violence Archives

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

5 Best Video Games Like Quake

In 2021, interest in the first-person shooter "Quake" from the '90s surged, leading to discussions about similar games. "Doom II," released in 1994, featured larger levels, new enemies, and enhanced multiplayer options, becoming one of the best PC games of the '90s. "Heretic," also from 1994, allowed players to control Corvus, an elven warrior, and included multiplayer combat, with innovations like an inventory system and secondary fire options. "Duke Nukem 3D," released in 1996, introduced a humorous protagonist and featured cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, becoming a nostalgic classic. "Turok 2: Seeds of Evil," the 1998 sequel to "Turok: Dinosaur Hunter," included multiplayer modes and showcased advanced graphics and level design, remastered in 2017. "Unreal Tournament," launched in 1999, emphasized multiplayer combat in an arena shooter format, marking a significant moment for Epic Games and showcasing impressive visuals and performance.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

I got so freaked out by the fact that Gordon Freeman is canonically 27 that I decided to find out how old all the other classic FPS protagonists are, and it didn’t make me feel better

The narrator first played Half-Life at age 11 and found it frightening. B.J. Blazkowicz from Wolfenstein 3-D was born on August 11, 1911, making him 32-33 years old during the game's events. He is the grandfather of Commander Keen and an ancestor of DoomGuy. Kyle Katarn from Star Wars: Dark Forces was born in 23 BBY, making him 23 during Dark Forces, 28 in Jedi Knight, and 35 in Jedi Outcast. Cate Archer from No One Lives Forever was born in 1942, making her 25 during the game's events set in 1967. Prisoner 426 from Unreal has no defined age, allowing for player interpretation. Caleb from Blood was born in 1847, making him 81 during Blood set in 1928, but his death complicates his biological age. DoomGuy's age is generally assumed to be in his mid-thirties, though it is never officially specified. Ranger from Quake is suggested to be in his mid-forties to early fifties, based on lore from Quake Champions. Duke Nukem's age is ambiguous, with some sources suggesting he is between 45 and 47 during Duke Nukem Forever, while others envision him in his mid-thirties.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Before Grand Theft Auto Online, GTA 4’s multiplayer added ‘glorious chaos’ to the open world sandbox

Anticipation for the release of GTA 6 is high, with questions about its online mode and PC availability. The console version will launch without an online component to protect the revenue from GTA Online. GTA 4's online mode, discontinued in 2020, remains accessible through platforms like GTA Connected. It transformed the game’s dynamic, offering chaotic multiplayer experiences that contrasted with the serious tone of single-player mode. Players engaged in customizable game modes, such as Turf War and Mafiya modes, and the race mode combined competition with chaos. The multiplayer experience was defined by the unpredictable nature of human players, enhancing the gameplay with absurdity and excitement.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Legacy Edition Gets Shadow Drop on Modern Consoles and PC

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North has been re-released on modern consoles and PC, remastered by Aspyr. It is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC, priced at .99 until August 25th, after which it will increase to .99. The remaster features 60fps, bug fixes, and quality of life improvements, including enemy lock-on and character hot swapping. Originally launched in November 2011, the game received mixed reviews, with IGN rating it 7/10. It includes an online co-op feature and a narrative that runs parallel to the events of the books and films. War in the North was the first in the franchise to receive an M for Mature rating. Aspyr hinted at the possibility of more Lord of the Rings re-releases in the future, though specific titles have not been disclosed.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

Halloween: The Game is banned in Australia because incentivized drug use is bad but incentivized ultra-violence isn’t

The Australian Classification Board has denied a rating for Halloween: The Game, developed by Illfonic, preventing its sale in Australia. The game features a mechanic involving marijuana use that allows players to detect the killer, Michael Myers, which likely contributed to the classification issues. Despite receiving an automated R18+ rating in July, the Board's regulations state that games with illicit drug use tied to incentives cannot be classified under R18+ and must be Refused Classification. Consequently, listings for the game have been removed from major Australian retailers, and its page is no longer available on the PlayStation Store. Steam has not yet acted on the ban, but it is expected to do so.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police

Toronto has seen an increase in gunfire incidents aimed at the U.S. consulate, leading to the arrests of a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. These incidents are linked to alleged gun-for-hire plots that also target Jewish schools, synagogues, and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators are facing difficulties in identifying the masterminds behind these operations, partly due to the use of encrypted messaging apps to recruit young individuals. The federal government's Bill C-22 aims to provide law enforcement with tools to address these challenges, but it has faced criticism for potential overreach and privacy concerns. Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the need for effective tools to prevent violence facilitated through encrypted communication. Technology analyst Carmi Levy raised concerns about balancing law enforcement needs with privacy rights. Additionally, there is a societal responsibility to protect children from online recruitment by criminal networks, with calls for proactive conversations between parents and children and educational initiatives in schools.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

I desperately need this TTRPG to become a videogame—it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen

10,000 Swords Against Heaven is a tabletop role-playing game created by JK Saavedra, characterized as a "dark science fantasy cultivation RPG." The game features a narrative focused on violent resistance against a "magofascist" ruling class and incorporates elements of southeast Asian culture and history. Players encounter characters such as Aswang assassins and Fangshi, and the game critiques the Neoliberal World Order. While it offers an immersive experience, some fans express a desire for a video game adaptation due to challenges in finding a community of players.

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Pavel Durov’s Telegram messaging app faces new terror charges. Now in Australia.

Australian authorities have initiated legal proceedings against Telegram for alleged negligence in removing content linked to terrorism, including footage from the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shooting that resulted in 51 deaths. Australia’s Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, stated that Telegram could face penalties of up to 0,000 for violating the Online Safety Act. Telegram has rejected the allegations and plans to contest them in court, emphasizing its commitment to combating extremist content by blocking thousands of extremist communities in 2026. The platform also hosts various crypto-related discussions but has not commented further on the legal situation.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Australia’s online watchdog is taking messaging app Telegram to court over ‘pro-terrorist’ posts

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has filed a lawsuit against the encrypted messaging app Telegram for allegedly failing to detect and remove pro-terrorist and extremist content. This legal action follows a year-long investigation and is the first enforcement of online codes regarding unlawful material established a year ago. The lawsuit details multiple violations of the Online Safety Act 2021, including the failure to remove posts related to the Christchurch mosque attack and the Buffalo mass shooting, despite user reports. Telegram has claimed to have blocked over 150,000 terrorist-related communities and removed over 200 million pieces of terrorist content. If the lawsuit is successful, it could lead to penalties up to A.6 million and potentially a ban on the app in Australia.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content

Australia's eSafety watchdog has initiated legal proceedings against the messaging platform Telegram for allegedly failing to adequately remove extremist content, including footage related to mass shootings in Buffalo and Christchurch, as well as material linked to the Islamic State. The platform, with a user base of approximately 1 billion, could face fines of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars (around 38 million USD) if found guilty. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant emphasized that the content in question is tied to severe acts of extremist violence and remained accessible despite Telegram being notified of its existence. Following recent tragedies, Telegram channels have surfaced that celebrate attackers and circulate videos of their acts. Telegram has denied the allegations, claiming to block terrorist-related content and reporting the removal of over 150,000 terrorist-related communities this year. However, Inman Grant raised concerns about the platform's compliance and responsiveness to regulatory actions.