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Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test
Winsage
August 2, 2026

Windows 11: Movable and Smaller Taskbar in Beta Test

Microsoft is expanding the testing of its redesigned taskbar for Windows 11 to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the release of Beta Build 26220.9022 on July 31, 2026. This update allows selected participants to reposition the taskbar along any edge of the screen—top, left, right, or bottom—and introduces a more compact variant that reduces icon size and overall height. Users can adjust their taskbar position through the Settings menu under Personalization, and Windows will adapt associated flyouts and animations accordingly. The implementation aims to restore flexibility lost when Windows 11 was launched, where the taskbar was fixed to the bottom of the screen. However, some features remain under development, and limitations exist for alternative positions, including incomplete touch gestures and a simplified search box. The compact taskbar feature currently only supports reduced height at the top or bottom positions. Microsoft is also exploring taskbar positioning across multiple monitors but has not guaranteed different positions for each screen. The recent updates include renewed certificates for the Windows Insider Program and additional builds, with the timeline for stable release of these taskbar adjustments still uncertain.
Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida is 'a huge fan' of Bloodborne, says it's 'a complete mystery' why it was never put on PC
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

Former Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida is ‘a huge fan’ of Bloodborne, says it’s ‘a complete mystery’ why it was never put on PC

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, expressed his appreciation for the game Bloodborne during a keynote address at Japan's CEDEC Industry event. He noted that neither Sony nor FromSoftware has revisited Bloodborne since its expansion, The Old Hunters, was released in November 2015. Yoshida highlighted the lack of a 60fps or 4K patch for Bloodborne on PS4 Pro, PS5, or the upcoming PS5 Pro, which has puzzled fans. He suggested that the current Sony may struggle to deliver a version of Bloodborne that exceeds the quality of existing PS4 emulation, which has yielded impressive results for those using robust gaming rigs.
Remakes are the backbone to Capcom's success as they provide 'financial resources' for new Resident Evil games or standalone ideas like Pragmata
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

Remakes are the backbone to Capcom’s success as they provide ‘financial resources’ for new Resident Evil games or standalone ideas like Pragmata

Capcom has seen significant success with the launches of Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, the latter selling 2.5 million copies in three months. The company's strategy of focusing on remakes allows for a steady release schedule and skill refinement among developers. Producer Masachika Kawata emphasized that remakes are as important as mainline titles and have helped secure financial resources for new projects. Despite some fans' desire for original stories, Capcom plans to continue producing remakes alongside new entries, including a DLC for Resident Evil Requiem and potential content for the Code: Veronica remake. Kawata highlighted the importance of innovation in the gaming industry to avoid stagnation.
In happier times, Sony was courting PC gamers with lavish magazine ads for its 'most popular CD-ROM titles'
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

In happier times, Sony was courting PC gamers with lavish magazine ads for its ‘most popular CD-ROM titles’

Sony's current strategy for the PlayStation 6 focuses on the continuation of physical media and has moved away from releasing high-profile games on PC platforms, contrasting sharply with its mid-1990s approach when it actively sought to engage the PC gaming community. In 1996, Sony invested in a 16-page advertisement in a gaming magazine to promote its PlayStation titles, highlighting features like CD-quality audio and impressive color display capabilities. Despite the ambitious marketing efforts, the success of these titles was limited. The gaming landscape has since evolved, with a shift towards a digital-first approach, reflecting changes in technology and consumer preferences.
How do PC player demographics change at 50 hours vs. 30 minutes?
AppWizard
August 1, 2026

How do PC player demographics change at 50 hours vs. 30 minutes?

