strike Archives

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

Games that try to sneak bots into multiplayer matches are automatically trash

Morgan Park discusses the controversial presence of bots in multiplayer gaming and their impact on player experience and game integrity. In titles like Fortnite, an analysis showed that up to 90% of players in a typical lobby could be bots, leading to a false sense of security for seasoned players. In NetEase’s Marvel Rivals, players report being matched with bot-filled games after losing two consecutive matches, which undermines competition and misleads players about their skills. Some publishers exploit bots for dubious purposes, while others, like Rainbow Six Siege and Call of Duty, label bots and restrict their use to practice modes, promoting transparency and maintaining competitive integrity. The gaming community is encouraged to share experiences regarding the presence of bots.

AppWizard

August 6, 2025

CHARTS: Battlefield 6 pre-orders shoot to No.3 on Steam

Pre-orders for Battlefield 6 became the third highest-grossing item on Steam last week. The game is set to release on October 10th and marks a return to the modern warfare aesthetic seen in Battlefield 3 and 4. Counter-Strike 2 was the highest-grossing title on Steam, followed by Grounded 2 in second place. The Steam Deck dropped to fourth, while PUBG: Battlegrounds fell to fifth. Titan Quest 2 secured sixth place after selling over 300,000 copies since its Early Access launch. Dead by Daylight rose to seventh due to a 60 percent price reduction. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending August 5th included: Counter-Strike 2, Grounded 2, Battlefield 6, Steam Deck, PUBG: Battlegrounds, Titan Quest 2, Dead by Daylight, Peak, Umamusume: Pretty Derby, and Marvel Rivals.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

We deserve better than the boring carry capacity systems 90% of RPGs give us, but games like Death Stranding 2 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 show the way forward

RPG enthusiasts often experience a thrill from loot collection, leading to the accumulation of vast amounts of treasure to exchange for coin. In "Kingdom Come: Deliverance," the author scavenged a battlefield to acquire powerful weapons and armor. The traditional carry capacity in RPGs is seen as lacking creativity, while "Death Stranding 2" offers a more engaging item transport system that encourages creative thinking and interaction with the game world. This game allows players to customize how they carry items, enhancing the gameplay experience. "Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2" features an armor system with social implications, making the preparation for adventures immersive. "Red Dead Redemption 2" balances practicality and aesthetics in gear management, allowing for realistic storage options. The tabletop RPG "Blades in the Dark" introduces a system where players choose their load before a heist, impacting gameplay strategy. The author suggests that RPGs could benefit from more detailed carry mechanics, enhancing the loot experience and creating a more meaningful interaction with gear collection. Many games currently use a simple numerical representation of carry capacity, which lacks depth compared to more tangible systems that could evoke a greater sense of value in loot collection.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

The Witcher 3 mod adds enhanced physics, new animations, and improved precision when dismembering enemies

The modder Kradiarumas has released a new mod for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that enhances the game's dismemberment system. This mod introduces a more dynamic physics engine for dismemberment, allowing for improved precision and a 100% chance of dismemberment with every strike. It also revives the spinning sword attack from the E3 2014 gameplay reveal. The mod is available in five versions and is compatible with both Next-Gen and Old-Gen editions of the game. Other mods in the community include a first-person mod, the HD Reworked Project, and various combat and quest enhancements. Recent mods have restored boat races, added new quests, and reinstated a cut reputation system. Additionally, mods utilizing Ray Tracing technology have been introduced, such as the RTX Mirrors Mod and one that enhances fire effects.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

Among Us 3D is adding a new limited-time feature I haven’t thought about in 20 years: VIP mode

In Team Fortress Classic's VIP mode, known as The Hunted, one player takes on the role of the Civilian, the 10th class, who is unarmed and must be protected by teammates from a squad of snipers. This mode emphasizes strategy and teamwork as players navigate between safe zones. Similar modes have appeared in other games, such as Counter-Strike 1.6's Assassination and Halo 3's Escort, but many have not transitioned to newer titles. Recently, the VIP concept has seen a revival in Among Us 3D's Critical Cargo event, which is active until October 2.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Happy birthday and RIP Windows 10! Ten years of Windows, from successes to failures.

