Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

M4 Mac Mini: Surprisingly Playable AAA Titles via Crossover

2025-04-27

The entry-level M4 Mac Mini, surprisingly, runs multiple Windows games smoothly after installing CrossOver. Titles like Black Myth: Wukong, Counter-Strike 2, and Assetto Corsa were tested, showing decent performance despite some tweaking and compatibility issues. While input lag exists and some high-refresh-rate mice are unsupported, the overall experience is impressive, hinting at a brighter future for Mac gaming.

(www.andrewethanzeng.com)

Game Mac Gaming

Back from the Dead: Cassette Tapes Stage a Comeback in Argentina's Music Scene

2025-04-26

In Argentina's indie and punk scenes, cassette tapes are experiencing a nostalgic revival. Offering a tangible and emotional connection to music, they appeal to artists and fans alike. This resurgence stems from nostalgia, a preference for physical objects over digital formats, and their use as a statement of identity. For independent musicians, cassettes offer a low-cost, easily distributable alternative. While challenges like sound quality exist, the unique experience and emotional resonance of cassettes have cemented their place in Argentinian music culture. This phenomenon serves as a compelling case study in how cultural values shape consumer trends and highlights the potential of analog formats in a digital world.

(www.greenbook.org)

Game cassette revival Argentinian music

Commodore OS Vision 3.0: A Retro-Fueled Linux Distro Packed with Games

2025-04-26

Commodore OS Vision 3.0, a free, fan-made Commodore-inspired Linux distribution (based on Debian Bookworm), is now available. Boasting over 200 free Linux-compatible games and a trove of classic Commodore titles and demos, it's a nostalgic gamer's dream. It also features Commodore OS BASIC V1, a modern BASIC implementation with 3D graphics and physics. A new resource hub, Commodore OS Central, is under development, aiming to become a game installer and community platform. A retro-styled settings manager allows for easy configuration of ROMs, emulation, and startup options.

(www.commodoreos.net)

Game

Interactive Neural Forest World in Your Browser

2025-04-25

The author trained a neural network to transform a video of a forest trail, captured with a phone, into an interactive virtual world explorable in a web browser. Unlike traditional video games, this world relies not on pre-defined geometry, lighting, and animations, but solely on a neural network generating new images based on previous images and control inputs. Overcoming early model limitations, the author improved the training method and network architecture to achieve a relatively smooth interactive experience. This showcases a novel approach to generating virtual worlds using neural networks, promising a future of more realistic and convenient world building.

(madebyoll.in)

Game Neural Network

Gym Class: Hiring a Senior Animation Engineer for Meta Quest Hit

2025-04-25

Gym Class, a leading social game on Meta Quest with millions of downloads and a 4.9-star rating, is expanding! They're seeking an experienced Animation Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of character animation systems in Unity. This role demands expertise in Unity and C#, proven mobile game animation experience, strong understanding of IK, animation blending, and state machines, and a knack for mobile performance optimization. You'll lead a high-performing team and shape the future of character movement in the game.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Game Animation Engineering

Crack the Code: A Guide to Logiquiz

2025-04-25

Logiquiz, also known as a self-referential quiz or puzzle, is a meta-puzzle where questions refer to themselves or other questions within the quiz. The goal is to mark each answer as correct (green bar) by clicking it twice. Strategy involves reading all questions, eliminating obviously wrong answers, solving straightforward questions first, and iteratively updating answers as new information emerges. Success relies on logic and deduction, making it a challenging yet engaging puzzle for players of varying skill levels.

(www.logiquiz.com)

Game meta-puzzle

GTA V Remains King of Twitch, Hints at GTA VI's Immense Potential

2025-04-24

Eleven years after its release, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) continues its reign as Twitch's most-watched game, accumulating over 1 billion hours watched last year! This dominance, alongside League of Legends also exceeding 1 billion hours, foreshadows the immense potential of the upcoming GTA VI. Other top performers include Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Valorant. Interestingly, V-Tubers also saw a 10% increase in viewership, reaching over a billion hours. GTA V's staggering numbers strongly suggest that GTA VI's launch later this year will be a monumental event.

