development strategy Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Jazzy stealth-action game Thick as Thieves hits PC on May 20

OtherSide Entertainment has announced that their game, Thick as Thieves, will be released on Steam on May 20. The game is set in a fictional Scottish city named Kilcairn and features two distinct thieves, two maps, sixteen contracts, six unique pieces of gear, and multiple difficulty settings. Originally introduced as a PvPvE experience at The Game Awards in December 2024, it has shifted to focus on solo and two-player cooperative gameplay, with the announcement made on Steam on April 2, 2026. The game was initially planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, but the current focus is on the Steam release.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

If Microsoft really wants to fix Windows 11, it should do these four things ASAP

Microsoft's President of Windows + Devices, Pavan Davaluri, communicated a renewed commitment to quality in Windows 11 through an open letter to Windows Insiders, emphasizing user experience improvements in responsiveness, reliability, and update control. The Windows Insider Program is suggested to be revitalized by reconnecting channels with public releases, decoupling quality testing from feature testing, eliminating Controlled Feature Rollout for public releases to ensure uniform user experiences, and increasing transparency about decision-making processes.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

The director of Tales of Kenzera: Zau learned his most important game development lesson while working with Ridley Scott: ‘That’s why we’re able to make games faster’

Surgent Studios faced challenges after the commercial failure of their first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, leading to layoffs and potential redundancy for the entire team by October 2024. However, the studio rebounded by launching two new games, including the horror game Dead Take in 2025, which was well-received on Steam. This shift in strategy focused on smaller, more sustainable projects rather than lengthy development cycles. The experience gained from Zau contributed to the studio's efficiency in producing new games. Salim, the studio's director, also created a child-friendly multiplayer game called FixForce. He remains open to larger projects in the future but acknowledges the competitive nature of the gaming market.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

“Rocket League is still a priority” despite Psyonix layoffs

Over 1,000 employees were laid off at Epic Games, with many affected coming from Psyonix, the studio behind Rocket League, which was acquired by Epic in 2019. An Epic Games spokesperson stated that Rocket League remains a priority for the company, and the Psyonix team is still focused on developing the game. Rocket League recently achieved a milestone of 40,000 concurrent players in 2023. Psyonix has been actively providing seasonal content and bug fixes for Rocket League, with a recent update released on March 23, the day before the layoffs were announced. Psyonix has also contributed to other projects, including the Rocket Racing minigame in Fortnite and the mobile game Rocket League Sideswipe, launched in 2021. The studio has a long history of collaboration with Epic, dating back to the early 2000s. The future direction of the Psyonix team regarding Rocket League or Fortnite development remains uncertain.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

Verum Messenger Introduces macOS Application Version

On March 18, 2026, Verum Messenger launched its macOS application, enhancing access to its ecosystem. The app allows seamless data synchronization and offers a user-friendly desktop interface, efficient message and file management, enhanced chat functionality, and unrestricted access to core features. It supports secure communication, financial tools, digital asset operations, and investment solutions. This launch is part of Verum Messenger's strategy to create a universal digital platform accessible across major devices, ensuring continuous and secure access to communication and financial tools.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform”

Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, announced that the PC will be the “lead platform” for future installments of the Final Fantasy series. The development team is now creating visual assets targeting high-end environments on PC first, then reducing them for less powerful platforms. This strategy aims to enhance graphics quality on PC, as seen in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The shift is influenced by the growing international PC gaming market, despite PC gaming in Japan expanding gradually. However, PC releases have historically lagged behind console launches, with significant delays noted for previous titles.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 developer seems to be working on a secret Unreal Engine project

Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 ranked fourth in Game of the Year discussions for 2025 and is recognized as one of the best medieval games. Developer Warhorse Studios is speculated to be transitioning to Unreal Engine for future projects, as indicated by job listings that require experience with Unreal Engine. A user named Jakub Holík, tech ops lead at Warhorse, has also linked to job ads for an upcoming Unreal Engine project. The publisher, Plaion, has not confirmed any details regarding these speculations. Warhorse may be considering multiple projects or a complete engine overhaul, but it is unclear if Kingdom Come Deliverance 3 will use Unreal Engine. Community manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling stated that while the narrative of Henry has concluded, the Kingdom Come Deliverance IP is not shelved, and immersive RPGs will remain a focus for the studio.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

Hytale lead says “it’s a damn miracle we were able to salvage” the once-canceled Minecraft-like: “It should have taken years to fix, but within weeks, we got the game into a playable, fun state”

Hytale is undergoing significant transformation to become fully playable, as shared by co-director Simon Collins-Laflamme. Initially, the game was described as "barely playable" with all basic functionalities broken. The development team has made rapid progress, achieving in weeks what typically takes much longer. Following Riot Games' cancellation of Hytale in summer 2025, Collins-Laflamme reacquired the game and plans to release it in early access on January 13, 2026. The development strategy focuses on trusting the team and minimizing distractions. Hytale will feature unique crafting mechanics inspired by Terraria, while Collins-Laflamme acknowledges Minecraft as one of the greatest games.

Tech Optimizer

November 29, 2025

Supabase’s $5 Billion Rise Through Open-Source Vision and PostgreSQL Growth | Ukraine news

Supabase has achieved a billion-dollar valuation following a 0 million funding round. Co-founder and CEO Paul Koppleston prioritizes a clear product vision over pursuing lucrative contracts, emphasizing the company's commitment to open-source principles. This approach allows developers to deploy backend systems built on PostgreSQL, enhancing scalability and performance while avoiding vendor lock-in. Koppleston focuses on improving PostgreSQL's functionalities and streamlining integrations to appeal to a diverse user base, including individual developers and enterprises. He believes that not every deal aligns with Supabase's long-term vision, which helps mitigate risks and preserve the company's autonomy.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Cities Skylines 2 dev announces split from Paradox, new studio will take over development

Paradox Interactive has ended its partnership with Colossal Order, the studio behind the Cities Skylines series for 15 years, due to disappointing reviews for recent titles. Colossal Order will continue to support the game until the end of the year, after which Iceflake Studios will take over development in 2026. Iceflake's responsibilities will include patches, ongoing work on the Editor and console editions, and future expansions. The core identity of Cities: Skylines 2 will remain unchanged despite the developer transition. Iceflake Studios has a background in mobile games and has received mixed reviews for its city-building game, Surviving the Aftermath.