passes Archives

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Roblox and Minecraft Lawsuit Says Developers ‘Weaponized’ Games To Drive Addiction and Excessive Spending

Shawna Goble has filed a lawsuit against video game companies, including Roblox and Microsoft, alleging they have "weaponized" their gaming platforms by embedding design features that promote excessive play and spending, particularly among minors. The lawsuit claims these companies use deceptive design tactics, referred to as "dark patterns," to exploit psychological vulnerabilities, leading to compulsive play and repeated microtransactions. Goble argues that these games operate more as conditioning systems than entertainment products, utilizing advanced data analytics to target players susceptible to addiction. The lawsuit includes various legal claims such as strict product liability and fraud. Additionally, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is set to hear arguments regarding the consolidation of federal video game addiction lawsuits, focusing on Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft, which are described as "gateway" games with addictive design strategies targeting children.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Fortnite Hits Xbox PC Store with Game Pass Crew Bundle

Fortnite will be available through the Xbox on PC app starting November 18th, ending its exclusivity on the Epic Games Launcher. It will be part of Microsoft's Xbox Play Anywhere program, allowing seamless progression across Xbox consoles, PCs, and supported handheld devices. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will receive a complimentary Fortnite Crew subscription, valued at .99 per month, which includes exclusive skins, 1,000 V-Bucks, and access to all battle passes. This partnership indicates a shift towards collaboration between Epic Games and Microsoft in the PC gaming market. The integration raises questions about account management and in-game purchases. Epic aims to leverage Microsoft's Game Pass ecosystem, which has over 25 million subscribers, to grow its audience while diversifying Fortnite's offerings.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Black Ops 7 is packed with an obscene amount of content, but Treyarch promises it didn’t just “add as much s**t as possible”

Black Ops 7 features a co-op campaign, a replayable PvE extraction mode called Endgame, and a Zombies map named Ashes of the Damned, available in multiple modes. It includes a Zombies Survival mode and Dead Ops Arcade. The multiplayer component offers 18 maps, including remastered ones, and 11 core modes, with new additions Overload and Skirmish. Players can engage in Face Off variants, ten Prestiges, and a thousand Prestige Master Levels. The game promises future updates with Ranked Play, new weapons, maps, modes, operators, events, and battle passes. Developers expressed surprise at the project's scale, emphasizing a commitment to quality and innovation in content creation. Black Ops 7 is currently available.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

Before Titan Quest 2 gets a permanent price hike, you can grab the rare singleplayer-friendly Diablo-like on sale

Titan Quest 2 is currently in early access and offers a hack-and-slash adventure inspired by Greek mythology, reminiscent of classic games like Diablo and Path of Exile. It is available for .99 during a promotional period before a price increase on November 11. The game has introduced new regions and bosses since its launch, appealing to players seeking a simpler gaming experience without complex mechanics. The original Titan Quest is also on sale. Titan Quest 2 can be purchased on Steam.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

12 apps I urge non-techies to install on their Android phones

The preinstalled Android apps on smartphones may not meet the needs of all users, especially those who are less tech-savvy. Alternative apps can enhance the smartphone experience. TeamViewer allows remote troubleshooting by connecting to others' devices for assistance. Vivaldi offers a customizable browsing experience with ad-blocking and privacy features, while Microsoft Edge is a good option for Windows users. Google Wallet simplifies mobile payments and serves as a digital wallet for various cards. Nobook is a lightweight alternative to the Facebook app, providing faster load times and a streamlined experience. Bitwarden is a password manager that securely stores passwords with one master password, promoting the use of complex passwords. Google Authenticator provides multi-factor authentication by storing 2FA codes securely. Localsend facilitates large file transfers over Wi-Fi networks. Google Photos offers 15GB of free storage for image backup, and Google Gallery helps manage images easily. Tubular provides an ad-free YouTube experience, while Files by Google simplifies file management with categorization and a secure Safe Folder. Gboard enhances typing efficiency with features like autocomplete and swipe typing.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Halo Infinite is entering maintenance mode: ‘With multiple Halo titles in development, we’ll need our whole team’s combined focus’

