paddle

AppWizard
November 23, 2025
Pyramid Head, originally a figure of terror from Silent Hill 2, has been reinterpreted in cosplay, particularly through the trend of Pink Pyramid Head. Cosplayer u/Hannah-Vorhees incorporated cherry blossom flowers into the traditional design, creating a whimsical version that raises questions about its endearing qualities. This trend extends to other traditionally menacing characters, such as the Nazguls from The Lord of the Rings, which have also been reimagined in pastel hues. Another cosplayer, u/thatpikminguy, created a humorous version featuring pizza boxes instead of a metal helmet and a pizza sauce-stained apron. Additionally, u/TheYzzyPop presented a holiday-themed Pyramid Head with festive colors and a Santa hat. These reinterpretations showcase the creativity within the cosplay community, allowing characters like Pyramid Head to be seen in a new, more approachable light.
AppWizard
November 14, 2025
Valve has announced its latest Steam Controller, which closely resembles its predecessor. The controller features large circular trackpads that enhance gameplay for PC games typically unplayable with standard gamepads. While the design may not seem groundbreaking, the trackpads make various game genres more accessible for gamers who prefer not to use a mouse and keyboard. Despite the existence of other controllers with trackpads, such as PlayStation's DualSense and DualShock 4, their implementations are often seen as underutilized. The Steam Controller aims to bridge the gap between mouse precision and the tactile enjoyment of traditional gamepads, potentially inspiring new game types or enhancing existing ones. Valve has refined its trackpad concept over the years, demonstrating its potential in the gaming market.
Winsage
November 11, 2025
Dave Plummer critiques Windows 11, stating it has become more of an advertisement platform than a productivity tool. He suggests implementing a "Windows Expert" mode to disable unsolicited app recommendations, unify Settings and Control Panel, and set Windows Terminal as the default console with Winget for package management. Plummer emphasizes the need for improved privacy features, transparency in telemetry data, and stopping forced updates without user consent. He believes the operating system's current state undermines user trust, as it often promotes Microsoft's products rather than serving users effectively.
AppWizard
August 3, 2025
Tourism New Zealand has created a fully playable version of the country within Minecraft, making it the first nation to do so. They have partnered with GuideGeek to develop an AI-driven travel assistant on their website, newzealand.com, which helps users plan their trips by providing personalized recommendations and answers to common travel questions. The AI system utilizes a comprehensive database of tourism information to enhance user experience. The introduction of the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC in Minecraft allows players to explore landmarks like the Waitomo Caves and Abel Tasman National Park virtually. Since launching the AI trip planner, it has attracted over 200,000 unique visitors, with users showing a 600% higher engagement rate. Additionally, over 50,000 active users are exploring the Minecraft digital destination, highlighting the effectiveness of combining gaming with tourism marketing.
BetaBeacon
May 10, 2025
Various phone controllers are available to enhance mobile gaming experiences, such as the GameSir G8 Plus, ASUS ROG Tessen, and Backbone One. Additionally, options like Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Plus Premium, and Amazon Luna allow console and PC gamers to play from anywhere. Emulators like RetroArch can handle games up to PS2, and launchers like ES-DE and Console Launcher can enhance the gaming experience on phones. Ultimately, phones are capable of playing a wide range of games, including emulation, making them versatile gaming devices.
AppWizard
March 19, 2025
Gamers will be able to explore six iconic New Zealand locations, including Abel Tasman National Park and Lake Tekapo, in Minecraft, thanks to a collaboration with Tourism New Zealand. This initiative aims to introduce New Zealand and Te Ao Māori to millions of players worldwide and inspire them to visit in real life. The six locations—Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Kāpiti Island, Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Tekapo, and Doubtful Sound—were selected for their cultural significance and representation of New Zealand's landscapes. Minecraft, created by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft, has sold over 300 million copies and has more than 100 million active users monthly. The collaboration includes input from local iwi to ensure respectful representation of Māori culture.
Search