reassurances Archives

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

“Play your PC games — have backward compatibility”: Xbox doubles down on Project Helix’s core vision amid uncertainty

CEO Asha Sharma discussed Project Helix, the upcoming Xbox console, emphasizing a focus on affordability and flexibility amidst rising component costs, which have increased nearly threefold. Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball highlighted the team's commitment to rethinking every aspect of Helix while addressing challenges in hardware production due to the current economic landscape.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

Call of Duty yet again promises ‘no clowny skins’ for Modern Warfare 4, but we’ve been burned before

Infinity Ward has committed to a thematic and grounded approach to skins and cosmetics in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, assuring fans there will be no whimsical designs at launch or in future seasons. This commitment follows concerns about increasingly outlandish skins in the franchise, particularly after Activision introduced premium skins inspired by the Fallout TV series for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Fan frustration is rising, and there are worries about declining skin sales due to a disconnect between developers and marketing teams. Recent entries in the franchise have faced critical struggles, despite strong sales, leading to discontent among fans. Additionally, Microsoft is under pressure to profit from its acquisition of Activision Blizzard while navigating backlash related to its ties with the Israel Defense Forces, which has complicated the launch of Modern Warfare 4.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Civilization 7 has been profitable despite design missteps

Firaxis has introduced a new "Ages" system in Civilization 7, requiring players to switch civilizations twice during a campaign, which has received mixed reactions. The game's engagement on Steam is lower than that of Civilization 5 and 6, even a year after release. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Civilization 7 is still a profitable enterprise, although he acknowledged that the changes may have deviated too far from player expectations. An update is scheduled to release later this month, offering a return to a more traditional Civilization structure, which could attract players who prefer classic gameplay.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Owlcat says everything in its new Expanse RPG ‘will definitely 100 percent be human-made,’ but also that generative AI will be used for ‘vision coordination’ and ‘inspiration’

Owlcat's PR manager, Katharina Popp, clarified that generative AI is used in the development of The Expanse: Osiris Reborn only for prototyping and testing ideas, not for creating final game assets. Popp emphasized that all final content will be 100% human-made. This stance aligns with the studio's previous communications regarding AI's role in early concept generation. Other developers, like Pearl Abyss, have expressed similar views, stating that AI-generated art is intended only as prototype material. The gaming community's response has been mixed, with some expressing skepticism about the use of AI in creative processes.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Google To Impose 24-Hour Safety Wait To Activate Android App Sideloading

Google is introducing a mandatory 24-hour waiting period for sideloading apps from unverified developers on Android devices to enhance security and combat scams and malware. This new measure is part of an "advanced flow for sideloading" and follows a reconsideration of Google's previous policy requiring all app installations to come from verified developers. Users must enable developer mode, receive a warning prompt about potential scams, restart their devices, and then wait 24 hours before installing apps from unverified sources. This delay is intended to counteract the urgency exploited by scammers. The 24-hour delay applies only to unverified developers, while verified developers remain unaffected. The new sideloading process is set to roll out in August, initially in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a broader global implementation planned for 2027. In response to criticism, Google will offer free, limited distribution accounts for students and hobbyists to share apps without requiring identification or fees.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Marble Arch pop-up theatre ‘looks like Minecraft tree’

A pop-up theatre designed to resemble a "Minecraft tree" will be located at the Marble Arch Mound, opening in April 2026 and operating until June 2028. The Westminster City Council's planning committee has unanimously approved the venue, which will temporarily house the Arts Theatre during its refurbishment. The theatre is designed for a lifespan of 20 years, with potential relocation after two years. Local support for the project is strong, although some councillors have expressed concerns about the building's green cladding. Historic England has reservations about the structure's impact on the Marble Arch's prominence. The theatre will feature an aluminium frame with recycled materials, a foyer, bar, and a stage at the western end, with shipping containers used for additional facilities. The Arts Theatre's last performance at its current location is scheduled for December 31.

Winsage

December 6, 2025

Vast Number of Windows Users Refusing to Upgrade After Microsoft’s Embrace of AI Slop

Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 10, which still runs on approximately 1 billion PCs, with about 500 million eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11. Many users are resistant to upgrading due to dissatisfaction with the new interface, compatibility issues, intrusive advertisements, and aggressive AI integration. The potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities increases as Windows 10 is no longer supported, and an estimated 1.6 billion pounds of electronic waste may result from this discontinuation. Microsoft is pursuing an "AI PC" vision, aiming to integrate AI features into the operating system, while acknowledging user feedback and concerns about usability.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Mass Effect boss Mike Gamble slips a hidden message into his N7 Day update, asks fans to stop yelling at him for not sharing more info about the new game

BioWare is currently developing the next installment of the Mass Effect franchise, as confirmed by executive producer Michael Gamble. He addressed community speculation and reassured fans of EA and BioWare's commitment to the series. There are hints of potential multiplayer features being considered for the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, although this was previously dismissed due to concerns over effort versus reward. Gamble shared a cryptic image related to a "future" event, generating further excitement among fans. He acknowledged the frustration some fans feel over the lack of concrete information but emphasized that the team is focused on the next chapter of Mass Effect. Additionally, an upcoming Mass Effect television series is in development by Amazon, which will feature a new narrative rather than revisiting Commander Shepard's storyline.

AppWizard

October 29, 2025

Google says ‘sideloading isn’t going anywhere,’ F-Droid calls it fake news

F-Droid has criticized Google's upcoming developer verification rules, claiming they could undermine sideloading on Android devices. The organization argues that while Google states users can still install apps from outside the Play Store, the practical implications may limit this freedom. The new verification process requires developers to authenticate their identities and link applications to a registered account, effectively placing independent app stores under Google's control. F-Droid contends that this will restrict the availability of certain applications for sideloading. They also challenge Google's framing of sideloading as a risky practice, asserting it is simply another method of software installation. F-Droid has previously warned that the verification system could eliminate sideloading and alternative app stores. Google has responded by asserting that sideloading will continue to exist and that the new policy aims to enhance security. F-Droid maintains that the rules threaten the openness of sideloading and urges regulators to scrutinize Google's plans, suggesting they grant excessive control over app distribution. The rollout of these verification rules is set to begin in phases next year.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Over 500 Steam Next Fest demos used generative AI, and I’ve never felt more disappointed

Over 500 demos at the October 2025 Steam Next Fest disclosed the use of generative AI in their development processes, accounting for 17% of the offerings. Developers primarily used AI for marketing and Steam store page assets, but it also extended to art, audio, coding, writing, and in-game interactions. The demo Cloudheim was the most popular, indicating AI was used for "internal communication." Concerns have arisen regarding job security for professionals in the industry, as reliance on AI increases. Some games, like Arc Raiders, have vague disclosures about AI's role, leading to noticeable issues such as awkward dialogue. The lack of transparency about AI-generated assets is also troubling, with some games not disclosing AI usage until players notice discrepancies.