skills Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

2026’s best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants ‘to do a first-person game at some point’

Christoffer Bodegård began his journey into PC gaming with a DOS machine from his father and first played Disney's The Jungle Book. His passion for role-playing games was ignited by Dragon Age: Origins, which led him to explore many titles, including Planescape: Torment. After eight years of development, his game Esoteric Ebb launched in March to critical acclaim. Currently, he is playing Victoria 3, having logged around 400 hours, and previously played Abiotic Factor. The oldest games on his PC are Heroes of Might and Magic 3, King of Dragon Pass, Deus Ex, and Diablo 2, with Heroes 3 being a favorite. He has logged around 1,000 hours in Esoteric Ebb and is particularly fond of Europa Universalis IV, especially the Anbennar mod. Bodegård has never uninstalled Deus Ex, which greatly influences his design philosophy. He relies on Notepad++ for scripting and has improved his desktop organization from a cluttered state to a cleaner setup.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Indie developer says Steam did them a solid by fixing their unbootable game to beat the Next Fest deadline

The developers of the social deduction game Red Flag submitted a flawed build to Steam just before the deadline for June's Next Fest. Despite the risks associated with last-minute submissions, Steam Support assisted by editing the configuration, sorting dependencies, and approving the build, allowing the team to participate in the event. As a result, they experienced a significant increase in wishlists and engaged with players in their lobby. Other indie developers shared similar positive experiences with Steam Support in the comments.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Epic Games giveaway will see you save $50 on two free games

Epic Games is offering two complimentary titles for PC users: Nova Lands and Tattoo Tycoon, available until July 16 at 4 PM BST. Nova Lands is a 2D open-world game focused on factory building and exploration, currently rated 89% on Steam, with an average playtime of 19 hours. Tattoo Tycoon is a simulation game where players manage a tattoo parlor, priced at .99 and holding a mixed rating of 61% on Steam. Both games can be claimed at no cost and are yours to keep indefinitely.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2026

DBA2: Configuration and Monitoring of PostgreSQL 16 is now available in English

Postgres Professional has translated the DBA2: Configuration and Monitoring of PostgreSQL 16 course into English. This four-day program is designed for PostgreSQL administrators with basic Unix skills and knowledge equivalent to the DBA1 course. The curriculum covers topics such as Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC), isolation levels, vacuuming, buffer cache management, write-ahead logging (WAL), and server upgrades. Participants will learn to configure PostgreSQL parameters, monitor the server, manage localization settings, and handle extensions. The course materials include a student guide for setting up a virtual machine and performing practical tasks. The translation was done by Elena Sharafutdinova, with assistance from Ilya Bashtanov and Alexander Meleshko.

BetaBeacon

July 8, 2026

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse coming to Android

Pocketpair Publishing and Frontside 180 Studio are releasing an Android version of the 2D roguelike action game Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse. The game was initially launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on March 5, 2026.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

5 Best Free-To-Play Games Of 2026 (So Far)

The gaming landscape of 2026 features a variety of free-to-play titles catering to diverse tastes. Notable games include: - Escape Up: A side-scrolling platformer where players eliminate enemies to ascend a tower, refining the platforming experience for modern audiences. - 2XKO: A 2v2 fighting game from the "League of Legends" universe, released in January 2026, featuring fast-paced brawls and a revenue model based on in-game cosmetics and battle passes. - Neverness to Everness: A third-person action RPG developed by Hotta Studio, available on mobile, PC, and PlayStation 5, allowing players to switch between heroes with unique abilities in a fantasy open world. - Skillwood: A lo-fi life simulator where players act as a lumberjack, chopping trees and mining resources, developed by sshulin and available on Steam and itch.io. - Forward Assault: An indie first-person shooter inspired by "Counter-Strike," featuring tactical gameplay and accessible mechanics for mobile and PC players.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Hearthstone: Escape From Violet Hold Out Today – Discover the Game’s Enduring Life Lessons

