sticks Archives

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Screamer Review: A New Benchmark for Racing Game Artistry

Screamer is an arcade racing game developed by Milestone, set in a vibrant cyberpunk world. It features a unique dual-stick control scheme, where the left stick steers and the right stick facilitates drifts. The game includes two meters: Sync, which acts as a boost mechanic, and Entropy, which allows vehicles to become invincible for a short time. Players can customize 15 fictional cars and race on 32 tracks across four environments. The game supports online multiplayer for up to 16 players and split-screen for up to four players. It is powered by Unreal Engine 5 and features a mix of licensed and original music. Screamer is priced at .99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for .99, and is set to release on March 26, 2026, with early access for the Deluxe Edition on March 23. The game has received a score of 9/10.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

I Tested Crimson Desert on Every Recommended Graphics Card

Developers have increasingly used upscaling technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR in PC gaming, but Crimson Desert has reasonable system requirements and does not always rely on upscaling. Testing showed that while lower-end graphics cards struggle, enabling FSR can improve frame rates significantly. The minimum specification for Crimson Desert includes an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, and the game requires 16GB of memory across all configurations. The game performs well on various hardware, with the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT averaging 65 fps at Medium settings and the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT reaching 62 fps at Ultra in native 4K. The RTX 5090 achieved 95 fps at 4K without DLSS, and 338 fps with DLSS and Frame Generation. Crimson Desert is compatible with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, which has similar requirements to the GTX 1060, and it performs well on this handheld device. The game is noted for its optimization, allowing most modern graphics cards to run it effectively without upscaling, although it does have some bugs.

AppWizard

March 12, 2026

Microsoft confirms ‘Xbox Mode’ rollout for Windows 11 and reveals more plans for PC-console hybrid Project Helix

Microsoft will launch 'Xbox Mode,' a reimagined version of the Xbox Full Screen Experience, on Windows 11 next month. Xbox Mode is designed to optimize gaming performance by reducing resource-intensive background tasks and will enhance navigation for controller users. Project Helix, a PC-console hybrid, is set to be accessible to developers in 2027 and will feature a custom System on Chip (SoC) developed in collaboration with AMD, promising improved ray tracing performance. AMD's new FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) upscaler, named 'Diamond,' will be optimized for Project Helix and integrated into the Game Development Kit (GDK). Xbox Mode will be available in April, while highly anticipated titles like GTA 6 may not release until 2028.

BetaBeacon

March 6, 2026

Just gamin’: Meta Ray-Ban Display is getting games, and it’s GOAT and 2048 up first

Meta announced that two games, GOAT and 2048, are headed for its Ray-Ban Displays. Users can control these games "without controllers" using the EMG band and gestures, which reads muscle and hand movements to complete actions on the smart glasses.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Android users put on high alert: Malware hides in TV streaming apps

A new strain of malware called Massiv has been identified by the fraud detection firm ThreatFabric. This malware disguises itself as legitimate IPTV applications to steal financial information and identities. IPTV refers to Internet Protocol Television, often associated with unauthorized content streaming. Many of these malicious apps are not found on reputable platforms, leading users to unofficial sources where malware can be embedded. The malware can monitor screens in real-time and extract data from the phone's Accessibility Service, allowing attackers to interact with devices without users' knowledge. Cybercriminals can then open bank accounts in victims' names, leading to debts with banks the victims have never interacted with. ThreatFabric has noted an increase in fake IPTV applications used for malware delivery, particularly in Portugal, Spain, France, and Turkey. Many of these apps do not provide free content but instead deliver malware. Users are advised to avoid sideloading applications from untrusted sources.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2026

Avast Antivirus in 2026: Still Worth Paying For on Windows and Mac?

Ransomware is evolving, and many users in the United States continue to invest in Avast Antivirus as of 2026. Avast, now part of Gen Digital, has shifted from a traditional free antivirus to a comprehensive consumer security suite, which includes three tiers: Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and Avast One. The product lineup features a core antivirus engine, ransomware and phishing protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi inspector, built-in VPN, and performance cleanup tools. Avast's core antivirus engine provides real-time file scanning and web/email shields, consistently ranking high in independent lab tests for malware protection. The ransomware shield protects sensitive folders from unauthorized encryption, while the firewall and Wi-Fi inspector are available in paid tiers. The built-in VPN is designed for safer public Wi-Fi use, and performance tools aim to optimize system efficiency. Pricing for Avast products in the US varies, with a free tier supported by upsell prompts for premium features, Premium Security typically offered as an annual subscription, and Avast One marketed as a higher-value bundle. Renewal pricing often increases significantly after the first year, leading to user complaints. Microsoft Defender is now effective enough that many experts believe average users may not need third-party antivirus software, but Avast justifies its subscription by offering stronger web protection, more control over app permissions, and additional non-security features. User feedback highlights strong protection but frequent upsell prompts, performance issues on low-end machines, and concerns over past data collection practices. Avast is seen as valuable for households with mixed tech literacy, remote workers, students on older hardware, and users seeking basic privacy protections.

BetaBeacon

February 18, 2026

This ultra-affordable Game Boy-style handheld just got an upgraded successor

The Game Console R36 Max 2 is a budget-friendly handheld gaming device that features a larger 4.5-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 1,024 x 768. The device retains the Rockchip RK3326 chipset from the previous model and has improvements in the sticks and layout.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

Vanguard Princess PC Port DLC Launches In Early Access On Steam With Online Play

eigoMANGA has released the Vanguard Princess Mobile (PC Port) DLC in Early Access on Steam, requiring the base version of Vanguard Princess. This DLC adapts the mobile version of the 2D fighting game for PC, featuring online play and enhanced control options. The Early Access version includes Story Mode, Versus Mode, Training Mode, Tutorial Mode, and Online Mode, with online multiplayer supported by Photon Unity Networking 2 (PUN2). Players can customize controls and use various input methods, including keyboards and gamepads. The combat system retains the assist mechanic, allowing players to extend combos and manage battles. The Early Access phase will focus on gameplay balance, online stability, and performance updates based on player feedback.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now brings “PC-quality” game performance to Amazon Fire TV Sticks

Nvidia has launched its GeForce Now game streaming service on Amazon's Fire TV Sticks and select Fire TVs, allowing users to stream games they already own from various digital stores. The streaming quality is capped at 1080p/60fps, and the service operates on a tiered subscription model, with a free tier offering one-hour sessions supported by ads. The GeForce Now application is compatible with specific Fire TV Stick models, but not with the Fire TV Stick Select. The platform distinguishes itself by enabling users to access their existing game collections rather than providing a Netflix-style library. GeForce Now competes with other streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna and is accessible on multiple devices.

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now just landed on Amazon Fire TV, making couch PC gaming easier than ever

Nvidia has launched the GeForce Now app for Amazon Fire TV devices, allowing users to play PC games on televisions with just a Bluetooth controller. The app provides performance similar to the RTX 5080 and supports a wide range of devices, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, ChromeOS, and Android. It can be downloaded from app stores on Amazon Fire TV devices. Nvidia has also expanded its game library to over 4,000 titles, including new releases like Disciples: Domination and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Subscription options include a free tier with access to over 2,000 games and paid tiers offering enhanced performance and longer session times.