versatility Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

2026’s best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants ‘to do a first-person game at some point’

Christoffer Bodegård began his journey into PC gaming with a DOS machine from his father and first played Disney's The Jungle Book. His passion for role-playing games was ignited by Dragon Age: Origins, which led him to explore many titles, including Planescape: Torment. After eight years of development, his game Esoteric Ebb launched in March to critical acclaim. Currently, he is playing Victoria 3, having logged around 400 hours, and previously played Abiotic Factor. The oldest games on his PC are Heroes of Might and Magic 3, King of Dragon Pass, Deus Ex, and Diablo 2, with Heroes 3 being a favorite. He has logged around 1,000 hours in Esoteric Ebb and is particularly fond of Europa Universalis IV, especially the Anbennar mod. Bodegård has never uninstalled Deus Ex, which greatly influences his design philosophy. He relies on Notepad++ for scripting and has improved his desktop organization from a cluttered state to a cleaner setup.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

‘Video Remix’ in Google Photos reimagines reality into your ideal scenario

Google Photos has introduced a new feature called "Video Remix," which allows users to enhance their videos by adjusting lighting, applying different themes, and exploring various styles. This feature builds on the Remix option that was first introduced in 2025 for transforming photos. The rollout of Video Remix was announced on July 8 and utilizes Google's Gemini Omni model to facilitate user editing prompts. It also includes quick sharing functionality for spontaneous creativity. Previously, the Remix feature was limited to images, enabling users to transform photos into themed scenes. Additionally, the feature has been integrated into Google TV, allowing users to create dynamic slideshows from their stored photos.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Minecraft finally adds seats after 17 years, but the potential for builders is even bigger

Mojang has released a significant update for Minecraft, introducing the ability to craft a Cushion using three Wool Slabs of any color. This new item allows players to sit and can be placed on supporting blocks, transforming Wood Stairs into stylish chairs without collision issues. The update also includes the Dappled Forest biome, new materials like the Poplar Wood set, Wool Stairs and Slabs, and bouncy Shelf Mushrooms. Additionally, players can craft Straw Beds from three Hay Bales, which stack up to 16 and allow for a quick sleep without establishing a spawn point. The Minecraft Java 26.3 Snapshot 3 and Bedrock Preview 26.40.30 are now available for players to test these new features.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

5 Best Free-To-Play Games Of 2026 (So Far)

The gaming landscape of 2026 features a variety of free-to-play titles catering to diverse tastes. Notable games include: - Escape Up: A side-scrolling platformer where players eliminate enemies to ascend a tower, refining the platforming experience for modern audiences. - 2XKO: A 2v2 fighting game from the "League of Legends" universe, released in January 2026, featuring fast-paced brawls and a revenue model based on in-game cosmetics and battle passes. - Neverness to Everness: A third-person action RPG developed by Hotta Studio, available on mobile, PC, and PlayStation 5, allowing players to switch between heroes with unique abilities in a fantasy open world. - Skillwood: A lo-fi life simulator where players act as a lumberjack, chopping trees and mining resources, developed by sshulin and available on Steam and itch.io. - Forward Assault: An indie first-person shooter inspired by "Counter-Strike," featuring tactical gameplay and accessible mechanics for mobile and PC players.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Task Bar Hero class tier list and the best team compositions for idling your way through the endgame

The author has spent over 300 hours playing Task Bar Hero and created a tier list based on their experience. The tier list is as follows: - S-Tier: Ranger - A-Tier: Priest - B-Tier: Hunter, Sorcerer - C-Tier: Slayer - D-Tier: Knight Key insights include that Ranger is the best class, Priest is versatile as both tank and healer, and Slayer is preferred over Knight. For team composition, a three-man team is recommended for early to mid-game, transitioning to a solo Ranger strategy for higher difficulty. The best team configurations include: 1. DPS Heavy Team: Priest (Tank/Healer), Ranger (DPS), Sorcerer (AoE-heavy DPS) 2. Holy Trinity Team: Slayer (Tank), Priest (Healer/Off-Tank), Ranger (DPS) Additional tips include acquiring Runes of Command for leveling heroes, securing the Rune of Awakening for skill access, focusing on attack damage runes, and using the Rune of Brevity for efficient grinding.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3

In version 26.3, two new features have been introduced: the Cushion and the Straw Bed. The Cushion allows players to sit around a campfire and is available in 16 colors, crafted from three wool slabs of the same color. It can be placed on any flat surface, aligns horizontally to the grid, and overlaps with most objects. The Straw Bed enables players to sleep without setting a spawn point, can be used only once, and is destroyed after a single night's sleep. It is crafted from three hay bales, yielding four beds, and a new statistic tracks how many times players have slept in a Straw Bed. Additionally, the Data Pack version is now 110.0, and the Resource Pack version is 91.0. New commands for post effects have been added, and various gameplay mechanics have been updated, including changes to bed rules and loot tables. New block textures and sound events for the Straw Bed and Cushion have also been introduced, along with numerous bug fixes.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve's Steam Machine combines console and PC gaming experiences, running on SteamOS but allowing users to install alternative operating systems like Windows. Valve has released official drivers for essential hardware components to support Windows installation, though they do not provide technical support for users who choose this option. Installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS, as dual-booting is not supported. Users can access the boot menu by powering off the device and restarting while pressing the Escape key. An internet connection via Ethernet is necessary during Windows setup, as Wi-Fi functionality will only be restored after installing the wireless drivers.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Pixel Studio is dead, but there are still a few ways you can make fun stickers on your Pixel phone. Here’s how

Google has discontinued its Pixel Studio image generation feature. Pixel phone users can still create custom stickers using the Google Photos app and other alternatives like the Gemini app and WhatsApp. To create a sticker in Google Photos, users need to locate an image, open a chat in Google Messages, tap the smiley face icon, select Photomoji, and send the sticker. The Gemini app allows users to transform images into stickers by providing specific instructions, though the output will have an opaque background. In WhatsApp, users can convert images into stickers by selecting the stickers option and tapping the "create sticker" button. Users are advised to update their phones and applications for the latest features.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

Valve shares Windows drivers for Steam Machine and says an official dual-boot wizard will ship “once it’s complete”

Valve has introduced the Steam Machine, which operates on SteamOS and offers a console-like experience while functioning as a traditional PC. Users can install Windows on the Steam Machine, as Valve has released official drivers for essential hardware components, including graphics processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SD card reader. However, installing Windows requires wiping SteamOS, and Valve does not provide official technical support for Windows users. An official dual-boot setup wizard is planned for a future update of SteamOS. To install Windows, users must access the boot menu by powering off the Steam Machine and restarting it while pressing the Escape key. An internet connection is necessary during the setup process, and connecting via Ethernet is recommended.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Heaps of gamepads are discounted as part of Amazon Prime Day 2026, but there’s only one I’d unreservedly recommend

Amazon is becoming a competitive destination for affordable PC-compatible gamepads, influenced by reputable brands like Razer, 8BitDo, Turtle Beach, and GameSir. Today's third-party gamepads often outperform first-party console controllers, featuring advancements such as drift-free Hall effect analog sticks, rear paddle buttons, and customizable options. The GameSir G7 Pro, available for AU7 during Amazon's Prime Day, includes features like two rear paddle buttons, trigger stops, gyro support, and a 1000Hz polling rate. The TMR technology in the G7 Pro enhances precision and reduces power consumption. The GameSir Nova Lite Wireless controller is also available at a reduced price for budget-conscious gamers.