Redemption Archives

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Poll Reveals 2025 Favorite Android Apps And Games

Androidify won the app vote with over 40% of responses, leaving other contenders far behind. The result shows that users value delight and personality in apps over utilitarian features. In gaming, Red Dead Redemption took the top spot with around 30% of the vote, indicating a growing appetite for high-quality premium games on mobile devices. The success of Androidify and Red Dead Redemption highlights the importance of blending functional utility with personality and delivering premium-grade gaming experiences on mobile platforms.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

You voted on the best Android apps and games of 2025, and it wasn’t even close

In 2025, the best Android app, according to a poll, was Androidify, which received 40% of the votes. Other contenders included Google Journal and Banana Browser, which did not reach double digits. The best mobile game was Red Dead Redemption, garnering just under 30% of the votes, followed by Subnautica with around 14% and Persona 5: The Phantom X with approximately 11%.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

January Xbox Update: Xbox Expands to Arm-based PCs, Game Save Sync Indicator, and More

Xbox is introducing updates to enhance gaming experiences, including the Xbox PC app for Arm-based Windows 11 PCs, allowing downloads from the Xbox PC app catalog and access to Xbox Game Pass. A new Game Save Sync Indicator feature provides real-time visibility into cloud save status for seamless gameplay across devices. Xbox has partnered with Hisense and V homeOS to enable cloud gaming on select Smart TVs. The Handheld Compatibility Program highlights games optimized for portable play, with recent additions such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. The Xbox Play Anywhere initiative now supports over 1,000 games for cross-platform play, including titles like Abyss DX and Cyberpunk Hacker. The Stream Your Own Game feature allows Xbox Game Pass subscribers to stream from a library of over 1,000 owned games, including Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. Xbox is reviving retro classics through a collaboration with Antstream Arcade, featuring over 100 titles and community challenges. Support for mouse and keyboard navigation has been expanded to over 230 games, and touch controls are available on cloud. Community feedback is encouraged to shape future developments, and players can join the Xbox Insider Program for early access to new features.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Marathon is enjoying some unexpected Ws, with pre-orders flying on Steam and a cast that exposes Arc Raiders’ big weakness

Enthusiasm for Marathon has increased, positioning it as one of the most anticipated games of the year. Following the announcement of its release date and pre-orders, Marathon has become one of the top five best-selling games on Steam. The game is expected to benefit from competition in the extraction shooter genre, with its unique features like first-person gunplay and player-versus-player interactions. Recent gameplay footage has improved perceptions of the game, and it will be priced at .99 / £34.99. The voice cast includes notable actors such as Ben Starr, Jennifer English, Neil Newbon, and Roger Clark, indicating Bungie's commitment to quality. Currently, Marathon ranks as the fifth best-selling game on Steam, with only Arc Raiders and Fallout 76 surpassing it among paid titles. The game is set to release on March 5.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

Nvidia DLSS 4.5 doesn’t deliver upscaling miracles, but its most exciting feature is still to come

Nvidia has released DLSS 4.5, featuring a new Super Resolution upscaling model called Model M, which is available for over 400 games via the DLSS Override feature. This model uses a second-generation Transformer AI architecture, significantly improving image quality compared to earlier versions. It requires five times the compute power of the original transformer model and has been trained on a high-fidelity dataset for better scene interpretation. Users may experience slight performance impacts, especially on older graphics cards, but testing on an RTX 4080 Super showed minimal frame rate drops. A recent demonstration showcased DLSS 4.5's ability to upscale Red Dead Redemption 2 from 240p to 720p. Users can access DLSS 4.5 by updating the Nvidia App and selecting 'DLSS Override - Model Presets' in the settings.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

The best parody account in gaming hangs up its hat after 17 years: Peter Molydeux is retiring

Peter Molyneux has announced that his final project, Masters of Albion, will be released in April, marking the end of his career. The Peter Molydeux Twitter account, which parodied Molyneux's game concepts for 17 years, is also concluding. Launched in 2009 by Adam Capone, the account inspired two MolyJam events where developers created games based on Molydeux's whimsical tweets. Capone noted that Molyneux's once outrageous ideas have become more commonplace in the gaming industry.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

2026 Shift: Professionals Ditch Windows 11 for Linux’s Speed and Savings

Professionals are increasingly moving away from Windows 11 to various Linux distributions due to dissatisfaction with performance issues and intrusive features in Windows. A 2025 analysis showed Linux distributions outperforming Windows by an average of 19.5% in everyday tasks. Performance tests indicated that SteamOS, a Linux-based platform, often matched or exceeded Windows 11 in gaming performance. Linux's lightweight nature and superior system administration tools appeal to those managing servers and virtual environments. Security concerns regarding Windows 11, including privacy issues and forced updates, have led users to prefer Linux's open-source model, which allows for greater transparency and customization. Economic factors also play a role, as Linux is free and open-source, eliminating licensing fees associated with Windows 11. User-friendly distributions like Linux Mint facilitate the transition for new users, and community support helps address common challenges. Large organizations are increasingly adopting Linux for its stability and responsiveness, while the Linux community fosters rapid improvements and adaptability. User feedback highlights privacy, performance, and customizability as key benefits of switching to Linux.

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

‘Don’t toil away on the things that don’t really matter’: Peak creator says its rapid development cycle has ‘proved that there are definitely different, but maybe better ways to make games’

Red Dead Redemption 2 is known for its realistic portrayal of horses, including details like the protagonist's horse testicles shrinking in cold weather, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail in triple-A game production. In contrast, Peak originated from a four-week game jam and gained success, leading its creators to invest more time in its development. Co-creator Nick Kaman noted the increasing demand for smaller-scale games and emphasized that while financial challenges exist, there is still a vibrant player base for innovative experiences. He remarked that opportunities for mid-sized and small studios are diminishing, highlighting a trend in the gaming industry between large-scale projects and smaller creative endeavors.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Rhea Seehorn’s ’90s PC game acting debut has gone viral

Rhea Seehorn began her acting career by portraying a sorceress in the 1997 Magic: The Gathering PC game. She currently stars as Carol in the series Pluribus, created by Vince Gilligan, which is set in a post-alien invasion world. Seehorn's performance in Pluribus has earned her the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Actress. Clips from her early work in Magic: The Gathering have gone viral on social media, and the complete tutorial is available on YouTube. Seehorn humorously recalled the low-budget production, where she wore tube socks with electrical tape instead of proper footwear. After Magic: The Gathering, she appeared in Homicide: Life On The Streets and had a recurring role in I’m With Her. Her breakout role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul established her reputation in the industry.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Star Wars Outlaws, Resident Evil Village, and More

Brews & Bastards is available on Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition can be played on Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, also available with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Atomfall will be available on January 7 for Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC with Game Pass Premium. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Rematch, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition will also be available on January 7 with Game Pass Premium. Final Fantasy will be available on January 8 for Cloud, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Star Wars Outlaws will be released on January 13 for Cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X|S with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery will be available on January 15 for Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Resident Evil Village will be available on January 20 for Cloud, Console, and PC with Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. MIO: Memories in Orbit will also be available on January 20 for Cloud, Handheld, PC, and Xbox Series X|S on day one with Game Pass. Titles leaving the Game Pass library on January 15 include Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn, Neon White, Road 96, The Ascent, and The Grinch Christmas Adventures.