collaborations

AppWizard
July 24, 2025
The Epic Games Store offers a unique digital distribution platform that features regular free games to attract users and foster community. It has a favorable revenue-sharing model for developers, allowing them to retain more earnings, which appeals to both indie developers and major studios. The store has formed strategic partnerships with various developers and publishers, enhancing its library and providing exclusive content. Community engagement is emphasized, with user feedback actively sought to improve the gaming experience. The store's focus on innovation and support for developers positions it for future growth in the gaming industry.
AppWizard
July 23, 2025
On July 23, 2025, Google announced that its Play and Android ecosystem generated ₹4 lakh crore in revenue for app publishers and the economy in 2024, creating approximately 35 lakh jobs. India has the second largest number of active developers on Google Play, contributing over 10 lakh developer jobs. Surveys indicate that 72% of Indian users accessed the internet for the first time via an Android device, with 85% using Android phones as their primary gateway to digital public services. The open-source nature of Android has led to estimated savings of ₹25,200 crore in development and operational costs. At the Google I/O Connect India 2025 conference, Google introduced initiatives such as localizing data processing for Gemini 2.5 Flash, new AI tools in Firebase Studio, a training program with Unity, and partnerships with start-ups from the India AI Mission. Google is also working with BharatGen at IIT Bombay to develop Automatic Speech Recognition and Text-to-Speech models for Indic languages.
AppWizard
July 22, 2025
Mojang and Microsoft are collaborating with The Smurfs for a crossover in Minecraft, teased through a social media post featuring a pixelated Smurf and a mushroom emoji. The announcement is linked to the upcoming Smurfs film set for release in 2025. Expected additions to Minecraft include skins and costumes based on Smurfs characters, new mobs or NPCs like Papa Smurf and Smurfette, a themed world or map featuring a Smurf village, and size-shifting mechanics for gameplay. Players hope the update will be available on both Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions and accessible on the Minecraft Marketplace. Previous collaborations with films have included themed content, suggesting a similar approach for this crossover. The Minecraft content is anticipated to release shortly after the Smurfs movie in mid-July 2025.
AppWizard
July 21, 2025
Veterans of the German games industry have established a new indie publishing entity under the Artex name, co-founded by Jan Klose, who was involved in the creation of Deck 13. The initiative aims to discover and support young studios and start-ups, emphasizing creativity, fair conditions, and robust business development. Artex plans to unveil its lineup of indie titles next month at Gamescom, including a console version of the dungeon crawler Cralon, developed by Pithead Studio.
AppWizard
July 19, 2025
Microtransactions in gaming, particularly in titles like Fortnite and Minecraft, have become common, with some in-game items, such as a new diamond-studded skin in Minecraft, attracting attention for their high costs. Collaborations between gaming brands and luxury companies are also on the rise, with examples including Pokémon Go's partnership with Fendi and Disney Dreamlight Valley's collaboration with Loungefly. The latest collaboration features Minecraft and Swarovski, introducing collectible figures of characters like Alex, Steve, The Pig, and The Creeper, with prices ranging from to 0. Purchasing these figurines grants access to a new in-game skin, the Crystal Suit, which is only available through the purchase of the figurine.
AppWizard
July 18, 2025
Minecraft has partnered with Simple Modern to launch a new line of themed merchandise for the back-to-school season, which includes a Minecraft-themed Fletcher backpack, Hadley lunchbox, and an insulated stainless-steel water bottle. Simple Modern has established collaborations with over 100 colleges and universities and major sports leagues, as well as brands like Disney, Marvel, and Fortnite.
AppWizard
July 16, 2025
Roblox has launched a new licensing initiative to facilitate the integration of external intellectual properties (IPs) into its platform. Companies such as Sega, Netflix, Lionsgate, and Kodansha are participating, with Sega allowing Roblox to develop games based on its Like a Dragon franchise and Netflix providing titles like Squid Game and Stranger Things. The licensing platform includes the Roblox License Manager, which enables companies to register their IPs and define usage terms. For example, Sega requires that creators attract at least 1,000 daily active users to use the Like a Dragon IP, after which they can retain 50% of the revenue. Roblox plans to expand the platform by onboarding more IP holders and exploring additional licensing options.
AppWizard
July 14, 2025
Google is introducing "featured notebooks" in NotebookLM for desktop users, in partnership with publications like the Atlantic and the Economist. These notebooks provide in-depth advice and analysis, including contributions from Eric Topol and Yellowstone National Park. They are publicly accessible, allowing users to read or generate Audio Overviews. The update, announced on July 14, enhances the app's ability to curate high-quality sources for complex topics. Notable collaborations include public notebooks such as "How to Build a Life" and "The World Ahead 2025." Users can engage with AI for clarification and access AI-generated summaries. The rollout also includes various publicly available notebooks, such as longevity advice from Eric Topol and a science enthusiast’s guide to Yellowstone National Park. The feature builds on the "Public Notebooks" introduced in June, allowing users to compile and share notebooks for collaborative interaction. Discover Sources helps users find credible references by autonomously gathering pertinent information based on user-described topics.
AppWizard
July 13, 2025
LEGO fans are expressing interest in a collaboration with the Monster Hunter series, particularly after the release of Monster Hunter Wilds. Enthusiasts are creating impressive weapon designs and models of monsters using LEGO bricks. Notable contributions include designs by user StillAd9325, who showcased compact weapon designs, and YouTuber PikminJake, who has built models of various monsters and minifigures from the game. Some creations are considered to rival established LEGO sets in quality, prompting speculation about potential collaboration opportunities between LEGO and Capcom.
AppWizard
July 10, 2025
Roblox reported 79.5 million daily active users (DAUs) in Q1 2025, while Minecraft had 140 million monthly active users (MAUs) in 2023. Roblox generated .8 million in revenue in Q1 2025, compared to Minecraft's million for the entirety of 2023. 54% of Roblox users are under 13 years old, while Minecraft appeals to a broader demographic, including adults. Roblox focuses on user-generated content and social interaction, while Minecraft emphasizes creativity and nostalgia.
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