trend Archives

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Deus Ex, Marathon actor Elias Toufexis doesn’t get why people root for games to fail: ‘Life is so short, man’

Elias Toufexis, known for his role as Adam Jensen, discussed his experiences with social media during a conversation with PC Gamer's Ted Litchfield at GDC. He expressed fatigue with the negativity on platforms like X and admitted to struggling with engaging in controversial discussions. Toufexis highlighted a specific instance of outrage directed at Bungie, noting a comment wishing for the studio's failure due to perceived political ideologies. He welcomed constructive criticism but criticized the excessive negativity and outrage culture online. Toufexis reflected on the scrutiny faced by projects like Starfield and Star Trek: Discovery regarding diversity initiatives, finding some criticisms to be unproductive. Despite these challenges, he observed a shift towards more positive comments in online reviews and expressed hope for a more constructive online discourse in the future.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Steam Giving Away $40 Game for Free

PC gamers can download Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War for free until May 28. The game, developed by Proxy Studios and Slitherine, is a turn-based 4X strategy title released in 2018, set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. It has a Metacritic score of 71 and an 81% approval rating based on over 5,152 user reviews on Steam. Players can choose from four factions and engage in tactical warfare without diplomacy or technological advancements. While there is extensive downloadable content available, the base game provides a complete experience on its own.

Winsage

May 24, 2026

Windows in Transition: From Tool to Entry Point into the Microsoft Ecosystem

Windows 7 was launched in 2009 and was known for its reliability and user-friendly interface. Windows 8, released in October 2012, marked a significant shift in Microsoft's approach by prioritizing touch control and eliminating the classic Start menu, which alienated desktop users. Windows 7 introduced features like Libraries and Windows Media Center, many of which were removed or obscured in later versions. Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in January 2020. Windows 10, launched in July 2015, reintroduced the Start menu and offered a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users. Windows 11 was launched on October 5, 2021, with stricter hardware requirements, including TPM 2.0, which excluded many existing PCs from upgrading. The evolution of Windows reflects a trend towards integrating Microsoft services and subscription models, diminishing user autonomy. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, pressuring users to transition to Windows 11 or consider alternatives.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

PlayStation’s Single-Player PC Push Reportedly Comes to an End

PlayStation has announced that its narrative-driven single-player titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation platform, ending a six-year trend of releasing these games on PC. This update was shared by Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, during a town hall meeting on May 18, 2026. The decision reflects a broader industry trend towards valuing exclusive content to strengthen brand identity and maintain a competitive edge.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

Google’s got disco icons for your Pixel phone, and everyone’s already taking them too far

Disco-themed app icons have gained popularity, initially conceptualized by Pixly’s Race Johnson. Android head Sameer Samat announced that these icons are now officially available as a custom style for the Pixel Launcher. This move reflects an embrace of the disco trend, which has received mixed reactions, particularly among Spotify users. The disco icons serve as a fresh preset within the Pixel Launcher’s customizable icon styles. Google’s Dieter Bohn has showcased his home screen featuring the disco icons. Pixel users are encouraged to share their experiences with the new aesthetic.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

‘Off the wishlist it comes’: 007 First Light fans are requesting refunds after learning about Denuvo DRM addition ahead of launch

IO Interactive has decided to implement Denuvo Digital Rights Management (DRM) into the game 007 First Light just days before its launch, leading to significant discontent among potential players who have expressed their frustrations on Steam and initiated refund requests. Players criticize Denuvo for its impact on game performance and restrictions on PC users, with many stating they will not purchase the game at launch as a result. Denuvo has faced scrutiny for its effectiveness, as many games have been cracked despite its use. The likelihood of IO Interactive reversing its decision to include Denuvo seems low, reflecting a trend among game publishers prioritizing anti-piracy measures over consumer satisfaction.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Minecraft-playing grandma swatted when livestreaming to raise funds for grandson’s cancer treatment

An 81-year-old Arizona grandmother, Sue Jacquot, known as “GrammaCrackers,” was involved in a swatting incident during a Minecraft fundraiser for her grandson's cancer treatment. Jacquot streamed her gameplay for 15 days to raise funds for her grandson, Jack Self, who has sarcoma cancer, garnering significant community support. On a recent Monday, police responded to a false report claiming Jacquot had been shot, leading to a tactical response from law enforcement. The malicious call falsely alleged that Jack had harmed his grandmother and threatened to take his own life. Despite the incident, Jacquot remains committed to her gaming and fundraising efforts. Police are investigating the swatting call.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Flashback: The 2016 Chrome and Android‑apps story that predicted today’s Googlebooks moment

Google announced that later this year, users will be able to run full Android applications on their Chromebooks through the integration of the Google Play Store, providing access to over a million Android apps. This development marks a significant advantage for Chrome OS, which previously lacked native applications. Despite the advancements, Google faces challenges in changing consumer perceptions, as Chromebooks do not support essential software like Photoshop or full versions of Microsoft Office. The competition between Google and Microsoft intensifies, with Google gaining momentum amid declining Windows PC sales, particularly in the educational sector.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Dune: Awakening has decided it’s ‘not an MMO’ anymore

The author has been writing professionally about video games for three years and finds the English language's insistence on defining concepts, particularly genres, frustrating. They highlight the ongoing debate about the classification of the game Deadlock as either a MOBA or a hero shooter. Joel Bylos, the director of Dune: Awakening, stated that his game does not fit the mold of an MMO, despite opinions suggesting it might be a hybrid. The author leans towards categorizing Dune: Awakening as an action RPG due to its stronghold management feature, illustrating the complexity of genre definitions in gaming.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

I’ve been playing games for 40 years, writing about them for 20, and I’m here to say parts of Roblox need to be legislated out of existence

An experiment by Professor Marcus Carter's team found that children quickly converted gift cards into Robux on Roblox, raising concerns about the platform's monetization strategies, which include deceptive practices in 14 of the top 15 games. Tactics like "near miss" visuals and countdown timers encourage spending, while many children reported being scammed through item swaps and gem-doubling schemes. Complaints to the Federal Trade Commission from organizations like Fairplay and the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation highlight how Roblox's design exploits children's developmental vulnerabilities, particularly impulse control. One case involved a 10-year-old girl who spent over ,000 in two months despite parental attempts to limit purchases. Critics argue that Roblox prioritizes profit over user well-being, with features designed to maximize engagement rather than genuine enjoyment. Experts advocate for legislative changes to address these issues, warning that without intervention, Roblox will continue to exploit young users.