tactics Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

This week in PC games: a trio of surreal shooters, a big Stellaris expansion, and a new RPG from Octopath Traveller devs

This week features the Steam Next Fest, showcasing numerous game demos and playtests. Notable new game releases include: - Stellaris: Nomads: Introduces migrant civilizations with planet-scale spaceships in a 4X strategy game. - Day Trade Coach: A stock market trading simulator with a live news feed and professional trading terminal interface. - Mole: Players pilot a drill guided by whispers from the deceased in a whimsical setting. - Alaric: A "boomer shooter" with metroidvania design elements. - Copa City: A football management game set in 2026, focusing on the chaos of fan influx. - GoblinAmerica: An early access FPS where players embody US presidents to restore order and rewrite history. - The Last Salvage Squad: Features anime robots battling UFOs. - A four-dimensional chess game concept. Additional noteworthy titles include: - R-Type Tactics I • II Cosmos: A remastered collection of turn-based PSP R-Type games. - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales: An action-RPG with "2D-HD" graphics by veterans of Octopath Traveller. - Mech Spa: A nurturing game focused on mechs. - Mythic Love: Iberian Legends: An otome visual novel exploring Iberian folklore. - The Quiet Things: An autobiographical narrative addressing childhood trauma. - Moon River: A short RPG where players navigate a river revealed by moonlight, marking its full release. The Treehouse team is engaged in various activities, including urban adventures, exploring fungal brains, and artistic projects.

Winsage

June 14, 2026

When Windows 7 Arrived in Japan, It Came Printed on Toilet Paper

On October 22, 2009, Japan launched Windows 7, accompanied by a unique promotional item: a roll of toilet paper featuring Windows 7 branding and details about its enhancements. This marketing strategy was similar to the previous promotion for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. The toilet paper included messages about Windows 7's speed, security, and compatibility improvements, with sections detailing faster startup times, enhanced memory management, a streamlined user interface, and security features like the Action Center and BitLocker To Go. Networking capabilities were improved with HomeGroup, and Windows Media Center expanded its functionality. The design of the promotional toilet paper allowed users to revisit key points easily, and some versions mimicked Windows software boxes. This initiative was driven by local retailers, reflecting Japan's trend of quirky promotions in the electronics retail sector.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

1991 NES and PC Strategy Game is Coming to Modern Consoles

L’Empereur, a classic turn-based historical strategy game, has been re-released through the Console Archives project on the Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The game allows players to take on the role of Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars, focusing on conquering Europe while managing military and civil affairs. The Console Archives edition is priced at .99 and includes enhancements such as customizable button layouts, rapid-fire settings, multiple save points, and a rewind function. It also features screen layout adjustments and filters to replicate the look of CRT televisions.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Weekend PC Game Deals: Anno 117, Final Fantasy VII, Rematch, and more

The Epic Games Store is offering free copies of Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks and The Ouroboros King until June 11. Speed Freeks is a multiplayer racing game featuring Ork vehicles, while Ouroboros King combines chess with tactical roguelike elements. The Humble Store has launched The Complete Inkle Library charity bundle, which includes Heaven's Vault and other titles, available for nearly three weeks. The GOG store is also featuring DRM-free discounts on various games, with offers for members and limited-time promotions. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

BetaBeacon

June 13, 2026

Friday’s Android app deals and freebies: Montezuma 2, Majesty, Slaps And Beans 2, more

