Digital News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Having turned 20 last year and being a dominant force in digital PC gaming, it’s hard to imagine Steam got off to a rocky start when it launched in 2003. However, here we are, and the Valve service continues to reign supreme, as it reaches another concurrent player milestone.

If you’ve read the last 10 issues of my Forgotten Gems column, you’ve probably noticed a pattern. I pick a game that may either spark some recognition and you’ll go “oh, yeah – what happened to it?” – or you’ve never heard of the game I’m profiling and you google what year I was born so that you can rest easy that it’s not you, it’s me. Inevitably, the column turns gloomy. An awesome-sounding sequel was planned, but never made. Or, somehow, an entire series of games is no longer accessible to play.

Microsoft’s fondness for special edition Xbox consoles continues with a SpongeBob SquarePants Xbox Series X.

Ahead of launching, Alan Wake 2 made the news because it required graphics cards with hardware support for DirectX 12 Ultimate's Mesh Shaders feature. That left unsupported GPUs like NVIDIA's GTX 1000 series and AMD's RX 5000 Series in the dust.

Finnish games firm Remedy has bought the rights to its smash hit title Control.

HanuMan OTT release date: The Telugu sensation, "HanuMan," featuring Teja Sajja in the lead role, is gearing up for its digital debut on the Zee5 platform on March 8th, 2024. The film, which hit global theatres on January 12th, has been a phenomenal success, shattering box office records and emerging as the first blockbuster of 2024.

Elon Musk's social media platform X could face a raft of new European Union rules that place curbs on the behavior of some of the world's largest technology firms, after the company told regulators it may meet criteria to fall under the scope of the bloc's Digital Markets Act. 

Popular Poker-based roguelike Balatro has been removed from several digital storefronts in an apparent ratings mix-up.

In a recent turn of events, Info Edge (India) Ltd announced that its prominent mobile applications including Naukri.com Job Search App, Naukri Recruiter, Naukrigulf Job Search App, 99acres and Shiksha have been removed from the Google Play Store. This action follows Google's crackdown on apps in India, targeting those embroiled in a dispute over service fee payments.

In a recent development, Google India has taken action against 10 Indian mobile applications, including popular ones like Bharat Matrimony, Info Edge's 99acres, and Naukri.com, by removing them from the Google Play Store. The move comes as a result of a dispute over service fee payments imposed by Google on in-app transactions - these companies were not paying what the Play Store wanted.

Playstack, the publisher of popular roguelike deckbuilder Balatro confirmed on Twitter that the game has been temporarily removed from some digital storefronts due to a sudden rating change. Apparently, the UK rating board PEGI changed the rating from 3+ to 18+ overnight due to “prominent gambling imagery” which prompted the sudden delistings. The problem here is that there is literally no gambling in Balatro.

Balatro, the hot new roguelike card game of the moment, has been pulled from several digital storefronts after its age rating was changed due to perceived gambling concerns. In response, publisher Playstack Games says the ratings decision is "unfounded" and vows to fight back against Balatro's removal. 

Playstack says its roguelike card game Balatro has run into a ratings problem resulting in it being "temporarily removed from sale on a number of digital stores in some countries on console platforms."

Hello PlayStation Stars members! This month introduces more exciting Campaigns, from earning Points on acclaimed titles to celebrating award-winning franchises and fan-favorite games. Let’s dive into the featured Campaigns awaiting you in March.

This is not investment advice. The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Wccftech.com has a disclosure and ethics policy.

Arrowhead Studios, the developer behind co-op hit Helldivers 2, has warned players about "fake" versions of the game and other popular titles after a wave of illegitimate copies hit Steam overnight. 

Microsoft is introducing a wave of enhancements and new features for Windows 11 users, promising a more intuitive and efficient computing experience. Microsoft Windows 11 update highlights include significant improvements to Copilot, Widgets, and other AI-powered functionalities.

Microsoft Co-founder and phillanthropist Bill Gates on Thursday said that a lot of fantastic work is going on in the field of Artificial Intelligence adding that country is poised to a lot of the leadership work in the sphere of Artificial Intelligence.

Nintendo’s latest Direct gave us the official announcement of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, the definitive edition of SMT V, which originally released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch back in 2021. With pre-orders now live, Atlus has dropped a new ‘extended cut’ of the announcement trailer as well as new information on pre-order bonus items.

