release timeline Archives

Winsage

July 30, 2025

Microsoft finally exorcises the ghost of Windows Vista that’s been haunting the testing channels

Microsoft has addressed a bug in the Windows 11 testing channels that replaced the startup sound with that of Windows Vista. This issue first appeared in the Beta and Dev channels, then resurfaced in the Canary branch. A new patch for the Canary branch has restored the correct Windows 11 boot sound and fixed other bugs, including black desktop backgrounds and crashes in the Settings application. Key changes in the latest update include: - Restoration of the correct Windows 11 boot sound. - Improvements to the desktop experience, resolving unexpected black backgrounds. - Stability enhancements for the Settings application, particularly in the Power & Battery section. - Repositioning of the search functionality in the Settings menu for easier access. Additional fixes include resolving an audio issue after casting to a TV, addressing system crashes for some users after upgrading, and fixing display issues in the Group Policy Editor for certain languages. Known issues that remain include complications with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning to the Canary Channel and visual glitches during upgrades.

BetaBeacon

July 28, 2025

Emulating PC games on your non-Snapdragon device just got better

GameSir addressed problems with Dimensity devices by investing time and resources in debugging and analyzing, optimizing resource scheduling, creating a code conversion mechanism for Mali GPUs, and making runtime optimizations. They also claimed to offer native support for 32-bit PC games and are teaming up with MediaTek to offer custom GPU drivers for GameFusion. There is no release timeline for these drivers yet.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

After selling to Krafton, Last Epoch dev says fans shouldn’t be worried about the Subnautica 2 dispute: ‘Krafton isn’t looking to change us’

Fans of Last Epoch are concerned about the acquisition of Eleventh Hour Games by Krafton, which is involved in legal disputes with former developers of Subnautica 2. Judd Cobler, founder of Eleventh Hour Games, addressed these concerns on the game's forum, stating that the partnership with Krafton should not be alarming and that it aligns with their mission. He emphasized that Krafton is not looking to change the studio's direction and expressed optimism about future opportunities, including plans to expand the team. The game's third season, Beneath Ancient Skies, is set to launch next month.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

The Girl From Arkanya Gets August 2025 Steam Release After Publisher Split

Developer Arkanya Games has announced that The Girl from Arkanya will be released on PC via Steam on August 21, 2025. The studio has shifted to self-publishing after ending its partnership with Top Hat Studios. A new trailer showcases the game's pixel art adventure, featuring puzzle-solving, dungeon crawling, and light combat, with the protagonist Marisa and her capybara companion. The game is inspired by The Legend of Zelda series and has faced delays since its initial announcement in 2020. The decision to self-publish was made due to disagreements over the project's direction, allowing Arkanya Games to set their own release timeline. The PC version will be released independently while discussions for console adaptations are ongoing.

AppWizard

July 13, 2025

Krafton confirms Subnautica 2 leak showing that the publisher wanted more content for the early access launch, leading to delay and leadership ouster

Krafton has confirmed the authenticity of a leaked development assessment for Subnautica 2, indicating a need for more content and refinement before launch. The postponement of the game has led to conflict between Krafton and former Unknown Worlds leaders Charlie Cleveland, Ted Gill, and Max McGuire, with a now-deleted post on r/pcgaming calling for a boycott due to their firings. Cleveland stated that the game is ready for early access, suggesting a disagreement over the development timeline. Krafton expressed feelings of "profound betrayal" towards the former leaders, accusing them of neglecting their responsibilities, particularly Cleveland, who was alleged to have prioritized a personal project. Cleveland and the former leaders have initiated legal action against Krafton.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Will Death Stranding 2 be released on PC, Xbox, or Game Pass? Everything we know about Kojima’s new game

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, with no current plans for a PC or Xbox version, nor availability on Game Pass. A PC port may be possible several months after launch, similar to the original game's release timeline. An Xbox release at launch is not feasible, and while a future release on Xbox is possible, it is unlikely soon. Any potential inclusion on Game Pass would depend on third-party publishing agreements after the exclusivity period. Future licensing agreements, market demand, and technical adaptations could influence broader availability.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Death Stranding 2: All the key details on the next game from Hideo Kojima