Halo Studios has announced the cessation of new updates for Halo Infinite four years post-launch, shifting focus to Halo: Campaign Evolved. The final update will be released on November 18, featuring accelerated XP, Spartan Points, and rank progression. The game will transition to smaller updates, which has raised concerns about its long-term viability. The June update introduced a nostalgic Halo 3 mode that received positive feedback. Former director Chris Lee had stated that Halo Infinite would be the last standalone release for the foreseeable future, and Microsoft has not yet revealed the next chapter in the Halo series, which will be developed using Unreal Engine. Halo: Campaign Evolved is the only upcoming title in the franchise. Halo Infinite explored innovative modes, including a third-person perspective, and influenced perceptions about battle passes and user-generated content.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

Sonic Rumble codes November 2025

Sonic Rumble has been released globally as a 32-player survival party game. Players are looking for codes to unlock in-game freebies, but currently, no codes are available. To redeem codes on PC, players must launch the game, click the Menu button, select Settings, and enter the code in the Gift Code section. For mobile redemption, players can visit the Sonic Rumble website and access the Redeem Gift Code option. Codes associated with content creators may be available, and players are encouraged to follow the Sonic Rumble Discord community for updates on new codes. Players who signed up for a Sega account before October 31 may have received a gift code.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Minecraft New Update 3.23/1.033 Released for Bedrock 1.21.120

Mojang has released the Minecraft Bedrock version 1.21.120 update on October 28, which is recognized as patch 3.23/1.033. The update includes new features and numerous bug fixes. Key updates include: - Tadpoles now spawn beneath Frogspawn blocks. - Fixed issues with block destruction in Adventure Mode and various Copper block textures. - New sound effects and vibrations for interacting with Shelves. - Corrections to commands like /locate biome and Damage command. - Resolved gameplay issues related to Sign blocks, teleportation, and Shield mechanics. - Improvements in graphical enhancements, including ambient occlusion and water surface reflections. - New items available in Creative Mode and adjustments to mob behaviors, including drops from Chicken Jockeys and Copper Golems. - Changes to PlayStation 4 download storage and various sound effects. - Stability improvements and user interface updates, including cursor placement and gamma adjustment. - World generation fixes to prevent structures from building atop features at chunk borders.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

What’s new in Android’s October 2025 Google System Updates [U]

The monthly “Google System Release Notes” detail updates for various platforms, including Play services, Play Store, and Play system updates for Android devices, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Features may target end users or developers, and their presence in the changelog does not guarantee immediate availability. Key updates include: - Google Play services v25.42 introduces new developer APIs for multi-device experiences and enhanced device connectivity. - Google Wallet has a revamped user interface for feedback and now supports provisioning a Wavelynx corporate badge. - Android WebView v142 includes security and privacy enhancements and new developer features for web content display. - Google Play services v25.41 adds developer features for ads, allows mobile reCAPTCHA verification, and enables users to add cards through issuer apps. - Google Play Store v48.5 allows personalized app content viewing and in-app purchases in Mongolia. - Android System Intelligence V.39 includes maintenance and bug fixes. - Google Play services v25.40 supports Maps-related processes and allows pairing of LE Audio devices. - Google Play services v25.39 introduces Quick Start for supervised accounts and updates to user journeys and profile picture design.

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

PowerWash Simulator 2 introduces a new tool that makes washing mud from a billboard more enjoyable than ever

PowerWash Simulator 2 introduces new tools, notably the Swirlforce Surf Ace, which enhances gameplay by allowing players to clean large surfaces more efficiently. The game features organized task lists for each job, breaking down the cleaning process into manageable segments. Players receive auditory feedback, or "dings," as they complete tasks, creating a sense of accomplishment. The new tool improves the pace of cleaning and makes the experience more enjoyable compared to the original game, addressing previous issues with tedious cleaning of large flat surfaces.