It’s common to see install sizes and updates for modern games coming in at over 50 to 100 GB per title. That’s just the way it is these days, and it’s not likely to change. Instead of constantly deleting games to make room for these hard drive hogs, maybe it’s time get more storage for your desktop, laptop, PS5, or Steam Deck. Thankfully, our collection of the best SSD deals will help you add more SSD real estate without breaking the bank. There are hundreds of SSDs out there, but we’ll be focusing on products that are good performers, reliable, and not too expensive.

Altered, the novel new trading card game from startup Equinox Studio, has broken records with its inaugural crowdfunding campaign. With nearly $7 million earned from nearly 15,000 backers, it becomes the single most-funded TCG ever run on Kickstarter. The new card game, which will enter a crowded marketplace alongside games like Magic: The Gathering and Disney Lorcana, is expected to release on Aug. 26, 2024

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars is being given a makeover to celebrate the point and click adventure's 25th anniversary. Upgrades to its sounds and visuals will see the game reimagined in 4K, but its creators want to do even more to mark this significant milestone. The first Broken Sword adventure is also getting a physical release in the form of a Collector's Edition, the Kickstarter for the project hitting its $63,000 goal within an hour of the page going live.

In a bid to enhance the digital writing experience, Google has unveiled a groundbreaking feature allowing users to hand-annotate directly on Google Docs using a stylus or their finger. This new markup feature is being rolled out for Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google accounts, with compatibility currently limited to Android devices.

This is not investment advice. The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Wccftech.com has a disclosure and ethics policy.

Activision’s popular battle royale game Call of Duty: Warzone is making the jump to mobile in March. Specifically, it launches for iOS and Android devices on March 21.

You know the famous Pokémon Trading Card Game, right? Well, I have a piece of good news about it. It’s going digital and will be available on your mobile soon! Called Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, this game will bring the fun Pokémon cards to Android by the end of this year.

Dragon Ball FighterZ finally launches digitally on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S on February 29 at midnight local time.

The Pokémon Company revealed a new virtual card collecting game called Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket on Tuesday. After the reveal, fans online expressed concern that the game would contain non fungible tokens (NFTs). However, it now looks like NFTs won’t play any part in the new game. In a statement issued to Polygon, a representative of the Pokémon Company said it has “not developed or approved” any Pokémon NFTs.

Tropical Haze LLC, the company behind the Nintendo Switch emulator known as Yuzu, has been sued by Nintendo in US federal court. The Japanese tech giant claims that the emulator violates the anti-circumvention and anti-trafficking provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). 

Fans of found-footage frights will soon be able to dig into a new video game take on the Paranormal Activity film series. By “soon” we mean 2026, which is when the “all-new interactive game experience” from the devs behind The Mortuary Assistant is set to launch.

The Steam Deck is a very emulator-friendly system, and with a few tips and tricks, you can learn how to run emulators on the Steam Deck in just a few minutes. When Valve designed the Steam Deck, it knew that players would be interested in emulation to recreate their favorite gaming systems of years gone by to enjoy some timeless classics. That’s why the Steam Deck allows you to pick and run an emulator right out of the box.

The Pokémon Company has announced the successor to Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon TCG Pocket, coming to mobile devices in 2024.

It hasn’t always been easy to get Pokémon card packs over the past several years. During the pandemic, Pokémon cards saw a massive surge in popularity, so big that the Pokémon Company had to take drastic measures, producing more than 9 billion cards over the course of a single year as a way to address the shortage. It’s unclear what caused the boom, but it’s likely a mix of people picking up new (or old) pandemic hobbies and the increase of content creators buying cards and opening packs on streams. Basically, Pokémon cards became a nostalgia-fueled way to gamble.

Yorgos Lanthimos’ dark comedy Poor Things, releasing on digital platforms on Tuesday, is in the running for 11 Oscars — and while it’s up for the big ones, like Best Director and Best Motion Picture, it’s no surprise that it got nods in the design categories as well. One of 2023’s most deliriously lavish, visually over-the-top movies, Poor Things puts its female Frankenstein figure Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) in puffy sleeves bigger than her head, surrounds her with stitched-together duck-and-dog hybrid creatures, and situates her in a house that feels like a creepy design wonderland.

Pokemon has always diversified the ways you can explore its world, with Pokemon TCG being one of them. During today’s Pokemon Presents, the company revealed Pokemon Pocket, an upcoming new way to enjoy the trading card game.

