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Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word 'Immersive' in the name
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

Dishonored co-creator Harvey Smith launches a new studio and it literally has the word ‘Immersive’ in the name

Harvey Smith, former studio director at Arkane Austin, has founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive with executive producer Ben Horne. The studio aims to create imaginative first-person action RPGs with a focus on emergent game systems. The development team includes talent from companies like Arkane, Insomniac, Epic, Avalanche, and Volition. Black Pony Immersive's mission reflects a commitment to immersive storytelling and gameplay, inspired by the legacy of Looking Glass Studios. The closure of Arkane Austin in 2024 followed the poor performance of Redfall, but there is hope that some creative ideas from that period may be revived at Black Pony. Specific details about their first project are not yet disclosed, but hints are available on their website.
Thousands affected as Monzo app hit by ‘technical issues’
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

Thousands affected as Monzo app hit by ‘technical issues’

Monzo is experiencing technical issues affecting certain functionalities of its app, leading to the implementation of a temporary backup service called Monzo Stand-in. Users reported difficulties with the app, with over 3,000 outages noted on DownDetector. Despite the issues, customers can still check balances, make card payments, withdraw cash, freeze cards, and send or receive bank transfers. Monzo is actively investigating the problem and working on a fix to restore full service.
Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

Is a $1,200 gaming PC build in 2026 still possible?

The prices for essential PC gaming components have increased significantly, making it difficult to assemble a gaming rig within the ,000 to ,500 range. It is still possible to build a system capable of running popular games like Counter Strike 2 and Valorant, as well as more demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Resident Evil Requiem, while also preparing for future releases such as GTA 6. A curated selection of components for a gaming PC totals approximately ,294, which includes: - Case: Gamemax M60 Micro ATX - CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (9) - CPU cooler: MSI MAG COREFROZR AA13 - Motherboard: ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi (9) - RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2x8GB DDR5 6000 () - GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Gaming OC V2 8GB (9) - SSD: Kingston NV3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, 1TB () - PSU: ASRock PRO-650G 650W The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a six-core processor operating at 3.9 GHz, priced at 9. The MSI MAG COREFROZR AA13 CPU cooler has a maximum thermal design power (TDP) of 240W. The ASRock B650M Pro RS WiFi motherboard includes integrated WiFi. The RAM configuration consists of two 8GB sticks of Corsair's DDR5 6000 RAM, priced at . The RTX 5060 8GB graphics card is noted as a solid entry-level gaming GPU. The selected 1TB M.2 SSD costs , and the ASRock PRO-650G 650W power supply unit ensures stability for the system.
Is VLC taking an agonizingly long time to start up on Windows 11? Microsoft Defender is to blame
Winsage
August 19, 2026

Is VLC taking an agonizingly long time to start up on Windows 11? Microsoft Defender is to blame

Users of VLC on Windows 11 have experienced delays of up to 33 seconds for MP3 playback due to a bug in Microsoft Defender that interferes with VLC's plugin cache. VideoLAN has clarified that this issue is not a reflection of VLC's reliability. Affected users can resolve the problem by adding the VLC folder as an exception in Windows Defender or by regenerating the plugin cache. Jonathan Blow, a game developer, highlighted the issue in a tweet, prompting discussions about the state of open-source software. Other users have reported similar delays, even on Windows 10. VideoLAN emphasized that the problem lies with Microsoft Defender, not with VLC itself.
Windows 11 is getting a major privacy upgrade, blocks apps spying on your camera and mic with new controls
Winsage
August 19, 2026

Windows 11 is getting a major privacy upgrade, blocks apps spying on your camera and mic with new controls

Windows 11 has introduced individual privacy controls for desktop applications, allowing users to manage access permissions for apps like Chrome and Steam through Settings > Privacy & security. This change enables users to selectively grant or deny access to features such as the microphone, camera, and location for each app, moving away from the previous system where traditional Win32 software was grouped under a single toggle. With the latest Experimental build (26340.9212), apps like Edge and Brave now have separate toggles for microphone, camera, and location access. Additionally, a new centered system dialog prompts users for permission when a desktop app attempts to access the microphone or camera for the first time. These features are still in testing and may not be universally available.
Microsoft admits Windows 11's context menus are "cluttered and sluggish": Announces major upgrades to the right-click menu that increases performance and customizability
Winsage
August 19, 2026

Microsoft admits Windows 11’s context menus are “cluttered and sluggish”: Announces major upgrades to the right-click menu that increases performance and customizability

Microsoft has announced a major redesign of the context menus in File Explorer and on the desktop for Windows 11, aimed at improving the right-click experience by making it faster, less cluttered, and more customizable. Preview builds with the new context menu are being rolled out for Windows Insiders for testing and feedback. The updated menu addresses previous issues of clutter and sluggishness, allowing for a simpler and quicker user experience. Users can customize their context menus by enabling or disabling specific actions and hiding third-party app extensions. Additionally, users have the option to revert to the Windows 10 context menu layout within Windows 11. The new layout presents fewer actions and allows main commands to be listed inline, with Properties moved to the bottom. A broader rollout of these features is expected later this fall.
I modded GTA 5 into a life-sim RPG with mining, foraging, a mini-economy, and the ability to fall asleep in the middle of the road
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

I modded GTA 5 into a life-sim RPG with mining, foraging, a mini-economy, and the ability to fall asleep in the middle of the road

Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to offer an immersive gaming experience that blurs the lines between the virtual world and reality, surpassing the immersive potential of Grand Theft Auto 5. A notable mod for GTA 5, called Roleplay Alone, transforms the game into a pseudo-life simulator, introducing quirky tasks for characters like Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, such as mining ores and distributing cannabis. In this mod, players can see Franklin mining with one hand while wearing a stylish jumper, and the gameplay includes humorous moments, like collapsing from exhaustion. Although the mod does not make GTA 5 fully immersive, it provides an entertaining diversion with mundane tasks, including fishing, which adds to the exploration and creativity within the game.
Microsoft finally fixing File Explorer and the Context Menu
Winsage
August 19, 2026

Microsoft finally fixing File Explorer and the Context Menu

Microsoft is transforming its File Explorer and context menu to improve user experience and address quality concerns. CEO Satya Nadella has acknowledged the need to regain user loyalty, as File Explorer has faced issues like feature bloat and performance instability. The updated context menu, currently in the Experimental Windows Insider Channel, aims to reduce clutter and sluggishness, allowing users to access essential functions easily and customize their experience. Microsoft has also reintroduced the movable Taskbar and options to restore the Windows 10 context menu style, indicating a shift towards prioritizing user preferences.
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