Support for Windows 10 is set to conclude on October 14, 2025, after which users will no longer receive free security updates, software enhancements, or technical assistance. Windows 10 was released in 2015 to restore user confidence following Windows 8's reception and quickly became a leader in the market. It eliminated many frustrations of its predecessor, offering a classic desktop experience and free upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.1. The Windows Insider Program was introduced for testing pre-release builds, but Microsoft faced criticism for inconsistent responsiveness to feedback and issues like unexpected reboots and the October 2018 Update that deleted user files. Windows 10 Mobile failed due to insufficient support and user interest. Microsoft replaced Internet Explorer with Edge, transitioning to Chromium for better compatibility. Privacy concerns arose from extensive telemetry and tracking settings. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP) initiative did not fulfill its promise. Despite nearing the end of its life cycle, Windows 10 remains dominant in the desktop market, appreciated for its stability and non-intrusiveness.

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Co-Op Hack-and-Slash Game GODBREAKERS Announced for PS5 and PC

Thunderful Games and its subsidiary To The Sky are developing a four-player cooperative hack-and-slash action game titled GODBREAKERS, set to launch in 2025 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features fast-paced combat, allowing players to absorb enemy powers and utilize them against foes. It includes multi-phase boss fights, customizable builds with unique Archetypes, and six distinct biomes filled with challenges. Players can engage in one to four-player online cooperative play, with gameplay designed for strategic depth and dynamic encounters. The narrative explores a world where AI has led to humanity's demise, and players must reignite the final spark of mankind. A reveal trailer showcasing the gameplay has been released.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft quietly fixed Windows 11 24H2 issues caused by past update

Microsoft has confirmed that the mandatory Windows 11 24H2 updates have negatively impacted the operating system's stability. Users have reported various error messages while trying to install updates KB5060842 and KB5063060, including 0x800f0922, 0x80070002, 0x80070306, and 0x800f0991. Gamers have experienced unexpected restarts, taskbar freezes, erroneous Windows Firewall notifications, and performance drops in games. Microsoft has addressed these stability concerns in the optional preview update KB5062660, which is not automatically installed and is scheduled for general release in August. Users can manually install it to mitigate the issues. Microsoft plans to enhance Windows 11's performance and stability by implementing stricter driver standards.

Winsage

July 26, 2025

You’ll never worry about leaving your PC unlocked again, Microsoft’s phone app just solved it

Microsoft has updated its Link to Windows app, allowing users to lock their Windows PC directly from their Android phone with a simple tap. This feature enhances security by enabling remote locking, which is useful when users leave their devices unattended. The app also provides insights into the PC's status, such as battery level and Wi-Fi connectivity, and has streamlined the setup process. This update reflects Microsoft's responsiveness to user feedback, offering a proactive approach to device security.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

5 Must-Have Open-Source Android Apps to Simplify Your Life

Five standout open source Android applications highlighted for their utility, user-focused design, and privacy-conscious features are: 1. Tomato: A minimalist Pomodoro timer that helps maintain focus by dividing work into customizable intervals, offering productivity insights through visual graphs. 2. Grit: An all-in-one task and habit tracker that categorizes tasks, provides a visual habit map, supports scheduled reminders, and includes home screen widgets for quick access to daily goals. 3. Momentum: A habit tracker with a straightforward interface, calendar view, streak tracking, and an AI assistant that suggests habits, while prioritizing user privacy with offline functionality and local data storage. 4. Toolbox: A versatile utility app that includes features like a stopwatch, compass, text manipulation utilities, and advanced tools for developers, all while being lightweight and ad-free. 5. Thor App Manager: A tool for precise management of Android applications, offering features like batch installation, app freezing, and APK management, with additional controls for rooted users.