unconventional approach Archives

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Hardware hacker installs Minecraft server on a cheap smart lightbulb — single 192 MHz RISC-V core with 276KB of RAM, enough to run tiny 90K byte world

A hardware hacker named Vimpo installed a Minecraft server on a budget-friendly smart lightbulb, utilizing the bulb's BL602 RISC-V-powered microcontroller. Vimpo disassembled an LED bulb from AliExpress, soldered connections to its headers, and used a USB-to-serial adapter for communication. The software aspect involved using Ucraft, a compact implementation available on GitHub, which has a binary size of approximately 46K bytes without authentication and 90K bytes with it. Memory usage varies with active players, reaching a maximum of around 70K bytes with 10 players connected. Ucraft, however, lacks most features of the vanilla server.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

GRTV News – Warner Bros. wants A Minecraft Movie to sweep the Oscars

Warner Bros is launching an Oscar campaign for the upcoming Minecraft movie, promoting it for various categories, including Best Director for Jared Hess and Best Actor for Jack Black. The studio has had a successful year with notable releases, including the DC Universe films and the Minecraft movie, which has performed well at the box office. Historically, blockbuster films like the Minecraft adaptation are typically recognized in technical categories, although skepticism exists about its potential to compete for top honors at the Oscars.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Surprise Steam update adds a new feature I never knew I needed

Valve has introduced a new Steam calendar feature that provides a streamlined list view of upcoming PC game releases. This feature allows players to easily track anticipated games and reduces the chances of missing out on releases. It highlights wishlisted games and suggests titles based on individual gaming habits. The calendar is particularly useful for gamers who follow multiple releases, especially within the indie scene, while casual gamers may find it less beneficial. Users can access their personal calendar on the Steam platform.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

This week in PC games: System Shock 2 remastered, multiple Warhammer 40,000 dogs, and an unexpected continuation of toilet theming

The text discusses various new PC game releases for the week, including: - Rentlord: A real estate roguelike game focused on maximizing rent while avoiding taxes. - Shuffle Tactics: A tactical RPG with deckbuilding mechanics inspired by classic games. - Lex Imperialis: A story expansion for Rogue Trader that continues exploring the Arbites theme. - Nanomon Virtual Pet: A light-hearted virtual pet game. - Condo: A free walking simulator set in an apartment complex during insomnia. - Dungeon Mori: A dungeon crawler that may not appeal to everyone. - Antro: A rhythmic 2.5D platformer about a courier aiming to overthrow a regime. - Untitled Shoes Game: A playful game showcasing creative design.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

I’ve played my share of cozy games, and Tales of the Shire is definitely one for the maximalist decorators

The author enjoys a cluttered and eclectic decorating style, inspired by the hobbit design ethos introduced in "Tales of the Shire" in 2024. During a demo at the Summer Game Fest, they focused on rearranging furniture and creating decorative piles in their hobbit home, finding joy in the creative freedom of decoration. The gameplay allowed for a whimsical approach to cooking and decorating, although the cooking mechanics felt somewhat lackluster. The author appreciated the minimal restrictions on moving items and transforming their space, envisioning a chaotic garden that would defy real-world norms. Despite enjoying the decorating aspects, they found the interactions with villagers to be generic and lacking depth compared to other games like Animal Crossing.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

I did Liberation Day tariffs in Victoria 3, and it all went well until the famine in Colorado, the 2 lost wars with Canada, and the president beating a man to death with a stick

An individual used the video game Victoria 3 to explore economic policies related to the U.S. Liberation Day tariffs. They adopted a strategy of extreme protectionism by imposing 100% tariffs, which initially increased cash flow but led to shortages and famine. In an attempt to address these issues, the player invested in maize farms, which drained the treasury and worsened the financial crisis. The protagonist then decided to invade Canada to rally national pride and boost the economy, achieving initial military success but ultimately facing setbacks due to British reinforcements and internal insurrection. The invasion resulted in a costly peace settlement, further destabilizing the economy and government legitimacy. The game ended with a crash, prompting reflections on the complexities of economic policy and governance.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

If your Oblivion Remastered save files are mysteriously disappearing or not syncing between devices, don’t worry: It’s not your fault, they’re just getting sent to the wrong place

Owning a Steam Deck allows gamers to play titles on the go, but players have reported issues with save files for Oblivion Remastered disappearing. Bethesda is investigating the problem, which stems from the game storing save files in C:Users[yourusername]DocumentsMy Games instead of alongside other titles. Some users have found success with syncing, while others face challenges that require manual file transfers or disabling OneDrive. The game is Steam Deck verified and claims to be cloud save compatible, but many players are frustrated with the current save file management.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Elder Scrolls Online celebrates its 10th anniversary a year late by selling off 2,000 pieces of its servers

Nightdive Studios announced a remaster of System Shock 2 to celebrate its 25th anniversary, despite the game originally launching 26 years ago. Bethesda is selling fragments of The Elder Scrolls Online servers for its 10th anniversary celebration, which occurred a year after the actual anniversary in April of the previous year. Bethesda's keepsake is intended for players commemorating over a decade of the game, although it is technically one year late. Additionally, a new storyline titled Seasons of the Worm Cult is set to be released, described as a sequel to the base game storyline.

Winsage

March 18, 2025

Gaming on Windows on Arm is getting pretty cool

Linux offers a variety of distributions, each with unique features, such as NixOS, Pop_OS! for Nvidia compatibility, Debian for stability, and lightweight options like Q4OS. Many individuals rely on a few fingers for typing despite formal training, questioning the efficiency of using all ten fingers. Windows 11 integrates OneDrive for backing up essential folders, which some users find cumbersome. QD-OLED monitors can experience burn-in, affecting visuals after a year of use. The Dell Inspiron 8500 is often remembered as a first laptop that sparked interest in technology. The rollout of Windows 11 version 24H2 has users debating whether to upgrade, with some preferring to wait for broader availability. Alternatives to Windows File Explorer, such as OneCommander and Total Commander, are being explored by users. The purchase of a first graphics card, like the GTX 760, marks a significant moment in PC building for many. Music streaming preferences vary among users, with platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music being popular choices. Content creators often prefer tools like Greenshot for capturing screenshots due to reliability. Linux desktop environments, such as KDE, allow for aesthetic customization. Transforming an old PC into a smart home hub can enhance living spaces by integrating devices. The first app installed on a new system often reflects personal habits, with browsers like Firefox or gaming platforms like Steam being common choices.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Jeff Minter is remaking another Atari classic, and yeah, it is definitely a Jeff Minter game

Jeff Minter is developing a remake of the classic arcade shooter, I, Robot, originally launched by Atari in 1984. The game features a "3D kaleidoscopic visualizer" and challenges players to evade an all-seeing eye while navigating through a treacherous tube filled with enemies. Minter's remake will retain the essence of classic Atari gameplay and include "arena levels" with waves of foes. The original I, Robot had a limited production of fewer than 1,000 units at launch but has since gained a cult following for its pioneering use of real-time 3D polygons. The remake is set to be released in spring 2024 on PC and various consoles, including the Atari VCS.