platforms Archives

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Microsoft brings Xbox 360 games to PC via Project Helix

Microsoft plans to expand its backward compatibility initiative by bringing Xbox 360 games to PC, allowing players to access iconic titles like Halo 3 and Gears of War across multiple devices, including the upcoming Project Helix console and handheld gaming devices. This move aims to create a unified gaming ecosystem and aligns with Microsoft's strategy of reducing traditional console exclusivity. The initiative enhances subscription services like Xbox Game Pass by incorporating a rich catalog of classic games. The technical implementation remains unclear, but Microsoft's previous backward compatibility efforts have been commendable. This strategy also presents opportunities for game developers to reach new audiences without extensive remasters. Additionally, the inclusion of handheld devices indicates Microsoft's intentions to compete in the portable gaming market.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Xbox 360 Games Are Reportedly Coming To PC As Well

Microsoft is planning to enhance the gaming experience by integrating Xbox 360 games onto PC platforms and its upcoming Project Helix console, which will support backward compatibility. Developers will have the option to set their own pricing for PC versions of games and include them in the Game Pass subscription service. This initiative follows a previous announcement about bringing original Xbox games to PC, with an expansion expected in October. Additionally, Microsoft has developed an official emulator, Xe03, for running Xbox 360 games on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, and another tool, XeFu, for original Xbox games. Furthermore, a disc-to-digital program is in the works to allow players to convert physical game copies into digital versions, although details about its implementation remain unclear.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Microsoft Reportedly Working to Bring Xbox 360 Games to PC and Project Helix

Microsoft is planning to enable developers to transition Xbox 360 games to PC and other Xbox devices, utilizing an Xbox PC emulator to simplify the process. This feature is expected to launch between 2027 and 2028, allowing developers to make their games backward compatible while maintaining control over pricing and Game Pass availability. Additionally, Microsoft is exploring a method for players to digitally transfer ownership of physical Xbox One and Xbox Series X discs, linking digital licenses to both the disc and the player's account. This initiative could allow trading of eligible Xbox discs, reminiscent of pre-digital gaming practices.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

“Control Panel gets tricky” Microsoft CVP explains why killing Windows legacy code takes so long, and how it’s evolving its tools to make modernizing apps like File Explorer and Registry Editor faster

Marcus Ash, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Design and Research for Windows and Devices, discussed the company's efforts to refine the user interface of Windows 11, focusing on modernizing the Control Panel. This initiative began with Windows 8 over 13 years ago and is still ongoing.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

“It’s not great news”: Halo: Campaign Evolved on the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme shows how far Windows on Arm gaming still has to go

Halo: Campaign Evolved is available on Game Pass and can be played on PC, Xbox, and PS5. YouTuber Ghobso Gaming tested the game on the ASUS Zenbook A16, which features the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chip, and rated its performance as one star due to significant issues, including missing textures. Despite being praised as a flagship Windows laptop, the Zenbook A16 is not primarily designed for gaming. Reviewer Ben Wilson noted a range of gaming experiences on the device, indicating that gaming on Snapdragon X processors is still developing.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Microsoft is bringing Xbox 360 games to PC

Microsoft plans to allow developers to bring Xbox 360 titles to PC, as detailed in a leaked document. This initiative follows the earlier announcement of original Xbox games being introduced to PC. The document outlines compatibility for Xbox 360 games with the upcoming Project Helix console, “Xbox PCs,” and handheld devices, aiming to create a seamless gaming experience across platforms. Microsoft is also preparing for a future without physical disc drives, aligning with trends in the industry. Digital licenses for older Xbox titles will be introduced, allowing gamers to access games without physical media. Developers can make their Xbox 360 games backward compatible, with a rollout expected from 2027 to 2028. The full launch of original Xbox games on PC is scheduled for October 2026, starting with four titles. A disc-to-digital program will enable players to obtain digital versions of games they own on physical discs, with a public beta initially planned for July and general availability in August, though delays have occurred. These changes follow a significant restructuring at Microsoft, including layoffs and the divestiture of four studios.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Meet deGDID: Windscribe’s answer to the Windows tracker that VPNs cannot mask

Windscribe has introduced deGDID, a tool aimed at countering the Global Device Identifier (GDID), a Windows tracking mechanism that can trace user activities despite VPN usage. The GDID is a persistent identifier assigned to individual Windows installations, remaining unchanged through updates but reset during a clean reinstallation. It can link telemetry data and browsing history to a specific device, allowing Microsoft to track users across different sessions. deGDID works by modifying the hosts file and implementing firewall rules to prevent Windows from retrieving the GDID and to erase local identity artifacts. Users can download and execute the degdid.ps1 script from GitHub in PowerShell, which includes options for checking status, blocking the GDID, and reversing changes. The tool is not designed for corporate machines and may disrupt access to services like Xbox and Outlook due to its firewall rules. Windscribe warns that it cannot guarantee the complete eradication of GDID pathways or existing records held by Microsoft.

BetaBeacon

August 3, 2026

Roblox says new ‘Slim’ tech will let complex avatars run on low-end Android as it pushes mobile-first game creation

Roblox has introduced Slim, a new avatar compositing technology aimed at enabling more complex avatars to operate smoothly on low-end Android devices.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Kakao Games Signs Global Publishing Agreement for New PC MMORPG ‘ArcheAge S: Strait of Freedom’

Kakao Games has announced its upcoming PC MMORPG titled 'ArcheAge S: Strait of Freedom', developed by XLGAMES. The game is being crafted for a global audience, focusing on optimizing the experience for PC users, and is led by PD Kim Kyung-tae, who was part of the original 'ArcheAge' planning team. Kakao Games has secured global publishing rights for the game and aims to enhance its portfolio with this title. The original 'ArcheAge' debuted in 2013 and has been well-received for its world-building and player freedom. 'ArcheAge S' is set to be released next year, with further details to be announced.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Microsoft warns Windows 11 Insiders of crucial mandatory upcoming deadline

Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates for Windows 11 PCs, as the previous certificates are 15 years old and nearing expiration. Users can check their certificate status easily. An advisory was issued in early September regarding changes for Windows Insider channels, particularly affecting the Experimental and Beta channels, with a deadline for certificate updates set for August 11, 2026. The Release Preview builds will not be affected by this update requirement. Users in the impacted channels must update to specific builds to obtain the new certificates, or they may stop receiving updates after the deadline. The minimum build requirements for each channel are outlined, and users can check their current Windows 11 Insider build by using the winver command. Microsoft has confirmed that these updates will not impact activation or licensing status.