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NYC Council to grill Mamdani admin over use of influencers, encrypted messaging app
AppWizard
September 5, 2026

NYC Council to grill Mamdani admin over use of influencers, encrypted messaging app

The City Council will examine Mayor Mamdani's administration's use of a secretive encrypted messaging channel for media relations, which connects nearly 200 social media influencers. This discussion is scheduled for a hearing on September 22. Queens Councilman Phil Wong plans to introduce legislation requiring influencers to label posts for city agency campaigns with a disclaimer stating “Paid for by NYC.” A report revealed that city officials communicated with influencers through a Signal app group titled “NYC Creators Announcements,” sharing updates and multimedia content. Some influencers received payment for their involvement, while others supported the mayor's agenda for personal growth. Concerns have been raised about the Signal chat potentially violating record-keeping regulations due to auto-deletion of messages. The identities of the influencers and details of their contracts remain undisclosed. Wong's proposed bill aims to reveal any undisclosed payments to influencers and raise questions about the integrity of the administration's use of external promoters. Critics argue that the administration's secrecy calls for greater transparency in public relations expenditures.
Former Rockstar dev says the GTA 6 leaks are a 'nothing burger': 'There won't be much damage'
AppWizard
August 24, 2026

Former Rockstar dev says the GTA 6 leaks are a ‘nothing burger’: ‘There won’t be much damage’

Rockstar is preparing for the gameplay reveal of Grand Theft Auto 6, which will debut exclusively on Netflix, while addressing the leak of 11 gameplay footage pieces. The developer is pursuing the source of the leaks, which may have ongoing access to a playable version of the game. Former Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij described the leaks as a "nothing burger," suggesting they will have minimal impact on the franchise's success. He noted that most potential players are not engaged with online discussions or leaks, and past incidents of brand damage did not significantly harm the company. Vermeij expressed confidence that the current leaks would not lead to substantial damage to the brand.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring Xbox 360 games to PC, according to leaked documents
AppWizard
August 3, 2026

Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring Xbox 360 games to PC, according to leaked documents

Microsoft is planning to bring backward compatibility for Xbox 360 games to PC, allowing users to purchase and play these games on "Xbox PCs" and other devices through an Xbox 360 emulator. This feature is expected to launch gradually between 2027 and 2028, with developers able to opt in to offer backward compatibility for their titles. Additionally, Microsoft is testing a disc-to-digital program that will allow Xbox One and Xbox Series X disc owners to obtain digital licenses for their games, though this will not apply to Xbox 360 discs.
PlayStation ditching physical games is "a bridge across the bad years" of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means "casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster"
AppWizard
July 30, 2026

PlayStation ditching physical games is “a bridge across the bad years” of high hardware costs, analyst says, but it means “casuals and youngsters will drift off to mobile, PC, and free-to-play even faster”

PlayStation announced its intention to cease physical game production by 2028. Analyst Rhys Elliott described this shift as a "stopgap" rather than a long-term strategy, suggesting it may be a temporary measure to address current economic challenges and high hardware manufacturing costs. He raised concerns that this decision could alienate younger and budget-conscious gamers who typically enter the console market through affordable pre-owned discs, potentially impacting their future engagement with the platform.
Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs
AppWizard
July 12, 2026

Elder Scrolls Online studio echoes id Software, claims to now be the same size it was 10 years ago following Xbox layoffs

ZeniMax Online Studios has experienced a significant workforce reduction, returning to headcount levels similar to those from 2015-2018, following layoffs of 213 and 136 employees, with an additional 62 positions cut in 2025 after the cancellation of the MMO Blackbird. Senior developers, including Brandon Adler, have expressed concerns about perceptions of the studio's talent pool amidst these changes. The layoffs at ZeniMax and id Software were strategic responses to the evolving game development landscape. Other companies like Bungie and BioWare have also seen similar workforce adjustments without necessarily improving productivity or creative output. There are concerns that this narrative may be used as a public relations strategy by Microsoft, potentially perpetuating negative stereotypes about laid-off employees.
'This creates a misleading impression of safety': Experts warn of hackers hijacking legitimate news websites and reviews to drum up publicity
Tech Optimizer
July 6, 2026

‘This creates a misleading impression of safety’: Experts warn of hackers hijacking legitimate news websites and reviews to drum up publicity

Check Point Research has identified a public relations-style campaign by hackers to distribute a Rust clipboard hijacker disguised as legitimate software, targeting both Windows and macOS. The malware monitors clipboard activity for cryptocurrency wallet addresses and replaces them with those of the attackers, leading victims to send funds to the hackers. The threat actors use a phishing page as a hub, promote projects on GitHub and SourceForge through fake accounts, and operate a YouTube channel with AI-generated narrators to create a false sense of credibility.
"Valve has a customer for life": Dad says Valve sent him a free Steam Deck case after his newborn threw up on his original
AppWizard
June 17, 2026

“Valve has a customer for life”: Dad says Valve sent him a free Steam Deck case after his newborn threw up on his original

A Reddit user recounted an incident where his newborn child damaged an official Steam Deck case. He contacted Valve support to purchase a replacement, expressing his preference for the official case. Valve unexpectedly sent him a free replacement without any prompting. This gesture strengthened his loyalty to the brand, highlighting the importance of exceptional customer service. The incident occurred amid a recent price increase for the Steam Deck, making the free replacement a strategic public relations move to maintain customer goodwill.
Soulslike Game The Relic: First Guardian Sets July 31 PC and PS5 Launch, with Xbox and Switch 2 to Follow
AppWizard
June 15, 2026

Soulslike Game The Relic: First Guardian Sets July 31 PC and PS5 Launch, with Xbox and Switch 2 to Follow

Publisher Perp Games and developer Project Cloud Games announced that The Relic: First Guardian will be released on July 31 for PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5, moving up from its initial 2025 release date. Ports for Xbox Series S and X, as well as Nintendo Switch 2, are expected later in the summer. An exclusive retail version for PlayStation 5 will be available on September 4. The game is set in the world of Arsiltus, where players act as a First Guardian to combat a blight. It features over 70 boss encounters, five weapon types, and twelve skill trees, allowing for personalized builds. The stamina system is designed for dodging and blocking only, freeing players to attack without resource constraints. Progression is based on collectible items called Relics, which offer over 70 passive effects that enhance combat dynamics. PC system requirements have not yet been disclosed.
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