The Android app price drops include Slaps And Beans 2, Plancon: Space Conflict, Montezuma 2: Premium, Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom, Strategy & Tactics:USSR vs USA, MiniChess by Kasparov, FootLOL: Crazy Soccer Premium, Yumsters! Premium, Stickman Warriors Dragon Hero, RPG Soul Historica, Stick Warrior SuperHero Dragon, Roll Player – The Board Game, Birds On A Wire Premium, Rusty Axe, RPG Ambition Record, Defense Zone HD, [Premium] RPG Fernz Gate, RPG Silver Nornir, Defense Zone 3 Ultra HD, Ash of Gods: Redemption, RPG Asdivine Hearts, RPG Alphadia Genesis, Premium- Marenian Tavern Story, Majesty－The Northern Expansion, Dungeon Shooter : Dark Temple, Farm Frenzy Premium, The Tiny Bang Story: Premium, Tempest: Pirate RPG Premium, King of Dragon Pass: Text RPG, Dungeon Maker, Espana – Icon Pack, EmeraLine – Icon Pack, Drop Dark – Icon Pack, Dropicon Cut – Icon Pack, Pixel Ring Drop – Icon Pack, Linea – Icon Pack, Cat Quest III, Cat Quest II, Cat Quest, Undead Slayer: Offline Premium, WINCH IT OUT, Cooking Quest VIP : Food Wagon, Football Referee Simulator, Hybrid Warrior VIP, 1941 Frozen Front Premium, SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake, Swim Out, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, Don’t Starve: Shipwrecked, Human Fall Flat, Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom, Guns’n’Glory WW2 Premium, Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, Wall of insanity, Slaughter: The Lost Outpost, Falltopia Plus: Epic Space RPG, Warrior In Dungeon, I.F.O: Casual Retro Shooter, Favela Kick: The Final Goal, [VIP] Missile Dude RPG : idle, SkySafari 8 Pro, Cultist Simulator, Zombie Age 3 Premium: Survival, Space Rush, Through the Darkest of Times, Exolotl : Zian, Guns’n’Glory Heroes Premium, Is This Seat Taken?, Alien Shooter, Contact Edge side bar, OsmAnd+ — Maps & GPS Offline, Words Everywhere PRO, Bookmark Manager – URL manager, The Ramen Sensei, Demon Castle Story, Chloe Puzzle Game Pro, Hot Springs Story 2, Avalar: Raid of Shadow Premium, Shadow Hunter: Offline Premium, Legends of Heropolis DX, Game Dev Story, Pro Wrestler Story, Dungeon Village 2, Dream Town Island, Pocket Academy 3, Lines Square – White Icon Pack, Material You Square Icon Pack, Bubble – Icon Pack, Fledermaus – Square Icon Pack, Gems Icon Pack, Regularly 0 Google Nest Doorbell, The House of Da Vinci 3, Tag of Driving, Endurance: dead space Premium, Final Castle Defence:Idle RPG, AVARIS3, Romopolis, Over The Bridge PRO, Dungeon Squad, Mindcop, Universe Invader 2: Premium, Hero of the Kingdom: Tales 1, Roundguard, Evertale, Pixel Blade M VIP, Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia, Under Leaves, Blueberry – icon pack, Orange Citrus Icon Pack, Lines Square – Neon icon Pack, Square Clear White Icon Pack, Square Clear – Icon Pack, Dotted Lines – Snake, Eco inc. Save the Earth.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Hackers Use Fake Windows Update Installers to Deliver OnyxC2 Credential Stealer

OnyxC2 is a sophisticated credential stealer available for a subscription fee of 0 per month, distributed through disguised lures such as fake Windows updates and legitimate software installers. It functions as a commercial product with features like an automated payload builder, tiered licensing, and a centralized web dashboard. The malware boasts a 99% detection-evasion rate, successfully evading major antivirus solutions during tests. It is developed in C++, utilizing direct system calls and mutating with each build to avoid detection. OnyxC2 collects data from around 210 applications, targeting 45 web browsers, password managers, cryptocurrency wallets, and FTP clients. The malware is delivered using DLL sideloading, where a password-protected archive contains a legitimate application and a malicious DLL. The attacker's DLL is disguised by inflating its size and is loaded by a trusted binary. The malicious code remains encrypted on disk and decrypts in memory to evade analysis. OnyxC2 communicates with a Cloudflare-fronted command-and-control server to manage infected hosts and execute commands like hardware registration and cookie uploads. The threat extends to business environments, targeting FTP and email clients, with stolen session cookies allowing ongoing access to corporate infrastructure. Implementing anti-data exfiltration controls is recommended as a mitigation strategy.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Dutch non-profit set to take Valve to court for keeping game prices high