Hearthstone is a free-to-play digital card game where players use custom-built decks to reduce their opponent's Hero health to zero. Players accumulate mana crystals to summon minions and cast spells, requiring strategic thinking and adaptability. The game teaches several lessons: 1. Players should not rage-quit when the situation seems dire, as comebacks are often possible with patience and reassessment. 2. While having a strategy is important, flexibility is crucial as unexpected events can change the game's dynamics. 3. Players should avoid panic-driven decisions when faced with formidable threats, as taking time to assess the situation leads to more effective solutions. The new expansion, Escape from Violet Hold, offers players a chance to practice these skills.

BetaBeacon

July 7, 2026

Fortunes of Battle is now available on iOS and Android!

- Strategic dice-driven combat is a key feature of the game - Players can unlock unique heroes with their own abilities - The game features powerful weapons, ancient relics, and valuable treasures to discover - Meaningful progression allows players to unlock new skills and become stronger with each journey

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

The TechBeat: How Small Postgres Metadata Tables Quietly Throttle Your Largest Queries (7/6/2026)

- Websites detect VPN usage through factors like IP reputation, DNS leaks, WebRTC, and browser fingerprints, with strategies to mitigate tracking. - Slow Postgres dashboards may be caused by stale metadata statistics rather than the fact table, with solutions provided to rectify these issues. - Spec-driven development enhances the reliability of AI coding agents through structured specifications, workflows, reusable skills, and proof. - A comparison of usage-based billing platforms for 2026 includes Credyt, Metronome, Orb, Lago, Stripe Billing, and Chargebee. - Loop Engineering is a rising trend in AI workflows expected to dominate in 2026, though challenges may accompany it. - ONLYOFFICE released version 3.7 of DocSpace Developer, introducing AI file generation, new webhook events, expanded plugin tools, and enhanced form workflows. - ANY.RUN's data inspection tool offers SOC teams comprehensive browser visibility for quicker phishing investigations. - AI systems are reducing obvious hallucinations, but deeper structural failures remain a risk for professionals. - A vendor audit revealed supply chain vulnerabilities in AI, including unpinned models and the use of trust_remote_code=True. - Developers using OpenAI Codex should avoid overloading a single conversation with tasks to maintain performance, recommending the use of subagents. - Barriers to AI adoption are not purely technological, as shared by insights from discussions with 500 individuals. - Guidance on creating production AI agent loops emphasizes state management, tool governance, evidence verification, and domain-specific controls. - Dawnguard launched a security architecture automation platform with million in pre-seed funding to address AI code vulnerabilities. - The AI boom is driven by complex memory architecture rather than GPUs, influencing consumer electronics pricing strategies. - The origins of functional programming trace back to John McCarthy's practical needs for differentiating expressions. - A guide for AI startup founders addresses common pitfalls in understanding AI agents and the autonomy trap for developing reliable systems.

AppWizard

July 6, 2026

Monday’s Android app deals and freebies: Almost Out of Mana, Botanicula, CHUCHEL, more

