struggles Archives

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Epic cops to the Epic Games Store sucking for the 2nd time in a month as it proudly announces its money-hose has spaffed over $2 billion

Steve Allison, general manager of the Epic Games Store (EGS), acknowledged ongoing challenges in improving the platform, stating that there is still significant work to be done. Upcoming features aimed at enhancing the EGS include preloading, gifting options, and game-independent voice and text chat. Despite these improvements, the EGS struggles to match basic functionalities offered by Steam, which may not be enough to attract users already invested in Valve's ecosystem. Epic has disbursed over a billion dollars to developers and publishers and offers a revenue-sharing model with a 12% cut, compared to Valve's 30%, along with a 0% fee for games until they reach a million in revenue. However, convincing players to switch to the EGS remains challenging due to the large libraries they have already built on Steam.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

I tested Bitdefender and McAfee in an antivirus software showdown, and here’s what I found

Bitdefender and McAfee are two leading antivirus software options known for robust malware protection and additional security features. Bitdefender achieves 98% effectiveness in real-time threat detection, while McAfee uses machine learning for threat identification but may produce false positives. Bitdefender offers a basic firewall, not available for macOS, whereas McAfee provides a more advanced firewall with device monitoring. Bitdefender has a standalone Digital Identity Protection service, while McAfee offers comprehensive identity theft protections in its Premium subscription. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily data cap, while McAfee provides unlimited VPN access but with fewer countries and features. Both offer password managers, but Bitdefender lacks two-factor authentication, while McAfee's True Key includes multi-factor authentication. Bitdefender’s parental controls are basic, while McAfee’s Safe Family includes location tracking. Bitdefender is known for lightweight performance, but recent tests suggest McAfee may have better system optimization. Both have user-friendly interfaces, with Bitdefender organizing features into tabs and McAfee offering a simpler design. In terms of protection, Bitdefender has a 98.7% detection rate, while McAfee excels online with 99.6% but struggles offline. Bitdefender's pricing starts at .99 for the first year, while McAfee's Basic plan starts at .99. Overall, Bitdefender is more budget-friendly, while McAfee offers advanced identity theft protection.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Painkiller RTX is a path-traced upgrade to a classic but almost forgotten shooter

Nvidia's RTX Remix is a tool that allows game modders to enhance classic PC games with path-traced visuals. One notable project is the transformation of the 2004 game Painkiller into Painkiller RTX, currently at version 0.1.6. This project utilizes a custom rendering technology called PainEngine, replacing the original Direct X 8.1 rendering with a path tracer, resulting in improved visuals such as real-time shadows and moving lights. The gameplay retains its fast-paced action focus, with enhanced mechanics through Havok physics, allowing for dynamic interactions with the environment. Painkiller RTX features significant upgrades in lighting, including dynamic lighting that interacts with moving objects and improved texture quality using Quixel megascan assets. However, the path-tracing technology requires robust hardware for optimal performance, and even mid-range GPUs like the RTX 4060 may struggle with frame rates during intense gameplay.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

You got Nightreigned: Elden Ring’s spinoff is the most aggravating, player-hostile FromSoft game I’ve played, but I keep staying up past 3 AM for ‘one more run’

The author has logged 42 hours playing Elden Ring Nightreign, often sacrificing sleep to sync with friends during the pre-launch phase. Despite its punishing difficulty and reliance on random number generation, the game captivates the author, who finds joy in its challenges and surprises. Key aspects that keep the author returning include the game's unique pace, unexpected twists, and the camaraderie fostered by playing with friends. The author expresses eagerness for potential DLC and values the rewarding nature of victories amidst the struggles faced in the game.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ sucks, I love it

“A Minecraft Movie” is a 100-minute film that debuted on April 4, featuring a disjointed plot, lackluster script, and minimal character development. The film takes viewers into the “overworld” of Minecraft, where characters attempt to return to reality but face a rushed narrative that prioritizes action and comedy over coherent storytelling. Jack Black stars as Steve, with Jason Momoa as Garrett Garrison, showcasing strong chemistry. Supporting characters, including siblings Henry and Natalie, lack depth, and Jennifer Coolidge’s subplot feels inconsequential. Despite critical reception, the film has grossed over half a billion dollars, driven by the popularity of Minecraft and viral snippets of dialogue. Audience members engaged with the film during screenings, indicating a level of enjoyment despite its flaws.

