porting Archives

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Square Enix says a ‘new version’ of Final Fantasy 7 is coming to Steam, but doesn’t say what’s actually new or when it’s coming

A new version of Final Fantasy 7 will debut on Steam, replacing the 2013 iteration. Owners of the original game will receive the new version at no additional cost while retaining access to the classic edition. Enhancements for the new release are hinted at, with further details available on Steam. The original PC version was released in 1998, followed by a reintroduction in 2012 and its arrival on Steam in 2013. The porting studio, Dotemu, added features like achievements and cloud saving. The game is currently available on Steam for .79 / £5 / €5.19.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

PS2Recomp: Porting PlayStation 2 Games to PC

Software developer ran-j (Ranieri) has announced a project called PS2Recomp, which aims to recompile PlayStation 2 code for modern platforms like Windows, Linux, and potentially Android. The project is open-source and available on GitHub for developers and gamers to contribute. PS2Recomp is inspired by the N64Recomp initiative and seeks to address challenges in current PS2 emulation, such as high power demands and graphical glitches. The focus is on PC development, and while no playable games are available yet, updates will be shared regularly.

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Pokemon is coming to Hytale thanks to Minecraft modders PokeFind

The PokeFind team plans to integrate a Pokémon experience into Hytale through community-created mods. They shared a video on X showcasing animated Pokémon models, including characters from the Kanto region like Charizard, Blastoise, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. PokeFind has a history of creating Pokémon experiences in Minecraft and aims to replicate this success in Hytale, although specific technical details are not disclosed. The team has established assets and systems from their previous projects and is focused on releasing content quickly, with plans to expand based on community feedback. No specific release window has been announced, and the Pokémon content is unlikely to be available through official mod platforms due to licensing constraints, requiring players to join designated servers.

Winsage

December 31, 2025

You can now try the Windows phone OS that Microsoft never released

Microsoft had plans for a custom operating system called Andromeda OS, designed for dual-screen devices, which was ultimately shelved. A leaked build of Andromeda OS has been ported to the original Surface Duo by developer Gustave Monce, allowing users to experience this unfinished software. Andromeda OS was based on Windows 10 and resembled Windows Phone, featuring Live Tiles and a Start Menu for dual displays. The project was abandoned in favor of Android in 2018 to avoid rebuilding a mobile app ecosystem. The ported build is not compatible with Surface Duo 2 and is available for download, but installation will erase existing Android data and may not be suitable for beginners. The device can run both Android and Windows, but booting into Windows requires a PC connection. The current version of Andromeda OS is unstable and incomplete, providing insight into Microsoft's previous mobile technology aspirations.

Winsage

December 29, 2025

Microsoft’s canceled dual-screen version of Windows Phone has leaked, and you can now try it on a Surface Duo

Andromeda OS, originally conceived by Microsoft in 2018 for a dual-screen phone, has been revived by developer Gustave Monce, who successfully ported a leaked build to the Surface Duo. The OS was intended to provide a new smartphone experience, featuring a home screen for note-taking and seamless navigation with gestures. Applications can open on one display and be dragged to another for multitasking. Monce has packaged the OS into a user-friendly FFU file for installation, although it is still unfinished and may have bugs. Installing Andromeda OS will erase existing Android data, but a dual-boot option is available with data loss risks. Monce has previously ported Windows 10 and 11 to the Surface Duo, highlighting Microsoft's dual-screen ambitions.

Winsage

December 28, 2025

Microsoft puts the brakes on speculation about a full Rust port of Windows

Microsoft has clarified that its initiative to explore migrating C and C++ codebases to Rust is primarily a research project, not a definitive plan to rewrite Windows in Rust by 2030. The company has been integrating Rust into specific areas of its operations, particularly in newer versions of Windows 11, to enhance security without overhauling existing systems. Microsoft has incorporated certain components of the Windows kernel in Rust but has not announced plans for a full migration of all kernel and user-space components. The project aims to develop tools for efficient analysis and partial automation of transferring large codebases to other programming languages, with AI-supported processes involved. Assertions that this research will lead to a complete Rust version of Windows are unsubstantiated.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Helldivers 2 Dev Worked With Sony Studio Nixxes to Create a ‘Slim’ Version for PC That Reduces File Size From 154GB to 23GB

Arrowhead has optimized Helldivers 2 for PC users by collaborating with Nixxes to create a "slim" version that reduces the game's file size from 154GB to 23GB, a reduction of 131GB or 85%. This change is part of a public technical beta for PC players. Arrowhead assured that the smaller file size would not significantly impact loading times, with minimal increases for players using mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs). Real-world testing showed that loading times are more affected by level generation than asset loading. Recent data indicated that only 11% of players were using mechanical HDDs. After the beta phase, Arrowhead plans to make the slim version the default for all players and phase out the legacy version next year, coinciding with the release of the 5.0.0 patch that introduces new content.

Tech Optimizer

December 2, 2025

AWS Transform announces full-stack Windows modernization capabilities

AWS launched AWS Transform for .NET in May, aimed at modernizing .NET applications. In response to user feedback, AWS introduced AWS Transform for full-stack Windows modernization, which streamlines modernization tasks across the Windows application stack. This service enhances modernization efficiency by up to five times and supports migration from .NET Framework to cross-platform .NET and SQL Server to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition. It includes features for validating and testing applications, customizable deployment configurations, and modernizing ASP.NET Web Forms UI to Blazor. AWS Transform connects to source code repositories and database servers to analyze dependencies and create modernization waves. Users can configure database connectors for SQL Server and source code repositories, leading to a wave-based transformation plan. The service generates a SQL Modernization Assessment Report detailing the proposed modernization strategy. The transformation process involves converting SQL Server schema to PostgreSQL, migrating data, transforming .NET application code, and deploying applications for testing. AWS Transform exclusively supports codebases in .NET 6 or later. It also facilitates UI modernization from ASP.NET Web Forms to Blazor, managing the conversion of various project files. Additional features include support for porting to .NET 10 and .NET Standard, an editable transformation report, real-time tracking of transformation progress, and a markdown file outlining remaining tasks post-transformation. AWS Transform for full-stack Windows modernization is available in the US East (N. Virginia) Region, with no additional charges for the features beyond standard resource usage. It supports SQL Server versions from 2008 R2 to 2022 and Entity Framework versions 6.3 to 8.0.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Valve sleuth says new datamine is “effectively direct confirmation” of Team Fortress 2 being ported to Source 2

Valve is working on a project referred to as 'TF,' which is likely related to Team Fortress 2. Tyler McVicker has indicated that new code confirms Team Fortress 2 is being transitioned to Source 2. A recent datamine revealed a mechanic specific to Team Fortress 2, suggesting that maps from the game are being ported to the new engine. However, the exact intentions behind this project, whether it is a remaster or a sequel, remain unclear. The project is still in early stages, and its future development is uncertain.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ May Come To PC Sooner Than You Think

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach is anticipated to transition to PC soon, as suggested by a now-removed ESRB listing. This marks a significant shift for a first-party PlayStation exclusive, indicating a potential change in strategy for PlayStation regarding PC releases. The game has received seven nominations at this year's Game Awards and has been praised by critics. It is currently available on PlayStation 5.