roadmap Archives

Winsage

May 20, 2025

Securing the Model Context Protocol: Building a safer agentic future on Windows

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a lightweight, open protocol functioning as JSON-RPC over HTTP, facilitating standardized discovery and invocation of tools. MCP defines three roles: MCP Hosts (applications accessing capabilities), MCP Clients (initiators of requests), and MCP Servers (services exposing functionalities). Windows 11 will incorporate MCP to enable developers to create intelligent applications leveraging generative AI. An early preview of MCP capabilities will be available for developer feedback. MCP introduces security risks, including cross-prompt injection, authentication gaps, credential leakage, tool poisoning, lack of containment, limited security review, registry risks, and command injection. To address these, Windows 11's MCP Security Architecture will establish security requirements for MCP servers, ensuring user safety and transparency, enforcing least privilege, and implementing security controls like proxy-mediated communication, tool-level authorization, a central server registry, and runtime isolation. MCP servers must comply with security requirements, including mandatory code signing, unchanged tool definitions at runtime, security testing, mandatory package identity, and declared privileges. An early private preview of MCP server capability will be offered to developers post-Microsoft Build for feedback, with a secure-by-default enforcement strategy planned for broader availability. Microsoft aims to enhance defenses continuously and collaborate with partners to bolster MCP's security framework.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

After raising over $800 million from its community, Star Citizen’s developer delays the release of a new ship upgrade as players baulk at having to pay for it

Cloud Imperium Games has raised over 0 million for Star Citizen through various funding methods over thirteen years. Recently, a new ship upgrade caused significant backlash from the community, with nearly 2,000 forum responses expressing discontent. Players criticized the introduction of purchasable flight blades, with some feeling disillusioned about investing further in the game. Despite the criticism, some players remain excited about the Greycat MTC, a planetary exploration vehicle priced at . In response to the uproar, Cloud Imperium Games announced that flight blades would be available for in-game currency in the upcoming June patch and acknowledged the need for better alignment between store items and in-game availability. The development of Star Citizen and its single-player counterpart, Squadron 42, continues, with Chris Roberts suggesting Squadron 42 may launch in 2026.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Starbreeze reclaims Payday 3 publishing rights from Plaion, says it will ‘significantly accelerate our content development roadmap’

Starbreeze Studios has secured the publishing rights to Payday 3 from Plaion, aiming to enhance content development for the game, which has faced challenges since its September 2023 launch. This acquisition establishes a long-term collaboration between Starbreeze and Plaion for future Payday franchise projects. Despite setbacks, including leadership changes, Payday 3 has struggled to maintain a player base, while Payday 2 remains popular. Starbreeze's involvement may lead to expedited updates and improvements for Payday 3, and the company is exploring broader strategic opportunities for the franchise.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Stadium’s roadmap for Overwatch 2 is planned out for the next three seasons, with more heroes, maps, and custom games on the horizon

Stadium is a new mode in Overwatch 2, developed with a dedicated roadmap for the next three seasons. Season 17 will introduce two new maps (Esperanca and Samoa), a crossplay feature, new custom games, saveable and shareable builds, and additional example builds. The maps will be tailored for Stadium's fast-paced gameplay, featuring smaller sizes and closer spawn points to objectives. Stadium has gained popularity within the Overwatch 2 community, becoming comparable to Quick Play and Competitive modes.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Ubisoft, Devolver Digital, and Failbetter Games Confirmed for PC Gaming Show 2025

The PC Gaming Show will take place on June 8th at noon PT, featuring over 50 titles, including world premieres, exclusive announcements, updates, and developer interviews. Confirmed developers include Ubisoft, Failbetter Games, Devolver Digital, and Astra Logical. Ubisoft is expected to present Assassin’s Creed Shadows and insights into its first story expansion, Claws of Awaji. Failbetter Games will showcase Sunless Skies, Devolver Digital will present Enter the Gungeon 2, and Astra Logical will introduce Castle Craft. Other upcoming showcases include Summer Game Fest on June 6th, Future Games Show on June 7th, and Xbox Games Showcase on June 8th at 10 AM PDT.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadows announces more difficulties, more immersion options, more Jesuits, and a bo staff in its year 1 roadmap

