console Archives

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Newzoo: More than half of PC revenue comes from games outside the Top 20

Recent insights from Newzoo indicate a shift in the gaming landscape, with games ranked outside the Top 20 gaining revenue and playtime in Western markets. Between 2022 and 2025, PC games in this category saw their revenue share increase from 48% to 56%, and playtime rise from 33% to 45%. This trend is notable in key markets such as the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. While traditional shooter games are declining, genres like action RPGs and survival games are thriving, with titles such as Path of Exile 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds leading the way. By 2025, lower-ranked titles are projected to account for 38% of total revenue on PlayStation, up from 33% in 2022, with playtime for these titles increasing by 32%. On Xbox, games outside the Top 20 saw a 12% increase in playtime, representing 35% of revenue in 2025. Game Pass subscriptions are suggested to enhance playtime for these titles.

Tech Optimizer

April 15, 2026

Connecting .NET Lambda to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL via RDS Proxy

Many organizations are modernizing legacy .NET applications while reducing database costs and enhancing scalability, particularly during migrations to AWS Lambda and transitions from SQL Server to Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition. The process involves connecting Lambda functions to Aurora PostgreSQL using Amazon RDS Proxy, with AWS Secrets Manager managing secure credential storage. The architecture includes a .NET Lambda function interfacing with Aurora PostgreSQL via RDS Proxy, which provides connection pooling to minimize database connection overhead. The solution requires a CloudFormation template to provision resources such as a VPC with private subnets, an Aurora PostgreSQL cluster, RDS Proxy, and Secrets Manager. The RDS Proxy is configured with parameters including PostgreSQL engine family, idle client connection timeout, and Secrets Manager secret. A Windows EC2 instance is provisioned, and access is facilitated through AWS Systems Manager Fleet Manager. The solution includes creating a sample table named "employee" in the database and a new .NET Lambda project that utilizes Npgsql for database connections. The Lambda function is deployed using the AWS CLI, and testing involves invoking the function and retrieving logs from Amazon CloudWatch. Finally, resources created during the process should be deleted to prevent ongoing charges.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Rockstar Games hack shows why GTA 6 isn’t releasing on PC and console simultaneously

Rockstar Games experienced a security breach involving a third-party service, leading to the public release of stolen data after the company declined a ransom demand. The leaked information suggests that PC players contribute only 3% to the weekly bookings of GTA Online, amounting to approximately 4,273, while PlayStation 5 players account for 476,346 in bookings with a weekly active user count of 3,474,021. The weekly active user counts are 894,621 for PC and 3,474,021 for PlayStation 5. This financial disparity may influence Rockstar's release strategies, particularly regarding the anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

TIGA: PC and console continue to drive UK games development

Recent insights from TIGA indicate a shift in UK game studios' focus towards PC development, with 46% of studios identifying PC as their primary platform, and 56% of start-ups prioritizing PC development from May 2024 to September 2025. Mobile game development has declined from 33% to 31.6%, and jobs related to mobile gaming fell from 19% to 17.9%. The console gaming sector's job share increased from 47.2% to 50%, despite a 2.1% decrease in headcount at console-focused studios. TIGA reported a net loss of 1,537 development jobs, a 4.5% annualized decline, marking the UK gaming sector's most severe downturn on record.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

TIGA: PC and console remain pivotal in driving game development in the UK

Recent findings from TIGA indicate that 46% of UK game studios are prioritizing PC game development, with projections suggesting that 56% of new projects from May 2024 to September 2025 will focus on PC gaming. The share of studios engaged in mobile game production has declined from 33% to 31.6%, and mobile gaming's contribution to total industry jobs has decreased from 19% to 17.9%. Conversely, the console gaming sector's employment share has risen from 47.2% to 50%, although the actual number of employees in console studios has decreased by 2.1%. The UK gaming industry has experienced a net loss of 1,537 development roles between May 2024 and September 2025, marking an annual decline of 4.5%.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Graveyard Keeper’s mammoth success proves that giving games away for free on Steam works

tinyBuild offered Graveyard Keeper for free for a weekend, coinciding with the announcement of Graveyard Keeper 2. This led to an all-time peak of 46,305 concurrent players on April 12, up from 17,000 at launch. The game ranked 47th on Steam's most played chart and reached number 39 on one Sunday. The giveaway increased wishlists for the sequel to 450,000 and generated nearly 0,000 in revenue from DLC sales, with around 125,000 DLCs sold at a promotional price of .99 each. The base game is typically priced at .99.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