(www.theverge.com)

Game GTA V GTA VI

D&D's OGL Victory: Community Uprising Forces WotC to Retreat

2025-04-23

Wizards of the Coast's (WotC) attempt to revise the Open Gaming License (OGL) for Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) in early 2023 backfired spectacularly. The proposed changes, which included royalty payments for creators exceeding certain revenue thresholds and unclear digital platform applicability, sparked widespread outrage within the D&D community. Facing intense backlash, WotC ultimately abandoned the revised OGL and released a Creative Commons-licensed System Reference Document (SRD), securing the long-term openness of core rules and releasing a new similarly licensed reference book. This victory highlights the power of community action and the importance of open gaming licenses.

(arstechnica.com)

Game Open Gaming License Community Action

Discord CEO Steps Down, Activision Blizzard Exec Takes Over Amidst IPO Rumors

2025-04-23

Discord co-founder and CEO Jason Citron is stepping down, to be replaced by Humam Sakhnini, a former Activision Blizzard executive. Citron will remain on the board. The move comes amid reports that Discord is planning an IPO, and Sakhnini's experience leading a public company (as President of King Digital) makes him a strong candidate. Discord, initially a gaming communication platform, has grown into a general social platform with over 200 million monthly active users. A previous $10 billion acquisition attempt by Microsoft fell through, but Discord now integrates with both Xbox and PlayStation.

(www.engadget.com)

Game

Dino 3D: Body-Controlled Dinosaur Game

2025-04-23

Dino 3D is a motion-controlled 3D dinosaur game. Control the dinosaur using your body movements! Raise your hands above your head to start. The game automatically calibrates; you can adjust sensitivity settings if needed. Raise your left hand to move left, your right to move right. Jumping and crouching are controlled by, well, jumping and crouching!

(nicknaskida.github.io)

Game motion control 3D game

Nintendo Sues Discord to Unmask Pokémon Data Leaker Behind 'Teraleak'

2025-04-23

Nintendo is pursuing legal action against Discord in a California court to identify the individual responsible for the massive Pokémon data breach known as "Teraleak." The leak included source code for the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A (though unreleased), next-generation Pokémon titles, older game builds, and extensive concept art and lore. Nintendo alleges that a Discord user, GameFreakOUT, posted confidential materials to the FreakLeak server, from which the leak spread widely. Despite DMCA takedown attempts, the information persisted online. The lawsuit aims to obtain GameFreakOUT's identifying information to hold them accountable for the breach.

(www.polygon.com)

Game

Computational Proof of the Optimal 4x4 Boggle Board

2025-04-23

A programmer spent months using a branch and bound algorithm and custom data structures to computationally prove the highest-scoring board in a 4x4 game of Boggle. This solves a nearly 40-year-old problem, demonstrating that even seemingly impossible exhaustive searches can be achieved with deep enough search. The project used a 192-core CPU, took 5 days, and cost around $1200. While not using AI, it showcases the power of classic algorithms and data structures, and the role of cloud computing in tackling computationally intensive problems.

(www.danvk.org)

Game computational proof

GTA San Andreas Skimmer Plane Vanishes: A 20-Year-Old Bug Triggered by Windows 11 24H2

2025-04-23

A long-standing bug in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has resurfaced: the Skimmer plane disappears after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2. Investigation revealed the issue stems from uninitialized variables in the game's code and a change in stack space usage by the `LeaveCriticalSection` function in Windows 11 24H2. This caused the game to unexpectedly rely on undefined behavior for two decades, until the update broke this fragile balance. The author fixed the issue by modifying the game files or using a SilentPatch, exposing a long-standing flaw in the game's code and the unexpected compatibility issues that Windows system updates can introduce.

(cookieplmonster.github.io)

Game Game Bug Windows Compatibility

Retro Computing: Raising Digitally Literate Kids with Windows 3.1 and DOS Games

2025-04-23

Concerned about online risks for their children, the author turned to Windows 3.1 and DOS era software, using retro games to cultivate their learning abilities and keyboard skills. For example, the 1985 educational game '1st Math' helps children learn math while improving hand-eye coordination and cognitive skills. The author plans to set up an old computer loaded with classic educational software, protecting children while preserving digital heritage.

(rietta.com)

Game children's education digital literacy

Moon Bugs: A Retro 50KB DOS Shooter

2025-04-22

Moon Bugs is a retro shooting game running on DOS, boasting a remarkably small 50KB codebase, free from modern game dependencies. It utilizes a unique 160x100, 16-color mode achieved by manipulating character height. Shooting down UFOs earns points, reaching certain score thresholds grants extra lives, while some UFOs deduct points. The article details game bugs and explains how to modify the game file to adjust starting level, lives, and difficulty. The author praises the game's simplicity and retro charm.

