer logs. Users are advised to adopt protective measures, including being cautious of fake software updates, enabling two-factor authentication, using password managers, and exercising caution with downloads and links.

Tech Optimizer

February 23, 2025

Top 10 Best Ransomware Protection Tools

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid, usually in cryptocurrency. Ransom demands can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, causing significant disruptions and financial losses. Key examples of ransomware include WannaCry, Petya, CryptoLocker, Ryuk, REvil, and Snake. To protect against ransomware, it is crucial to keep software updated, use anti-virus solutions, be cautious with unknown attachments or links, and regularly back up important data. Effective protection tools include backup solutions, anti-virus software, firewalls, and ransomware-specific solutions. Free protection options include Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware, Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware, Avast Anti-Ransomware, and Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool for Business. Ransomware can be categorized into locker ransomware, screen ransomware, and encrypting ransomware.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Take-Two CEO hints at GTA 6 release for PC

Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, indicated that a PC launch for GTA 6 may occur after its initial release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, following the pattern of previous Rockstar titles. Historically, Rockstar has released games on select platforms first before transitioning to others, as seen with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V. Zelnick acknowledged the growing importance of PC gaming but confirmed that GTA 6 will debut on consoles first. He believes that the game's popularity will drive console sales, and if it later launches on PC, many players would likely repurchase it for modding and exclusive features. While a PC launch has not been officially confirmed, it is expected to follow a successful console debut.