unconventional approach Archives

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Once positioned as mainstream-friendly PC gaming solutions, can Valve’s hardware survive the memory crisis?

Last week, a discussion arose regarding the decline in Steam Deck sales, as noted by PC Gamer's Andy Edser. An analysis by Boiling Steam questioned the mathematical accuracy of the sales figures, leading to concerns about Valve's hardware future. Gabe Newell's million donation to OpenAI in 2018 has been suggested to negatively impact Valve's hardware ambitions. The price of the anticipated Steam Deck OLED increased significantly in May, with the 1TB model rising from 9 to 9 and the 512GB version from 9 to 9, causing potential buyers to reconsider. The Steam Machine's projected retail price has also surged from around 0 to ,049. In gaming, Mistfall Hunter has quickly reached the third spot on the live concurrent players list. The latest Steam deep cuts ranked Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Palworld as the top three games. Despite new releases, Counter-Strike 2 remains at the top of the rankings. DragonSword: Awakening and Shift at Midnight have gained attention for their unique gameplay. A notable Steam review of Alien Kink VR expressed a darkly humorous sentiment.

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Developer of ‘Spanking Exorcist’ game held up by Steam content moderation releases free ‘apology game’ where you spank him as punishment: ‘We would be delighted if you enjoy it’

Actor, the developer of Spanking Exorcist, released a free "apology game" called Apology.exe after missing its launch date on July 24 due to content moderation issues on Steam. The game allows players to humorously simulate spanking the developer as a form of retribution. Spanking Exorcist, which blends first-person exploration with unsettling visuals, officially launched on Steam six days after the missed date, priced at .99 with a launch discount bringing it to .39.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Ambitious gamer turns fanless Subway menu PCs into gaming rigs — passive Intel Core i3 units manage just 15 fps in GTA V and 25 fps in Minecraft

Garkus repurposed three Advantech DS-081 mini PCs, previously used by Subway, which are powered by Intel Core i3 6100U processors with Intel HD Graphics 520 and originally had 4GB of RAM, later upgraded to 8GB. The mini PCs were designed for continuous operation in temperatures from 0 to 40°C (32 to 104°F) and initially ran Windows in kiosk mode. Garkus tested various operating systems, including Bazzite Linux and macOS Monterey. He successfully ran Peggle but struggled with Grand Theft Auto V, which averaged around 15 fps and experienced long load times and crashes. Testing Mario Kart Wii emulation and Minecraft yielded inconsistent results, with Minecraft hovering around 25 fps. Garkus concluded that the mini PCs are better suited for emulating older consoles, particularly up to the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox era, recommending lighter games and lower settings for a smoother experience.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

The best PC games of 2026 (that don’t need a graphics card)

Mina the Hollower is an indie game from the studio behind Shovel Knight, inspired by classic top-down Zelda adventures, featuring a mouse hero and RPG-like customization. Mewgenics, developed by Edmund McMillen, involves breeding cats and genetic manipulation in a tactical turn-based format. Typing Break combines typing skills with gameplay reminiscent of Space Invaders and Breakout. Dosa Divas features two sisters using a mech food truck to combat the fast-food industry, blending RPG mechanics with culinary creativity. Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator offers a satirical take on trading mechanics from the perspective of an alien day trader. Cardburners is a fast-paced card game with multiple modes for solo or online multiplayer. Cassette Boy features puzzle mechanics with an environment that players can rotate. Beatdown City Survivors combines bullet heaven elements with direct combat mechanics. Forbidden Solitaire adds horror elements to the classic card game format with roguelike mechanics. Replaced features a noir-inspired cyberpunk narrative with 3D environments and pixel art. You Have Billions Invested in Generative AI is a free-to-play indie game that satirizes technology investment.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

I ran 45 idle game demos from Steam Next Fest all at once for a desktop companion battle royale

Steam Next Fest features nearly 500 idler games, offering a wide selection of demos. The author downloaded 45 demos simultaneously to quickly assess their interest. The festival runs until June 22.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Steam’s New Minecraft PC Rival Needs Your $1 Support

Bonobo Software is developing a crafting RPG called Taival, which is inspired by Minecraft and features a co-op adventure for up to four players. The game has a Kickstarter campaign with a fundraising goal of £1. Taival aims to enhance community involvement and has received over 10,000 wishlists and participation from over 3,000 playtesters. Backers can pledge £1 for no strings attached, £20 for a digital copy and credits, or £900 for inclusion in the game. The developers plan to release Taival on Steam in early access later this year, with a full launch expected in 2027 or later, and potential releases on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms.

TrendTechie

April 11, 2026

Хакеры взломали Resident Evil 9: Requiem — игру слили на торренты

Aleksandr Shikunov, the former sports director of Moscow's Spartak football club, criticized the team's recent performances, describing their play as a "comedy" following struggles in their first three matches of the season. Additionally, gaming enthusiasts have successfully run the video game DOOM on a multicooker, demonstrating creativity and resourcefulness in the gaming community.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Rust’s Spring Clean update nerfs the shield meta and boosts early game energy

The Rust April update introduces several enhancements, including the new Water Wheel, a renewable energy source that generates up to 30 power when placed in a river. The update features a new craftable item, the Armored Ladder Hatch, which requires 60 Scrap, 35 High-Quality Metal, six Gears, and a Wooden Ladder. Adjustments to shield mechanics have been made, reducing the hitbox size when the shield is not actively held. A tech-tree unlock chaining feature allows players to unlock an entire research path at once if they have enough Scrap. A new radial menu for low-light solutions enables individual control of light sources. Fishing mechanics have been adjusted to prevent overfishing, with server admins able to modify this feature. Additional updates include new colored buttons, improved UI elements, and a transition to a new terrain rendering system for better CPU performance. The update coincides with an Easter Egg Hunt event running until April 16, featuring themed cosmetics.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Minecraft introduces Herdcraft, Mojang’s latest annual joke update, and suddenly I’m a pseudo-summoner with a sentient inventory to command

Mojang has released its annual April Fool's snapshot called Herdcraft, which humorously eliminates the traditional inventory system by scattering items throughout the game world. Players must now use leads to manage their items, similar to handling pets. The community has responded positively, discussing potential future features inspired by this update. Mojang's lead developer mentioned that smaller updates like Herdcraft feel more sustainable and contribute to a dynamic development cycle. While past April Fool's updates have not always been integrated into the game, there is hope that Herdcraft could inspire meaningful gameplay enhancements.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Global Group ransomware gang running new campaign using Windows shortcut files

The Global Group ransomware operates entirely in silent mode, executing all activities locally on the compromised system without relying on a command and control server. It generates the encryption key directly on the host machine, resulting in no actual data exfiltration despite claims in its ransom note. This approach allows for quicker attacks, targeting a broader range of victims while reducing detection risk. The act of encryption alone can compel payment due to significant operational downtime for affected organizations.