NewApp Digest
search bot

victory

Alright, so maybe Zohran Mamdani isn't New York's first gamer mayor
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

Alright, so maybe Zohran Mamdani isn’t New York’s first gamer mayor

In June, a nostalgic feature from 2002 showed 11-year-old Zohran Mamdani expressing his hopes for holiday gifts, specifically FIFA 2003 and SimCity 3000. Nearly six months into his tenure as the 112th mayor of New York City, following his November 2025 victory over Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani's gaming knowledge was tested during his inaugural Twitch stream, where he displayed a lack of familiarity with Minecraft. He admitted in a Hasan Piker stream that he does not engage in video games, although he enjoys FIFA. Despite the playful notion of him being a gamer mayor, it appears that Mamdani does not fit this mold.
81-year-old Minecraft streamer GrammaCrackers swatted during cancer fundraiser stream
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

81-year-old Minecraft streamer GrammaCrackers swatted during cancer fundraiser stream

Sue Jacquot, known as GrammaCrackers, is an 81-year-old gamer who was streaming on Twitch to raise funds for her grandson's cancer treatment when she experienced a swatting incident on May 19. Law enforcement responded to a false emergency call, sending multiple SWAT vehicles and police officers to her home. Despite the situation, she described the experience as “kinda fun” and noted that the officers treated her kindly. GrammaCrackers has been creating online content since October 2025, primarily focusing on Minecraft, which remains popular among her viewers. The incident drew anger and concern from online users, but it also increased media attention, potentially boosting viewership and donations for her fundraiser. She chose to continue her Minecraft challenge despite the incident.
Microsoft says public sharing of Windows 11 vulnerability violates 'best practices'
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft says public sharing of Windows 11 vulnerability violates ‘best practices’

A security researcher known as Nightmare-Eclipse revealed a vulnerability in Windows 11, named YellowKey, which allows attackers to access BitLocker-encrypted drives through the Windows Recovery Environment. Microsoft acknowledged the vulnerability, assigned it the identifier CVE-2026-45585, and criticized the public sharing of its proof of concept. Currently, there is no patch available for the BitLocker bypass, but physical access to the device provides some protection. The vulnerability does not exist in Windows 10 due to differences in the Windows Recovery Environment. The attack requires a stolen Windows 11 laptop and a USB stick, and the vulnerable filesystems include NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT. Nightmare-Eclipse speculated that the bypass may function as a backdoor, while Microsoft referred to it as a "security feature bypass vulnerability."
Card-driven strategy game Wyrmspan announced for PC
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

Card-driven strategy game Wyrmspan announced for PC

Monster Couch and Stonemaier Games have announced Wyrmspan, a card-driven strategy game that will be available on PC via Steam, with no specific release date provided. The game allows one to five players to assume the role of amateur dracologists in a fantastical world filled with dragons. Key features include excavating caves to construct sanctuaries, attracting over 180 unique dragons, exploring caves for rewards, and refining strategies through card selection. Game modes include solo play against the Automa, local multiplayer, and online matchmaking.
81-Year-Old Minecraft Streaming For Cancer Charity Gets Swatted
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

81-Year-Old Minecraft Streaming For Cancer Charity Gets Swatted

Sue Jacquot, known as GrammaCrackers, has been livestreaming her efforts to raise funds for her 17-year-old grandson’s cancer treatment for over fifteen consecutive days. She began streaming in October 2025, focusing on Minecraft and later expanding to other games. On May 4, she initiated a livestream challenge titled “Not Ending Until I Beat Minecraft.” On May 19, she experienced a swatting incident during her livestream, where multiple police vehicles responded to a false alarm at her home. Despite the alarming situation, she maintained a lighthearted attitude, describing the experience as “kinda fun.” The incident may increase her viewership and fundraising efforts, highlighting the challenges of the U.S. healthcare system.
Civ 7's massive overhaul update brings its highest Steam player count in over a year
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

Civ 7’s massive overhaul update brings its highest Steam player count in over a year

Firaxis has released the Test of Time update for Civilization 7, described as a significant free patch that acts like an expansion. Key features include the ability to maintain the same civilization across age transitions, redefined victory conditions, and optional objectives with bonus rewards. The update has led to a surge in player engagement, with nearly 16,200 users logged into Civ 7 on Steam, the highest count in over a year. However, reactions are mixed; while some players celebrate the improvements, others feel the changes may not fully revitalize their interest, citing issues with engagement and user interface. The pricing strategy for downloadable content, particularly the Right to Rule Collection, has also sparked discussions about value. Community opinions vary, with some claiming the update has transformed the game, while others remain skeptical.
Realm of Ink is a beautiful Hades-style roguelike with action-packed gameplay to boot
AppWizard
May 21, 2026

Realm of Ink is a beautiful Hades-style roguelike with action-packed gameplay to boot

Realm of Ink is a roguelike game currently in early access, featuring a stunning art style inspired by Chinese ink-wash painting and fast-paced action reminiscent of Hades and Dead Cells. Players control Red, a swordswoman on a quest to defeat a Fox Demon, navigating arenas filled with enemies and utilizing randomized power-ups to enhance gameplay. The game includes a unique 'pet' system with a companion named Momo that can change forms based on the player's Ink Gem loadout. It is available for purchase on Steam for PC and Steam Deck, as well as on console, with a full 1.0 release scheduled for May 26.
Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge Hacked at Pwn2Own Berlin 2026
Winsage
May 16, 2026

Windows 11 and Microsoft Edge Hacked at Pwn2Own Berlin 2026

On May 14, Pwn2Own Berlin 2026 began, where researchers earned ,000 for 24 unique zero-day vulnerabilities. Cheng-Da Tsai, also known as Orange Tsai, achieved a significant Edge sandbox escape, earning ,000, and later exploited Microsoft Exchange for remote code execution, earning an additional ,000. Tsai accumulated 17.5 Master of Pwn points, contributing to DEVCORE's lead with ,000 in total earnings. Other researchers, including Angelboy and TwinkleStar03, earned ,000 for an Improper Access Control vulnerability, while Marcin Wiązowski and Kentaro Kawane also contributed successful exploits. By the end of Day One, DEVCORE led with ,000, and the event featured a prize pool exceeding ,000,000 across 31 targets. As of Day Two, a total of ,750 had been awarded for 39 unique vulnerabilities, with DEVCORE leading at 40.5 points and ,000 in earnings.
Windows Vs. MacBook Neo: Double the RAM, Double the Value – Why Windows Wins the Spec War
Winsage
May 12, 2026

Windows Vs. MacBook Neo: Double the RAM, Double the Value – Why Windows Wins the Spec War

Microsoft commissioned Signal65 to produce a “Value Advantage Report” that claims Windows laptops offer double the RAM and up to 56% better battery life compared to Apple’s MacBook Neo. The report states that Windows laptops can have 16GB of RAM versus the Neo’s 8GB, but independent testing from Tom’s Guide shows the MacBook Neo lasted 13 hours and 28 minutes, while some Windows laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim exceeded 16 hours. The HP OmniBook X Flip, however, only lasted 8 hours and 32 minutes. Fstoppers compared the MacBook Neo to an Asus Vivobook and found the Neo superior in build quality, keyboard, trackpad, display quality, and USB-C speeds. The report highlights a challenge in the PC industry: matching price and experience is difficult. The buying decision ultimately depends on whether consumers prioritize specifications or user experience.
Search