quality standards Archives

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

‘I think we’re in the fight of our lives’: Fired Rockstar employees and IWGB are confident the GTA 6 developer will be held accountable for its alleged union busting

Over 30 employees at Rockstar Games were terminated, leading to protests organized by the Independent Workers' of Great Britain (IWGB) union, which labeled the firings as union busting. Take-Two, Rockstar's parent company, stated that the dismissals were due to "gross misconduct" related to employees discussing confidential information, denying any link to union activities. As a result of these events, the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has been postponed from May 2026 to November 2026 to ensure quality standards. A representative from People Make Games expressed belief that the financial impact of the firings and delays has been considered by management, but he remains optimistic about the strength of worker solidarity in response to the situation.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

Four months after its second delay, Cities Skylines 2’s big bridges DLC finally has a new date, and a lot to prove

Cities Skylines 2 has a 'mixed' rating of 53% on Steam two years after its launch. The Bridges and Ports expansion, which has faced two delays, is set to release on October 29, priced at .99/£16.99. This DLC will enhance water-based construction with new features such as customizable harbors, new coastal maps, and facilities like ore yards and passenger terminals. It will introduce 20 variants of drawbridges and lift bridges for improved connectivity and new transportation options like ferries. The expansion includes over 100 new assets, including lighthouses and leisure piers. Performance issues and traffic patterns remain concerns, and the asset editor is still pending release. A bundle option with the 'Cold Wave Channel' radio station will be available for .89/£18.89. Players are encouraged to discuss their expectations for the DLC online.

AppWizard

October 4, 2025

Kingmakers, A PC Game About Bringing Guns To A Swordfight, Delayed At The Last Minute

Redemption Road has announced an indefinite delay for the release of its medieval action-strategy game Kingmakers, originally scheduled for October 8. The studio aims to refine the game to meet high-quality standards and ensure a polished experience for players. They are preparing to release a three-minute gameplay "deep dive" soon, showcasing the game’s features and mechanics. Kingmakers combines traditional weaponry with modern firepower, allowing players to navigate combat scenarios in a war-torn medieval setting. The game is confirmed for release on PC.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Dying Light The Beast’s most frustrating zombie type is too hands-on, so Techland is taking action

Dying Light The Beast has received acclaim for its gameplay, particularly its combat mechanics. Players have faced challenges with biters, known for their aggressive attacks. Game director Nathan Lemaire announced three changes to improve player experience: increased time to escape from a biter's grasp before taking damage, adjusted start-up animations for clearer visual cues, and reduced likelihood of newly alerted biters immediately grabbing players. Techland is testing these fixes and is committed to monitoring player feedback. A comprehensive map and system requirements for the game are available, and players are encouraged to share their experiences in the PCGamesN community Discord server.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

Apple Built a ChatGPT-Like App You’ll—Likely—Never Get to Use

Apple has introduced an internal tool called Veritas, a chatbot application used by employees to aid in the development of Siri's upcoming AI enhancements. Veritas serves as a testing ground for generative AI technology and is not intended for public release. It allows Apple staff to manage conversations, store chats, and engage in dialogues on various topics. The tool supports the internal testing of new technologies for Siri, which is undergoing a significant overhaul codenamed Linwood, aimed at making Siri a more powerful personal assistant. This project has faced delays due to engineering challenges and has resulted in changes to Apple’s AI leadership. The upgraded Siri is expected to debut as early as March, with ongoing negotiations with external partners, including Google. Apple is also planning a redesigned voice assistant and AI-driven web search functionalities for future releases.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Microsoft launches Windows AI Labs for testing experimental AI features – The Times of India

Microsoft has launched Windows AI Labs, a pilot program that provides select users with early access to experimental AI features in Windows applications, starting with Microsoft Paint. The program aims to gather rapid feedback on feature usability and market fit. Participants will receive a notification in Paint to join the beta testing program, although the backend system is not fully operational yet. Users will be informed that the features are in preview stages and may not meet usual quality standards. The initiative aligns with Microsoft's strategy to enhance Paint and other Windows applications with AI functionalities.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Former MS engineer Dave Plummer admits he accidentally coded Pinball to run ‘at like, 5,000 frames per second’ on Windows NT

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer shared insights about the development of the Pinball game, known as Space Cadet 3D Pinball or Microsoft 3D Pinball, which was included in Windows NT 4.0. Plummer created a resource-intensive game engine while transitioning the game from Windows 95 to Windows NT, achieving a frame rate of 60-90 fps on a MIPS R4000 processor at 200 MHz. Another engineer, Chen, introduced a frame rate limiter that capped the game at 100 fps, allowing users to play Pinball while building software. Plummer referred to the oversight in the game's development as the worst bug he ever shipped, reflecting on the strict software quality standards of the time. Despite initial embarrassment, the legacy of the bug is fondly remembered by Plummer and his colleagues, especially in light of advancements in technology and multi-core processors.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Enhance Your Android Gaming Experience with Comparison Platforms

A new Android player has entered the Play Store, which offers a vast array of app choices, leading to overwhelming search results for users. Comparison platforms have emerged to help users navigate this environment by providing clear, actionable cues regarding app features and performance. These tools allow users to make informed decisions by assessing privacy disclosures, update frequencies, and summarizing permissions and data usage in user-friendly formats. They enable players to filter options based on essential criteria like genre, difficulty, controller support, offline mode, file size, and update frequency. Comparison sites also visualize privacy and permission descriptions, offering context that star ratings may lack. They help users create tailored shortlists based on non-negotiable criteria, such as device compatibility and monetization models. Overall, these platforms are transforming the app discovery process from passive browsing to active selection, allowing players to tailor their gaming experiences to their lifestyles.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Putin wants national messenger app to replace WhatsApp in Russia

A national messenger platform is being developed using homegrown technology, ensuring alignment with national interests and security protocols. It will integrate with the government portal, Gosuslugi, enhancing citizen interaction with government services. Features include effortless identity authentication, simplified document submission, transaction capabilities, and electronic signatures. Dmitry Peskov stated that the service must meet global quality standards and compete internationally.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Android Auto will soon let you browse the web and watch videos

Android Auto is enhancing its app ecosystem by allowing developers to publish weather apps that provide localized information, now that these apps have moved out of beta. Google has also introduced beta support for games and plans to add browser and video apps soon. Video apps will be available for devices running Android 16 in compatible vehicles, but playback will only be allowed when parked. Additionally, an audio-only mode for video apps will enable users to listen to content while driving.