visual overhaul Archives

Winsage

April 6, 2025

Microsoft changes the blue screen of death in Windows 11: why?

Microsoft has changed the blue screen of death to a green screen in its operating system, aligning it with the aesthetics of Windows 11. The new error screen features a simple message stating, “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart,” along with a progress percentage and minimal technical details. Reports suggest that Microsoft may eventually switch the error screen color to black for future public releases. Additionally, the sad emoji and QR code previously found on the error screen have been removed.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Minecraft Spring to Life drop is out now with more mob variants and ambient features

Mojang has released the Spring to Life update for Minecraft, introducing several new features: - Cold and warm variants for Pig, Cow, and Chicken. - Sheep spawn with wool colors based on their biome. - Wolves have new sound variants. - Spawn Egg visuals have been improved. - Fallen tree generation has been added. - A new Firefly Bush block has been introduced. - Leaf Litter blocks have been added. - Wildflowers and Bush blocks have debuted. - Short Dry Grass and Tall Dry Grass blocks have been included. - A Cactus Flower block can grow on Cactus blocks. - New falling leaf particles have been added to Leaves blocks. - Ambient block sounds have been introduced in Desert and Badlands biomes. - Language support for Kyrgyz has been added.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Minecraft testing new flat world presets and a better way to locate your friends in-game

Mojang Studios is introducing the "Locator Bar" in version 1.21.80.20 of Minecraft Preview, which replaces the traditional experience bar and helps players locate friends with colored dots and elevation indicators. The Locator Bar can be toggled off for fairness, and players can remain invisible by crouching or using certain items. Additionally, version 1.21.80.22 will allow players to create flat worlds with various presets, such as oceans or deserts. Upcoming updates include new Ghast variants, the ability to ride Ghasts, and a significant visual overhaul called "Vibrant Visuals."

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Jack Black Became Obsessed With Lapis Lazuli While Playing 100 Hours Of Minecraft

Jack Black is dedicated to his role as Steve in the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, reportedly spending over 100 hours playing the game during filming. Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Mojang's senior director of original content, noted that Black's portrayal is a unique interpretation of the character. To enhance the cast's connection to the game, Xbox consoles were installed in their trailers, allowing collaborative gameplay. Black developed a fascination with lapis lazuli, a crafting material in the game. A hero pack tie-in featuring pixelated Jack Black’s Steve has been introduced in Minecraft, and an action figure based on the film has been released. The film is set to be released on April 4, and it promises to combine Black's comedic style with the Minecraft universe.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

Minecraft’s never going free-to-play because as it stands it’s ‘the best deal in the world’

Mojang introduced new sophisticated shaders for Minecraft, set to enhance the visual experience in 2025. The standard "Java and Bedrock" edition of Minecraft is priced at £20, with various deluxe editions, skins, and texture packs available. Two optional subscriptions, Marketplace Pass and Realms Plus, offer additional customization and multiplayer experiences, but the base purchase provides a complete gaming experience. Mojang emphasizes accessibility and a commitment to maintaining the game's core experience without aggressive monetization. A parent noted that Minecraft became the sole game played on their child's Switch after purchasing it for £20. Mojang's representatives confirmed that there is no pressure from Microsoft to explore new monetization strategies. Game director Agnes Larsson highlighted the cultural significance and community ethos of Minecraft. The latest update, "Spring to Life," is available for free and introduces new ambient features, mob variants, and minigames inspired by an upcoming movie adaptation.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

All Minecraft Live 2025 Announcements – Minecraft Guide

Minecraft Live 2025 announced several updates and new features for the game, including a significant visual overhaul called the Vibrant Visuals update, which introduces new pixelated shadows, water effects, reflections, and improved volumetric lighting and fog, initially exclusive to the Bedrock edition. The first game drop, Spring to Life, will be available on March 25th, featuring warm and cold animal variants, falling leaves, and firefly bushes. Mojang plans to release features more frequently through Game Drops and will host two Minecraft Live shows each year. An in-game Live Event related to the upcoming Minecraft Movie will take place from March 25th to April 7th, offering mini-games and an exclusive cape for completing challenges. Later in the year, the second game drop will introduce the Dried Ghast block, which can be nurtured into a Happy Ghast, allowing up to four players to ride it simultaneously.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

When is Vibrant Visuals Coming to Minecraft? Release Date Tracker

Mojang has announced the Vibrant Visuals update for Minecraft, which will enhance the game's visual elements such as reflections, sunlight, water, and draw distances. The update is expected to significantly change the game's appearance while preserving its core essence. The release date is currently unconfirmed, but players on select devices in beta programs can experience it early. Key features of the update include improved shadows, volumetric fog, directional lighting, infinite clouds, thousands of crafted elements, accurate light rays, enhanced glow effects, and more realistic water visuals. The update will follow the upcoming Minecraft Spring to Life update, and players can also expect a new dried ghast that evolves into a happy ghast.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

Minecraft is getting a visual overhaul you probably don’t need because of all of those mods you’ve got installed

Mojang announced a significant update for Minecraft called Vibrant Visuals, which will enhance the game's lighting while maintaining its blocky aesthetic. The update will introduce volumetric lighting, allowing sunlight to interact more naturally with the environment, and will feature glowing mobs and items. It will initially be available for the Bedrock Edition, with plans to extend it to the Java Edition in the future, although no specific release date has been provided. Additionally, players will soon be able to fly on friendly ghasts, and a live event from March 25 to April 7 will feature mini-games with Jack Black's character, offering a unique cape as a reward for successful participants.

Winsage

March 5, 2025

Microsoft quietly updates Copilot to cut down on unauthorized Windows activations

Microsoft has updated Windows Copilot to fix a vulnerability that allowed the AI assistant to inadvertently help users bypass licensing protocols for its operating system. The update prevents Copilot from recommending third-party tools that could facilitate piracy. Although Windows 11 activations are still available online, the AI assistant will no longer promote these options. This change reflects Microsoft's commitment to regulating AI-generated content. Since its launch in November 2023, Copilot has undergone discussions about updates and redesigns, including a visual overhaul in October 2024 to improve interaction with online and local content. The update aims to enhance Copilot's competitiveness against other AI assistants like X's Grok, Google Gemini, and OpenAI's ChatGPT, ensuring that it does not facilitate security bypassing.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

The mad lads at New Blood have remastered Ultrakill before actually releasing Ultrakill in the first place

Ultrakill has undergone a significant visual overhaul, enhancing nearly every level except the recently added four-level layer of Violence from 2023. Lead developer Arsi "Hakita" Patala showcased the revamped aesthetics of level 1-1, Heart of the Sunrise, and confirmed that while some functional changes may occur, the core geometry and layouts will remain largely intact. A comparison video highlights improvements, including a newly overhauled skybox in layer 2, Lust, which now features a fully rendered 3D city instead of a flat texture. The grotesque atmosphere of Gluttony has been enhanced with new assets, and level 4-3 Ship of Fools has received detailed upgrades. The update also includes two remixed "encore" levels with significantly increased difficulty. Ultrakill is currently available at a 33% discount as part of New Blood's 11th anniversary sale on Steam.