power Archives

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

I played 4 hours of The Blood of Dawnwalker and it borrows a heck of a lot from The Witcher 3, for good and bad

Polish studio Rebel Wolves is developing an open-world vampire RPG titled The Blood of Dawnwalker, which draws inspiration from The Witcher 3. The game features a three-hour prologue where players control Coen, a villager under the rule of Brencis, who imposes a bloodletting ritual on the citizens. The gameplay includes a time system that divides each day into eight segments, influencing quest completion and player choices. Coen interacts with various characters, including a local bully and a herbalist, while navigating moral dilemmas in a society dominated by vampiric rule. The combat mechanics allow for varied styles based on Coen's human and vampire abilities, though they may not appeal to all players. The game is noted for its visually stunning environment and rich narrative potential.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve's Steam Machine combines console and PC gaming experiences, running on SteamOS but allowing users to install alternative operating systems like Windows. Valve has released official drivers for essential hardware components to support Windows installation, though they do not provide technical support for users who choose this option. Installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS, as dual-booting is not supported. Users can access the boot menu by powering off the device and restarting while pressing the Escape key. An internet connection via Ethernet is necessary during Windows setup, as Wi-Fi functionality will only be restored after installing the wireless drivers.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve's Steam Machine runs on SteamOS, allowing users to access their game libraries directly. It can also function as a standard PC, enabling the installation of alternative operating systems, including Windows. Valve has released official Windows drivers for essential hardware components like graphics processors, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card readers, but does not provide technical support for Windows users. Installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS completely, and while dual-booting is possible, an official setup wizard is not yet available. Users must access the boot menu by powering down the device and pressing the Escape key during restart. An internet connection via Ethernet is necessary for the Windows setup process, as Wi-Fi will not work until drivers are installed.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve has introduced the Steam Machine, which operates on SteamOS and offers a console-like experience while functioning as a traditional PC. Users can install Windows on the Steam Machine, as Valve has released official drivers for essential hardware components, including graphics processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card reader. However, installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS, and Valve does not provide official technical support for Windows users. An official dual-boot setup wizard is planned for a future update of SteamOS. To install Windows, users must access the boot menu by powering off the Steam Machine and restarting it while pressing the Escape key. An internet connection is necessary during the setup process, and connecting via Ethernet is recommended.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Heaps of gamepads are discounted as part of Amazon Prime Day 2026, but there’s only one I’d unreservedly recommend

Amazon is becoming a competitive destination for affordable PC-compatible gamepads, influenced by reputable brands like Razer, 8BitDo, Turtle Beach, and GameSir. Today's third-party gamepads often outperform first-party console controllers, featuring advancements such as drift-free Hall effect analog sticks, rear paddle buttons, and customizable options. The GameSir G7 Pro, available for AU7 during Amazon's Prime Day, includes features like two rear paddle buttons, trigger stops, gyro support, and a 1000Hz polling rate. The TMR technology in the G7 Pro enhances precision and reduces power consumption. The GameSir Nova Lite Wireless controller is also available at a reduced price for budget-conscious gamers.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

‘Emotional cyber-noir adventure game’ MoonHack announced for PC

ASTRA, under Astro Production, has announced its upcoming project, MoonHack, an emotional cyber-noir adventure set to launch on PC via Steam in 2027. The game will support English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Set in the year 2125, MoonHack features a world where AI controls all aspects of life, and loving what you love is illegal. Players will collaborate with characters classified as illegal to navigate a digital realm governed by AI regulations, using music as a means to challenge the oppressive system. The gameplay combines storytelling with 3D rhythm-action mechanics, where vocal performances align with gameplay. An announcement trailer is available for viewing.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Some days I fondly recall Warhammer 40k’s first Inquisitor was called ‘Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau’ and he’s still too powerful to be retconned.

In the Warhammer 40k universe, Inquisitors are agents of the Imperium known for their authority and eccentricity, tasked with eradicating threats from Chaos. One notable Inquisitor is Obiwan Sherlock Clousseau, introduced in the original Rogue Trader in 1987, illustrated by Martin McKenna. Clousseau is depicted in skintight powered armor under a cloak and is recognized for his detective-like approach to solving cases, using a legally distinct laser sword against xenos. His arsenal includes various energy field devices, a bolt pistol, a power sword, Jokaero digital weapons, multiple types of grenades, a communicator, bioscanner, and other gadgets. Despite not appearing since the 1980s, Clousseau's legacy endures in Warhammer lore, and fans hope for his return in future narratives.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

How to quickly launch multiple apps with a single action in Windows 11

Windows includes a Task Scheduler for automating tasks and batch files for streamlining operations. Batch files, with a .bat extension, are plaintext scripts that execute a series of commands in sequence, useful for automating repetitive tasks. A common use is launching multiple applications simultaneously, such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Google Chrome, Excel, and File Explorer, to enhance productivity. To create a batch file, users should identify the executable locations of the desired applications, create a text file named Launch Apps.bat, and input a specific script to launch the applications. The batch file can be executed by double-clicking it, and users can add echo commands for execution status or automate it with Task Scheduler. Some applications may require administrator privileges, and paths may need adjustments based on installation locations.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

Microsoft may redesign one of its most useful free Windows 11 tools to make it even better

Microsoft has released an update for Windows 11 that improves the Start menu and introduces new customization policies. The PowerToys suite, designed for power users, includes a feature called Awake, which prevents a PC from entering sleep mode. Awake is being redesigned to enhance accessibility and functionality, with a new flyout interface that consolidates key modes into a user-friendly format. Upcoming enhancements for Awake include custom durations for keeping the PC awake and the ability to attach the feature to specific processes. Microsoft is seeking community feedback on these proposals, which may lead to their inclusion in a future stable release.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple

The Steam Machine offers PC gamers a console-like experience with access to the Steam library and various PC games. The starting price is ,049 due to RAMageddon, prompting some users to consider building their own Steam Machine. Valve provides a guide for installing SteamOS, which requires compatible hardware, including a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and an NVMe solid-state drive. An 8GB or larger USB drive is needed to create installation media. Users should disconnect other drives to avoid data loss during installation. The installation process involves selecting "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS," which erases the system. After installation, users must configure settings like language, time zone, and audio output. SteamOS operates in a Big Picture Mode, allowing easy navigation with a controller. Benefits of SteamOS include avoiding Windows-related frustrations and potential performance improvements in some games, although results may vary.