The Netherlands' Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCCF) has launched a campaign against Valve, the parent company of Steam, alleging unfair commercial practices related to Valve's 30% commission on game sales, which they claim inflates prices across all PC storefronts. The CCCF argues that this commission structure pressures publishers and developers to raise prices, affecting competitive pricing on other platforms like the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. They also allege that Valve prohibits publishers from offering lower prices on competing platforms and has engaged in "geo-blocking" to restrict the activation of Steam keys purchased in Eastern Europe for use in Western Europe. Valve president Gabe Newell denies these allegations, asserting that there is no policy preventing lower pricing on other platforms. The CCCF claims that Dutch gamers may have overpaid by more than 220 million euros due to these practices. Legal challenges against Valve are mounting, including a class-action lawsuit concerning loot boxes and an antitrust suit from Wolfire Games.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

France’s Government Messaging App Tchap Got Breached

On June 7, 2026, Tchap, the French government's encrypted messaging platform for civil servants, experienced a significant breach detected by ANSSI. The breach resulted from a compromised user account and involved the education shard of Tchap, specifically targeting matrix.agent.education.tchap.gouv.fr. Approximately 650,000 messages, data from over 73,000 accounts, and about 13.5GB of documents and media files were allegedly scraped. The attacker also claimed to have discovered hardcoded LDAP credentials leaked through a PowerShell script shared by a regional director of the French tax authority. DINUM, the French Digital Affairs Directorate, stated that private conversations on Tchap are end-to-end encrypted and that the compromised account has been blocked. They notified CNIL about the potential exposure of personal data and reminded users to avoid sharing sensitive information in public chat rooms. The breach follows a mandate from Prime Minister François Bayrou in August 2025 requiring all civil servants to use Tchap, increasing its attractiveness as a target for cyber threats. The investigation into the breach is ongoing.

Winsage

June 10, 2026

Windows 11’s June update shuts down an intentional BitLocker backdoor with full file access

Microsoft addressed three zero-day vulnerabilities identified by security researcher Nightmare-Eclipse, named YellowKey, GreenPlasma, and MiniPlasma. The YellowKey vulnerability allows access to BitLocker-protected drives on Windows 11 using a USB key, leading to allegations that Microsoft may have left a backdoor in BitLocker. Microsoft implemented a mitigation strategy included in the June 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, which addressed over 200 security flaws. Tensions arose between Microsoft and Nightmare-Eclipse regarding vulnerability reporting protocols and researcher compensation, with Microsoft initially threatening legal action against the researcher. Following backlash, Microsoft retracted the threat but tensions persisted. Nightmare-Eclipse claimed retaliation from Microsoft, including the banning of their GitHub account and deletion of their Microsoft account, which Microsoft denied. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and the relationship between tech companies and security researchers.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2026

Don’t get victimized by this updated version of the McAfee email scam

Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent McAfee renewal notices claiming users owe money for antivirus subscriptions they never purchased. These emails create a sense of urgency, warning that devices are unprotected or that charges will be processed automatically. The scams have become more sophisticated, using AI-generated emails and counterfeit invoices to appear credible. Although Microsoft is the most impersonated company, McAfee scams are on the rise, featuring messages about expiring or automatically renewed subscriptions costing hundreds of dollars. Victims are often misled into contacting scammers posing as customer-service agents, who may request sensitive information or control over their devices. McAfee advises customers to verify subscription status through their official website and not to respond to unsolicited emails. Warning signs of these scams include suspicious sender addresses, generic greetings, grammatical errors, unusually large charges, and urgent demands for action. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about tech-support and antivirus scams, urging them to report phishing emails and monitor accounts for unauthorized activity.