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AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Mirror’s Edge review (2009)

Wes Fenlon reflects on the evolution of the Mirror's Edge franchise, noting that only six years separated the original game from its sequel, Mirror's Edge Catalyst. Despite Catalyst's mixed reception, Fenlon maintains nostalgia for the original, particularly its vibrant cityscape and the iconic cloth physics supported by Nvidia's PhysX. A review by Graham Smith highlights the early levels of Mirror's Edge for their embodiment of free-running, with a design that emphasizes evasion over traditional combat, which can lead to frustration. The game's physicality and attention to detail enhance immersion, while the sensation of speed adds excitement to gameplay. Players navigate through jumping puzzles and environments that blend challenge and satisfaction, although the story mode is brief, taking about six hours to complete. Additional modes like Speed Run and Time Trial offer further challenges focused on movement. Overall, Mirror's Edge is recognized as a bold experiment in merging first-person platforming with traditional gameplay elements.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts

Campaigners are urging caution regarding a proposed ban on social media for individuals under 16, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has not conducted any internal modeling or analysis to assess the potential impacts of such a ban. The DSIT acknowledged that "clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist" in response to a Freedom of Information request. In legislative discussions, MPs rejected immediate restrictions on social media for minors, while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for action without guaranteeing prompt implementation. The government is piloting measures such as app bans, time restrictions, and overnight curfews with approximately 300 teenagers involved in a trial. Research led by Professor Amy Orben indicates gaps in understanding the relationship between children's mental health and digital technology use, highlighting the need for high-quality studies. The DSIT confirmed it has internal research on the subject but is withholding it to avoid misinterpretation. Burrows advocates for stronger regulation targeting online harm instead of outright bans, suggesting bans may not effectively address safety concerns. A DSIT spokesperson reiterated the commitment to building a strong evidence base and seeking public input before making decisions.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

The shooting at a school in Zakarpattia is being investigated as a terrorist act. The teenager, allegedly, was following instructions from unknown individuals via a messenger app

A shooting incident at a school in Zakarpattia has been classified as a terrorist act by authorities. A 15-year-old student discharged several rounds from a modified blank gun, injuring a classmate, who received prompt medical attention and is not in critical condition. Preliminary investigations indicate that the teenager acted under duress from unidentified individuals who threatened harm to his relatives if he did not comply with their demands. The shooter fled but was apprehended by patrol police shortly after. The Uzhhorod District Prosecutor's Office is overseeing the pre-trial investigation, which falls under Part 1 of Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Newzoo: More than half of PC revenue comes from games outside the Top 20

Recent insights from Newzoo indicate a shift in the gaming landscape, with games ranked outside the Top 20 gaining revenue and playtime in Western markets. Between 2022 and 2025, PC games in this category saw their revenue share increase from 48% to 56%, and playtime rise from 33% to 45%. This trend is notable in key markets such as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. While traditional shooter games are declining, genres like action RPGs and survival games are thriving, with titles such as Path of Exile 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds leading the way. By 2025, lower-ranked titles are projected to account for 38% of total revenue on PlayStation, up from 33% in 2022, with playtime for these titles increasing by 32%. On Xbox, games outside the Top 20 saw a 12% increase in playtime, representing 35% of revenue in 2025. Game Pass subscriptions are suggested to enhance playtime for these titles.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

PC Limited Time Freebie Is A Day One Party Game To Enjoy With Friends

Prop Sumo is a party game launched on April 9, 2026, available for free until April 16, 2026, on the Epic Games Store. Developed by Barrel Roll Games, it features nine dynamic and destructible maps where players use props and items to be the last 'prop' standing. The game supports 2 to 6 players in lobbies and offers public servers for global competition. After the free access period, there will be a 25% discount on Steam for purchasing the game.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

