Vanguard Archives

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Revenue up 49% at Remedy for 2024

Remedy, the Finnish games company, reported a 49.3% increase in revenue for the 2024 financial year, totaling €50.7 million, up from €33.9 million in 2023. The operating profit was negative at €4.3 million, an improvement from the previous year's deficit of €28.6 million. Alan Wake 2 sold over two million units. The company generated €12.3 million from operations, recovering from a €16 million loss the previous year. In Q4 2024, revenue rose 13.1% to €11.7 million. Development fees increased due to ongoing projects for Max Payne 1&2 Remake and Control 2, while royalties declined. By the end of 2024, Alan Wake 2 had recouped its costs and started generating royalties. The fourth quarter operating profit was €-1.4 million, improving by €11.4 million from the previous year's €7.2 million impairment loss related to Vanguard.

AppWizard

November 4, 2024

Valorant is winning the war against PC gaming cheaters

In 2020, multiplayer games experienced a surge in cheating during COVID-19 lockdowns, with titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, and Destiny 2 struggling against aimbots and wallhacks. Riot Games launched Valorant with its anti-cheat system, Vanguard, which has effectively deterred cheat developers. Vanguard employs a kernel-level driver that detects unauthorized access attempts and has led to a decrease in traditional software cheats, although some cheaters have shifted to hardware solutions like direct memory access (DMA) techniques. Vanguard has also been successful in detecting and blocking suspicious hardware-level DMA attempts. Currently, triggerbots account for about 80 percent of cheats in Valorant. Vanguard was introduced to League of Legends, resulting in over 175,000 account bans. A study from the University of Birmingham indicated that Valorant has the top anti-cheat system, while other games like Call of Duty: Warzone continue to struggle. Riot is exploring collaborations with Microsoft to enhance security and may adjust Vanguard's activation based on Windows 11 features. There are no plans for Linux support due to risks of kernel manipulation. The potential rise of AI-powered cheats presents a new challenge, as AI could replicate human gameplay, complicating anti-cheat efforts.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

GTA Online Adds BattlEye Anti-Cheat After 9 Years on PC

Rockstar Games has integrated BattlEye anti-cheat software into GTA Online to combat persistent cheating issues. This kernel-level anti-cheat system is designed to enhance player security and improve the overall multiplayer experience. Players using Steam or the Rockstar Games Launcher can disable BattlEye for single-player Story Mode. The update also includes fixes for crashes and issues with multiplayer invites. The implementation of BattlEye is seen as a commitment from Rockstar to provide a fairer gameplay environment and suggests ongoing support for GTA Online as development for GTA 6 continues.

AppWizard

September 9, 2024

Space Marine 2 classes explained and best class overall

Players in Space Marine 2 can choose from various classes, each with unique playstyles. The Vanguard class excels in close-quarters combat, utilizing a Grapnel Launcher and a combat knife for melee and ranged capabilities, while replenishing armor through executions. The Tactical class is versatile, featuring a broad weapon selection and the Auspex Scan ability to tag enemies for increased damage. The Assault class focuses on aerial assaults with a Jump Pack and thunder hammer, delivering area-of-effect damage. The Bulwark class combines melee and defensive abilities, using a Chapter Banner to support allies and a shield for protection. The Sniper class emphasizes ranged combat with a Camo Cloak for temporary invisibility, suitable for tactical players. The Heavy class specializes in ranged combat with heavy weapons and the Iron Halo ability for protection, excelling in controlling the battlefield from a distance.

AppWizard

September 9, 2024

The best Space Marine 2 PvP Builds

The PvP mode, Eternal War, in Space Marine 2 features various classes with unique builds for players to maximize effectiveness. Heavy Build: - Primary: Heavy bolter - Secondary: Plasma pistol - Equipment: Frag grenade - Characteristics: High damage output, excellent armor and defense, limited mobility, Iron Halo ability for protection. Tactical Build: - Primary: Heavy bolt rifle/stalker bolt rifle - Secondary: Bolt pistol - Melee: Chainsword - Grenade: Frag grenade - Characteristics: Provides intel with Auspex Scan, significant damage, versatile for close or long-range combat. Bulwark Build: - Secondary: Bolt pistol - Melee: Chainsword - Grenade: Shock grenade - Characteristics: Support-focused, restores armor to teammates with Chapter Banner, relies on teamwork for damage. Assault Build: - Secondary: Bolt pistol/heavy bolt pistol - Melee: Chainsword - Grenade: Krak grenade - Characteristics: Agile playstyle with Jump Pack ability, weak armor, focuses on quick damage. Vanguard Build: - Primary: Occulus bolt carbine - Secondary: Bolt pistol - Melee: Combat knife - Grenade: Krak grenade - Characteristics: Unique mobility with Grapnel Launcher, weak armor, effective in close-range engagements. Sniper Build: - Primary: Las fusil - Secondary: Bolt pistol - Melee: Combat knife - Grenade: Frag grenade - Characteristics: Lone wolf role with Camo Cloak for invisibility, best at long-range combat.

