Revitalizing Archives

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

These 7 games need a remaster, and they need it now

Fallout: New Vegas, released in 2010 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Bethesda Softworks, is a unique RPG praised for its player agency, writing, and world-building, making it a candidate for a remaster to fix technical bugs and improve visuals. Dragon Age: Origins, released in 2009 by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, is regarded as the best in its series, but a remaster seems unlikely due to a lack of familiar staff. Black & White, a 2001 game by Lionhead Studios and published by Electronic Arts, is not available on major platforms, and a remaster could enhance its AI and gameplay. Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, released in 2004 by Troika Games and published by Activision, is a classic RPG with bugs and unfinished elements that could benefit from a remaster to fix glitches and restore content. No One Lives Forever, a 2000 game by Monolith Productions and published by Fox Interactive, is unavailable due to rights disputes, but a remaster could modernize its visuals and controls. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, released in 2004 by Obsidian Entertainment and published by LucasArts, is an unfinished narrative that could be improved with a remaster to restore missing content. Freedom Force, a 2002 game by Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts, could benefit from a remaster to improve compatibility and support user-generated content.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Enhanced Splinter Cell is the best way to play this classic in 2025

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, released in 2002, has an unofficial mod called Enhanced Splinter Cell that revitalizes the game with quality-of-life improvements and restored content. The mod enhances lighting effects, allows customization of Sam Fisher's outfit, and incorporates dgVoodoo2 for modern compatibility. It introduces gameplay tweaks such as easier inventory access, HUD toggling, adjustable movement speed, and a new crouch mechanic. Additionally, it includes two previously cut missions, Nuclear Power Plant and Severonickel, along with updated cutscenes for the Kalinatek mission and the new missions. Enhanced Splinter Cell is recommended for players wanting to experience the classic on modern hardware.

Winsage

June 16, 2025

‘End of 10’ offers hope and support to Windows 10 users who can’t upgrade their PCs

Support for Windows 10 will cease on October 14, 2025. Microsoft encourages users to purchase new hardware, while the End of 10 campaign proposes transitioning to Linux as an alternative. The campaign provides resources for users, including links to local PC shops and user groups, a guide on installing Linux, and a calendar of events for assistance. The initiative emphasizes cost-effective solutions, lack of intrusive ads or data tracking, environmental friendliness, community support, and user control. It is supported by a collaborative group dedicated to helping Windows 10 users navigate their options.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I’m not here to apologize but I am here to clarify’: Splitgate 2 boss says his Make FPS Great Again hat is ‘not a political statement’

1047 Games unveiled a battle royale mode for Splitgate 2 at the Summer Game Fest, announced by CEO Ian Proulx. Proulx wore a hat with the phrase "MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN," which drew mixed reactions from viewers. He later clarified the hat's message on social media, emphasizing the company's commitment to improving the multiplayer FPS experience. The launch included a shop refresh with a new skin bundle, the most expensive item in the game, prompting discussions about in-game purchase value. The new mode led to a surge in players and technical issues, including problems with the experience points (XP) system, which the company is working to resolve.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Google Translate might shake up its design to make room for big upgrades

Google Translate is set to undergo significant updates on Android devices, including a revised results page that prominently displays the initial word and its translation, along with a "More Translations" section. New features such as "Ask a question" and "Regional variants" will enhance user interaction. The app will also include a "list of possible translations" for better context and an "Insights" button to help users understand word nuances. These updates are part of Google's broader efforts to improve its applications, including a redesign for Google Photos and Gmail. Additionally, the integration of Gemini 2.5 into AI Mode aims to streamline user queries for more efficient language translation. The timeline for these updates is currently uncertain.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

The Edge of Fate will be the biggest change to Destiny 2 since it launched—an injection of fresh ideas, but also of ARPG grind

Bungie's upcoming expansion for Destiny 2, The Edge of Fate, introduces a tiered loot system categorizing new gear from one to five, with higher tiers offering enhanced perks and stat increases. The expansion features new weapon archetypes, including rocket sidearms and healing auto rifles, and introduces a Portal feature for selecting activities and customizing difficulty. Daily rotating guaranteed rewards for specific playlists aim to streamline the acquisition of tier 5 weapons and introduce set bonuses for armor. The expansion is set to launch on July 15.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Updaing your Windows 10 PC? I found a Linux distro that can give it 5 to 10 more years of life

FunOS is a Linux distribution focused on stability, performance, and security, built on Ubuntu LTS. It features a lightweight architecture with Joe's Window Manager, resulting in an idle RAM usage of approximately 250 MB and an installer size of 1.8 GB. The installation process takes less than five minutes, and the desktop layout resembles traditional environments. FunOS lacks a graphical user interface for the package manager and does not include an app store, requiring users to manage software via the command line. Users can install Synaptic for easier software management. FunOS is designed for older Windows 10 machines, offering a practical solution for extending their lifespan without the bloat of heavier operating systems.

Winsage

May 23, 2025

Microsoft dumps AI into Notepad

Microsoft has updated Notepad to include the Copilot feature for text generation, requiring users to sign in with their Microsoft account to access the Write feature. Users can generate text by selecting the Write option from the Copilot menu, which can then be reviewed, saved, or refined. Microsoft has also introduced AI-driven features in Paint, including a sticker generator and a smart selection tool. These updates reflect Microsoft's efforts to innovate its built-in Windows applications, although some users question the necessity of AI in simpler tools like Notepad.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Games Inbox: Are video games too expensive on console and PC?

Bethesda's latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is priced at £70 for both PC and console and can be completed in about 13 hours. This pricing strategy has raised concerns among gamers, especially since PC games typically have lower price points. Some gamers believe this may be an attempt by Microsoft to promote its subscription service, Game Pass, while others plan to wait for sales. Additionally, there are concerns about Bungie's management following its acquisition by Sony, with critics questioning the effectiveness of such corporate acquisitions in revitalizing franchises. In contrast, Nintendo is innovating with its upcoming Mario Kart World for the Switch 2, moving the series to an open-world format, which has generated excitement among fans. The gaming community remains engaged in discussions about pricing, management, and innovation as the industry evolves.