Apps & Games news for Desktop Page 130

14 Aug 2024

Owlcat Games Expands into Publishing, Supports Indie RPG Developers

Owlcat Games is entering the publishing arena to support indie studios specializing in role-playing and narrative-driven games. They have signed projects from Serbia's Emotion Spark Studio and Poland's Another Angle Games, and acquired Meta Publishing. The focus is on storytelling passion.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft's Windows 11 Update to Standardize BitLocker Encryption

Microsoft's Windows 11 version 24H2 will make BitLocker device encryption standard for clean installations. The update lowers hardware requirements, enabling automatic encryption for more devices, including Home versions. Available by late September, it enhances security with modern processor and TPM requirements.

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14 Aug 2024

MyRealGames Reveals Top 3 PC Games of Summer Based on Player Ratings

MyRealGames has revealed the top three PC games of summer based on player ratings: 8 Ball Frenzy, Real Mahjong, and Amazon Adventure. The company also plans to launch new online browser games, including Bike Stunt Racing Legend, Solitaire Crime Stories, and State Wars, later this year.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Releases Patch Tuesday Updates, Retires Problematic WinRE Fixes

Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday updates include several for Windows 10 and 11, addressing issues like the BitLocker Secure Boot bypass vulnerability. Problematic updates KB5034441 and KB5034440 were retired due to installation errors. New support documents provide guidance on required recovery partition space.

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14 Aug 2024

Choosing the Right Antivirus Software: Key Factors and Top Picks

Selecting the right antivirus software is crucial due to evolving cyber threats. Free solutions offer basic protection, while paid options provide real-time monitoring. Top choices include TotalAV, Bitdefender, Norton 360, and Malwarebytes, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.

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14 Aug 2024

Fanatical Launches Customizable Warhammer 40,000 Battles Bundle

Fanatical's Build Your Own Battles: Warhammer 40,000 Battles bundle offers turn-based strategy PC games starting at $0.50 per game. Key titles include Warhammer 40,000: Gladius, Sanctus Reach, Armageddon, and Battlesector. Prices decrease with more selections. Space Marine 2 releases on September 9.

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14 Aug 2024

Cult of the Lamb Sales Surge with Unholy Alliance Update and New Content

Cult of the Lamb's Unholy Alliance update has driven a sales surge, ranking it 4th in the US and 6th globally on Steam. The update adds a new companion, the Goat, and the Pilgrim Pack with quests and decorations. The game is on sale for .49, its lowest price since release, with player counts peaking.

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14 Aug 2024

Game Science Releases Free Benchmark Tool for Black Myth: Wukong Evaluation

Game Science has launched a free benchmark tool for PC gamers to test their systems for Black Myth: Wukong. The tool helps preview game visuals and performance, aiding developers in optimization. The game, set for release on August 19 for PC and PS5, has delayed its Xbox Series X|S version.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Introduces Ads in Windows 11; Free Tools Offer Removal Solutions

Microsoft is integrating ads into Windows 11, including self-promotional content and persistent pop-ups. While users can disable many ads through settings, Ashampoo Windows 11 AdBlock offers a free, simpler solution to remove unwanted ads without altering the registry. Alternatives like OFGB and Winpilot Adblock are also available.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Pauses Copilot Features to Address Security Vulnerabilities

Michael Bargury, ex-Microsoft security architect, revealed vulnerabilities in Microsoft 365 Copilot at Black Hat USA 2024. Microsoft has paused new features to focus on security, with CEO Satya Nadella prioritizing improvements. Security deliverables are now part of executive compensation packages.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Releases KB5041580 Update for Windows 10 with Key Fixes

Microsoft has released the KB5041580 cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2, addressing BitLocker issues and implementing security updates to fix 142 vulnerabilities. The update is mandatory and can be installed via Windows Update settings or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Resolves Defender XDR and Printing Issues in Latest Windows Update

Microsoft resolved issues affecting Microsoft 365 Defender and LPD printing jobs after the July 2024 Windows Server updates. The disruptions, impacting Windows Server 2022, 2019, and 2016, were addressed with updates released on August 13, 2024. Users are advised to install the latest updates.

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14 Aug 2024

Microsoft Patches SmartScreen Bypass Vulnerability CVE-2024-38213

Microsoft patched a security bypass vulnerability (CVE-2024-38213) in June 2024, addressing a flaw that allowed attackers to circumvent SmartScreen protection. The issue was actively exploited by threat actors, leading to the deployment of malicious software. The advisory was initially omitted from updates.

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13 Aug 2024

Microsoft Releases Patch Tuesday Updates for Windows 11 Versions 23H2, 22H2, 21H2

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 versions 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2. The updates, identified as KB5041585 and KB5041592, address security vulnerabilities and improve features like BitLocker and Secure Boot. End of service for Home and Pro editions of 22H2 is October 8, 2024.

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13 Aug 2024

Microsoft Releases KB5041585 Update for Windows 11 23H2, Enhances Security

Microsoft has released the KB5041585 update for Windows 11 23H2, addressing security vulnerabilities and enhancing user experience. Users can install it via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. Windows 11 22H2 will reach end of service on October 8, 2024, urging users to upgrade.

