Vision Archives

Winsage

August 18, 2026

Microsoft disables Windows 11’s new “Ask Copilot” Taskbar feature to “incorporate feedback” as it pivots to unified Copilot app

Microsoft has updated the Windows 11 Taskbar, integrating Copilot into the search experience. The feature, initially called "Ask Copilot," allows users to interact with Copilot while accessing traditional app and file searches. It has been gradually rolled out in a preview format to select users, primarily in commercial settings using Microsoft 365 Copilot. A consumer version is also in development, but the Ask Copilot feature has been temporarily removed to update the experience based on user feedback. Users will revert to the traditional Windows Search experience automatically during this transition. The Windows Search functionality is being redesigned for improved accuracy and speed. The Ask Copilot search pane includes a chat box for interactions with Copilot and shortcut buttons for Copilot Vision, but the full rollout of Ask Copilot will require further refinement.

AppWizard

August 17, 2026

I played the economic simulator that could ‘make a convert out of Karl Marx himself’ to see if it could convert me

An entrepreneur attempted to build a business empire starting with a department store in Jakarta that sold only laundry detergent, which led to financial losses due to a misalignment with market demand. Despite diversifying the product range to include cookies and leather shoes, losses continued. A later venture in Bombay, selling CPUs, silica, and raw tobacco, yielded a profit, albeit still negative. The entrepreneur learned valuable lessons about market demands and strategies, leading to a successful department store in Guangzhou that focused on shampoo and air conditioners, resulting in substantial profits. The game "Capitalism," which the entrepreneur engaged with, reflects the post-Cold War era and emphasizes the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in business.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

League of Legends YouTuber unearths the original investor pitch from when the game was called Onslaught: War of the Immortals

Content creator Necrit, in collaboration with Riot Games' Paul "Pabro" Bellezza, revealed the early concept of League of Legends, originally known as Onslaught: War of the Immortals. Necrit's video showcases an investor pitch with video footage, design documents, and lore breakdowns, providing new insights into the game's initial vision. The game transitioned from a vibrant cityscape divided into realms of "order" and "chaos," where players would customize immortals and pledge allegiance to one of the realms. Some champions, like Annie and Sion, have familiar traits but with significant changes, while Singed was rebranded as Zij. The lore depicted a world of two factions until a cataclysmic event caused chaos. Riot's logo in the pitch video featured a blood-red hue.

AppWizard

August 16, 2026

Chaotic Party Brawler Dino Party Out Today on PC

Dino Party, developed by Berlin-based Studio Nachtwerk, has launched on PC via Steam. It is a party brawler for 2 to 4 players, featuring a variety of minigames and fast-paced combat in a dinosaur tournament setting. Matches last approximately 15 minutes and take place in diverse arenas with dynamic challenges and random events. The game includes over 120 unlockable cosmetics for player customization and allows for custom lobbies with personalized rules. It is priced at .99 / €12.25 and supports 16 languages. Studio Nachtwerk was founded by Florian Wolf and Philipp Wagner.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you’re too dumb to appreciate a good story—don’t prove them right

Saber Interactive's CEO discusses the potential of generative AI dialogue in video games, while skepticism remains due to past failures with AI-driven characters. Companies like Convai and Ubisoft aim to create more immersive experiences with AI NPCs, but the assumption that background character dialogue is unimportant undermines storytelling in games. The richness of game worlds comes from carefully crafted scripts, and AI-generated content may not achieve the same quality. Industry veterans emphasize that good storytelling relies on human experience, and there is concern that companies may prioritize profit over artistic integrity, leading to inferior products. This reflects a broader trend of viewing video games as commodities rather than art forms, highlighting a disconnect between corporate strategies and creative processes.