‘Pragmata’ (PC, Xbox) Review — “A game that separates itself from humanity”

Pragmata is a game developed by Capcom set on a moon base where the protagonist, Hugh, deals with a rogue AI and seeks to reconnect with Earth, aided by an AI companion named Diana. The narrative features emotional depth and explores themes of companionship and survival, highlighting the evolving relationship between Hugh and Diana. The game includes an innovative combat system that combines traditional shooter mechanics with real-time hacking, requiring strategy and quick reflexes. It offers a variety of weapons for diverse combat strategies. Technically, Pragmata performs well on high-end systems and consoles, maintaining a steady frame rate with occasional stutters noted during transitions.

AppWizard

April 14, 2026

Xbox Game Pass is too expensive, new Xbox boss reportedly says: ‘we need a better value equation’

Asha Sharma, the new head of Xbox, expressed concerns in an internal memo that the pricing structure of the Game Pass subscription service is "too expensive" for players. She emphasized the need to reassess the subscription model to deliver better value and indicated plans to evolve Game Pass into a more flexible system, which will require time for testing. The discussion follows mixed financial outcomes, with former Bethesda VP Pete Hines noting that Game Pass has negatively impacted retail revenue. Additionally, Xbox is realigning its focus on console hardware integrity and may discontinue the 'This is an Xbox' marketing campaign as part of a broader strategic pivot, including a renewed market push with Project Helix.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Hades 2, the Award-Winning Sequel, Lands on Xbox Game Pass Soon

Hades 2 has been recognized as one of CNET's best games of 2025, winning Best Action Game at the 2025 Game of the Year awards and Best Game on Steam Deck at the Steam Awards. It will be available on Xbox Game Pass starting Tuesday. Xbox Game Pass offers a library of games for a monthly fee, with the premium Game Pass Ultimate subscription providing access to hundreds of games, including new releases on launch day. DayZ, a multiplayer survival game, is now available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential, and PC Game Pass. Endless Legend 2, a fantasy strategy game, has been added to Game Pass Premium. FBC: Firebreak, a first-person shooter, is also new to Game Pass Premium. Planet Coaster 2, a park management game, is part of Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Tiny Bookshop, a management game, is available on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass. Football Manager 26 has been added to Game Pass Premium. Hades 2 is set to launch on April 14, continuing the story of Melinoe. Replaced and The Thaumaturge will also debut on April 14. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered will be available on Game Pass Premium starting April 16, along with EA Sports NHL 26. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will launch on April 17. Little Rocket Lab and Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato will be new to Game Pass Premium on April 21, along with Vampire Crawlers. Kiln will launch on April 23. Game Pass Essential has added two new titles as of April 8. Five games, including GTA 5, will be removed from Game Pass on April 15.

AppWizard

April 13, 2026

Tomorrow Is Xbox Game Pass’ Biggest Day of 2026 So Far

Xbox Game Pass will introduce three new titles: Replaced, Hades II, and The Thaumaturge. Replaced is a day-one Xbox console exclusive developed by Sad Cat Studios, while Hades II, from Supergiant Games, will be available for the first time on Xbox Game Pass on April 14, 2025. The Thaumaturge, an RPG from Fool’s Theory and 11 Bit Studios, debuted in 2024 and will also join the service. Only two of these titles will be classified as Xbox Game Pass Premium additions, and subscribers to the Xbox Game Pass Essential tier will not receive new content. Replaced will not be available to Xbox Game Pass Premium subscribers, and a 20% discount will be offered on each title while available.