playing Archives

Winsage

May 27, 2026

When Microsoft was developing Windows 95, developers discovered that SimCity had a severe memory bug that caused it to crash on the new operating system—but instead of forcing the game studio to fix it, Microsoft engineers actually rewrote the core Windows 95 source code to detect if SimCity was running and safely allocate memory for it.

Windows 95 contains a block of code that checks if the user is playing SimCity and adjusts memory management to address a bug from the game's programming. This bug, a "use-after-free" error introduced by SimCity's developer Jon Ross, went unnoticed in Windows 3.x but caused crashes in Windows 95 due to its different memory management. Instead of asking Maxis to fix the bug, Microsoft engineers modified Windows 95 to mimic the older memory behavior, ensuring SimCity would run smoothly. This approach reflects Microsoft's broader strategy of maintaining compatibility with older software through various "shims," allowing legacy programs to function on modern systems.

BetaBeacon

May 27, 2026

I tested the this liquid-cooled phone in a UK heatwave, it made me sweat

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro outperforms competitors in benchmarks, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra and OPPO Find X9 Pro. It excels in 3DMark's Wild Life Extreme test and can sustain 120fps in Call of Duty Mobile's Battle Royale. The handset struggles with Asphalt Legends but performs well in emulation tests. Cooling setups may not always be necessary for optimal gaming experiences on modern gaming phones.

AppWizard

May 27, 2026

Cities Skylines may get the Lego treatment, as Korean ratings for new Paradox game, Persona 4 Revival, and more appear online

The Cities Skylines series has experienced mixed reception, with the original game being well-received and its sequel earning a score of 7/10. Developer Colossal Order has handed development responsibilities for the sequel to Iceflake Studios. A new title, Lego Skylines, is anticipated, as indicated by the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea (GRAC). This game aims to combine Cities Skylines mechanics with Lego's charm, reminiscent of earlier Lego simulation games. The last significant Lego construction game was Lego City Undercover in 2013. The development landscape for Lego games is fragmented, with major studios tied to larger corporations, leaving Paradox Development Studio as a potential candidate for the project. Other titles revealed by GRAC include Gears of War: E-Day, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, and Persona 4 Revival, with the gaming community looking forward to announcements during the Summer Game Fest.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies, Dragon Quest 1 – 6, Townscaper, Kingdom Eighties, more

Tuesday afternoon features a selection of Android game and app deals, including DRAGON QUEST, DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS, Kingdom Eighties, Kingdom Two Crowns, Townscaper, Old Man’s Journey, Bad North: Jotunn Edition, and Dandara Trials of Fear Edition. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 256GB is priced nearly 0 less than its regular retail value. Official cases for the Google Pixel 10a and Pixelsnap are available on Amazon at all-time low prices starting from . Lenovo’s Legion Pro 5, featuring an RTX 5060 OLED display, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, is discounted by 0.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

This retro games console is capable of playing AAA PC games alongside the classics – looks like an NES but runs like a Ferrari

The AceMagic Retro X5 is a mini PC that combines a nostalgic design reminiscent of the 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System with modern performance capabilities. It features the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 chipset and 32GB of RAM. The device is available for purchase on Amazon in various European regions, with discounts of up to 32% in Germany and Spain, and 28% in Italy and France, using the code RETROX5T3 until May 31, 2026. The Retro X5 is designed to complement gaming consoles and operates quietly, although users may face challenges with audio output, particularly achieving 5.1 audio through HDMI with certain operating systems.

Winsage

May 26, 2026

Tame Windows 11 with Winhance + Group Policy as your preventive Affirmative Defense against undesired advertising, bloat and espionage by Allan Tépper

Users of Windows 11 face issues with unwanted advertising, bloatware, and privacy concerns. To combat these, a combination of Group Policy and Winhance is recommended. Group Policy can be used to preemptively instruct Windows to ignore specific undesired elements, while Winhance addresses issues that may re-emerge after updates. Group Policy is referred to as "Directivas de grupo local" in Castilian. Before implementing policies, Windows should be fully updated. Two essential policies to enhance control include removing default Microsoft Store packages and opting out of sending diagnostic data to Microsoft. Group Policies can be saved and shared if the target computer matches the original system's version and update status. Winhance is a tool that monitors and manages unwanted applications, offers customization options, and provides a list of third-party apps for replacing built-in applications.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Is Paralives worth playing in early access for life sim fans?

Paralives has launched into early access, entering the life simulation genre alongside The Sims 4. The game is currently in a rough state with bugs such as menu glitches and unresponsive buttons, but overall performance on desktop PCs is satisfactory despite lengthy load times. It offers a unique take on life simulation, reminiscent of earlier games in the genre, and has a promising roadmap for updates over the next two years, including features like seasons, weather, pets, and improved building tools. Dedicated life sim enthusiasts may find it worthwhile to engage now, while casual gamers might prefer to wait due to its buggy state and steep price. Live Mode players will find intriguing elements but may desire more gameplay variety.

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

5 best Minecraft seeds for beginners

1. Seed: 302304127329527063 - Players spawn in the Taiga biome with four villages nearby, providing beds, food, and trading opportunities. 2. Seed: -7417157268905316998 - This seed features a village, a Ruined Portal, and a Trial Chamber close to the spawn, offering safety and access to the Nether. 3. Seed: 8074986196338038296 - This seed includes a village and a cave entrance, providing safety for nighttime and opportunities for underground mining. 4. Seed: 8465694128627486472 - This seed features multiple biomes within a 2,000-block radius from the spawn, ideal for exploration and resource gathering. 5. Seed: 6000009252190354262 - This speedrun seed has a Stronghold beneath a village with a blacksmith, providing early gear and access to an End Portal.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Comedian Alasdair Beckett-King was a die-hard adventure gamer until he discovered Morrowind: ‘The first time I loaded it up, I walked straight into a little pond and was killed by a fish’

Alasdair Beckett-King began his gaming journey with a second-hand ZX Spectrum and the game Dizzy. He has transitioned to PC gaming and explored titles like The Secret of Monkey Island and Full Throttle. Beckett-King is a YouTube sketch creator, actor, writer, podcaster, and adventure game designer, currently on a UK comedy tour called King of Crumbs. He has a nostalgic preference for classic games, recently revisiting the remaster of Broken Sword, and has completed Myst and Riven. He enjoys modern indie titles such as Obra Dinn and The Case of the Golden Idol. His highest playtime on Steam is 266 hours for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, where he prefers normal difficulty for narrative enjoyment but found hard mode enhanced his engagement. He is hesitant to uninstall Silksong due to his mixed feelings about finishing it. Beckett-King relies on Blender 3D for his creative video production but admits to having a chaotic desktop filled with disorganized icons and folders.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Dawn of War 2 review (2009)

Dawn of War 2 was released on February 19, 2009, developed by Relic Entertainment and published by THQ, with an initial price of £35. The game features a hybrid of role-playing and strategy elements, allowing players to command larger armies and choose from four races. It includes multiplayer functionality through Windows Live, where players share squads and must rely on the host to level up characters. The game introduces three hero units for each faction and a tech tree, but its fast-paced multiplayer can hinder attachment to individual units. The expansion Retribution was praised for enhancing the core experience.