AppWizard

September 6, 2024

Google Blocks Android Auto Access, May Violate EU Rules, According To Court Adviser – Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (ARCA:FCOM)

An adviser at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has suggested that Google’s refusal to allow Enel SpA’s e-mobility app, JuicePass, access to its Android Auto platform may violate competition laws. This follows a 2021 fine of 102 million euros imposed on Alphabet Inc. by Italy’s antitrust regulator for similar actions. JuicePass allows users to manage electric vehicle chargers remotely, but Google blocked its integration, citing security concerns and the absence of a specific template. Google has appealed to the Italian Council of State and is working to address the issue. As the CJEU prepares to rule, Alphabet's stock has seen mixed reactions, with a modest increase of 0.50% recently.

Winsage

August 21, 2024

Microsoft will release controversial Windows Recall AI search feature to testers in October

Microsoft plans to roll out its Recall artificial intelligence search feature for Windows users, with testing starting in October. Recall allows users to search for previously viewed information through screenshots captured during their activity. The feature will be disabled by default to address security concerns regarding automatic image capturing without user consent. Recall will be available on devices that meet the requirements for Copilot+ PCs, which are designed to handle AI workloads locally. Microsoft has not specified a timeline for a broader release but aims for availability by the holiday season. The company is focusing on security, incorporating cybersecurity contributions into employee performance evaluations, and has emphasized that security remains a top priority.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

Black Myth: Wukong Buddha’s Eyeball locations and how to use them

In the Fright Cliff area of Yellow Wind Ridge in Black Myth: Wukong, players must locate six Buddha's Eyeballs, which are hidden within glowing heads in a landscape filled with living stone enemies. The locations of the eyeballs are as follows: 1. First Eyeball: From the Valley of Despair Keeper's Shrine, cross the wooden bridge, go through the gate guarded by a Spearbone boar, and follow the right path to find the first head. 2. Second Eyeball: From the Squall Hideout Keeper's Shrine, move left up the ravine, through the gate, past the crouching statue shrine, and turn left to find the head at a torch-lit altar. 3. Third Eyeball: Starting from the Squall Hideout Keeper's Shrine, go right around the corner, jump up the cliffs to the wooden platforms, and ascend to the top platform guarded by a Spearbone enemy. 4. Fourth Eyeball: From the Squall Hideout Keeper's Shrine, head right around the cliff, follow the left path past a rock guai enemy, and ascend the rocky steps to find the head. 5. Fifth Eyeball: Near the Mother of Stones boss, start from the Squall Hideout Keeper's Shrine, head left up the ravine, through the gateway, and into a cave passage until reaching a wooden platform. The head is outside the boss room on a ledge to the right. 6. Sixth Eyeball: At the Rockrest Flat Keeper's Shrine, the Buddha head is directly in front of the player. After collecting all six eyeballs, players can return to the sixth head's location, enter the boss arena, and defeat the Stone Vanguard. They can then insert the eyeballs into a large stone to summon the Shigandang boss, which, upon defeat, rewards players with the Skandha of Feeling.

Winsage

August 9, 2024

I set up a second Windows install just for gaming, here are 4 ways it made my experience so much better

A seasoned gamer reinstalled Windows 11 on a dedicated SSD to enhance their gaming experience, resulting in improved gameplay and mental clarity by separating work and leisure environments. This separate installation eliminated the need for kernel-level anti-cheat software, enhancing security and reducing unnecessary applications. The gamer experienced a noticeable boost in performance with an Intel Core i9-14900K and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, leading to more consistent frame times and smoother gameplay. By isolating gaming from a cluttered main installation, distractions were minimized, fostering a healthier work-life balance and enhancing enjoyment. The gamer encourages others to consider a dedicated gaming setup for potential performance improvements and mental clarity.

AppWizard

July 25, 2024

Stormgate developers say they want to lower the RTS skill floor, not the skill ceiling: ‘It’s okay to be a high-skill game’

- Stormgate is a new real-time strategy game developed by former Blizzard developers. - The game features factions that blend traditional RTS elements with original gameplay design. - The Celestials faction in Stormgate starts matches with a mobile HQ structure that can deploy structures from the armada above. - The game challenges players to think outside the typical build order, promoting dynamic gameplay and adaptability. - Stormgate is set to release in early access on July 30, 2024.