reviews

Winsage
June 30, 2026
Windows Insiders can now experiment with a new feature that allows them to resize the taskbar in Windows 11. The update includes a toggle for a "small" setting, which decreases the height of the taskbar and enables smaller icons. This feature is part of Windows 11 Experimental Preview Build 26300.8758. Additionally, Microsoft is working on the Windows K2 initiative to address various performance, design, and reliability issues within the operating system.
Winsage
June 30, 2026
Security researcher Chaotic Eclipse, known as Nightmare-Eclipse, bypassed Windows 11's BitLocker security using a USB stick and claimed Microsoft intentionally included a backdoor in the feature. Microsoft responded by patching three zero-day exploits disclosed by Nightmare-Eclipse: YellowKey, GreenPlasma, and MiniPlasma, and is monitoring another exploit called RoguePlanet, cataloged as CVE-2026-50656. The RoguePlanet exploit is a race condition with varying success rates on different machines, achieving a 100% success rate on some devices. Microsoft acknowledged that while Windows 11's Defender is generally sufficient for most users, third-party tools can offer additional security features. Tensions between Nightmare-Eclipse and Microsoft have risen, with the company previously considering legal action but now indicating it will not pursue lawsuits against researchers sharing their findings.
Winsage
June 30, 2026
Microsoft has rolled out updates for Windows 11, confirming the development of version 26H2, which has transitioned from version 25H2 in the Experimental channel. Key updates include enhancements to the Search page, a revamped Mobile Devices page, a new GIF provider (GIPHY), a smaller Taskbar size option, improved system sounds in dark mode, rebranding of the Gaming section to "XBOX mode," a new "Screen tint" feature for accessibility, enhanced Magnifier zoom controls, and improved personalization features for accent color selection.
AppWizard
June 30, 2026
Robert Henrysson has announced his departure as CEO of Supermassive Games, two months after the launch of Directive 8020. He reflected on his tenure with pride, noting the studio's expansion and commitment to quality. Nordisk Games recognized his contributions and leadership during a transformative period. Directive 8020, part of the Dark Pictures series, received mixed user ratings on Steam but was praised by critics, achieving an 85% rating. Henrysson's leadership occurred amid industry challenges, including layoffs. He plans to spend the summer with his family while remaining open to future opportunities in the gaming industry.
Winsage
June 29, 2026
The May 2026 Security Update for Windows 11 introduced "XBOX mode," replacing the previous "Xbox mode" as part of Microsoft's rebranding effort to align its gaming identity with the original console. This change was influenced by community feedback, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma noting user preference for the all-caps version. XBOX mode is designed to optimize gaming performance by prioritizing gaming processes and can free up to 2GB of memory on a PC. Future iterations of XBOX mode are expected in the next generation of Xbox, referred to as Project Helix. Microsoft is also working on enhancements to Windows 11 through its K2 initiative to improve the gaming experience.
AppWizard
June 29, 2026
Rivals of Aether 2 is a fighting game on Steam that has not yet introduced any guest characters, unlike its predecessor, which featured Shovel Knight. A new shark character has been added to the roster, and Mina the Hollower, from Yacht Club Games, will join the game in 2027. Mina's inclusion was teased at the EVO event, and she will be part of a cast that includes the shark character and various anthropomorphized animals. Additionally, a new character named Gouie, a whimsical platypus with a unique fighting style, will be introduced on August 4. Gouie can swallow opponents and launch parts of his body as projectiles, and his voice varies between cheerful and deep growl. Yacht Club Games has seen success with the launch of Mina the Hollower, which received a 90% rating from PC Gamer and has been praised for its combination of combat and visuals.
AppWizard
June 29, 2026
Josh Sawyer, Obsidian's design director, discussed the studio's focus on balance in Fallout: New Vegas, emphasizing the importance of allowing various character builds to thrive and engage meaningfully through skill checks in dialogue. He expressed a desire for players to enjoy their character choices without feeling they have built a "fundamentally bad character." Obsidian differentiates itself from other studios by enabling diverse skills in conversations, as seen in quests where players can use skills like Science, Barter, or Speech to influence outcomes. Sawyer explained the decision to eliminate the Big Guns skill to enhance gameplay fluidity and prevent underutilization of skills. He highlighted the importance of making each skill useful in unique ways to build player trust, referencing the design of Goodsprings and the variety of skills available in quests. Sawyer acknowledged the challenges of anticipating player needs in RPG design compared to tabletop games, aiming to provide players with rich experiences that celebrate their character choices. Obsidian employs measures like the "Karma Police" to ensure all skills receive attention in gameplay.
