visual improvements Archives

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

6 PC gaming myths that sound right (but aren’t)

- Maxing out graphics settings to "Ultra" can lead to performance drops without significant visual improvements; "Very High" or "High" settings often provide a better balance of visuals and performance. - The effectiveness of ray tracing in games varies based on implementation; some games showcase its benefits while others do not. - Photorealism in graphics does not necessarily equate to immersion; true immersion relies on art style, narrative, gameplay, and performance. - Modern upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR have improved to the point where the difference between upscaled and native resolution is often imperceptible to most gamers. - Frame generation can create visual artifacts and latency issues, particularly for budget GPUs, making it less effective at low framerates. - Recent advancements in GPUs have made high-quality gaming more accessible, challenging the belief that only high-end GPUs are needed for top-tier gaming experiences.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Outer Wilds studio finally confirms it’s working on a new game but says it will be ‘years’ before it’s ready to share details

Mobius Digital has announced a new project, six years after the release of Outer Wilds, during the final major update for the game. The studio indicated that further details about the new game will not be available for some time, stating, "It's gonna be a while, on the order of years, before we have any details to share about it." The update includes various gameplay enhancements, art and visuals improvements, user interface adjustments, text and localization updates, and PC-specific changes. Mobius Digital has no further major updates planned for Outer Wilds or Echoes of the Eye as they focus on their next game.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

After 16 years, The Dark Mod finally has guards as perceptive as in Thief: ‘The days of seeing knocked-out AI in the middle of a bright spotlight get ignored are over’

The Dark Mod, launched in 2009 as a total conversion for Doom 3 and transitioned to a standalone title in 2013, has released its latest update, version 2.13, which includes significant enhancements to gameplay. The update features a comprehensive rework of guard AI, improving their perceptiveness to mirror the original Thief experience. The AI now utilizes a "stochastic sampler model" that allows them to gauge illumination levels effectively, making them more aware of their surroundings. Additionally, the update introduces support for parallax occlusion mapping, enhancing visual detail, particularly in ceiling rendering, along with improved water reflections and volumetric lights. User experience improvements include a refined mission management system with a search filter and updates to the training mission. A fix for the "broken behaviors" of drunk guard AI has also been implemented. The Dark Mod 2.13 is available for download, and fans have access to unofficial content, including the 2023 campaign The Black Parade and the upcoming game Thick as Thieves.

Winsage

November 5, 2024

Windows 11 is finally getting gamers onboard

Windows 11 has surpassed 50 percent market share among Steam users, reaching 51.9 percent, while Windows 10's market share is around 70 percent overall. The NVIDIA RTX 3060 is the most popular graphics card among gamers, and most players prefer 1080p monitors. Windows 10 will be retired on October 14, 2025, after which it will no longer receive updates, although it will still function. Microsoft will provide a year of security updates post-retirement for Windows 10. The upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 is free and straightforward for most PCs.

Winsage

November 4, 2024

Windows 11’s biggest AI feature gets recalled yet again as we approach Windows 10’s demise

Microsoft has delayed the rollout of the Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs, shifting the expected launch to December, as confirmed on October 31st. The Super Resolution feature for the Photos app was announced on October 1st and made available to Insiders last week. Microsoft is encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, offering an additional year of security updates for consumers and a more expensive Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for businesses. A redesigned Windows Hello experience has been introduced for Insiders in the Beta channel, featuring new icons and a streamlined design, though performance concerns remain regarding the speed of facial recognition sign-in. Managing passkeys has been made easier, but switching devices and creating different passkeys can still be complex for users.

Winsage

October 17, 2024

The New Windows 11 24H2 Version Is Out, Here’s What’s Changed on Our Computers – Jason Deegan

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Version 24H2, featuring significant updates including: - Enhanced Energy Saver Mode that optimizes battery life for laptops by limiting background processes and reducing CPU usage. - Improved smartphone integration through the updated "Phone Link" app, allowing smartphones to be used as webcams and providing quick access to mobile app features from the desktop. - A more customizable Start menu, enabling users to pin applications to the taskbar and access Microsoft account information directly. - Noteworthy enhancements to File Explorer, including native support for 7zip and TAR formats, performance optimizations for ZIP file extraction, and improved navigation features. - A more user-friendly Quick Settings menu with easier scrolling, customizable arrangements, and a refresh button for Wi-Fi networks. - Support for HDR wallpapers, allowing the use of .JXR format images and automatic adjustments between HDR and SDR displays. - Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth LE Audio, enhancing connectivity options and introducing features for hearing aid users. - Voice Clarity feature that reduces background noise during voice calls using AI technology. - New Copilot+ features, including voice interaction, personalized news summaries, enhanced AI capabilities for complex queries, smarter browsing in Edge, and improved memory function for sensitive data. Users can manually initiate the update by navigating to Settings > Update & Security if it does not prompt automatically.

AppWizard

September 23, 2024

Top 10 Dreamcast games ranked and how to play them on PS5, Xbox and PC

The SEGA Dreamcast recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary in North America, having launched on September 9, 1999, with the UK anniversary on October 14. The Dreamcast developed a loyal following despite its brief market presence and is known for its exceptional games. A curated list of top ten games includes: 10. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 - A widely acclaimed game available in remastered form on modern platforms. 9. Resident Evil Code Veronica - Offers chilling scares and an intriguing plot, with an updated version available on modern consoles. 8. Skies of Arcadia - A highly regarded RPG known for its visuals and combat, with alternatives available on modern platforms. 7. Jet Set Radio - Celebrated for its visuals and soundtrack, playable on modern Xbox platforms and Steam. 6. Crazy Taxi - A fast-paced game set in a vibrant city, available on modern Xbox platforms but with a different soundtrack.

AppWizard

September 22, 2024

Either I’m experiencing deja vu, or Steam has somehow set another user count record only a month after the last one

Steam reached a new concurrent user record of 38,367,277 users logged in simultaneously. Valve's game, Deadlock, peaked at 171,490 players and currently has nearly 150,000 active users.

AppWizard

August 20, 2024

New Half-Life 2 RTX trailer is how I remember this PC gaming classic looking

Orbifold Studios is remastering the classic game Half-Life 2 through its RTX Remix project, recently showcasing the Nova Prospekt level in a trailer at Gamescom 2024. The studio employs over 100 artists to create new textures and models using Nvidia's RTX Remix technology, which utilizes generative AI to enhance game assets efficiently. Gamers with GeForce RTX graphics cards will be able to experience these upgrades. Nvidia's RTX Remix is a toolkit for game modders that simplifies asset creation and incorporates advanced rendering capabilities, allowing teams to enhance materials and utilize ray tracing and DLSS technologies for improved visuals.

AppWizard

August 16, 2024

Hunt: Showdown’s Steam reviews take a battering after the colossal 1896 update brings dreary UI and stuttering to the gothic PvPvE shooter

Hunt: Showdown's update 1896, released on August 15, aimed to enhance the game with DirectX 12, NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, HDR support, and improved 3D audio. However, it has faced significant backlash, receiving a 'Mostly Negative' rating on Steam after 6,041 new reviews, with only 36% being positive. Players criticized the new user interface for being more suited to consoles, leading to confusion and frustration with basic functionalities. Technical performance issues were also reported, including random fps drops, lags, freezes, and crashes. Developer Crytek has not yet addressed the negative feedback.