digital gaming Archives

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Alright, who’s the joker trying to charge $100 on Steam for an almost entirely AI-generated game?

Kryonull is a visual novel developed by NovelkaGames that features AI-generated assets and is priced at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital gaming, the recent emergence of Kryonull has sparked a wave of discontent among enthusiasts. This visual novel, which has garnered attention through the Steam Release Bot on Bluesky, presents a scenario that many find disheartening. The game, priced at a staggering 0 in the US and £90 in the UK, raises eyebrows not only for its cost but also for its reliance on AI-generated assets. AI-Generated Assets and Pricing Concerns Kryonull's premise is intriguing, revolving around a manned mission to Europa that must navigate critical decisions upon encountering something hidden beneath the ice. This hard sci-fi concept holds promise, yet the execution falters significantly. The developer, NovelkaGames, has openly disclosed that "all images and voices in the game, as well as on the store page, were generated using AI." This revelation has led to a sense of disappointment, as many gamers perceive it as a missed opportunity for creativity and originality. The pricing structure further complicates the game's reception. While Kryonull is available in both English and Russian, its price in rubles translates to approximately in the US. For many, the notion of investing any amount in an AI-generated game feels like an affront, especially when considering the quality and effort that typically accompany successful titles. The Broader Context of Steam's Open Platform Kryonull serves as a cautionary tale within the broader context of Steam's open platform. While the freedom to publish games has led to a diverse array of titles, it has also resulted in a flood of subpar offerings. The platform's policies, influenced by payment processors and occasional inconsistencies, have allowed projects like Kryonull to slip through the cracks, leaving consumers to sift through a mix of quality and mediocrity. In contrast, other experimental titles such as South Scrimshaw Part One and Water Womb World showcase the potential for innovation and creativity in the genre. South Scrimshaw, a nature documentary-style game about whales on an alien planet, captivates players with its hand-drawn visuals and compelling writing, despite its use of AI-generated voiceovers. Meanwhile, Water Womb World, a surreal horror experience exploring themes of faith and existence, is available for a mere two dollars, demonstrating that quality doesn't always come at a high price. As the gaming community continues to navigate the complexities of AI integration and pricing strategies, Kryonull stands as a reminder of the importance of genuine effort and creativity in game development. The dialogue surrounding such titles will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry, as players seek out experiences that resonate with their expectations and values." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] in the US and £90 in the UK. The game's premise involves a manned mission to Europa, but it has received criticism for its reliance on AI-generated images and voices, leading to disappointment among gamers. The game is available in both English and Russian, but many players feel that investing in an AI-generated game is unappealing due to the perceived lack of creativity and originality. Kryonull exemplifies concerns about the quality of games on Steam's open platform, where subpar offerings can proliferate alongside innovative titles.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Dutch non-profit set to take Valve to court for keeping game prices high

The Netherlands' Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCCF) has launched a campaign against Valve, the parent company of Steam, alleging unfair commercial practices related to Valve's 30% commission on game sales, which they claim inflates prices across all PC storefronts. The CCCF argues that this commission structure pressures publishers and developers to raise prices, affecting competitive pricing on other platforms like the Epic Games Store and Microsoft Store. They also allege that Valve prohibits publishers from offering lower prices on competing platforms and has engaged in "geo-blocking" to restrict the activation of Steam keys purchased in Eastern Europe for use in Western Europe. Valve president Gabe Newell denies these allegations, asserting that there is no policy preventing lower pricing on other platforms. The CCCF claims that Dutch gamers may have overpaid by more than 220 million euros due to these practices. Legal challenges against Valve are mounting, including a class-action lawsuit concerning loot boxes and an antitrust suit from Wolfire Games.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Microsoft Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit Over Alleged PC Game Pricing Pact With Valve

Microsoft Corp. is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging anticompetitive behavior in collaboration with Valve Corp., the operator of the Steam gaming platform. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, claims that the two companies engaged in a pricing agreement that stifled competition in the PC game distribution market. Plaintiffs assert that this agreement maintained uniform pricing for PC games across both platforms, limiting competitive pressure and harming consumers. The lawsuit also alleges that the arrangement discouraged competition and reduced incentives for improving game quality and offerings. The plaintiffs seek class-action status to represent all gamers who purchased PC games through these platforms. Neither Microsoft nor Valve has publicly addressed the allegations at the time of the lawsuit's filing.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