Ubisoft has announced a post-launch roadmap for Assassin's Creed Shadows, featuring a year of updates that include patches, new features, and enhancements. This month, players can expect: - A free quest focused on Yasuke's companion, Luis Frois. - Quality-of-life improvements, including the potential reinstatement of the multi-sell feature. - An updated photo mode for creative expression. - A special collaboration similar to past co-marketing efforts. - Refinements to parkour mechanics, introducing new movement options. Future content will include: - A new free quest and ally. - New difficulty settings. - Gameplay immersion options, such as headgear visibility in cutscenes. - An open-world alarm system with unspecified changes. Ubisoft has also teased expansions, including new storylines, collaborations, unique gear for the battle-pass system, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, which will add a new region. Additionally, Naoe will be able to wield a bo staff, enhancing combat dynamics.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Ubisoft is keeping its promise to add an offline mode to The Crew 2, and testing begins next week

Ubisoft has decided to discontinue The Crew, leading to significant backlash against always-online gaming, resulting in a class action lawsuit, new legislation in California, and a disclaimer on Steam. In response, Ubisoft pledged to avoid similar actions for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. Seven months later, the company announced development of an offline mode is underway, with a playtest starting on April 30. Positive feedback has been received for the offline initiative, and players are now requesting similar functionality for other titles. Ubisoft plans to roll out the offline mode for The Crew 2 by the end of 2025, with The Crew Motorfest to follow later.

Tech Optimizer

April 24, 2025

Meet Xata Agent: An Open Source Agent for Proactive PostgreSQL Monitoring, Automated Troubleshooting, and Seamless DevOps Integration

Xata Agent is an open-source AI assistant designed for PostgreSQL database site reliability engineering. It monitors logs and performance metrics to identify issues like slow queries and unusual connection counts, helping to maintain database integrity and performance. The tool automates tasks such as vacuuming and indexing and provides actionable recommendations through diagnostic playbooks and read-only SQL routines. The architecture is built as a Next.js application using TypeScript, organized in a monorepo structure. Developers can set up their environment using Node, install dependencies, and configure a local PostgreSQL instance with Docker Compose. Production deployment involves using Docker images and configuring environment variables in a production file. Key functionalities include proactive monitoring, configuration tuning, performance troubleshooting, safe diagnostics, cloud integration, alerting, LLM flexibility, and playbook customization. Developers can create new tools and integrate them into playbooks for cohesive workflows. Future plans include custom playbooks, support for Model Context Protocol, evaluation harnesses, approval workflows, and a managed cloud edition. The architecture promotes extensibility and community contributions, standardizing incident response and reducing human error in database management.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

WSUS Driver Synchronization: Microsoft postpones end

Microsoft has postponed the discontinuation of driver distribution via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), originally set for April 18, due to substantial user feedback. WSUS Driver Synchronization, initially marked as “deprecated,” will continue to be supported and operational, although it will not receive active development. Microsoft acknowledged the needs of users in disconnected environments and will maintain the service for synchronizing driver updates from the Windows Update Service and importing updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The company is also developing a new roadmap to streamline services and promote alternative technologies like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch for Windows 11 devices.

Winsage

March 31, 2025

Microsoft kills the iconic Blue Screen of Death. It looks like this now

Microsoft is redesigning the "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD) in Windows 11 24H2, changing it from a blue screen to a black display. For Windows Insiders, the error screen will appear in green. The new design removes the sad smiley face and QR code, replacing the text with "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart," and uses "device" instead of "PC." The specific error code and reason for the crash will be in smaller text at the bottom. This redesign has been in development since the early stages of Windows 11, but its motivation is speculative. The new error screen's public debut date is unclear, though it may be introduced in an upcoming Patch Tuesday.