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13 Aug 2024

Black Myth: Wukong Benchmark Tool Draws 60,000 Players on Steam

Black Myth: Wukong, ranked 18th on the Steam wishlist, released a free benchmarking tool attracting over 60,000 players. The tool helps optimize game settings and supports various upscaling technologies. The game launches on August 20, 2024, requiring 130 GB SSD storage and specific system requirements.

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13 Aug 2024

Alien: Romulus Director Inspired by Alien: Isolation's Fear Mechanisms

Fede Álvarez, director of Alien: Romulus, draws inspiration from the fear-inducing save mechanism in 2014's Alien: Isolation. His film will feature young colonists facing horrors in a derelict space station, including Emergency Phones that signal danger. A sequel to Isolation is unlikely due to Sega's focus on Total War.

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13 Aug 2024

Black Myth: Wukong Pre-Orders Surge, Climbs to No. 2 on Steam Chart

Pre-orders for Black Myth: Wukong surged, placing it second on Steam's Top Ten for the week ending August 13th. Counter-Strike 2 led, while PUBG: Battlegrounds secured third. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 climbed to ninth. Apex Legends re-entered at eighth due to a new season.

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13 Aug 2024

Windows 11 Beta Build Introduces Categorized Start Menu for Easier Access

Microsoft's new beta build of Windows 11 introduces a feature that organizes installed shortcuts by category, grouping similar applications for easier access. This aims to streamline navigation and improve user experience. The update is expected to be part of the Windows 11 24H2 release later this year.

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13 Aug 2024

Clearlake Faces Cybersecurity Threat from Counterfeit Antivirus Software

Clearlake faces a sophisticated cybersecurity threat distributing counterfeit antivirus software. Cybercriminals hijack legitimate websites to spread .NET-based malware, exploiting Windows vulnerabilities. Researchers advise caution with deceptive browser update prompts.

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13 Aug 2024

Dell XPS 13 (9345) Impresses with Lightweight Design and Powerful Specs

Dell has unveiled the XPS 13 (9345), an ultra-portable laptop weighing 2.6 pounds. It features a 13.4-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset, and up to 64GB memory. Priced at $1,299.99, it offers strong performance and design but has limited ports and no headphone jack.

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12 Aug 2024

Shadows of Doubt to Exit Early Access with Full Release in September 2024

Shadows of Doubt, a crime-solving simulation game by ColePowered Games, will exit early access on September 26, 2024. Featuring procedurally generated cities and NPCs with dynamic lives, the game allows players to investigate murders. New content and features are planned post-launch.

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12 Aug 2024

LiveOps Strategy Drives Success in Gaming Industry, Insights from Mobile to PC

LiveOps, the ongoing management and updates of games without new version releases, is a growing trend with 95% of studios involved. Top mobile and Steam games highlight its success. In 2024, Palworld peaked at 2.1 million concurrent players. Insights from mobile LiveOps are shaping PC game strategies.

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12 Aug 2024

New Windows Laptops Recommended: Surface Laptop 7 Tops the List

As of August 10, 2024, four new Windows laptop models have been added to the recommended list: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, Lenovo Legion 9i, Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9), and HP Omnibook X. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is now the top recommendation for most users, replacing the HP Spectre x360 14.

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12 Aug 2024

Global Windows Outage Highlights Risks of Hosting DNS and DHCP on Servers

Cricket Liu, Chief DNS Architect at Infoblox, addressed a global Windows computer outage on July 18 due to a CrowdStrike software bug. The update caused system failures in sectors like airlines and retail. Recovery may take hours or days, underscoring the risks of hosting critical services on Windows Servers.

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12 Aug 2024

Minecraft Mod Sodium Enhances Performance, Outperforms Optifine in FPS

Minecraft players can enhance performance with the Sodium mod, a free and open-source rendering engine. Available on platforms like CurseForge, Sodium boosts frame rates and outperforms Optifine in FPS. Installation involves adding the mod to the .minecraft folder and using the Fabric mod loader.

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12 Aug 2024

Minecraft Mod Iris Shaders Enhances Visuals, Requires Sodium to Operate

Iris Shaders, a popular mod for Minecraft, enhances visual effects and requires the Sodium mod to function. Available for free on CurseForge and Modrinth, it is compatible only with the Fabric mod loader. Users can easily download and install it to improve their gaming experience.

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11 Aug 2024

Jupiter Hell Classic to Launch on Steam in Q4 2024 with Enhanced Features

Jupiter Hell Classic will launch on Steam in Q4 2024, featuring enhanced graphics, refined mechanics, and Steam Workshop support. The release coincides with the original DRL version to address legal challenges with Zenimax, owners of the Doom franchise.

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11 Aug 2024

Avira Prime Offers Comprehensive Cybersecurity with Premium Features

Avira Prime, priced at $99.99 MSRP, offers robust malware protection, a monthly antivirus plan, a VPN, and a password manager. The premium plan includes mobile features, an unlimited VPN, and optimization tools. Installation is quick, but customer support lacks 24/7 availability. Avira prioritizes user privacy.

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11 Aug 2024

New Adventure Game Ogu and the Secret Forest Debuts on Steam

"Ogu and the Secret Forest," a top-down adventure game, launched on Steam last month. Featuring hand-drawn 2D art, it follows Ogu, a platypus, through exploration and puzzle-solving. The game includes Sokoban-style puzzles, mazes, and musical challenges, offering hours of discovery for players.

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