closure Archives

AppWizard

June 12, 2025

Streaming platform Noice is closing down

Finnish live-streaming platform Noice is set to close, as announced by CEO Tuomas Rinta in a LinkedIn post. The decision follows difficulties in attracting additional investment despite a successful fundraising effort in 2023. Rinta noted that the team had been aware of the challenging fundraising environment and had hoped for a better outcome. He acknowledged the emotional impact of the closure on employees and expressed a desire for them to eventually take pride in their accomplishments.

AppWizard

June 11, 2025

Adidas’ Minecraft Collab Added Five New Sneakers to Their Popular Collection — Where to Buy Before They Sell Out

Adidas has expanded its collaboration with Minecraft for Summer 2025, introducing five new shoe designs inspired by characters like Creepers, Endermen, Skeletons, and Spiders. The collection includes reimagined versions of popular Adidas styles such as the Sambas XLG, Campus 00s, and Superstar II. The Campus 00s feature elastic laces and Creeper colors, while the Handball Spezial has a retro design and rubber outsole. The Samba XLG is themed around spiders with pixelated details, and the Superstar II includes pixelated graphics and a Skeleton lace charm. The collection is available for purchase on the Adidas website and at Journeys, with some styles already selling out quickly.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Legendary roguelike dev behind The Binding of Isaac finally reveals the release date for his cat-eugenics strategy game, 13 years after it was originally announced

Mewgenics, a roguelike strategy game focused on breeding cats, will officially launch on February 10, 2026. The game's developer has expressed significant excitement about the project, calling it the "most exciting" he has ever worked on. Players are encouraged to stay informed about future announcements, especially with the Summer Game Fest scheduled for 2025.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

The absence of Marvel’s Blade during the Xbox Games Showcase has left me worried about Arkane—after a rough couple of years it needs a win

Last night’s Xbox Games Showcase did not provide any updates on the Blade game, disappointing fans who were eager for news. A cinematic teaser was revealed at The Game Awards in 2023, showcasing a Parisian setting designed for vampire slaying, with aesthetic elements reminiscent of 19th-century European architecture and industrial technology. It has been a year and a half since the initial announcement, and details about the game’s mechanics, narrative, and perspective remain unclear. Arkane has faced challenges under Microsoft's ownership, particularly after the poor performance of Redfall, leading to concerns about the studio's future. The lack of communication regarding Blade raises questions about potential development hurdles and the level of support from Microsoft. The decision to align Arkane with a Marvel property like Blade is seen as a calculated risk to generate revenue.

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

XDefiant exec producer Rubin departs Ubisoft

Mark Rubin, the executive producer of Ubisoft's XDefiant, has left the company, and the game is set to be discontinued. Rubin cited inadequate marketing and technical issues with the Snowdrop engine as challenges for the project. The entire team behind XDefiant was let go at the end of the previous year, with many members seeking new opportunities. Rubin is stepping away from the gaming industry to spend time with his family. In December 2024, Ubisoft announced the closure of XDefiant, leading to the layoff of approximately 300 employees.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Zynga closes Echtra Games

Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, has been closed by Zynga as part of a strategic realignment of resources. Established by Max Schaefer, Echtra was acquired by Zynga in 2021 and had been working on an unannounced cross-platform RPG. The closure ends development on future titles and raises concerns among employees, although Zynga has pledged to support them during the transition.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake to acquire Crunchy Data to enhance Postgres for AI

Snowflake plans to acquire Crunchy Data, a provider of open-source Postgres technology, to enhance its AI Data Cloud with a new database platform called Snowflake Postgres. This platform will offer PostgreSQL compatibility while ensuring governance, security, and operational standards for enterprise-grade AI applications. The demand for secure, enterprise-ready PostgreSQL solutions has increased, and the integration of Crunchy Data is expected to meet these needs, particularly in regulated environments like FedRAMP. PostgreSQL is widely adopted, with 49% of developers using it, and Snowflake's Postgres offering aims to streamline the development and scaling of AI applications. Crunchy Data will bring features such as access to performance metrics, scalable architecture, and a user-friendly interface. Organizations using PostgreSQL, including Snowflake partners like Blue Yonder and LandingAI, are expected to benefit from improved development and operational efficiency. Snowflake will support Crunchy Data's existing customers post-acquisition and engage with the PostgreSQL community. Snowflake Postgres will be available in private preview, pending regulatory approvals.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake digs out $250M to buy Crunchy to plug Postgres gap

Snowflake has acquired Crunchy Data to enhance its Postgres strategy, addressing a gap in its offerings as Postgres remains popular among developers. The acquisition is valued at 0 million and will result in Crunchy Data's technology being rebranded as Snowflake Postgres, aimed at supporting AI and transactional systems at an enterprise scale. The new product will maintain the flexibility of open source Postgres while providing enhanced governance and security. Organizations can migrate existing Postgres applications to Snowflake without code rewrites. This move is expected to promote Postgres adoption and complement Snowflake's Unistore solution, which integrates transactional and analytical data.

AppWizard

June 3, 2025

Torchlight 3 studio Echtra Games, acquired by Zynga in 2021 to help it move into PC and console gaming, is being closed without doing that

Zynga has announced the closure of Echtra Games, the studio behind Torchlight 3, ending development on future titles and reducing roles at the studio. This decision is part of a broader realignment of the company's resources and priorities. Echtra was acquired by Zynga shortly after the release of Torchlight 3, which received mixed reviews. The closure follows the shutdown of NaturalMotion's Star Wars: Hunters and reflects a trend within the gaming industry of companies reassessing their portfolios. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive, Zynga's parent company, has faced a workforce reduction of approximately 5% and sold its Private Division publishing division. The share price of Take-Two fluctuated after the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6, now set for a May 26, 2026 release on consoles.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

The Game Informer archive just got upgraded with its entire backlog, so go experience the eye-melting world of ’90s game advertising

Game Informer has made a comeback after its closure last fall, supported by financial backing from Gunzilla. The publication announced a return to print and has made its complete archive of physical issues available online, spanning from 1991 to the present. Users can access the archive by creating an account on the Game Informer website. Editor-in-chief Matt Miller mentioned plans to highlight specific legacy articles in the future.