Movies released during the first few months of any year have it pretty rough. They’re competing with all the prestige movies still in theaters after the end-of-year rush for awards qualifications, and they’re coming out in a season where a lot of people are still exhausted from holiday season, financially strained by it, or both. It’s easy to overlook new releases at the beginning of the year — but fortunately, it’s also easier than ever to catch up, given how many movies debut on streaming services these days and how quickly theatrical releases move to streaming.

A digital version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is heading to mobile later this year.

The Pokémon Company will hold a digital event today, Tuesday February 27, which it says will contain “exciting news”.

Most times, when you buy a great new Windows laptop and a PC or Mac, you don't get Microsoft Office included. So, if you need to type up a document or put together a presentation, you'll need to consider purchasing the two modern versions of Office. You can subscribe to Microsoft 365 for a yearly or monthly fee and get the core Microsoft Office apps (and other bonuses), or you can purchase Office 2021 for a one-fee and worry less about subscriptions. We have a look at the benefits of both versions of Office for you right here. When it comes to their fundamental features and user interfaces, Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 are extremely comparable, and customers should expect a pretty uniform experience. Still, there are variations in the positioning of products. Office 2021 is more focused on meeting standard office requirements. The goal of every update is to give users the impression of a more productive workplace. Office 2021 offers certain network storage services as well. Conversely, Microsoft 365 boasts a plethora of exclusive AI features that make it easier for people who aren't familiar with Office's more sophisticated features.

Wizards of the Coast arrived in Chicago this past weekend with an armful of announcements for Magic: The Gathering, but the best one could easily fit inside your pocket. It’s called Bloomburrow, and it’s the most charming thing to happen to the collectible card game in a long while. A news release, dropped Monday, reveals a few more details on the its pint-sized heroes plus set release dates for the first half of the year. Let’s dip in.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is almost here, and players are too excited to wait any longer. Thankfully, if you have an extra email you won’t need to wait as long as everyone else. We’re going to Journey through Midgar and figure out how to play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth early.

Analog is ok, but today's generation of tech-savvy youngsters is embracing the fusion of style and functionality in the form of smartwatches. The wristwatch, once a simple timekeeping accessory, has evolved into a sophisticated gadget that not only tells time but also connects us to a world of information and convenience. In the realm of wearable technology, smartwatches have become the go-to accessory for individuals seeking a seamless integration of fashion and innovation. This rings particularly true for young boys who are not just looking for a timepiece but a companion that mirrors their dynamic lifestyle. The world of smartwatches is vast and varied, offering an array of features to cater to different needs. From fitness tracking to notifications and even serving as an extension of one's smartphone, these wrist wonders have redefined what it means to wear a watch. However, with innovation comes a price, and the hunt for an affordable yet trendy smartwatch is a challenge many parents and young users face. That's where our curated list comes into play – presenting the 9 trendiest smartwatches for boys, all under the budget-friendly bracket of ₹1000. In the age of constant connectivity, these smartwatches are not just about keeping time; they are about keeping up with the pace of the digital world. Whether it's monitoring fitness goals, receiving call and message notifications, or simply expressing personal style through customizable watch faces, these devices are designed to cater to the diverse interests and needs of the younger generation. One might wonder if it's possible to find a smartwatch that is both trendy and affordable. The answer is a resounding yes! The smartwatches on our list have been handpicked to strike the perfect balance between style, functionality, and budget constraints. This collection showcases how technology can be both accessible and fashionable, empowering young boys to embrace the digital age without breaking the bank. Join us on a journey through the world of wrist-worn innovation as we explore the 9 trendiest smartwatches for boys under ₹1000. From vibrant displays to durable designs, each entry on our list has something unique to offer. Whether you're a parent looking for a thoughtful gift or a young tech enthusiast eager to elevate your wrist game, our selection promises to make the quest for the ideal smartwatch an exciting and budget-friendly adventure. Get ready to redefine your wristwear – analog is ok, but the future is undoubtedly smart.

OnePlus is a stalwart, consistently pushing boundaries and redefining user expectations of their mobile experience. OnePlus 256GB smartphones offer a collection that seamlessly merges formidable power and expansive storage.

As the go-to digital storefront for many PC gamers, Steam has dominated the market for the better part of 20 years. Aside from the fact that it has millions of games in its growing selection, regular sales and events continue to be a mild threat to a lot of people’s finances.

