reception Archives

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Here’s why Windows 7 took so long to boot with solid color backgrounds in 2009

Some users of Windows 7 experienced a 30-second boot delay when using solid color desktop backgrounds shortly after its launch in October 2009. This issue arose because Windows waited for system components, including desktop icons and the background, to report readiness. If any element was absent, the operating system paused for up to 30 seconds. The problem was also linked to group policies that hid desktop icons. Microsoft addressed the glitch by November 2009. As of recent data, Windows 7's market share has decreased to 2.5 percent, and Microsoft has ceased support for the operating system.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

‘The Minecraft Movie’ Tops $825 Million As Biggest Blockbuster Of 2025

The Minecraft Movie has grossed over million as it heads into the weekend, solidifying its position as a leading film in 2025. In its fourth weekend, it has earned more than 0 million globally, with approximately million from international markets and nearly million from domestic audiences. Projections for the fifth weekend suggest a global take of to million, pushing its total earnings beyond 0 million. The film maintains its position at #5 in the box office rankings after a month of release. The success is attributed to the artistry of the Wētā FX team, effective marketing strategies by Warner Bros., and a balance of tone and pacing that appeals to both fans and general audiences. The film is expected to retain its title as 2025’s highest-grossing film until Jurassic World: Rebirth is released, with potential earnings exceeding 0 million by the end of its theatrical run.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ breaks box office records despite controversy

Fans of Minecraft attended the release of "A Minecraft Movie" on April 4, featuring the character Steve, voiced by Jack Black. The film's production began in 2014 but faced delays, resuming in 2022 under director Jared Hess. The trailer released in September 2024 received criticism for its animation style and use of live-action actors. Despite this, the film has grossed 3 million globally, making it the highest-grossing film of the year and setting a record for game-to-film adaptations. Audience reactions varied, with some, like FSU junior Grace Martin, changing their initial negative views after watching the film. Siblings Jacqueline and Savanna Paré found it nostalgic, connecting it to their childhood experiences with the game. The film also included references to popular Minecraft YouTubers, enhancing its cultural impact.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

The Story Of Ecstatica, The Groundbreaking Survival Horror With Plenty Of Balls

In the early 1990s, the video game industry was transitioning from 2D to 3D gaming, with titles like Star Fox and Doom emerging. The small UK studio, founded by Andrew Spencer and Alain Maindron, released the groundbreaking game Ecstatica in 1994 after five years of development. Spencer created a unique game engine using ellipsoid graphics, which provided a lifelike quality to characters, inspired by traditional animation techniques. The game received an 8/10 rating from EDGE magazine for its emotional engagement. Spencer expressed ambitions for sequels using his innovative engine to explore new gaming landscapes, but challenges, including the departure of key personnel, led to the shelving of the sequel. Spencer later shifted his career towards academia and research, hinting at ongoing ideas for new projects that have not materialized.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Epic Games Store Has a New Free PC Game Now Available

The Epic Games Store is offering the free PC game Super Space Club, available for download until May 8. Players who claim the game during this period will permanently add it to their library without any subscription fees, requiring only a free Epic Games Store account. Super Space Club, developed by GrahamOfLegend, is typically priced at .99 and has a 94% approval rating on Steam from 36 reviews. It is an "endless arcade gunner" where players defend the galaxy as misfit pilots, featuring various characters, ships, and weapons. Players typically spend between 2 to 10 hours on the game.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

4 Windows versions Windows 12 should shamelessly imitate

Windows 12 is speculated to potentially launch in two to three years, following the end of support for Windows 10. It may draw inspiration from previous successful versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10, focusing on user customization, performance, and reducing bloatware. Windows 11, launched six years after Windows 10, introduced a new visual style and features but faced criticism over hardware requirements. Windows 12 is expected to build on Windows 11's foundation with incremental improvements and enhanced support for ARM processors.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

CHARTS: Oblivion remaster shoots to No.1 on Steam debut

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered was the top performer on Steam for the week ending April 29th, following its unexpected launch on April 22nd. Counter-Strike 2 dropped to second place, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 debuted in third. The Steam Deck held the fourth position, and Schedule 1 fell to fifth. MahjongSoul returned to the Top 100, securing sixth place due to a crossover event. REPO declined to seventh, PUBG: Battlegrounds rose to eighth, Once Human climbed to ninth, and Marvel Rivals rounded out the top ten in tenth place. Steam Top Ten for the Week Ending April 29th: 1. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda 2. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. Schedule 1, TVGS 6. 雀魂麻將 (MahjongSoul), Catfood Studio 7. REPO, Semiwork 8. PUBG: Battlegrounds, Krafton 9. Once Human, Starry Studio 10. Marvel Rivals, NetEase

Winsage

April 30, 2025

Windows 7 took forever to load if you had a solid background. Now we know why

Windows 7, launched in 2009, experienced a boot delay of 30 seconds for users who set a single-color image as their desktop background. This issue stemmed from a programming oversight where the system waited for a confirmation message that never arrived because a single-color background does not qualify as a bitmap. The delay could also occur if the “Hide desktop icons” group policy was enabled, complicating the loading process. Microsoft took several months to identify and fix the problem, releasing an update in November 2009 to resolve the issue.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

A Minecraft Movie continues to print money, and fans can now go to special screenings and be as loud as they please

A Minecraft Movie has earned 6 million globally, with .5 million in the past week, and over half of its earnings coming from international markets. It is currently the top-grossing film of the year, despite trailing behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed .3 billion. Warner Bros. will introduce "Block Party Edition" screenings on May 2, encouraging audience engagement. The film has received a mixed critical reception but has an 86% viewer score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong audience appeal.

Winsage

April 29, 2025

Even now, Windows Vista is the most hated OS, and here’s why

Windows Vista was developed as a successor to Windows XP and was originally codenamed "Longhorn." The project faced significant challenges, leading Microsoft to abandon the original XP framework in favor of a foundation based on Windows Server. Despite its ambitious goals, Vista struggled to achieve a positive reception in the industry. The video explores Vista's development, its mixed legacy, and the lessons learned from its challenges in software development.