skills Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Technoblade Copycat Crafts Epic Minecraft Community Backlash

Technoblade passed away in 2022, leaving a significant impact on the Minecraft community. A YouTuber named Technolarp has gained nearly 200,000 subscribers through their imitation of Technoblade, which has sparked a debate about the ethics of such replication. Technolarp includes a disclaimer stating they are not the real Technoblade, but critics argue this does not alleviate discomfort regarding their content. The situation intensified when Technolarp collaborated with one of Technoblade's former partners, causing further backlash from fans. Technoblade's father, Technodad, has expressed his thoughts on the matter, navigating a complex situation without alienating Technolarp's fanbase. The head of Hypixel has also criticized Technolarp's impersonation, highlighting the tension between homage and appropriation in the digital space.

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

Streator Public Library offers Minecraft, arts, and games

The Streator Public Library is offering a variety of summer programs, including: - Minecraft Ore Scavenger Hunt until July 25 - Lego Club for children aged 5 and up throughout the week - Minecraft movie screening on July 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. - “Are You Smarter Than a Librarian?” robotics challenge on July 20 at 4:30 p.m. - Murder Mystery Meetup for teens on July 22 at 6 p.m. - Afternoon Watercolor on July 21 and Evening Acrylic on July 23 for ages 10 and up - Minecraft IRL craft and building sessions on July 24 and 25 - Dig In Reading Club on July 21 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with free pizza and games - Book Buddy Storytime and Game Time on July 22 - Mother Goose Club for toddlers on July 23 - Indoor Volleyball on July 25 Additionally, the library will host the Artist to Be Expo from August 3 to August 8, with an opening reception on August 3 from 3 to 7 p.m.

AppWizard

July 13, 2026

Violent criminals keep escaping justice, but I sure am taking some nice photos of evidence in this crime scene simulator

Chris Livingston is exploring job simulations to find a new career and is currently engaged in a Forensics: Crime Scene Detective simulation. His understanding of crime scene investigations is influenced by media portrayals, particularly CSI: Miami. In his first case, he successfully solves a bullet-in-wall scenario, scoring 100% after several attempts. However, he struggles with a coin burglary case, ultimately scoring only 16 out of 100 due to missed evidence and failed analyses. He reflects on whether he would enjoy being a real-life crime scene detective, finding the documentation appealing but the reality of blood and violence unappealing. Livingston appreciates the game's approach to failure, which allows for learning from mistakes.

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.