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'We don't have to fire 1000 people to keep it working': Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with '$500,000 paid out to date'
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

‘We don’t have to fire 1000 people to keep it working’: Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with ‘$500,000 paid out to date’

Facepunch Studios will launch its game creation platform, s&box, on April 28, available on Steam. It is built on the Source Engine 2 and is considered a "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod." The platform features a unique monetization model allowing developers to receive payments directly for their creations without Facepunch taking a cut. Developers maintain complete ownership of their games and can export them as standalone titles on Steam. There are no royalties or hidden fees involved. Garry Newman, CEO of Facepunch Studios, emphasizes a community-centric approach, aiming to uplift the community through the platform.
Larian publishing chief aims to 'absolutely demolish' Steam with the studio's next release
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Larian publishing chief aims to ‘absolutely demolish’ Steam with the studio’s next release

Larian Studios is developing a new role-playing game, Divinity, which aims to surpass the success of Baldur's Gate 3. The game will feature a larger world, deeper sequences of consequence, more engaging fail states, enhanced character customization, and complex NPC relationships. Michael Douse, Larian's publishing director, expressed a desire for Divinity's launch to significantly impact Steam, humorously stating he hopes it will "utterly destroy Steam." The game was announced with a trailer at the end of 2025 and is expected to enter early access, though no specific timeline is provided. A 2027 release for Divinity seems plausible based on the development timeline of Baldur's Gate 3.
4J Studios talks about its ambitions for Reforj and how its isn't very good at turning down new ideas
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

4J Studios talks about its ambitions for Reforj and how its isn’t very good at turning down new ideas

Joe "Stampy" Garrett, known for his content in the Minecraft universe, has transitioned to a role as a producer at 4J Studios, working on the game Reforj. The development approach emphasizes creativity and community engagement, allowing for flexibility in incorporating player feedback. Key features planned for the game include vehicles and gateways, with the team actively seeking community suggestions to shape development. They share early concepts with the community to gather feedback before committing extensive resources to features. The development of Reforj is ongoing, with a focus on refining the game based on community input.
Weighing the Trade-offs in Web Development 4k Wallpaper Today
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Weighing the Trade-offs in Web Development 4k Wallpaper Today

Bryce Drew is the head coach of the Grand Canyon University (GCU) Antelopes, emphasizing player development and strategic gameplay. He previously coached at Vanderbilt University and Valparaiso University, where he gained a reputation for successful recruitment and effective game strategies. Drew's coaching philosophy focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, fostering teamwork, defensive intensity, and a fast-paced offensive strategy. Since his arrival, GCU basketball has improved significantly, becoming more competitive in their conference and enhancing player development and team dynamics. Under his guidance, the Antelopes have achieved notable milestones and are positioned for continued growth in the future.
Garry's Mod's "spiritual successor" s&box finally makes a profit after five years in development
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Garry’s Mod’s “spiritual successor” s&box finally makes a profit after five years in development

Facepunch has revealed that its upcoming title, s&box, has turned a profit after five years of development. The game, described as the "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod," is built on the Source 2 engine and focuses on community-driven creations. In April 2026, Facepunch recorded a profit of 8,400, with a gross income of .1 million, largely due to successful item sales. The company faces ongoing expenses such as staff salaries and server maintenance. S&box is set to launch globally on April 28, and players can wishlist it on Steam.
New Slay the Spire 2 update reworks Ironclad's most unpopular card and makes lower Ascensions easier
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

New Slay the Spire 2 update reworks Ironclad’s most unpopular card and makes lower Ascensions easier

Developer Megacrit has released beta patch notes for Slay the Spire 2, focusing on refining the Ascension difficulty scaling. Changes include reduced HP for Scrolls of Biting, Owl Magistrate, and Slimed Berserker at lower Ascensions, while making them stronger at higher levels. The Vantom Act 1 boss has been nerfed, and the Waterfall Giant elite heals less in low-difficulty encounters. The team is monitoring the performance of the Act 3 boss, Doormaker, but is hesitant to make further changes. Card updates feature new artwork and significant reworks for Conflagration and Drum of Battle for Ironclad, with Conflagration now dealing two damage to all enemies four times at base. Regent's Parry has been adjusted to align better with Dexterity and Frail mechanics. Neow's blessings have seen some improvements, with Booming Conch providing additional energy and Neow's Fury allowing players to choose cards from the discard pile. Tezcatara's Nutritious Soup relic has been buffed to grant Strikes additional damage and cost nothing. The patch also includes various smaller balance changes, user interface enhancements, and bug fixes.
This indie developer is making Titanfall 3 because EA won't do it, and even in 'pre-pre-pre alpha' it's one of the most fun shooters in years
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

This indie developer is making Titanfall 3 because EA won’t do it, and even in ‘pre-pre-pre alpha’ it’s one of the most fun shooters in years

Titanfall is a celebrated first-person shooter series that was halted by EA at its peak, largely due to its release timing between Battlefield 1 and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. A spiritual successor called ShatterRush has been developed by Tetra Studios, a two-person team, and is available as a pre-alpha build on Steam. The game features a speed-running tutorial, fluid movement mechanics, and allows players to pilot mechs with combat capabilities similar to Titanfall. ShatterRush introduces environmental destruction, enabling players to demolish surroundings and create new pathways. The developers plan to release updates approximately every two weeks to enhance the game.
Former PlayStation head isn't sure how Sony can recoup those big budgets without first-party games coming to PC
AppWizard
April 24, 2026

Former PlayStation head isn’t sure how Sony can recoup those big budgets without first-party games coming to PC

A report suggested that Sony might change its strategy regarding the release of first-party titles on PC, except for online games like Marathon. Shuhei Yoshida, former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, stated he has not seen evidence of a change in PlayStation's approach during this console generation. He noted that historically, PlayStation was not allowed to bring AAA games to other platforms, but the rising costs of game development have led to a reevaluation. Yoshida mentioned that releasing first-party titles on PC after a couple of years could help recoup investments. Despite discussions, he does not believe a fundamental strategy shift is occurring. Recent leaks indicated that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has a budget of 0 million, making it one of the most expensive games ever developed. If certain titles remain absent from PC by the end of 2027 without official communication from Sony, it may clarify the company's strategic direction.
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