The Sims Game Removed From Stores Without Warning

Electronic Arts has removed the spin-off game The Sims Medieval from online stores, making it unavailable for purchase. The game, released in 2011, was delisted from Steam on March 10, 2026, and is marked as "Not Available" on the EA App. Players who previously purchased the game can still access it in their libraries, but new players must seek physical copies, which may be priced higher due to the game's age.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Capcom Games Sell More on PC Than on Consoles, and Almost All Sales Are Digital

Capcom's PC sales surpassed console sales for the third consecutive year, with 32.17 million copies sold on PC compared to 22.76 million on consoles during the 2025 fiscal year, which ended on March 31. The company sold nearly 60 million games, exceeding expectations by five million copies. In 2022, PC sales accounted for 52% of Capcom's total game sales. Capcom's success is attributed to strategic pricing, including discounts and promotions for PC gamers. The company also incorporates generative AI for tasks like error checking and data analysis in game development.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

North Koreans Spy on Defectors Via Android Game Apps

A North Korean hacking group has targeted a digital gaming platform popular among the Korean ethnic enclave in China, using a sophisticated strategy to infiltrate Android applications. Researchers from Eset discovered that an app on the platform contained a backdoor known as BirdCall, linked to North Korea. The official website for the gaming platform hosted the same suspicious APK file. A second Android file associated with another game on the same site was also found to contain the BirdCall backdoor. This supply-chain attack was attributed to the threat actor ScarCruft (APT37), active in Asia and extending into Europe and the Middle East since late 2024. The hackers likely compromised the web server to recompile original APKs with the backdoor, which can collect sensitive information such as contacts, SMS messages, call logs, documents, media files, and private keys, and can take screenshots and record audio. The malware disguises its command and control traffic among regular internet traffic, primarily using Zoho WorkDrive for operations.

AppWizard

April 28, 2026

The Blood of Dawnwalker lets you complete areas in any order, kill any NPCs you like, and still complete the game after failing every quest: ‘We’re giving even more freedom to players’

Rebel Wolves, a studio in Warsaw, is dedicated to role-playing games (RPGs) and has developed its first title, The Blood of Dawnwalker. This game features a sandbox experience where players control Coen, a half-human, half-vampire, on a quest to save his family and overthrow a tyrannical supernatural regime. Studio founder Konrad Tomaszkiewicz aims to bridge digital gaming and traditional pen-and-paper RPGs, drawing inspiration from various titles, including Crimson Desert and classics like Eye of the Beholder. The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 3, 2026.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

120 Steam users now own 20,000 games or more, three whales own over 40,000 games — one player’s library is worth nearly $750,000 at today’s prices

120 individuals have collections of 20,000 games or more on Steam, with the largest collection belonging to Sonix, who has 43,085 titles valued at nearly 0,000. Many gamers own hundreds or thousands of titles and often buy the same game multiple times due to sales. Playing through a collection of 40,000 games would take approximately seven years of continuous gameplay or 21 years with eight hours of daily gaming. Building such a library could take around three months of dedicated effort, assuming one minute per game purchase.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Capcom launches new Capcom Town Store to sell PC games

Capcom has launched Capcom Town, a digital marketplace for fans to purchase PC versions of their games directly from the publisher. The store features titles available on Steam and GOG, including Pragmata and Resident Evil 9 Requiem, but it is uncertain if Xbox or PlayStation titles will be added. The pricing on the Capcom Town Store may not be as competitive as on Steam, with older titles like Dragon's Dogma 2 listed at full retail price. The store offers a tiered discount system for bundled purchases: 5% off for buying 3 items, 10% off for 5 items, and 15% off for 8 items. New customers receive a 10% discount on their first order and an additional 7% off for providing feedback. Capcom aims to sell over 50 million games this year and may introduce direct discounts to achieve this goal.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Epic Games Store announces first March 2026 giveaway with Overwhelmingly Positively rated title for PC gamers

The Epic Games Store has gained prominence in the digital gaming market by offering a diverse selection of titles and exclusive content, attracting millions of users through free games. It features exclusive titles secured through partnerships with major developers, ensuring access to anticipated releases. The store's innovative business model provides developers with a larger revenue share compared to competitors, encouraging a variety of creators to publish their games. Additionally, the platform engages with the gaming community by seeking user feedback, fostering loyalty among gamers. Regular updates and promotional events further enhance user engagement.