Developer Archives

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

I missed my chance to play tactical shooter PUBG Blindspot, and now I’m filled with regret

PUBG: Blindspot, a spinoff of PUBG: Battlegrounds developed by Arc Team and published by Krafton's PUBG Corporation, will close on March 30, 2026, just weeks after entering Early Access on February 5. The game, which featured squad-strategy elements and emphasized teamwork, struggled to maintain player engagement, peaking at 3,251 players and having fewer than 1,000 active participants in March. Developer Sequoia Yang announced the closure, citing an inability to sustain the intended level of experience. Players expressed frustration over the game's lack of visibility in the market, with many reviews highlighting a disconnect between the game's quality and its marketing efforts.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate’s FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find out

In the early 2010s, PC strategy and tactics enthusiasts expressed discontent as mainstream publishers, like EA and Take-Two, rebooted classic '90s franchises such as XCOM and Syndicate into first-person shooters, disappointing dedicated fans. These reboots were criticized for straying from the original gameplay experience, which allowed for exploration and strategy, and instead confined players to tight spaces with wave-spawning enemies. Despite the backlash against these reboots, it led to a resurgence of strategy games, exemplified by Mike Diskett's launch of Satellite Reign, a tactical successor to Syndicate that received critical acclaim three years later.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

First-Person Shooter Zombie Game Now Free for All PC Gamers

A first-person shooter zombie game called Blood and Zombies is available for free to PC gamers through IndieGala, a digital storefront. The game, developed by Wild Monkey and published by Indie.io, was released in 2022 and typically retails for .99. It has received a "Mixed" user review score on Steam, with a 57% approval rating based on 283 reviews. The gameplay involves players defending against waves of zombies using various weapons and survival strategies. Players can experience several hours of content without any financial commitment during the promotional offer.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer’s indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because “it’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds”

Ivy Road, an independent game studio, announced its closure effective March 31, 2026. The studio was developing a new title called Engine Angel but faced funding challenges. They are finalizing a tea-brewing simulation game called Wanderstop, which explores themes of burnout and trauma. Wanderstop is currently playable and available for purchase on all platforms, and a special code for a chapter select feature has been shared. Analysts predict that the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at a price point 50% higher than their predecessors.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Ghoul Incremental codes March 2026

The latest Ghoul Incremental codes are: - LIKES150 - three rolls of each type (new!) - SORRYFORBUGS - free rolls (new!) To redeem Ghoul Incremental codes, follow these steps: 1. Launch Ghoul Incremental on Roblox. 2. Select your faction. 3. Click the 'present' icon in the top-right corner. 4. Input a valid code. 5. Hit 'redeem'. To unlock the skill tree in Ghoul Incremental, reach the initial Rebirth point. This will temporarily weaken your character but provide long-term advantages. Additional codes may be released as the player base grows. Check the official Discord channel or game page for updates. Expired codes are not listed, but players can explore other code-rich games while waiting for new codes.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

In defense of placeholder assets: why generative AI accidentally appears in so many games

The Expanse: Osiris Reborn has acknowledged the use of generative AI in its development, while Pearl Abyss apologized for unintentionally including AI-generated assets in Crimson Desert. Other games like The Alters and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have faced similar issues with AI elements. Developers are increasingly cautious about AI integration, with some, like Arc Raiders, moving away from AI-generated voice actors. When AI-generated art appears, developers often claim these were placeholders, which raises concerns about their inclusion in final products. Josh Sawyer highlighted the importance of distinguishing between temporary and final assets in his project Pentiment. The creative process relies on human vision and artistry, which generative AI cannot replicate. Additionally, the environmental impact of AI technology is a concern due to the energy demands of data centers. Developers' claims of unintended AI assets raise questions about transparency, contrasting with Owlcat's open acknowledgment. Players react negatively to AI-generated artwork, leading to swift apologies from developers, highlighting the tension between AI use and artistic integrity.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

New Steam pricing tools could change what you pay for games

Valve has introduced new Steam pricing conversion tools for developers and publishers, allowing them to adjust game prices based on current market conditions, exchange rates, and local purchasing power. The tools offer three methods for currency conversion: using current exchange rates, incorporating average purchasing power data, and a combined approach that considers multiple factors. Developers retain control over pricing decisions, and not all games will see price adjustments, particularly major titles. The impact on pricing will vary based on individual developer choices.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

“We’ll keep making Warframe if there’s one player count,” Digital Extremes’ Megan Everett asserts. “I don’t care what SteamDB says”

The gaming industry has seen a shift in how success is measured, particularly focusing on initial player counts since the launch of games like Marathon and Highguard in 2026. Warframe, which launched in 2024 with a peak player count of 22,000, has grown to reach 175,546 players on PC after the release of The Old Peace in December 2025. Community director Megan Everett noted that the game has achieved new internal records despite not hitting its all-time high. Creative director Rebecca Ford humorously suggested a new release titled 'Player Count' to address the ongoing debate about player metrics. She highlighted the competitive landscape, noting that Warframe launched amidst 435 titles, compared to 20,014 games released in the same year today. Everett emphasized the importance of ongoing growth and player engagement over mere numbers, stating that a poor launch does not equate to a dead game. The success of The Old Peace was attributed to the introduction of content skips, which allowed players to bypass extensive story content. The team is committed to community engagement and innovation, with new characters and mechanics being introduced to keep the game fresh.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: ‘It’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds’

Developer Ivy Road has announced the closure of its studio, set for March 31. The studio expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought their game, Wanderstop, to life, which received an 84% review score. The narrative was created by Davey Wrenden and Karla Zimonja, with music composed by C418. The closure follows layoffs due to the studio's inability to secure funding for a new project called Engine Angel. Despite the closure, Wanderstop will remain available on current platforms, and Ivy Road hinted at a future surprise related to the game, with more news to come from Annapurna Interactive.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Pokemon Pokopia Players Use Minecraft Trick to Farm Pokemetal

Grinding for Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal in Pokemon Pokopia was previously a tedious task, with players spending entire days for minimal returns. A new farming method shared by content creator Austin John Plays allows players to gather 1,200 units in just 90 minutes. Pokemetal is essential for late-game recipes, 3D printer projects, and Cloud Island constructions, but traditional gathering methods yielded low amounts. The Dragonite doll Dream Island is identified as the richest source of Pokemetal, with optimal mining occurring six blocks underground. Players can access this layer by starting from the beach near spawn, digging down, and using the Rollout ability to navigate through the ore-rich area. The community has reacted positively, with players expressing regret over previous inefficient methods. The Pokopia player base has demonstrated a strong understanding of game mechanics, leveraging knowledge from sandbox games like Minecraft to optimize gameplay without requiring developer intervention.