tribute Archives

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Why I love Diablo 2, Act 1

Diablo 2's Act 1 features haunting landscapes that evoke nostalgia and adventure, connecting players to the original Diablo through familiar settings like Blood Moor, graveyards, and the monastery. The environments draw inspiration from classic horror films, offering a cinematic quality. Players can explore various points of interest or venture into hidden dungeons. Combat includes diverse enemies such as corrupted rogues and goatmen, with an engaging soundtrack enhancing the experience. Returning to Tristram reveals its destruction, with the blacksmith Griswold transformed into an undead figure. The Catacombs serve as a nod to the first game, filled with rat men and gargoyles, creating an atmosphere of mystery and danger.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Minecraft players recreate Brunei landmarks for National Day

On February 25, 2026, players of Planet Brunei Reborn (PBR), the longest-running Minecraft server in Brunei Darussalam, participated in a digital homage to the nation’s National Day by reconstructing significant Bruneian landmarks. This initiative began in mid-January and aimed to blend creativity with personal storytelling. Players received in-game currency and ranks as appreciation for their contributions. Notable creations included the Menara Cendera Kenangan, crafted by player Danialhandsome, and Brunei International Airport, recreated by Sub7PewDiePie12 and his team. Since its relaunch in 2022, PBR has attracted over 2,000 registered players and hosts regular community events, serving as a cultural hub for celebrating Brunei’s heritage.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Chaotic, Comedic Sports Roguelike Pro Jank Footy, Tackles PC, Consoles in 2026

Pro Jank Footy is an arcade comedy-sports game that will debut on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch in 2026. It is co-developed by Powerbomb Games and Tinker Town, and published by Umbrella Gaming. The game features solo and local head-to-head matches, as well as online multiplayer battles, with a power-up system that includes 150 different cards that can change gameplay dynamics. Players can choose from ten clubs in a single-player Season Mode. The creative team includes David Ashby, Cam Rogers, and Tyler Roach, with commentary by Broden Kelly. Powerbomb Games, established in 2024, is based in Adelaide, South Australia, and Pro Jank Footy is their first title. A demo will be available during the Steam Next Fest.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Cozy-punk record shop sim Wax Heads is spinning onto PC and consoles on May 5, 2026

Indie developer Patattie Games, in collaboration with publisher Curve Games, will launch the game Wax Heads on May 5, 2026, available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of a team member at Repeater Records, a vinyl shop, engaging with customers and making choices that affect their experience. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 3. The game features over 80 in-game records, more than 60 hand-drawn characters, and over 30 original songs. Key features include a handcrafted musical world, an emotional narrative, puzzle designs, and a comic book art style. Patattie Games is co-founded by Murray Somerwolff and Rothio Tome, while Curve Games is an award-winning publisher based in London.

AppWizard

February 18, 2026

Gemini’s music generator is here, and I think this is where everyday AI gets interesting

Gemini now generates 30-second songs with lyrics based on text prompts or photos, powered by Google's Lyria 3 model. Users can type a prompt or upload an image/video to create a share-ready song with custom cover art. The feature includes automatic lyric generation, style control, and produces more realistic audio. It will debut on YouTube Shorts in the U.S. and expand globally, allowing for customizable backing tracks and lyrics for short videos. Each track includes SynthID, an invisible watermark for identifying AI-generated content. Lyria 3 is available in the Gemini app for users aged 18 and older, supporting multiple languages. The launch will start on desktop, with mobile access planned, and higher usage limits for subscribers to Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

This Final Fantasy 14 player house looks shockingly close to my favorite Phasmophobia map despite being made entirely of regular FF14 props

A player known as @wwYukiwww has recreated the iconic map 6 Tanglewood Drive from Phasmophobia within the housing system of Final Fantasy 14. The design uses available furnishings to mimic the haunted house's atmosphere, showcasing a ceiling fan made from four Antique Wall Shelves and a Metal Work Lantern. Yuki's project highlights the challenge of fitting intricate designs within a 400-item limit, and they have also recreated Level 974 from The Backrooms in a compact FF14 apartment. Players have a history of pushing the boundaries of FF14's housing system, employing innovative techniques to create unique designs. The community continues to thrive as Square Enix expands furniture and architectural options, fostering creativity despite the game's limitations.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

Old-school MMO Project: Gorgon launches into 1.0 with an update that adds ‘by far the largest and most complex map we’ve ever made’

Project: Gorgon has emerged from Steam early access, featuring straightforward 3D graphics and a minimally guided leveling experience that encourages exploration. The recent 1.0 update introduced the capital city of Statehelm, which is the largest map created by the developers and includes 200 new quests and character progression up to level 100. The update also brought new character models, revisions to combat wisdom mechanics, crafting epiphanies for master craftsmen, and refinements to player-run vendor stalls. A notable change in the game is that "skeletons are no longer contortionists." A demo is available for players to experience the game up to level 15, and a 25% launch discount is offered until February 4, reducing the price to £15.74.

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

PostgreSQL for WMS: a DBMS selection strategy in the era of import substitution

Choosing a Database Management System (DBMS) for Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) is a strategic decision that impacts security, budget, and adaptability. PostgreSQL is identified as a safe, cost-effective, and future-proof solution for Russian warehouse systems, especially following the withdrawal of foreign vendors like Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server. Starting September 1, 2025, foreign software usage in government bodies and companies with over 50% state ownership will face legal restrictions, posing regulatory risks for those using Oracle. Financial risks include high licensing fees and the potential for legal prohibitions on current technologies. Business continuity risks arise from the possibility of vendors ceasing support and updates. PostgreSQL, both in its vanilla form and commercial derivatives like Postgres Pro, is presented as a robust alternative capable of handling high loads and providing necessary features for modern WMS. It supports real-time analytics and advanced capabilities such as intelligent search and automatic classification using neural networks. Key considerations when choosing a DBMS include estimating data volumes, checking legal requirements, and calculating total cost of ownership (TCO).

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

81-year-old Minecraft YouTuber thanks fans after fundraising supports grandson’s cancer treatment

GrammaCrackers, a Minecraft YouTuber, thanked her supporters for raising tens of thousands of dollars for her grandson Jack's cancer treatment. Sue Jacquot, 81, started her YouTube channel in 2024 to support Jack, who was battling sarcoma cancer. By early 2026, her channel had over 300,000 followers. A GoFundMe campaign linked to her videos raised nearly ,000. Jack is now cancer-free but continues regular check-ups. On January 19, Jacquot expressed her gratitude to her audience, mentioning an upcoming stream with Jack and his mother. Supporters created a coin in her name, raising over ,000 in one day. Jacquot's other grandson, Austin, also expressed the family's gratitude on the GoFundMe page.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Edition is the absolute gold standard of remasters

The PC Gamer team highlighted System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Edition as a standout remaster in 2025. Nightdive Studios approached the remaster by removing outdated elements instead of adding modern graphics enhancements, allowing players to experience the game as originally intended. The remaster incorporates community-driven improvements from popular modding projects, honoring the game's legacy and maintaining its core elements. The experience retains the sense of dread and discovery, appealing to both new players and veterans. Nightdive's focus on preserving the original spirit while enhancing accessibility reflects their respect for the source material.