Winlator is an orchestration layer that combines four open-source projects to run Windows games on Android phones. The projects involved are Wine, Box86, Box64, DXVK, and VKD3D-Proton.
Microsoft has extended the availability of Windows Server 2022 hotpatching until 2027, specifically for the Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition. Mainstream support for Windows Server 2022 will end on October 13, 2026, while extended support will last until October 14, 2031. Hotpatching allows administrators to apply security updates without server downtime, although quarterly cumulative updates requiring a reboot will still occur. This feature is exclusive to Azure Edition users, with no similar support for on-premises users of Windows Server 2022. Additionally, hotpatch updates are being introduced for Windows 11 24H2 Enterprise clients and are now the default for Windows Autopatch.
Major PC manufacturers, including HP, Dell, ASUS, Lenovo, MSI, Acer, Samsung, LG, and Microsoft’s Surface division, have provided guidance on transitioning to new Secure Boot certificates as the expiration of Microsoft’s 2011 certificates approaches. The expiration will occur in three phases: Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 expired on June 24, 2026; Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 expired on June 27, 2026; and Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 is set to expire on October 19, 2026. Microsoft has begun rolling out replacement certificates through Windows Update, contingent on OEMs providing compatible BIOS updates.
ASUS offers detailed documentation for both consumer and commercial devices, confirming that most users will receive updates automatically. Lenovo provides direct download links for BIOS updates organized by product family and specifies which products will not receive updates. Dell's support article covers its entire product lineup, noting that devices with an End of Service Life before January 1, 2026, will not receive updates. HP outlines a dual-track approach for updates, with specific timelines for commercial PCs.
Microsoft's Surface devices receive updates directly from Microsoft, while MSI categorizes guidance based on processor generation for its laptops. Acer emphasizes backing up the BitLocker recovery key and provides a model table for confirmed BIOS release dates. Samsung confirms that all PCs running Windows 10 or 11 will function normally post-expiration, but security updates will cease. LG has released a guide for checking BIOS updates for its PCs.
To verify if a PC has the 2023 certificates, users can check the Secure Boot section in Windows Security. A green checkmark indicates successful application, while yellow or red icons indicate pending updates or incompatibility. Microsoft has pushed the certificates to all eligible devices as of June 2026.
Josh Sawyer, Obsidian's design director, discussed the studio's focus on balance in Fallout: New Vegas, emphasizing the importance of allowing various character builds to thrive and engage meaningfully through skill checks in dialogue. He expressed a desire for players to enjoy their character choices without feeling they have built a "fundamentally bad character." Obsidian differentiates itself from other studios by enabling diverse skills in conversations, as seen in quests where players can use skills like Science, Barter, or Speech to influence outcomes. Sawyer explained the decision to eliminate the Big Guns skill to enhance gameplay fluidity and prevent underutilization of skills. He highlighted the importance of making each skill useful in unique ways to build player trust, referencing the design of Goodsprings and the variety of skills available in quests. Sawyer acknowledged the challenges of anticipating player needs in RPG design compared to tabletop games, aiming to provide players with rich experiences that celebrate their character choices. Obsidian employs measures like the "Karma Police" to ensure all skills receive attention in gameplay.
Thief: The Dark Project has a vibrant mapping community known for its creativity and ambition, producing content that often surpasses the original game. Nightdive Studios is remastering the game and emphasizes the importance of fan-created content in this process. A highly anticipated addition is The Black Parade, a fan-made campaign featuring ten missions designed by Romain Barrilliot, which won ModDB's number one mod of the year in 2023. The community is excited about its integration into the remaster, and Nightdive is committed to making fan-favorite missions accessible. Additionally, Eidos Montreal is developing a graphic novel set between the first two games and releasing related merchandise, including a new soundtrack.
Sally Beaumont began her gaming journey with Leisure Suit Larry and was inspired to pursue voice acting after playing The Curse of Monkey Island. Her portfolio includes titles like Harold Halibut, The Excavation of Hob's Barrow, Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, and she is the lead voice in the upcoming Old Skies. Currently, she is playing The Séance of Blake Manor and enjoys revisiting Nelly Cootalot. Beaumont has spent the most hours on Old Skies, using it to ground herself in her role, while Two Point Hospital is her most-played game outside of her work. She does not have a game she would never uninstall, as she prefers narrative-driven games with endings. Her essential non-gaming software is GoldWave, an audio editing tool. Beaumont describes her desktop as chaotic, with some organization but overall disarray.
Meccha Chameleon sold one million copies within a few days of its launch and reached 10 million copies sold less than a month later. Currently, nearly 200,000 players are engaged concurrently. The game's success is attributed to its timeless hide-and-seek gameplay, the trend of affordable low-spec multiplayer games, viral moments showcasing its unique gameplay, and its low price of six dollars. Despite some software issues, it has been described as an essential and engaging experience.
Spyro the Dragon has been remastered in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy, available on Steam. Developer Toys for Bob is working on a new game, Spyro: A Realm Beyond, set to release in 2027. A fan group is developing a PC port of the original Spyro the Dragon, with 88% of the game's functions and 58% of its bytecode decompiled. The port features 60FPS gameplay, true widescreen support, perspective correct textures, and no polygon wobble. It is being developed without AI, runs at 320FPS, and is still in early stages with some visual artifacts. The release of the port may come sooner than expected.
Mojang has introduced the Herschel Backpack Trials add-on for Minecraft, which allows players to expand their inventory to 16 pages and 384 slots. The add-on is free and includes challenges to increase bag capacity, as well as features like automatic sorting and a soul-bound function. However, some players have reported that their backpacks become empty upon logging back into the game. Despite this issue, the add-on has a 4.5-star rating on the Minecraft Marketplace. A bug report regarding the disappearing items remains unresolved.
Microsoft is offering Windows 11 Pro for .97, down from the regular price of 9, as part of its Deal Days promotion running until June 28. This offer includes a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro, which features advanced capabilities such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Azure AD support. The operating system also includes enhancements like Snap Layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and a Copilot AI Assistant. Users must ensure their PC meets the necessary system requirements before purchasing. Prices are subject to change.