In an exciting revelation at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona, Samsung has unveiled its latest innovation – the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Showcased for the first time, the wearable device promises to revolutionise health tracking. t will leverage the capabilities of the Samsung Health platform.

Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers vanished from the eShop in 2019, but they’ve since made a triumphant return. Though they won’t be perfect for everyone, these vouchers are ideal for folks interested in playing multiple Switch games throughout the year and looking to save a few bucks on their purchase. After buying a voucher, you’ll be able to browse an ever-growing selection of digital Switch games — including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Tears of the Kingdom — and snag them at a discount.

Apple released the fourth beta of its forthcoming iOS 17.4 update for the iPhone last week. While the company is expected to release the fifth developed beta on Tuesday, the final release is fast approaching. iOS 17.4 update holds immense importance for Apple as well as developers, bringing a permanent impact on how users install apps on the iPhone. The platform will host a plethora of changes for the App Store, so check out when iOS 17.4 will be released to the general public for all compatible iPhone models.

Google has announced a significant change for its users in the United States - the discontinuation of the standalone Google Pay app. In a recent blog post, the tech giant revealed that the app will no longer be available after June 4, 2024. Instead, users are encouraged to migrate to Google Wallet, which will become the primary platform for managing digital payments and transactions.

The blockbuster tandem of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone in "Fighter" has not only dominated the box office, but it's also gearing up to conquer the digital realm. After its triumphant theatrical run, the Siddharth Anand directorial is set to make a splash on the streaming stage.

Microsoft is said to be releasing a new Xbox Series X White all-digital model later this year.

Between the confusing name changes and having two apps with a similar function, Google Pay will finally shut down in the United States later this summer. Google Wallet will replace it entirely.

Digital Eclipse has announced that the second game in their Gold Master Series of interactive documentaries, Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, will be available on March 13, 2024.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is almost here, and it looks like it will push the PS5 and the game’s slightly-aging Unreal Engine 4 tech to the limits, so how does the game measure up technically? Well, the pixel counters at Digital Foundry have posted some early analysis, and it’s a bit of a mixed bag, depending on what visual mode you decide to use. You can check out their full video below if you have 10 minutes to spare, or you can scroll on down for our recap of the important points.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is set to release March 22 or PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This action-RPG sequel promises plenty of character customization, help from Pawns, and fantasy-inspired action using swords, bows, and chant magick. Preorders are live now, in a couple of editions (see it at Amazon). We have full details below, along with info on preorder bonuses, so let’s dive in.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild still looks impressive to this day, considering the hardware it has been developed for, but it definitely cannot compare to how it can look with certain mods available on PC.

Uber Technologies Inc. wants to quicken an expansion into the cheaper but potentially larger market for two- and three-wheeled rides in India, extending a long-running rivalry with local provider Ola.

Elden Ring’s upcoming expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, got its first gameplay trailer, and FromSoftware isn’t easing up on the mystery, or the depth in the new content on the way. 

Hi-Fi Rush is a completely unique, action-packed rhythm game with quirky, fun characters, bright, flashy graphics, and witty, fun villains. It stood out when it was shadow-dropped on Xbox Game Pass and for great reason. With confirmation the title is finally coming to the PlayStation 5, a sweet surprise was that Hi-Fi Rush is also getting physical editions.

“They don’t make ’em like they used to” is a phrase you’ve heard a thousand times. But for famously puppet-forward, dark fantasy films like Jim Henson’s Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, the reasons seem apparent, from the Game of Thrones-ification of fantasy to the decline of the musical.

Limited Run Games has announced that they’re going to be re-releasing Hudson’s 2003 Game Boy Advance game, Ninja Five-O, both physically and digitally for Switch, PS4, and PS5.

We learned earlier today that Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush, once console exclusives to Xbox, are two of four games releasing on other consoles in the coming months. Shortly after that, Obsidian and Bethesda announced that both games will receive a physical and digital release.

Gamers who are thinking about finally buying the PlayStation 5 should consider getting one of the many PS5 bundles, which will give you more value for your hard-earned money. With more PS5 exclusives on the way, now’s a great time to finally purchase the console or to upgrade from the PlayStation 4. Check out the PS5 bundles that we’ve gathered here, just make sure that you hurry with your purchase because stocks may run out at any moment.

FromSoftware isn't ready to call the newly revealed Shadow of the Erdtree DLC the end of the Elden Ring saga.