(www.michalfarkas.net)

Game DOS game

Blast from the Past: A Catalog of 80s BASIC Games

2025-04-22

This article presents a fascinating list of BASIC games from the 1980s, spanning various computer systems like BASIC-PLUS, EduSystem, DECsystem 10, and HP. From simple number guessing games (Acey-Ducey, Bagles) to complex strategy games (Gomoko, Civil War) and simulations (HMRABI, KING), the variety showcases the creativity and ingenuity of programming during that era. These games, simple yet engaging, are sure to evoke nostalgia in many.

(github.com)

Game BASIC programming 80s games

Whisky, the macOS Gaming Wrapper, Shuts Down Due to Developer Burnout

2025-04-21

The open-source macOS gaming application Whisky has ceased active development. Creator Isaac Marovitz, facing overwhelming user expectations and limited resources, made the difficult decision to shut down the project. CodeWeavers CEO James Ramey expressed empathy and acknowledged Whisky's significant contribution to the macOS gaming community. Despite the closure, Marovitz remains involved in Mac gaming, currently collaborating on a recompilation of Sonic Unleashed. The shutdown highlights the considerable pressures faced by developers of open-source projects.

(arstechnica.com)

Game

Solving Blue Prince's Propositional Parlor Puzzle with Logic

2025-04-21

This article details how to automatically solve a logic puzzle from the game Blue Prince using propositional logic. The puzzle involves three boxes (blue, white, black) each making statements, and rules stating at least one box is entirely true, at least one is entirely false, and the prize is in exactly one box. The author models the problem in propositional logic, uses a brute-force approach to find all satisfying assignments, and thus determines the prize's location. The article includes a JavaScript implementation and discusses code optimization.

(buttondown.com)

Game logic puzzles

Cyberpunk 2077: First Switch 2 Game Confirmed to Use DLSS

2025-04-21

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is the first game officially confirmed to utilize Nvidia's DLSS upscaling technology on the Nintendo Switch 2. DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, uses AI to boost resolution without significant performance loss. The Switch 2 version will offer Quality and Performance modes in both docked and handheld, each with varying frame rates and resolutions. The Switch 2's custom NVIDIA processor and GPU, featuring RT Cores and Tensor Cores, enable DLSS and real-time ray tracing, promising a visually stunning experience.

(www.videogameschronicle.com)

Game Cyberpunk 2077

X-Ray Defense in Chess: Hidden Lifelines

2025-04-21

This article, part 2 of a mini-series, explores the defensive applications of the X-ray motif in chess. It presents multiple examples demonstrating how seemingly lost positions can be salvaged using X-ray defenses. The author highlights the often-overlooked importance of defensive tactics, arguing they are as crucial as offensive ones. Six puzzles of increasing difficulty are provided to help readers understand and master X-ray defense, emphasizing the importance of considering a piece's line of sight even with intervening pieces. Indirect contact, the article shows, can hold unexpected influence.

(lichess.org)

Game x-ray defense defensive strategies

Color Test Game: How Sharp Are Your Eyes?

2025-04-20

This is a simple color recognition game. Players need to find the one disc with a different color among many discs of the same color. After the game, the system thanks the player for their participation and encourages them to play again to provide more data. It's a small experiment collecting user visual data; the more data, the more accurate the results.

(colors2.alessandroroussel.com)

Game visual test mini game

Hacker News: C64 Audio/Video Cable Swap Demo

2025-04-20

At Revision 2025, a demo called "Signal Carnival" showcased a groundbreaking feat: swapping the audio and video cables of a Commodore 64 and still producing meaningful audio and video. This isn't a simple miswiring; it cleverly uses the C64's VIC and SID chips, driving audio with the video signal and vice versa. The demo even plays audio during loading, featuring a custom loader with on-the-fly GCR decoding. This demonstrates the unexpected potential of the C64 and impressive programming skills.

(www.quiss.org)

Game

Olympic Champ Dominates 100m at Kid's Sports Day

2025-04-20

Eight-time Olympic gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, a ten-time world champion sprinter, recently competed in a 100m race at her son's sports day against other parents. She utterly dominated the competition, showcasing her incredible speed and professionalism by running full-out without any showboating. The event highlights the stark difference between elite athletes and the average person.