Norman Reedus first engaged in the surreal world of Death Stranding almost six years ago, and Hideo Kojima is set to unveil the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. Kojima Productions is also developing a horror game titled OD and a project reminiscent of Metal Gear called Physint. The original Death Stranding garnered a dedicated fanbase, and the sequel promises to elevate the experience with new elements, including colossal ships, guitar-playing cyborgs, and a ventriloquist dummy resembling Turkish director Fatih Akin. The sequel appears to shift towards a more action-oriented gameplay style. Kojima Productions now owns the intellectual property for Death Stranding 2, which may lead to a shorter release timeline, though it may depend on the publishing agreement with Sony. Sony titles typically see a price reduction upon their eventual release on PC. The latest trailer for Death Stranding 2 debuted at SXSW and features disjointed dialogues and stunning gameplay sequences, highlighting Sam's journey and combat. The trailer emphasizes Neil, a character reminiscent of Solid Snake, and includes notable figures like the President, portrayed by Alastair Duncan. Death Stranding 2 invites players to traverse a post-apocalyptic landscape, delivering packages while encountering adversaries. Sam Porter Bridges will explore new territories, including the Australian outback and Mexico, with dynamic weather events enhancing gameplay. Combat is now a focal point, aiming to balance action and strategy. The story is set 11 months after the original game, with Sam enjoying a quieter existence until the return of Fragile prompts him to connect Mexico to the Chiral Network. New characters include Tomorrow, who can manipulate the game's unique goo, Tarman, inspired by George Miller, and Dollman, a sentient ventriloquist dummy. Neil, portrayed by Luca Marinelli, resembles Solid Snake. Kojima Productions is offering a digital deluxe edition for Death Stranding 2, which includes exclusive cosmetics and early access to certain items. The future of DLC for Death Stranding 2 is uncertain, with no immediate plans for a PS6 release. It seems likely that the sequel will include more unconventional elements similar to the first game. Die-Hardman’s real name is humorously noted as John McClane, reflecting the quirky creativity of the Death Stranding universe.

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft might be sick of hearing “When is Windows 12 coming?” — but Windows 10’s death remains the hot topic for most users

Microsoft introduced Windows 11 over three years ago as the successor to Windows 10, which will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025. Windows 11 currently holds a market share of 43.72%, while Windows 10 has 52.94%. Users are gradually transitioning to Windows 11, influenced by the impending support deadline for Windows 10. A recent update for Windows 11 added new features, but there is speculation about Windows 12, which Microsoft has not confirmed. User sentiment reflects more concern about the end of Windows 10 support than excitement for Windows 12. In response, Microsoft is promoting Windows 11 through ads and highlighting the benefits of Copilot+ PCs, which claim to outperform older devices.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

6 years after launch, my favorite action platformer Katana Zero is still getting that long-promised free DLC that’s ‘nearly the size of the base game’

The developer Askiisoft has confirmed that the free DLC for the game Katana Zero is nearing completion and will introduce new characters, levels, gameplay mechanics, and an expanded storyline. The DLC will remain free for existing players and is comparable in scale to the original game. While no specific release date has been provided, there is hope for a launch later this year. Players are currently revisiting the game to enjoy new features such as a hard mode and speedrun options.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Patch Tuesday fixes an exploited bug, but not for Windows 10

Microsoft's Patch Tuesday updates addressed over 120 vulnerabilities, including one actively exploited flaw (CVE-2025-29824) and 11 critical issues. CVE-2025-29824 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System Driver, targeted by the group Storm-2460 to deploy ransomware called PipeMagic, affecting victims in the US, Spain, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8 and allows attackers to escalate privileges due to a use-after-free flaw. Patches for Windows Server and Windows 11 have been released, but Windows 10 users are still awaiting a fix, with Microsoft promising updates soon. Among the critical vulnerabilities addressed, all allow for remote code execution (RCE). Notable vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2025-26670: LDAP Client RCE, Critical, CVSS 8.1 - CVE-2025-27752: Microsoft Excel RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.8 - CVE-2025-29791: Microsoft Excel RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.8 - CVE-2025-27745: Microsoft Office RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.8 - CVE-2025-27748: Microsoft Office RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.8 - CVE-2025-27749: Microsoft Office RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.8 - CVE-2025-27491: Windows Hyper-V RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.1 - CVE-2025-26663: Windows LDAP RCE, Critical, CVSS 8.1 - CVE-2025-27480: Windows RDP RCE, Critical, CVSS 8.1 - CVE-2025-27482: Windows RDP RCE, Critical, CVSS 8.1 - CVE-2025-26686: Windows TCP/IP RCE, Critical, CVSS 7.5 - CVE-2025-29809: Windows Kerberos Security Feature Bypass, Important, CVSS 7.1 Dustin Childs from ZDI noted that CVE-2025-29809 requires additional measures beyond standard patching. CVE-2025-26663 and CVE-2025-26670 are considered wormable, necessitating prompt updates, especially for networks exposing LDAP services. Adobe released over 50 fixes for vulnerabilities in products like Cold Fusion, After Effects, and Photoshop, with some issues in Cold Fusion classified as critical. AMD updated advisories regarding GPU access and various Ryzen AI software vulnerabilities.