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AppWizard
January 18, 2026
Videogame art captivates audiences, with enthusiasts collecting special editions, design works, and vinyl soundtracks featuring concept art. The Dishonored Soundtrack Collection exemplifies the artistic talent within the franchise. Iconic artists like Viktor Antonov have created striking visuals that blend gothic architecture with futuristic elements, contributing to the lasting impact of games like Half-Life 2 and Dishonored. Character art in Dishonored includes contributions from Cedric Peyravernay, Sergey Kolesov, and Piotr Jabłoński, enhancing the game's visual narrative. In Destiny, Rory Norris highlights the captivating concept art of a post-apocalyptic Chicago and the enigmatic Vex architecture illustrated by Jesse van Dijk. Tyler Colp admires Elden Ring's concept art, which translates into stunning visuals, showcasing detailed character designs. Ted Litchfield expresses excitement for Avowed, noting its comic book-style illustrations and inventive designs that evoke nostalgia. The artistry in gaming enhances gameplay and creates emotional connections with players.
AppWizard
January 17, 2026
Brigador is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having undergone significant transformations since its initial release. The developers at Stellar Jockeys improved the original game, leading to a better reception on Steam. The sequel, Brigador Killers, is in development and features gameplay that diverges from the original, blending elements of Syndicate and the original Grand Theft Auto. Players assume the role of a character aiming to take down wealthy figures contributing to societal decay, with gameplay allowing exploration on foot and various mission types from a homebase called the Garage. The game emphasizes strategy and stealth, with players able to use a range of vehicles, though mechs have not yet been showcased in gameplay footage. There is currently no official release date for Brigador Killers on Steam, but an in-development version is available for purchase on Itch.
AppWizard
January 17, 2026
Selection Day is a newly released fan mission for the classic game Thief 2, set in a dystopian future where a City faces sinkholes and blindness. Players navigate using a braille system and machines that project braille into the air. The mission's objective is to "Seek Remedy for Your Blindness," and players take on the role of a court judge whose journey is interrupted by an Ocular Superior. It is recommended to use T2fix and an FM launcher like Angelloader, and to play in 1080p resolution for an enhanced experience. The designer of the mission is Hanover Aldercash.
Tech Optimizer
January 17, 2026
ClickHouse has secured 0 million in a Series D funding round led by Dragoneer Investment Group, with participation from investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, GIC, and others. The funding will support global expansion and product development, focusing on AI infrastructure and application monitoring. ClickHouse currently has over 3,000 customers on its ClickHouse Cloud platform, with an annual recurring revenue growth exceeding 250% year over year. Recent adopters include Capital One, Lovable, and Airwallex, alongside established clients like Meta and Tesla. ClickHouse has acquired Langfuse, an open-source platform for LLM observability, and introduced a native Postgres service for integrating transactional workloads with its analytical engine. The company is also expanding its ecosystem and geographic reach through partnerships, including one with Japan Cloud and collaboration with Microsoft Azure.
AppWizard
January 17, 2026
The Steam page for Forbidden Solitaire warns users to uninstall it "before it's too late." The demo features bizarre elements, including an eyeball offering upgrades and a character embedding gems into their own flesh. Players can cheat by inserting gems into their hand, with gameplay mechanics resembling traditional solitaire but incorporating unique twists, such as damaging opponents with removed cards. The game's lore involves a character testing the game on a vintage '90s PC, with messages from a friend discussing its controversial history. The demo includes strategic gameplay with key cards, cursed cards, and the need for careful decision-making to succeed. The player experiences a mix of card battling and puzzle-solving, leading to a sense of competence in card games.
Winsage
January 17, 2026
Windows Insiders are receiving an update with Windows 11 build 28020.1371, which addresses a 'flash bang' effect in dark mode that has been troubling users, particularly on large OLED monitors. The update resolves an issue causing File Explorer to show a white flash when navigating between pages. It also introduces features such as Bluetooth LE audio support for two pairs of headphones and an internet speed check from the taskbar. Additionally, the Copilot app has been updated to version 1.25095.161. There are discussions about the reluctance of Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 due to stringent system requirements, although tools like Rufus allow some to bypass these limitations.
Winsage
January 17, 2026
The Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central announced the launch of their subreddit, r/windowscentral, emphasizing the vibrant community engagement it offers. Reddit allows for fast-paced discussions, immediate access to news, and real-time feedback, enhancing their journalism. The subreddit provides a direct connection to readers, free from algorithmic barriers, and fosters a collaborative space for sharing insights, troubleshooting, and engaging in technical discussions. Following the subreddit will also grant users access to behind-the-scenes content, polls, and editorial debates, strengthening the community and supporting independent tech journalism.
Winsage
January 16, 2026
Critical security updates have been released to address CVE-2026-20824, a vulnerability in Windows Remote Assistance that allows attackers to bypass the Mark of the Web (MOTW) defense system. This affects various Windows platforms, including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2025, and is rated with an Important severity level. The flaw enables unauthorized local attackers to circumvent MOTW defenses, posing risks to confidentiality. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction for exploitation, often using social engineering tactics. Microsoft has issued security updates for 29 Windows configurations, including specific KB articles for affected versions of Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server. Users are advised to apply the necessary patches, which are classified as “Required” customer actions. The vulnerability remains unexploited in the wild and was not publicly disclosed before the patches were released. Microsoft’s assessment categorizes it as “Exploitation Less Likely.”
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