A fresh lineup of Android game and app deals includes titles such as Almost Out of Mana, Botanicula, CHUCHEL, Front Armies [RTS], Slime Legends – Survivor, The Last Station – Baku, Loop, and Rogue Hearts. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available 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: Your afternoon just got a little more exciting with a fresh lineup of enticing Android game and app deals. Among the standout titles are Almost Out of Mana, Botanicula, CHUCHEL, Front Armies [RTS], Slime Legends – Survivor, The Last Station – Baku, Loop, and Rogue Hearts. These games promise to deliver hours of entertainment at unbeatable prices. In addition to the gaming deals, tech enthusiasts will appreciate the substantial discounts on hardware. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now available for 0 off, while Best Buy offers open-box units with savings of up to 0. For those looking to enhance their mobile experience, the official Samsung Galaxy Magnetic Battery Pack is also on sale. Furthermore, the unlocked TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android phone has dropped to an attractive price of 0. Today’s highlight Android app price drops: Almost Out of Mana - Dive into a whimsical world filled with adventure. Botanicula - Explore a charming universe with delightful characters. CHUCHEL - Engage in a hilarious quest with quirky puzzles. Front Armies [RTS] - Command your troops in strategic battles. Slime Legends – Survivor - Test your survival skills in a vibrant realm. The Last Station – Baku - Experience a gripping narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting. Loop - Enjoy a relaxing puzzle experience that challenges your mind. Rogue Hearts - Embark on a thrilling adventure filled with roguelike elements. With these remarkable deals, the afternoon is ripe for exploration and enjoyment. Whether you're a gamer seeking new adventures or a tech aficionado looking for the latest gadgets, there's something for everyone in this enticing array of offers. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] off, with Best Buy offering open-box units with savings of up to [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: Your afternoon just got a little more exciting with a fresh lineup of enticing Android game and app deals. Among the standout titles are Almost Out of Mana, Botanicula, CHUCHEL, Front Armies [RTS], Slime Legends – Survivor, The Last Station – Baku, Loop, and Rogue Hearts. These games promise to deliver hours of entertainment at unbeatable prices. In addition to the gaming deals, tech enthusiasts will appreciate the substantial discounts on hardware. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now available for 0 off, while Best Buy offers open-box units with savings of up to 0. For those looking to enhance their mobile experience, the official Samsung Galaxy Magnetic Battery Pack is also on sale. Furthermore, the unlocked TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android phone has dropped to an attractive price of 0. Today’s highlight Android app price drops: Almost Out of Mana - Dive into a whimsical world filled with adventure. Botanicula - Explore a charming universe with delightful characters. CHUCHEL - Engage in a hilarious quest with quirky puzzles. Front Armies [RTS] - Command your troops in strategic battles. Slime Legends – Survivor - Test your survival skills in a vibrant realm. The Last Station – Baku - Experience a gripping narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting. Loop - Enjoy a relaxing puzzle experience that challenges your mind. Rogue Hearts - Embark on a thrilling adventure filled with roguelike elements. With these remarkable deals, the afternoon is ripe for exploration and enjoyment. Whether you're a gamer seeking new adventures or a tech aficionado looking for the latest gadgets, there's something for everyone in this enticing array of offers. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"]. The Samsung Galaxy Magnetic Battery Pack is on sale, and the unlocked TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android phone has dropped to [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: Your afternoon just got a little more exciting with a fresh lineup of enticing Android game and app deals. Among the standout titles are Almost Out of Mana, Botanicula, CHUCHEL, Front Armies [RTS], Slime Legends – Survivor, The Last Station – Baku, Loop, and Rogue Hearts. These games promise to deliver hours of entertainment at unbeatable prices. In addition to the gaming deals, tech enthusiasts will appreciate the substantial discounts on hardware. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is now available for 0 off, while Best Buy offers open-box units with savings of up to 0. For those looking to enhance their mobile experience, the official Samsung Galaxy Magnetic Battery Pack is also on sale. Furthermore, the unlocked TCL NXTPAPER 70 Pro Android phone has dropped to an attractive price of 0. Today’s highlight Android app price drops: Almost Out of Mana - Dive into a whimsical world filled with adventure. Botanicula - Explore a charming universe with delightful characters. CHUCHEL - Engage in a hilarious quest with quirky puzzles. Front Armies [RTS] - Command your troops in strategic battles. Slime Legends – Survivor - Test your survival skills in a vibrant realm. The Last Station – Baku - Experience a gripping narrative in a post-apocalyptic setting. Loop - Enjoy a relaxing puzzle experience that challenges your mind. Rogue Hearts - Embark on a thrilling adventure filled with roguelike elements. With these remarkable deals, the afternoon is ripe for exploration and enjoyment. Whether you're a gamer seeking new adventures or a tech aficionado looking for the latest gadgets, there's something for everyone in this enticing array of offers. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].