Winsage

August 15, 2026

The Windows 11 Microsoft shipped in 2021 and the Windows 11 we have in 2026 are worlds apart — this is the full breakdown of what changed

Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 in October 2021, featuring a centered Start menu, revamped Taskbar, and rounded corners, along with productivity enhancements like Snap Layouts and a redesigned Microsoft Store. The initial release faced criticism for lacking familiar features from Windows 10, such as tabbed File Explorer and extensive Taskbar customization. Over the years, Microsoft has worked to restore many of these features and improve user experience. The Start menu has evolved from a basic design with limited customization options to a more flexible interface with size options and better organization of content. The Taskbar has seen the restoration of drag-and-drop functionality, app labels, and repositioning options. File Explorer now includes tabs, a Gallery feature, and improved cloud integration. The Settings app has become more consistent and capable, reducing reliance on the Control Panel. Productivity features like Search and Snap Layouts have improved significantly, with AI becoming a central aspect of the operating system. Performance has also enhanced, addressing initial sluggishness. Security and accessibility features have evolved, with stronger protections and expanded interaction methods. The setup experience has shifted to emphasize connectivity and Microsoft accounts, making local account creation more challenging. Despite these improvements, some legacy components and issues remain.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Palworld fans ‘do not realize the sheer number of collabs we’ve rejected’ even with the survival game’s ‘fun-first approach’

The landscape of gaming collaborations is shifting towards the number of partnerships a game can establish rather than player counts or Metacritic scores. Palworld, a survival game featuring critters with weapons, is selective about its collaborations. John 'Bucky' Buckley, head of publishing and communications for Palworld, stated that coherence in partnerships is crucial, and many potential collaborations have been rejected for not making sense. Successful collaborations include one with Terraria, integrating its creatures and items like the Meowmere, and another with UltraKill, where weapons such as the Marksman Revolver fit well within the game's existing arsenal. This indicates that Pocketpair has a clear vision for enhancing the gaming experience through thoughtful collaboration choices.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

Old School RuneScape began when a dev ‘found the 2007 server in their desk drawer:’ 13 years later, it’s setting subscriber records for the long-lived MMO

In June, Jagex hosted its largest live event, the Deadman All Stars, a PvP tournament for Old School RuneScape (OSRS), outside the UK. Kieren Charles, the creative director of OSRS, noted that the game has grown significantly since its launch, stating, “The game's bigger now than it was in 2007.” OSRS surpassed the original RuneScape's age in 2013 and achieved an all-time high of over one million active subscribers last August. The decision to base OSRS on the 2007 version was influenced by player preference for what they considered the "golden age," despite initial interest in the 2006 version. OSRS is recognized as a pioneering example of officially-supported 'classic' servers, balancing community engagement with official support. Regular updates, including the upcoming Varlamore expansion in 2024, aim to keep the game fresh while maintaining its nostalgic essence. New content is approved through community votes, requiring a minimum of 70% approval. Charles emphasized the importance of community feedback, preferring to reject proposals rather than invest significant development time into unpopular features. He views his role as a caretaker of the OSRS legacy, focusing on what the community wants.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

The ‘father of Master Chief’ doesn’t like the new Halo’s new halos

Marcus Lehto, the art director of Halo: Combat Evolved, has expressed concerns about the remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, particularly regarding the portrayal of the Halo rings. He believes the rings appear overly polished and lack the character that comes from centuries of conflict, describing them as resembling "shiny new toys." Lehto criticized the main menu ring as "the most offensive thing we see every time we boot up the game," stating it should convey scale and mystery but instead looks like it was built recently. He emphasized the importance of detail, suggesting the rings should feel like "ancient tombs." Despite his critiques, he acknowledged improvements in gameplay, cinematics, and visuals, praising the lighting and movement mechanics while remaining optimistic about the overall experience.

AppWizard

August 13, 2026

This spy game is a dream come true if you love spending time in character creators

Legion Was Here offers an immersive character creation experience, allowing players to customize avatars with extensive options, from facial features to expressions. The character creator is central to gameplay, pushing players to master character design for success in the game. A poorly crafted character can lead to challenges in survival, adding pressure to the creative process. Players can either replicate familiar faces or create new personas, with every detail impacting their character's fate.