Miquella is back. From Software and Bandai Namco just released the official gameplay trailer for the upcoming Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree and it looks exactly like I hoped it would. More epic boss battles, new weapons to find and learn, and lots of dying. You know, more Elden Ring. Shadow of the Erdtree is set to release on June 21, 2024, and is even getting its own collector’s edition that looks pretty epic.

Ahead of Elden Ring’s new Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, which was officially announced on Wednesday, FromSoftware and Bandai Namco have opened up preorders for a brand new Collector’s Edition of the game.

Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, a bestselling fantasy epic translated into multiple languages and adapted into a hit Prime Video show, introduced millions of fans to a vast realm of danger and adventure. Now, Cards of Eternity: The Wheel of Time from Aether Games delivers a captivating gameplay experience that brings this magical world to life in a thrilling new way. 

AI roundup: In today's AI news, one of the top engineering institutes in India and BharatGPT are set to launch ChatGPT-style service “Hanooman” which is backed by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd. In other news, scientists took advantage of AI to predict how agricultural land suitability may change by 2050. Know more about what happened in the world of AI today, February 21, 2024.

Fans of collectible card games (CCG) can look forward to Cards of Eternity, a newly announced CCG based on The Wheel of Time fantasy franchise. The developer is Aether Games, which made the eponymous trading card game (TCG) Aether, which features blockchain and NFTs support and is therefore only available via the Epic Games Store (Steam does not allow blockchain or NFTs).

Last year, an all-digital Xbox Series X leaked via FTC court documents, which many fans worried was another hint towards an all-digital future. It's a concerning precedent because the Xbox 360 digital storefront is shutting down in July, meaning that physical media is the only way to get games for the platform going forward. If something similar happened to an all-digital generation down the line, it'd be a huge blow to preservation.

OnePlus is a stalwart, consistently pushing boundaries and redefining user expectations of their mobile experience. OnePlus 256GB smartphones offer a collection that seamlessly merges formidable power and expansive storage.

The popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) third-person shooter Warframe has launched on the App Store for iOS, allowing iPhone users the opportunity to access the entire game on the go.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed that Xbox will not be moving away from physical media anytime soon, despite the market trending towards digital purchases.

Modern digital game distribution makes buying and installing games easier than ever. If you play games on a PC, there is a very good chance you’re using Steam. With many games requiring more and more storage space for all those HD textures and uncompressed audio tracks, most players don’t have space for every game they own on their hard drives. Plus, with those attractive Steam sales that are the source of the bulk of our libraries, it’s easy to amass a huge offering of games.

An international law enforcement operation led by Britain's National Crime Agency and the FBI has arrested and indicted members of the Lockbit ransomware gang, in an unprecedented police operation that has struck one of the world's most notorious cybercrime gangs.

Even with its continued push for Game Pass, Xbox has no intention of fully abandoning disc-based games, according to Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer.

Nintendo is set to make a bit of history withPrincess Peach: Showtime! on March 22. The upcoming Switch release gives gaming’s most iconic female character her own solo adventure for the first time since 2005’s critically dissected Super Princess Peach. It’s a dream moment for players who’ve spent the last two decades wishing Peach would get another shot as a leading lady.

Just like the Xbox Series X and the PS5, you can gameshare on your Nintendo Switch. It's a great way to experience more of the best Switch games without breaking the bank. As long as you have a digital copy of a game in your account, you can easily share that game with a friend across the original Switch, Switch OLED, and a even the Switch Lite. Here's how to gameshare on Nintendo Switch.

A new Pokémon Presents digital event will broadcast next week, on Tuesday 27th January at 2pm UK time. That's 9am Eastern or 6am Pacific.

Fans want a physical edition of Remedy’s horror sequel Alan Wake 2, but the critically acclaimed game isn’t exactly struggling on digital storefronts. The title has now sold 1.3 million copies worldwide, making it the fastest-selling title in the Finnish firm’s history. It previously reached one million units by the end of December 2023, so it looks like word of mouth has been good through the first two months of 2024.

Capcom loves a good pre-release demo, and fans think they have found evidence of one for Dragon's Dogma 2 ahead of its PS5 launch next month. An update to the PC version on Steam apparently now brings up an extra app that's listed as «free on demand»; this is supposedly the text associated with demos uploaded to the digital marketplace. Due to that, a Dragon's Dogma 2 demo is thought to be on the way, presumably for all platforms.