Bungie Archives

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

Destiny 2 Renegades results in a generous surge on Steam, but even Star Wars mania can’t bring back the highs of my favorite FPS

The latest chapter of Destiny 2, the Edge of Fate expansion released in June, has led to player discontent and a significant exodus from the game. In contrast, the Star Wars-themed expansion, Destiny 2 Renegades, launched on December 2, has seen a resurgence in player interest, with a peak of 71,278 concurrent players recorded on its debut day. This figure, however, is below the over 100,000 players achieved by Edge of Fate and trails behind previous expansions like the Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape, which surpassed 290,000 players. Player feedback on Renegades has been mixed, with a Steam user score of 59%, categorized as 'mixed,' and some complaints about microtransactions. Despite this, early impressions have praised the new buildcrafting features, narrative quality, and cinematic cutscenes.

AppWizard

November 24, 2025

With elements of Fallout and Escape From Tarkov, this brutal FPS is about to signal the end of my MMO hiatus

Pioner is a post-apocalyptic MMOFPS set on a 50km² island that combines PvP and PvE combat, developed by GFA Games. It features social hubs and allows player choices to influence the game's world. The game has over half a million wishlists on Steam and is set to release in Early Access on December 16. A deluxe edition will include exclusive rewards such as a unique character skin, weapon skins, a weapon charm, a Japanese watch, premium currency, and an exclusive player title.

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

The PUBG extraction shooter spinoff springs back to life with a closed alpha test set for December, and its focus on exploration over pure combat sounds a lot like my favorite part of Arc Raiders

In 2023, Project Black Budget, a spinoff of the PUBG franchise designed as an extraction shooter, was announced with a closed alpha testing phase scheduled for December 2025. The testing will take place from December 12-14 and December 19-21, accessible to players in North America, Europe, and Asia. Interested players can request access via the game's Steam page, but entry is not guaranteed. There is no non-disclosure agreement for the alpha phase, allowing players to stream and share their gameplay. Access keys will also be available through Twitch Drops during the testing period. PUBG Studios has acknowledged potential technical issues during the alpha and aims to refine gameplay systems through community feedback.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

A new rival to Tarkov and Arc Raiders, PUBG Black Budget lets you try its supernatural extraction action very soon

Krafton has announced PUBG Black Budget, a spinoff from its multiplayer franchise, entering the extraction shooter genre. Alpha playtests will begin next month without a non-disclosure agreement. The game, set on the island of Coli, features a time loop and PvPvE threats, focusing on exploration and discovery rather than just survival. It includes a 2.5×2.5 km open-world environment, 30-minute matches, squads of up to three players, and a maximum of 45 real players alongside PvE adversaries. The game will have two weekends of alpha testing: December 12-14 and December 19-21, available on Steam.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Even the developers of Steam fave Deep Rock Galactic feel the heat from this year’s popular multiplayer games: ‘Competition is fierce’

Deep Rock Galactic developer Ghost Ship Games is working on a new game called Rogue Core, set for release next year. The multiplayer gaming market has become highly competitive, with notable competitors like Helldivers 2 and Arc Raiders gaining player interest. Casual games such as Peak and RV There Yet? are also impacting the landscape, while some titles like FBC: Firebreak are struggling. Despite these challenges, Ghost Ship Games aims to maintain the unique identity of Deep Rock Galactic and cater to both dedicated fans and new players.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Destiny 2 has “not reached expectations” since Sony acquisition, posting loss of $204 million

Sony acquired Bungie for approximately .6 billion in 2022, with about one-third of the investment aimed at retaining Bungie's workforce. Bungie has been operating independently since the acquisition. Sony's CFO Lin Tao announced a ¥31.5 billion impairment loss related to Bungie's intangible assets, reflecting a reassessment of Bungie's value due to underperformance in titles like Destiny 2 and Marathon. Despite this, Sony's overall sales and operating income increased by nearly ¥42 billion compared to the previous year. Tao noted that player engagement and sales for Destiny 2 have not met expectations since the acquisition. She reassured stakeholders that the goodwill associated with Bungie remains intact due to the strength of other titles in Sony's portfolio. Tao acknowledged potential risks for Bungie's upcoming releases and the ongoing performance of Destiny 2, stating that failure to meet expectations could lead to further impairment losses, but does not currently foresee these challenges affecting Sony's overall gaming segment health.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

Arc Raiders briefly overtakes Battlefield 6’s concurrent player count on Steam as it proves to be one of the hottest PC games this fall

Arc Raiders, an extraction shooter, launched just over a week ago and achieved a peak concurrent player count of over 354,000 on Steam, surpassing Battlefield 6's 318,000 players. The game is praised for its smooth technical performance and accessibility, appealing to a broader audience without requiring high-end hardware. Unlike other extraction shooters like Escape From Tarkov, Arc Raiders offers a more relaxed gameplay experience, catering to players seeking less stressful alternatives. Currently, it stands out in the market, potentially leading a shift in the extraction shooter genre.

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

Xbox fully surrenders the console wars: ‘Halo is on PlayStation going forward,’ a fact that just doesn’t seem real

Xbox president Sarah Bond described the era of platform-exclusive games as "antiquated," indicating a change in Microsoft's gaming strategy. The PS5 logo was featured in the trailer for Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of a title that defined the Xbox brand. Master Chief, originally a symbol of Xbox, is now recognized as a character on multiple platforms, marking a departure from his legacy as a platform mascot. Master Chief's journey began over two decades ago with Bungie and later Microsoft, and he became synonymous with the Xbox brand. His identity is shifting from being a mascot to simply being recognized as "the guy from Halo." The character's transition may diminish his significance but could also allow Halo to reach new audiences. Halo's impact on gaming includes setting standards for multiplayer experiences and introducing innovative features in its sequels.

AppWizard

October 24, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 24: Epic Games Store Halloween Sale

The Epic Games Store is hosting a Halloween Sale featuring games like Alan Wake 2, Killing Floor 3, and Silent Hill 2, along with a free game, Fear the Spotlight. Steam is celebrating Warhammer Day, while Green Man Gaming and others are recognizing Fallout Day. Humble Bundle is offering various high-value packages and a subscription service for .99 per month, with October's offerings including Atomic Heart and V Rising. Green Man Gaming is providing a 15% discount on PC games with the coupon code OCT15 and has several tiered offers for Destiny 2. Fanatical, Gamebillet, GamesPlanet, and GOG.com are also participating in the seasonal sales with various deals. Ubisoft is offering its own promotions, and Steam remains a central platform for gaming deals during the Halloween season.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

“Our job is to be the studio’s advocate”: Eden Chen on why marketing is the biggest challenge in PC games

Pragma, a Los Angeles-based backend infrastructure platform, acquired FirstLook in February to enhance its discoverability and marketing tools for game studios. At Gamescom, FirstLook showcased seven studios at its inaugural consumer-facing booth, marking a shift from a strictly B2B focus. CEO Eden Chen emphasized the importance of visibility in the gaming industry, stating that Pragma aims to support studios by improving matchmaking with players through a newly launched player network. The booth featured games such as "Gods, Death & Reapers," "The Holdouts," "Cloudheim," "Last Flag," "Starlight Revolver," "The Signal," and "Dead as Disco." FirstLook plans to expand its presence at future events, aiming for a larger booth with more studios. Pragma collaborates with over 100 studios, including major companies like Bungie, Sony, and EA, to address challenges in a saturated gaming market.