AppWizard
June 29, 2026
A new game titled Lord of the Trough, developed by Rory O’Brien and published by Buck50 Games, has been released for free on Steam, attracting attention for its lack of hidden costs. It supports up to five players in a party-style format, featuring various minigames that allow players to earn girth points. The game has received a 95% approval rating from users on Steam, with praise for its absence of microtransactions. Instead, the developers are offering four paid DLC options at launch for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: A new addition to the gaming world has arrived this week, captivating the attention of Steam users with its enticing offer: a free game with no hidden costs. Titled Lord of the Trough, this creation by solo developer Rory O’Brien and publisher Buck50 Games is also accessible to Steam Deck users, although its compatibility on the handheld remains untested by Valve, leaving it marked as “Unknown.” For those adventurous enough to explore, there’s little risk involved aside from the time spent trying it out. Game Overview Upon diving into the game, players will discover a party-style experience designed for up to five participants, whether they be friends or strangers matched through online play. The objective? Compete in a series of minigames to accumulate girth points, ultimately striving to impress the gods and claim victory. The minigames range from skateboarding and hang-gliding to boxing and RPG-style challenges, drawing comparisons to the beloved Mario Party series, albeit with a more modest budget. User reviews on Steam reflect a positive reception, with an impressive 95% approval rating. Many players have praised the absence of microtransactions, a refreshing feature in today’s gaming landscape. Instead, the developers plan to introduce paid DLC, with four options already available at launch for .99 each. While the specifics of future DLC remain under wraps, the current offerings provide a taste of what’s to come. Feedback from the gaming community highlights the charm and creativity embedded within Lord of the Trough. One user noted, “It’s an experience that shows its character and passion from the devs only after a second playthrough,” while another enthusiastically declared it “really fun and highly creative.” A third review echoed sentiments of nostalgia, likening the game to classics like Fusion Frenzy. For those who may not find this new title appealing, there are alternative options available on Steam, including another game boasting an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. However, the window to claim this other title for free closes today, adding a sense of urgency for eager gamers." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 each. User feedback highlights the game's charm and creativity, with comparisons to classic games like Mario Party and Fusion Frenzy. Additionally, there is another free title available on Steam, but the offer expires today.
Winsage
June 28, 2026
Microsoft is refining the Windows 11 interface through the Windows K2 initiative, which includes reducing the visibility of Copilot. In a recent update, Microsoft has discontinued the AI-powered history search feature in Microsoft Edge to prioritize user privacy and security by keeping sensitive data off cloud storage. This change is noted in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap dated June 25, 2026.
Winsage
June 28, 2026
Microsoft's Windows 11 celebrated its fifth anniversary on June 24, 2026, and is undergoing regular updates to improve user experience, particularly addressing search functionality. Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 for an additional year. A non-security update for Windows 11, KB5095093, was released, introducing enhancements such as point-in-time restore capabilities and accessibility improvements. In the Windows Insider Program, new builds were released across various channels, including accessibility features and improvements to File Explorer. Microsoft has discontinued the AI-powered browsing history search feature in Edge due to user feedback. PowerToys version 0.100.1 has been updated with improvements and bug fixes. In gaming, Microsoft announced a price increase for Xbox consoles effective August 1, 2026, with the Xbox Series X|S models seeing price hikes. The 2TB Xbox Series X will be discontinued, but new accessibility programs are being introduced. Valve's upcoming Steam Machine console is priced at ,049 for the 512GB configuration. Rockstar Games announced that Grand Theft Auto VI will launch at .99 for the base edition and .99 for the ultimate edition. NVIDIA announced new titles for its GeForce NOW streaming service, while Steam is hosting its annual Summer Sale until July 9, and the Epic Games Store is offering free games and deals.
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