Winsage

May 30, 2025

Still on Windows 11 23H2 because you’re worried 24H2 is a disaster for PC gaming? Microsoft’s latest update could persuade you to finally upgrade

The latest optional patch for Windows 11, identified as KB5058499, addresses critical issues affecting PC games, particularly those using Nvidia GPUs. It resolves problems such as games freezing upon launch and specific titles becoming unresponsive after upgrading to version 24H2. The patch also targets a memory leak within the ‘Input Service,’ which may contribute to input lag and blue screen crashes linked to ‘memory management’ errors. The root cause of the game lock-up problem was found to be within the Windows 11 kernel, not Nvidia's graphics drivers. Users can install the patch to potentially restore functionality to their games or wait for the full cumulative update scheduled for June 10.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Elden Ring Nightreign review

A co-op action RPG battle royale hybrid set in the Elden Ring universe, titled Elden Ring Nightreign, is developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco, with a release date of May 30, 2025, priced at £35. The game features multiplayer gameplay, with matches lasting around 30 minutes, and involves teams of three players battling against various monsters. Players engage in cooperative missions and face unpredictable challenges, including boss encounters and randomized loot. Each character can equip three Relics, though their effectiveness can vary. The game emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and adaptation, with a steep learning curve and elements that can lead to frustration. Despite its chaotic nature, it offers a thrilling experience that encourages players to experiment and persevere through challenges. The game was reviewed on an RTX 5090, Intel Core i9 12900K, and 32GB RAM, and has not been tested on Steam Deck.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

The Windows File Explorer is still so bad when it comes to networked drives

File Explorer in Windows 11 has usability issues, particularly with sluggish search functionality and problems accessing networked drives. Users often experience drives disappearing after reboot, inaccessibility to files, and freezing of File Explorer, with error codes like c0000375 indicating deeper issues. The networked drive feature relies on outdated technology, as Microsoft has deprecated older protocols like SMBv1, complicating file sharing. Users can mitigate freezing by restarting File Explorer and ensuring network settings are correctly configured, such as setting Wi-Fi to private and enabling file sharing options. Excessive pinned items in Quick Access can cause crashes, and clearing the cache may resolve these issues. Alternatives to File Explorer, like XYplorer and File Pilot, can provide better access to networked drives. Overall, the challenges stem from outdated technology and the corruption of the Quick Access cache, with third-party solutions available for relief.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows on Arm vs Intel: Which laptop platform is right for you?

The Windows laptop market has shifted towards devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, moving away from traditional Intel and AMD architectures. This initiative, known as Windows on Arm, has produced notable products like the Asus ZenBook A14 and Dell XPS 13, which are praised for their performance in AI applications and impressive battery life. These devices can run Intel-based applications through an emulation layer called Prism, which translates x86-64 code into ARM64 instructions, allowing compatibility with non-native software. While they perform well for office tasks and some creative applications, limitations exist in gaming and high-demand software due to the need for specific drivers and graphics performance. Currently, the market features three Windows on Arm processors: Snapdragon X Elite, X Plus, and X. Pricing for these laptops often exceeds ,000, making Intel and AMD options more appealing for budget-conscious consumers.

Winsage

May 25, 2025

Windows Passwords Are Under Attack — Do These 7 Things Now

Microsoft Windows is a target for cybercriminals, particularly regarding password theft. Trend Micro has reported an increase in fraudulent Captcha attacks that trick users into executing malicious commands through the Windows Run dialog, leading to data theft and malware infections. These attacks utilize PowerShell and can deploy various malware types, including Lumma Stealer and AsyncRAT. Despite efforts to disrupt the Lumma Stealer network, threats persist, exploiting legitimate platforms. Microsoft recommends users adopt safer online practices and outlines seven mitigations for organizations: disable access to the Run dialog, apply least privilege, restrict access to unapproved tools, monitor unusual behavior, harden browser configurations, enable memory protection, and invest in user education.