GameDiscoverCo newsletter has reached 45,000 subscribers. The Video Game History Foundation launched a ‘history of E3’ collection, including an introductory video, vintage footage, and a podcast. Microsoft reported a decline in Xbox revenue for four consecutive quarters, with Content & Services revenue at approximately .75 billion (down 10% year-over-year) and hardware revenue around million (down 13% year-over-year). Asha Sharma noted over 200 million new players joined Xbox in FY2026, but the business did not grow. PlayStation's PS5 sales reached 95.3 million, with a 1.6 million increase for the quarter but a 36% year-over-year decline. Active PSN users rose to 125 million, and profit surged by 37%. Meta's Reality Labs reported a loss of .6 billion in Q2, despite million in revenue. Slotbound, a roguelike auto-battler game, achieved 50,000 wishlists and 2,900 peak demo concurrent users. Over 1,000 PC games now operate direct channels, saving developers an estimated billion in platform fees in 2025. GameDiscoverCo’s Steam Fan Snapshot data revealed that the average age of players is 31 for Clair Obscur and 25 for R.E.P.O. 37.5% of respondents find games through short-form video, while 27.9% use traditional media websites. Players of ARC Raiders show a strong preference for the Steam Deck, and as playtime increases, console playtime declines.
Windows quality: an update on the commitment we made in March
Winsage
July 31, 2026

Windows quality: an update on the commitment we made in March

In March, a commitment was made to enhance the quality of Windows, with a focus on several immediate changes including enhanced taskbar customization, meaningful AI integration, minimizing disruptions from Windows Updates, faster and more reliable File Explorer, greater control over widgets and feed experiences, a more straightforward Windows Insider Program, and improving the Feedback Hub experience. The core areas of focus are performance, reliability, and well-crafted experiences, with improvements already being rolled out to Windows Insiders and set to expand across Windows 11 PCs this fall. Recent updates include enhancements to the Windows Search Box, improvements for developers at Build 2026, advancements in WinUI 3, updates to the Taskbar and Start menu, simplified AI integration, foundational architecture enhancements for File Explorer, updates to widgets and feed experiences, the launch of the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI), memory efficiency improvements, enhanced reliability for Windows Hello, changes to reduce disruptions from Windows Updates, and a simplified Windows Insider Program. Looking ahead, the team plans to bring enhancements to general availability while focusing on onboarding and setup, memory optimization for PCs with 8GB and above, family features, and improved voice interactions. Engaging with Windows Insiders has been a highlight, and the team remains committed to ongoing improvements based on user feedback.
After a year and a half of rigorous testing, Path of Exile 2 devs finally convinced Nvidia to fix a driver bug by sending it an entire PC
AppWizard
July 31, 2026

After a year and a half of rigorous testing, Path of Exile 2 devs finally convinced Nvidia to fix a driver bug by sending it an entire PC

Players of Path of Exile 2 experienced frequent game freezes every 20 minutes since the early access launch, causing frustration and concern about character loss. A temporary workaround involved adjusting settings that reduced visual quality. Game director Jonathan Rogers identified a bug in the Nvidia driver as the root cause, which required specific reproduction steps. The release of NVIDIA Game Ready Driver 610.88 provided a fix for the long pauses during gameplay in DX12 mode, marking a resolution to the issue. This update allows developers to focus on optimizing other performance problems. The community is hopeful for a smoother experience leading up to the official 1.0 release later this year.
Ambitious gamer turns fanless Subway menu PCs into gaming rigs — passive Intel Core i3 units manage just 15 fps in GTA V and 25 fps in Minecraft
AppWizard
July 31, 2026

Ambitious gamer turns fanless Subway menu PCs into gaming rigs — passive Intel Core i3 units manage just 15 fps in GTA V and 25 fps in Minecraft

Garkus repurposed three Advantech DS-081 mini PCs, previously used by Subway, which are powered by Intel Core i3 6100U processors with Intel HD Graphics 520 and originally had 4GB of RAM, later upgraded to 8GB. The mini PCs were designed for continuous operation in temperatures from 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) and initially ran Windows in kiosk mode. Garkus tested various operating systems, including Bazzite Linux and macOS Monterey. He successfully ran Peggle but struggled with Grand Theft Auto V, which averaged around 15 fps and experienced long load times and crashes. Testing Mario Kart Wii emulation and Minecraft yielded inconsistent results, with Minecraft hovering around 25 fps. Garkus concluded that the mini PCs are better suited for emulating older consoles, particularly up to the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox era, recommending lighter games and lower settings for a smoother experience.
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