reactions Archives

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

RPG players are conditioned to think they’re ‘built different’, says Josh Sawyer, so some of them hate it when games like Pillars of Eternity tell them they can’t do something

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is ranked #40 on the PC Gamer Top 100 and is favored by RPG enthusiasts, though it has received criticism for its unsatisfactory conclusion. The game's narrative revolves around the resurrection of the god Eothas and the protagonist's mission to stop him, which ultimately proves futile. Director Josh Sawyer explained that players cannot stop Eothas, as he exists on a plane beyond their capabilities, challenging the conventional RPG expectation that players can overcome any obstacle. While players can influence the game world and make impactful choices, the gods, including Eothas, remain indifferent to mortal concerns. This theme highlights the limitations of power and the complexities of human challenges, which may have contributed to mixed reactions regarding the game's ending.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Fighting game developer previously accused of sexual harassment confirmed to be working on Avatar Legends a week before release

Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is set to be released on July 23, developed by Gameplay Group International. Mike Zaimont, known for his work on Skullgirls and Indivisible, is involved in the game's development, which has sparked controversy due to past allegations of sexual misconduct. The game's publisher, Paramount, confirmed Zaimont's participation, leading to disappointment among fans of the Avatar franchise. Koh, a contributor to the Korra comics, expressed his dismay over Zaimont's involvement. The development team faces the challenge of addressing public perception while aiming to meet high expectations for the game.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

GOG dunks on Sony and reminds everyone why PC gaming is so beloved: “You don’t need a storefront’s permission to play what you bought”

Sony will stop producing physical discs by 2028. GOG, a digital games retailer, allows users to purchase games and create their own physical backups, promoting consumer autonomy. Unlike Steam, GOG provides downloadable installers for every game, enabling offline access and management without regional restrictions. GOG offers resources for users to create physical copies of their digital purchases. The UK retail association has raised concerns that PlayStation's decision could eliminate a 2 million market and undermine consumer freedoms.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Marvel Rivals has upset players yet again with some peculiar balances that buff some of the strongest heroes

The release of season 9 for Marvel Rivals has led to significant player dissatisfaction due to a patch that many consider unnecessary. The update aimed to enhance several heroes, including Cyclops, Gambit, Black Widow, Invisible Woman, Jubilee, Rocket Raccoon, and Ultron, but has drawn criticism for potentially prioritizing excitement over balance. Players have expressed frustration on social media, particularly regarding the buffing of characters like Gambit, who has been a permanent ban in ranked play for four seasons. The patch also adjusted the healing capabilities of Strategists, reducing energy conversion efficiency to 70%, while Vanguards and Duelists saw a 15% decrease. The community is calling for a return to gameplay that emphasizes skill rather than chaotic power dynamics.

Winsage

July 13, 2026

Windows 11’s smallest upgrade shows a big commitment from Microsoft

Windows 11 is set to receive an update that includes a slightly taller search box in the Start menu, increasing its height by four pixels. This change, currently in preview, is part of Microsoft's Windows K2 initiative aimed at improving user experience by addressing inconsistencies in the operating system. The update was revealed in the release notes for a preview build, leading to humorous reactions from users. Despite the minor nature of this adjustment, it highlights ongoing design issues within Windows 11, such as misaligned windows and inconsistent menus, which contribute to a perception of incompleteness. Additionally, the context menus in the latest preview build feature more rounded corners, raising questions about UI consistency. The Windows K2 initiative aims to enhance both performance and visual appeal, improving the overall user experience.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

A Silent Hill fan is making a PC port of Silent Hill: Downpour that restores a cut boss battle and plenty more

Silent Hill: Downpour is a semi-open world installment of the Silent Hill franchise, focusing on a prison escapee and featuring engaging side quests that explore the town's ghostly lore. One notable quest involves following color-coded ribbons to find a missing girl. The game has been compared to Silent Hill 2, though some consider it derivative. Anticipation is building for Silent Hill: Townfall, a new project from Screen Burn Interactive, which aims to bring a fresh Scottish perspective to the series, following mixed reactions to Silent Hill F's arena battles.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

The next PlayStation looks more and more like a PC, and that’s not a bad thing

Sony has announced it will cease physical disc production by January 2028. A petition to reverse this decision has garnered over 200,000 signatures. A nostalgic video from PlayStation's YouTube channel has resurfaced, reflecting gamers' emotional connection to physical media. Concerns about long-term ownership of digital content have been raised, particularly after reports of purchased titles being removed from users' libraries. The trend towards digital gaming is evident, with some gamers opting for the PS5 Digital Edition for convenience. The shift may impact local retailers and the second-hand market, as well as the experiences of trading or renting games. Limited edition physical disc releases and optional disc drives for future consoles could provide a compromise for both digital and physical media enthusiasts.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows Market Share Is Falling

StatCounter reports a decline in Windows usage this year, while OSX is rising, aided by the budget-friendly Neo. Linux is also gaining popularity, though specific distributions are not identified. Gamers are increasingly moving away from Windows, influenced by Microsoft's mixed reception of its AI features and the rise of alternatives like Bazzite, SteamOS, and the Proton compatibility layer.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Teams removal shows why we shouldn’t get too excited about preview features

Microsoft has paused the development of two anticipated minimized views for Teams meetings, originally expected to roll out in May 2026. The Expanded view was designed to show up to four participant videos, while the Compact view aimed to provide quick access to meeting controls. The future of these features remains uncertain, with questions about potential changes or cancellation.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

“Not every app needs to bundle the universe”: This tiny notepad app shows why Windows has become so bloated

Dave Plummer created a notepad application called Tiny Retro Pad, which is 2,686 bytes in size, contrasting with larger modern software. The application mimics the original Microsoft Notepad without contemporary features. Plummer emphasizes the importance of working within constraints, recalling a time when developers had to focus on efficiency due to hardware limitations. He utilized existing resources within the Windows ecosystem to maintain the compactness and functionality of Tiny Retro Pad.