New DBD patch notes finally take aim at its troublesome stacking modifiers

Power creep has affected various online multiplayer games, including Dead by Daylight, where new Killers and Survivors have introduced complex gameplay mechanics and balance issues due to infinite stacking of in-game modifiers. The latest patch introduces the Diminishing Returns system, which modifies how gameplay modifiers and status effects interact during a Trial, applying a decay effect over time. The most effective modifier will provide a full bonus, while subsequent modifiers will yield reduced bonuses: the second will yield 50%, the third 25%, the fourth 12.5%, and any additional effects will contribute only 5%. Item addons remain unaffected by this system. This change aims to normalize modifier interactions, preserve game integrity, and facilitate the introduction of new powers, items, and perks. The Diminishing Returns system is currently live on the Dead by Daylight Public Test Build, alongside other updates such as color customization for auras and various buffs and nerfs for Killers and their addons. The update is part of Behaviour Interactive's ongoing efforts to refine Dead by Daylight's core systems, focusing on balancing gameplay while addressing player concerns.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Overwatch’s new hero Sierra has an ability that could mean she’s destined to dethrone Jetpack Cat as the most banned hero in ranked

Sierra is a new hero in Overwatch, featuring unique abilities showcased in a recent trailer. She can fire a pink dart that marks targets, allowing her bullets to curve and auto-aim at marked enemies. Unlike Soldier: 76, Sierra can use this mechanic more frequently without needing an ultimate ability. She also has a grappling feature to maneuver into advantageous positions and an ultimate ability that allows her to carpet bomb nearby enemies. Sierra's storyline involves her trying to prevent Emre from stealing a valuable asset from an Overwatch base. Players will not be able to trial her before her official launch on April 14.

AppWizard

April 8, 2026

Minecraft village features, loot, trades, and how to find them

Minecraft villages are important locations in the game, serving as resource-rich hubs for players. They can be found by looking for flickering lights at dusk or scanning for house silhouettes during the day. Players can also use specific seeds to locate villages directly. Villages contain various buildings, including libraries and cleric temples, which provide valuable resources like bookshelves and brewing stands. Villagers have specific trades that can be beneficial, such as: - Fletcher: Ideal for acquiring emeralds. - Librarian: Source of enchanted books. - Cartographer: Offers maps to mansions and oceans. Villagers can adopt professions when a profession block is placed nearby, except for Nitwits. Once traded with, a villager's trades remain fixed unless their profession block is removed. A list of villagers and their corresponding profession blocks includes: - Armorer - Blast Furnace - Butcher - Smoker - Cartographer - Cartography Table - Cleric - Brewing Stand - Farmer - Composter - Fisherman - Barrel - Fletcher - Fletching Table - Leatherworker - Cauldron - Librarian - Lectern - Mason - Stonecutter - Shepherd - Loom - Toolsmith - Smithing Table - Weaponsmith - Grindstone The fletcher is a good starting point for earning emeralds by trading sticks. Players can create and repeatedly break a fletching table to encourage trades. The librarian is crucial for obtaining enchanted books, with sought-after enchantments like Mending and Fortune linked to specific biomes. The cartographer offers maps to Woodland Mansions and Trial Chambers, which are essential for exploration.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Russia’s Digital Hydra Reaches Space With State-Backed MAX Messenger

Russia's state-backed messaging application, MAX, has facilitated over 1,000 messages between the International Space Station (ISS) and Earth. This was stated by Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, during an event in Moscow. Cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov is using MAX to communicate with the Roscosmos press office. The application allows developers to create their own sticker packs, with participation from celebrities and bloggers. MAX is promoted through mandatory pre-installation on devices sold in Russia, with some state functions requiring its use. Critics have described this rollout as coercive, viewing it as part of a strategy to promote domestic digital services. Russia recently launched 16 serial-production satellites for the Rassvet broadband system, marketed as an alternative to Starlink, although its current launch capabilities are limited.

AppWizard

April 5, 2026

Review of ‘DoNotNotify,’ a free Android app that filters and blocks unwanted smartphone notifications.

DoNotNotify is an Android app that allows users to manage their notification settings with a high degree of customization. Key features include: - Real-time notification blocking using Android's NotificationListenerService. - Creation of deny and allow lists for specific notifications. - Support for simple partial matching and regular expression patterns to filter notifications. - Scheduling rules to be active during specific time frames. - Over 40 pre-configured rules for popular applications. - Automatic addition of relevant rules when compatible apps are installed. - Customizable notification retention and review of received alerts. - Tracking of blocked notifications through a block history feature. - Ability to import and export rules as JSON files. - Offline operation without data collection. To install the app, users can download it from the Google Play Store, enable notification access, and manage rules through the app's interface. Users can create new rules based on their notification history and customize settings, although advanced filtering may require experimentation.