vote Archives

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

10 Games We’d Love To See Added To Xbox Backwards Compatibility On PC

Xbox has announced backwards compatibility for PC, allowing fans to vote on classic titles they want to see made available. Current favorites among voters include Fable 2, Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, Fable 3, Sonic Unleashed, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Gears of War 3, Lost Odyssey, and Ninja Gaiden Black. A curated list of ten highly sought-after titles already enjoying backwards compatibility on consoles includes Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Lost Odyssey, Ninja Gaiden Black, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Sonic Unleashed, Gears of War 3, Banjo-Tooie, SSX 3, and Fable 3.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Ditching Windows is the loudest feedback you can ever give Microsoft

Frustration with Microsoft's data collection practices has increased, particularly since the transition from Windows 7, where the amount of user data collected has significantly risen. Microsoft gathers extensive data points, including device IDs, user IDs, operating system information, and application usage data. Many users are turning to Linux as an alternative, as it respects user privacy and does not collect personal data without consent. Microsoft has also employed manipulative design tactics to influence user behavior, such as persistent prompts and misleading visuals. Additionally, the introduction of ads in Windows 11 has been viewed as disrespectful to paying customers, while Linux remains ad-free. Users are encouraged to switch to Linux to express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's practices and to reclaim their digital autonomy.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

I used videogames to solve my country’s politics: Turns out the answer is ultra-mega-communism

The Labour prime minister of the United Kingdom has stepped down, leading to the anticipated leadership of former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. A simulation exercise envisions the UK in 2026 under a radical premiership, proposing initiatives like cryptocurrency, subsidized healthy food, and university grants. The legislation of the right to die significantly boosted approval ratings to approximately 43%. A financial crisis led to a state of emergency, allowing for sweeping reforms such as a state postal service and increased NHS funding. The political landscape is divided, with socialists and trade unionists supporting the leadership, while religious conservatives and capitalists oppose it, forming armed factions. The campaign strategy focused on galvanizing the base, resulting in a 70% turnout from supporters and a nationwide turnout of 72%, translating to 30 million votes and 44.7% of the overall vote for the party.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Minecraft Movie Build Challenge winner announcement

The Tree Village Build was removed from Grand Prize consideration due to an oversight in the admission process, as it incorporated blocks from multiple biomes. However, it will receive a special mention and be featured in the movie alongside the finalists and overall winner. The Tranquil Taiga Tower, another semifinalist, will also be included in the final movie. A Minecraft Movie Squared is set to release on July 23, 2027. All Finalist Builds will transition to the movie, with minor adjustments possible. The exact placements of the Builds in the movie are not disclosed, and the Tree Village Build is included to honor its popularity within the community. Warner Bros. will determine the placement of the Build in the movie.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Chat Control 1.0: EU Council forces messenger scans via fast-track

Member states of the European Union are seeking to reinstate a previously expired regulation concerning the monitoring of encrypted communications, known as Chat Control 2.0, which mandates suspicionless scanning of encrypted messages. The Council of Ministers has proposed to reactivate a transitional regulation that allowed voluntary monitoring by technology companies, which lapsed on April 3. This move aims to close a legal gap and pressure Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to act quickly. The expiration of the previous regulation is viewed as untenable, as it is deemed crucial for identifying at-risk children and combating illegal content online. Critics argue that the approach undermines democratic oversight and lacks transparency. The draft regulation is set to be discussed as an urgent matter just before the summer recess, with potential voting occurring when many MEPs may be absent. The regulation requires that any processed content and traffic data be deleted within twelve months unless a specific suspicion is confirmed.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is

The Xbox community is reacting to the announcement of a restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 roles within Xbox. CEO Asha Sharma has introduced a strategy to mitigate losses, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine operating independently, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will seek new publishing partners. No projects have been canceled, and no studios have closed. State of Decay 3 is no longer required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, which may also apply to future Ninja Theory projects. Undead Labs must decide whether to launch titles on Xbox Game Pass or independently. Players are encouraged to support studios by purchasing games at retail prices. State of Decay 3 is gaining popularity on the Steam Most Wishlisted games list, highlighting interest in mid-sized and experimental games. The success of these studios now depends on community support.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Malware campaign targeting Minecraft users infects over 116,000 systems

A recent investigation by McAfee researchers has identified a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) operation called WeedHack, which targets Minecraft users. Since its launch in January 2026, WeedHack has compromised over 116,000 systems, with 2,000 to 3,000 new infections daily. The operation uses YouTube and SEO poisoning to distribute malware, promoting Minecraft mods and utilities through videos. WeedHack is accessible for free, with premium features available at low costs. The malware targets Minecraft session IDs, collects system information, and extracts credentials from various platforms. It includes a web-based dashboard for tracking infections and offers tools for injecting malware into legitimate mods. The operation has also been linked to incidents of cyberbullying among its users. McAfee advises caution when engaging with Minecraft-related content on YouTube.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

The Stop Killing Games movement hits another major milestone as a game preservation bill passes California State Assembly vote

The California State Assembly passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921) with a vote of 43 to 16. This bill aims to address game preservation issues, particularly following Ubisoft's decision to de-list its online racing game, The Crew, which affected many players. Stop Killing Games, an organization advocating for game preservation, has established NGOs in the EU and the US to counter lobbying efforts related to game shutdowns. The bill will now proceed to the California State Senate for further support but faces opposition from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which argues it could misallocate developers' resources.

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

A Minecraft Movie Squared reveals Matt Berry and Kirsten Dunst

The sequel to the Minecraft movie, titled "A Minecraft Movie Squared," is set to be released in theaters on July 23, 2027. Kirsten Dunst will portray Alex, the female counterpart to Steve, and Matt Berry is rumored to play the character Herobrine. The film will feature a build challenge for fans, with the winner's creation potentially appearing in the movie. The sequel will introduce new biomes, characters, and mobs to the Minecraft universe.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Minecraft dev Mojang just added two huge multiplayer features to Java Edition with new Snapshot build

Mojang Studios has introduced new multiplayer features in the Minecraft 26.2 Snapshot 7 for Java Edition, including a Friends List and peer-to-peer connection options. The Friends List allows players to send and receive friend requests using Profile Names and includes tabs for managing friend statuses. Players can invite friends to join their single-player worlds, enhancing social interaction. Previously, private multiplayer sessions required LAN setups or third-party servers. The update may also support mods for peer-to-peer multiplayer if all players have the same mods installed. Additionally, the upcoming Chaos Cubed update will introduce a new sulfur cave biome, scheduled for release in Q2 2026.