online gaming Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2025

Double Fine dev embarks on a quest to discover Full Throttle’s true release date: ‘Perhaps the best 30th birthday present I could give Full Throttle was a real birthday’

Full Throttle, an adventure game by LucasArts, marked its 30th anniversary, leading to an investigation into its release date. Conflicting sources suggested various dates: April 30, April 20, and May 19, 1995. Double Fine Productions leans towards April 30, but that date fell on a Sunday, making it unlikely for a retail release. Investigation into original release files indicated modifications as late as May 2, 1995. An advertisement in The Daily Record on May 19, 1995, promoted the game, but staggered releases and miscommunication were common at the time. CompUSA expected copies by May 5, but they didn't reach shelves until at least May 18. Silk noted that requests for hints about the game began to appear after May 19, 1995, suggesting that this date may mark when the game entered public awareness.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft says 394,000 Windows computers infected by Lumma malware

Microsoft announced the dismantling of the Lumma Stealer malware project in collaboration with global law enforcement. Over 394,000 Windows computers were identified as infected by Lumma between March 16 and May 16. The malware is known for stealing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details. Microsoft, with a court order, dismantled the web domains supporting Lumma's infrastructure, while the U.S. Department of Justice took control of its central command structure. More than 1,300 domains were seized or transferred to Microsoft, with 300 acted upon by law enforcement and Europol. Other tech firms like Cloudflare and Lumen assisted in this effort. Since 2022, hackers have been acquiring Lumma through underground forums, and it has been used in phishing campaigns and attacks on various sectors, including gaming, education, and critical infrastructure.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2025

Achieve up to 1.7 times higher write throughput and 1.38 times better price performance with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances

Upgrading to Graviton4-based R8g instances with Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 17.4 in an Aurora I/O-Optimized cluster configuration results in significant performance improvements. The new instances provide up to 1.7 times higher write throughput, 1.38 times better price-performance, and reduce commit latency by up to 46% on r8g.16xlarge instances and 38% on r8g.2xlarge instances compared to Graviton2-based R6g instances. The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition now supports AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances and PostgreSQL 17.4, which introduces performance enhancements for I/O-Optimized configurations, optimizing write operations and batch processing. R8g instances offer up to 192 vCPUs and 1.5 TB of memory, supporting larger configurations and providing up to 50 Gbps of network bandwidth. PostgreSQL 17 includes vacuum improvements, eliminates the need to drop logical replication slots during upgrades, and expands SQL/JSON standards. Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible separates compute from storage, enabling independent scaling and maintaining six-way replication for durability, while processing changes as log records to reduce I/O operations. Performance benchmarks using HammerDB show improvements in throughput and commit latency across various workloads. For small workloads on 2xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 50.25% and commit latency improved by 33.87%. For medium workloads on 16xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 30% and commit latency improved by 17.44%. The most significant performance benefits arise from combining hardware upgrades from Graviton2 to Graviton4 with database engine upgrades from PostgreSQL 15.10 to 17.4. For small workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 38.71%. For medium workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 46.67%. Cost efficiency is also enhanced, with a 38% improvement in price performance and a 61.26% improvement in price-performance ratio when comparing Graviton2 and Graviton4 instances. Reserved Instances for Graviton4-based R8g instances offer additional cost-optimization opportunities.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

What’s driving growth in the Chinese video game industry?

The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

Nazara Technologies acquires UK’s console gaming publisher Curve Games for Rs 247 crore

Nazara Technologies has acquired UK-based PC and console game publisher Curve Games for Rs 247 crore (£21.7 million), marking its largest international acquisition to date. This acquisition gives Nazara complete ownership of Curve, which has a portfolio of indie games with over 100 million downloads worldwide, including titles like Human Fall Flat and Lawn Mowing Simulator. The move aims to diversify Nazara's offerings beyond mobile gaming into the PC and console markets, valued at over 0 billion globally. Curve Games reported revenues of Rs 263.5 crore and EBITDA of Rs 114.4 crore in 2024. Nazara plans to allocate Rs 800–1,000 crore for further acquisitions targeting global gaming studios. Other notable acquisitions by Nazara include Fusebox Games, Moonshine Technology, Comic Con India, and others. As of 2:29 pm, Nazara shares were trading at Rs 1,292.8 on the BSE.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

5 Best Multiplayer Games With Realistic Graphics For PC

Fortnite is a multiplayer battle royale game where 100 players compete by dropping onto a large map to gather weapons and resources. Players can participate solo, in pairs, or in larger teams. A distinctive feature of the game is its building mechanic, which allows players to construct defensive structures. The objective is to be the last player or team remaining. The game has gained immense popularity and has become a significant cultural phenomenon in the gaming world.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Quake finally makes it into the World Videogame Hall of Fame

Quake has been officially recognized as one of the four inductees into the World Videogame Hall of Fame for 2025. It is a pioneering first-person shooter that introduced mouse controls and real-time 3D graphics, and its extensive mod support contributed to its longevity. Quake's server-client architecture laid the foundation for online gaming and esports. The game's legacy code has influenced many franchises, including Heretic, Hexen, Doom, and Call of Duty. John Romero, co-creator of Quake, expressed his delight at the induction. The 2025 inductees also include Defender, GoldenEye 007, and Tamagotchi.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

Can’t upgrade to Windows 11? This Linux project wants to save your old PC from the scrapheap when Windows 10 support ends

As Windows 10 approaches its End of Life in October 2025, the ‘End of 10’ project advocates for transitioning to Linux for users with older PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11. The initiative emphasizes the environmental benefits of extending the lifespan of existing devices, highlighting that computer production accounts for over 75% of carbon emissions during its lifecycle. It also points out that Linux offers greater privacy and control compared to Windows 11, as well as cost efficiency since it is free and future updates remain free if the chosen distribution is supported. While there are concerns about the learning curve and potential software compatibility issues, the project encourages users to seek support from online forums or local repair shops. The Linux community is noted for its willingness to assist newcomers, making it a viable alternative for older PCs that cannot support Windows 11.

AppWizard

April 28, 2025

We found the best deals during Amazon’s Gaming Week including $250 a new router and more

Amazon's Gaming Week runs from April 28 through May 4, featuring discounts on gaming technology. Notable deals include: - TP-Link Tri-Band BE19000 Wi-Fi 7 Gaming Router Archer GE800 at a 42% discount, offering 19 Gbps across three bands and 12 streams. - Logitech G Pro X SE wired gaming headset available at 42% off, designed for pro-grade sound quality and clear voice communication. - SAMSUNG 32-Inch M8 Series 4K UHD smart monitor with a 43% discount, capable of streaming content directly and providing access to Samsung TV Plus.