(kottke.org)

Game Track and Field

Ryan Gosling Joins Star Wars: A New Standalone Film Incoming

2025-04-20

Ryan Gosling, star of 'Barbie,' is set to join the Star Wars universe in a new standalone film titled 'Star Wars: Starfighter,' directed by Shawn Levy and slated for release in May 2027. The film, beginning production this fall, will be set five years after 'The Rise of Skywalker' but features an entirely new story and characters, exploring a previously unseen era in the Star Wars timeline. This announcement, made at Star Wars Celebration in Japan, signifies the continued expansion of the Star Wars franchise since Disney's acquisition, with numerous sequels, spin-offs, and streaming series.

(www.cnn.com)

Game Ryan Gosling New Movie

Test Your Visual Memory: Guess the Year!

2025-04-20

Challenge your visual memory in this addictive and educational game! Examine historical photos and guess their year of origin, using a timeline slider to select any year between 1850 and 2025. Accuracy earns points – perfect guesses score maximum points. Stuck? Reveal one digit of the correct year using hints (one digit per game). A daily challenge with new photos lets you compete and track your progress.

(whichyr.com)

Game memory game visual memory

Pico-8 Fantasy Console Demo: Multi-Cartridge Game Shown at Revision

2025-04-19

A Pico-8 demo, utilizing multi-cartridge technology, was showcased at this year's Revision demoparty's "fantasy console" competition. Currently only viewable online, the full source code is available for download on Pouet. Accompanying YouTube videos showcase the game and its music creation process. The demo runs within Pico-8, downloading necessary data carts from the BBS. Some effects have also been released as standalone files.

(www.lexaloffle.com)

Game demo

Resurrecting a Lost Arcade Giant: The Galaxian3 Rescue Mission

2025-04-19

In the early 1990s, Namco's 28-player arcade behemoth, Galaxian3, captivated players. Years later, most installations vanished. This article details a two-year journey to restore a damaged Galaxian3 GT-6 in New Hampshire. The game boasts unique hardware, including dual Sony CRT projectors and LaserDisc players. The team tackled challenges like diagnosing a mysterious LED flashing fault, repairing LaserDisc players, and combating 'CRT fungus' in the projectors. Despite their success in reviving much of the game, challenges remain, showcasing the immense effort required to preserve gaming history.

(philwip.com)

Game

Open Source F1 Live Timing Client: undercutf1

2025-04-19

undercutf1 is an open-source TUI application providing a real-time F1 live timing experience. It displays crucial race information like sector times, tire data, gaps, and strategies, with support for session replays and data analysis. Utilizing the UndercutF1.Data library, it connects to the F1 live timing data stream, processing incoming information and even allowing for simulated streams for development. Additional features include a driver tracker with a track map, team radio listening with transcription (using Whisper), and easy installation across multiple operating systems. A must-have for F1 fans and developers alike.

(github.com)

Game Live Timing

Running DOOM from a QR Code: A Tale of Extreme Compression

2025-04-18

Programmer Kuber Mehta has achieved the seemingly impossible: running the classic game DOOM directly from a QR code! Dubbed 'The Backdooms,' this project utilizes zlib and gzip compression, base64 encoding, and a cleverly designed self-extracting HTML wrapper to deliver a fully playable DOOM experience without any downloads. The development journey was fraught with challenges, requiring iterative adjustments to compression ratios and QR code versions. This incredible feat showcases the power of extreme compression and innovative application design, a testament to programmer ingenuity and perseverance.

(github.com)

Game QR Code Game Compression

Procedural Textures with Simple Hash Functions: A Playground of Patterns

2025-04-18

This article explores the surprising complexity achievable with a simple hash function for generating procedural textures. The core is a concise equation: $(c_x x + c_y y + c_{xy} xy + c_{x^2} x^2 + c_{y^2} y^2) mod m < τm$. By tweaking parameters, a vast array of visually rich patterns emerges. The author delves into the mathematical underpinnings, explaining how different terms influence the resulting texture. An interactive playground allows readers to experiment and create their own designs, making this relevant to game development and digital art.

(douglasorr.github.io)

Game procedural textures

Category: Game