best-selling Archives

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

EDB Announces Industry-First Book for Building Sovereign Data and AI Platforms with PostgreSQL

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has released a publication titled "Building a Data and AI Platform with PostgreSQL," authored by experts in PostgreSQL and data platforms. The book aims to guide executives and architects in transitioning generative and agentic AI into production-ready platforms. Research from EDB shows that while 95% of organizations plan to establish AI platforms in the next three years, only 35% currently use PostgreSQL for complex workloads, with just 13% achieving success at scale. The book emphasizes the importance of foundational platform design for successful AI deployment and offers a framework for establishing a platform mindset, identifying necessary architecture and governance, and mitigating data challenges. It has received endorsements from industry leaders, highlighting its practical guidance for moving AI from pilot projects to production. The book is available for purchase and will be distributed at the NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Marathon is enjoying some unexpected Ws, with pre-orders flying on Steam and a cast that exposes Arc Raiders’ big weakness

Enthusiasm for Marathon has increased, positioning it as one of the most anticipated games of the year. Following the announcement of its release date and pre-orders, Marathon has become one of the top five best-selling games on Steam. The game is expected to benefit from competition in the extraction shooter genre, with its unique features like first-person gunplay and player-versus-player interactions. Recent gameplay footage has improved perceptions of the game, and it will be priced at .99 / £34.99. The voice cast includes notable actors such as Ben Starr, Jennifer English, Neil Newbon, and Roger Clark, indicating Bungie's commitment to quality. Currently, Marathon ranks as the fifth best-selling game on Steam, with only Arc Raiders and Fallout 76 surpassing it among paid titles. The game is set to release on March 5.

AppWizard

January 20, 2026

Valve Might Finally Prove PC Gaming Doesn’t Have to Be a Pain in the Ass

Valve is set to launch the Steam Machine, which aims to redefine gaming standards despite not being optimized for true 4K gaming. Its pricing is uncertain due to fluctuating RAM costs. The Steam Machine offers limited upgradability, allowing modifications to RAM and storage but featuring a fixed CPU. Games with the “Steam Deck Verified” badge will be compatible with the Steam Machine, while the “Verified” status is essential for developers to ensure visibility in the Steam store. The Steam Machine operates on Linux-based SteamOS, providing flexibility for users to customize their experience. Valve's approach focuses on making Steam more accessible rather than competing directly with console sales. The Steam Deck has sold over 4 million units, but the Steam Machine could inspire future hardware that merges gaming systems.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Hytale Is Becoming What Minecraft Used to Be

Hytale has been released after a tumultuous development journey that included its acquisition by Riot Games and a subsequent cancellation. The game, initially seen as a competitor to Minecraft, is still a work in progress but has foundational elements of a great gaming experience. The developers aimed to create a standalone game for greater creative freedom, and despite initial disinterest, the author chose to support Hytale after its revival. The game offers a crafting-focused RPG adventure, contrasting with the monetization strategies of Minecraft under Microsoft. While there are issues with the current build, the author remains excited about Hytale's potential for future updates and content.

AppWizard

January 15, 2026

What is ‘Hytale’? The new viral ‘Minecraft clone’ explained

“Hytale” is an open-world sandbox game that allows players to collect resources, craft, and build unique worlds. It was developed by Hypixel Studios, which previously worked on a popular “Minecraft” server. Development began in 2015 and faced setbacks, including a cancellation in mid-2025, but resumed in November after the rights were acquired by Hypixel founder Simon Collins-Laflamme. The game is currently in early access and is fully playable, though still under development. “Hytale” is available exclusively on PC for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and can be accessed through the official website, not on Steam. The standard edition is priced at .99, with additional tiers available for .49 and .99. Early indications suggest significant popularity, with pre-purchase sales generating enough revenue for at least two years of development and over 400,000 viewers watching gameplay on Twitch on its release day.

AppWizard

January 9, 2026

VG Insights: Souls-like games on PC and Consoles

The Souls-like genre saw a release of 371 titles in 2024, marking a 41% year-over-year growth, with 207 games tagged as Souls-like by October 2025. Best-selling titles include Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (41.3 million copies), Elden Ring (40.6 million), and Monster Hunter: World (35 million). AAA developers generated approximately 75% of Souls-like revenue on Steam by 2024. Souls-like games represent about 4-5% of all titles on Steam. The APAC region accounts for 80% of all Souls-like projects and 97% of total revenue as of 2025. Chinese players make up 47% of the audience for top Souls-like games on Steam, followed by the US at 23%. Most AAA titles in the genre are priced between .99 and .99.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Schedule 1 developer TVGS is ‘an actual game studio’ now, with an office, desks, and a new guy named Rob: ‘By the end of the year, there will likely be 4 people working on Schedule 1’

Schedule 1, a lo-fi drug dealing simulator developed by Tyler, became a best-selling game on Steam in 2025. Tyler's Video Game Studio (TVGS) is expanding and plans to hire a 3D/technical artist, increasing the team to four members by year-end. A new patch for bug fixes and quality of life improvements is set to release next week, followed by another update in late February. Tyler aims to implement proper mod support and will confirm release dates only when confident in meeting them.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

How A Minecraft Movie Proved Minecraft is Bigger than Just a Game in 2025

Minecraft has become a cultural phenomenon over the past decade, culminating in the release of A Minecraft Movie in 2025, which broke box-office records. The film's success is attributed to the shared experiences of gamers across generations, highlighting the game's universal appeal. The movie features iconic moments, such as the Chicken Jockey, which resonated with audiences in theaters, creating a communal experience. Despite critiques of its artistic merit, the film attracted large audiences, showcasing the power of nostalgia and community. Minecraft, as one of the best-selling video games, has established a significant presence across platforms, and the film emphasizes its impact on creativity and collaboration within the gaming community. After viewing the movie, many children were inspired to recreate scenes in their own Minecraft worlds, demonstrating the game's influence beyond its original medium.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Battlefield 6, Arc Raiders, and a surprising MMO are among Steam’s best selling games of 2025

Valve has released its annual ranking of the best-selling games on Steam for 2025, based on revenue rather than player ratings. The rankings categorize games into tiers, with the 'platinum' tier including the top 12 earners, which are randomized. Notable titles in the top tier include Battlefield 6, Arc Raiders, EA FC 26, Dune Awakening, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Schedule 1, Monster Hunter Wilds, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake, Civilization 7, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, and Elden Ring Nightreign. The 'gold' tier features games ranked from 13th to 24th, including Europa Universalis 5 and Anno 117: Pax Romana.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

2025’s Top-Selling Steam Games Include Some Terrible PC Ports

Valve has released the list of the best-selling games on Steam for 2025, which includes: 1. Monster Hunter Wilds 2. Elden Ring Nightreign 3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered 4. EA Sports FC 26 5. Borderlands 4 6. Schedule I 7. Hollow Knight: Silksong 8. Civilization VII 9. Battlefield 6 10. Dune Awakening 11. Arc Raiders 12. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 The games ranked 13-24 are: 13. Assassin’s Creed Shadows 14. Dispatch 15. Dying Light: The Beast 16. Anno 117: Pax Romana 17. Europa Universalis V 18. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 19. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 20. Split Fiction 21. Inzoi 22. Doom: The Dark Ages 23. Stellar Blade 24. Digimon Story: Time Stranger Monster Hunter Wilds has been criticized as one of the worst PC ports of the year but remains popular among players. Civilization VII also faced criticism over launch issues yet made it into the top 12. Capcom plans to release performance improvements for Monster Hunter Wilds in 2026.