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Xbox Exec Explains How Project Helix Will Bridge the Xbox/PC Game Development Gap
AppWizard
March 25, 2026

Xbox Exec Explains How Project Helix Will Bridge the Xbox/PC Game Development Gap

Microsoft has unveiled the alpha version of its new console hardware for Project Helix at the Game Developers Conference (GDC). Project Helix aims to eliminate the boundaries between console and PC gaming, allowing the new Xbox consoles to support both Xbox and PC games. Chris Carla, the general manager of portfolio and programs at Xbox, explained that developers will be able to create a single game build that works across multiple platforms, including PC, Project Helix, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. This approach resembles the previous universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps and the Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which allowed cross-platform functionality. Carla advised developers to focus on creating Xbox console and PC versions to prepare for the next generation. He suggested that PC developers might find it more efficient to start with the PC build before optimizing for Project Helix. There are concerns about whether developers will be incentivized to create native Project Helix games if existing PC titles run well on the new console. Microsoft has not yet clarified its online multiplayer paywall policy for Project Helix games.
OpenTTD asks people to please stop being mad at Atari for forcing the game off Steam: 'OpenTTD as a project retains its full independence,' and you can still get it for free
AppWizard
March 21, 2026

OpenTTD asks people to please stop being mad at Atari for forcing the game off Steam: ‘OpenTTD as a project retains its full independence,’ and you can still get it for free

The OpenTTD team issued a cautionary note about changes to their open-source remake of Transport Tycoon Deluxe due to the revival of the original game by Atari as a commercial offering. As a result, OpenTTD was removed from Steam and GOG, leading to dissatisfaction within the gaming community. The new Transport Tycoon Deluxe currently has a "mostly negative" rating on Steam. A compromise was reached allowing OpenTTD to remain free on its official website while limiting its availability on storefronts to those who purchase the new game. Atari has agreed to contribute to the maintenance of OpenTTD’s server infrastructure. Community reactions are mixed, with some players expressing gratitude for the update and others criticizing the move as greedy. The original Transport Tycoon Deluxe is available for purchase on Steam or GOG, while OpenTTD can still be accessed for free at openttd.org.
Взломанная Crimson Desert появится на торрентах в день релиза
TrendTechie
March 12, 2026

Взломанная Crimson Desert появится на торрентах в день релиза

Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, will use a minimalist anti-piracy approach by relying on basic tools from the Steam platform and not implementing Denuvo protection. This decision may allow third-party groups to easily bypass these measures upon the game's release. The gaming industry has seen vulnerabilities in anti-piracy systems, as demonstrated by the launch of Resident Evil Requiem, which was pirated within 24 hours using a new method to bypass Denuvo. A free version of Crimson Desert will be available on March 20, but its financial success will depend on factors like game quality and technical optimization, as players often prefer to buy legitimate copies for a better experience.
Nvidia GeForce Now brings "PC-quality" game performance to Amazon Fire TV Sticks
AppWizard
February 14, 2026

Nvidia GeForce Now brings “PC-quality” game performance to Amazon Fire TV Sticks

Nvidia has launched its GeForce Now game streaming service on Amazon's Fire TV Sticks and select Fire TVs, allowing users to stream games they already own from various digital stores. The streaming quality is capped at 1080p/60fps, and the service operates on a tiered subscription model, with a free tier offering one-hour sessions supported by ads. The GeForce Now application is compatible with specific Fire TV Stick models, but not with the Fire TV Stick Select. The platform distinguishes itself by enabling users to access their existing game collections rather than providing a Netflix-style library. GeForce Now competes with other streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Amazon Luna and is accessible on multiple devices.
After just 2 years on sale, 7 '90s-era Jurassic Park games are getting delisted this March
AppWizard
February 13, 2026

After just 2 years on sale, 7 ’90s-era Jurassic Park games are getting delisted this March

The Jurassic Park Classic Games Collection will be delisted from Steam and other digital storefronts after March 31. The collection is priced at £25. It was released in November 2023 and has had sales, with prices dropping to £6.25 during the recent Steam Winter Sale. Limited Run Games has committed to transparency regarding the delisting process and aims to give fans ample opportunity to purchase the game before it is removed from the marketplace.
Gabe Newell wanted this cult-classic FPS to be one of the first games to launch on Steam, but its creator said "ehhh" nah
AppWizard
December 27, 2025

Gabe Newell wanted this cult-classic FPS to be one of the first games to launch on Steam, but its creator said “ehhh” nah

Steam was launched in 2003 as a platform for updates to Valve's games and became a full-fledged storefront in 2005. Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, reached out to Adrian Chmielarz in the early days to feature the game Painkiller on Steam, but Chmielarz was hesitant as they did not hold the rights to the game. Painkiller's Black Edition was eventually released on Steam in 2007. The emergence of digital storefronts like Steam has transformed game development, allowing smaller developers greater access to audiences without the need for traditional publishers. Steam has revolutionized video game distribution, despite challenges like game discoverability, and has become essential to the PC gaming ecosystem.
Steam will always dominate over the Epic Games Store because people don't want to "cheat on [their] home library with some other shop," says Witchfire lead
AppWizard
December 20, 2025

Steam will always dominate over the Epic Games Store because people don’t want to “cheat on [their] home library with some other shop,” says Witchfire lead

Adrian Chmielarz, co-founder of The Astronauts, discussed the dominance of Steam over the Epic Games Store (EGS) in a recent interview. He noted that while his game Witchfire benefited from being a timed exclusive on EGS, he criticized EGS for lacking community engagement features like written reviews and forums, which are essential for fostering emotional connections with users. Chmielarz argued that EGS is primarily a transactional platform, limiting its appeal compared to Steam, which offers a more engaging shopping experience. He emphasized that community features significantly influence a platform's success in the gaming industry.
GOG says it's 'proud to give Horses a home' after the horror game was rejected by Steam, but commenters won't let it forget the time it rejected another horror game
AppWizard
November 29, 2025

GOG says it’s ‘proud to give Horses a home’ after the horror game was rejected by Steam, but commenters won’t let it forget the time it rejected another horror game

The horror adventure game Horses was rejected by Steam in 2023 due to concerns about depicting sexual conduct involving a minor. The developer, Santa Ragione, argued that the scene was not sexual and has since changed it to feature an adult character, but Valve has not reconsidered the game's status. Horses will launch on other platforms, including the Epic Games Store and the Humble Store, and GOG has expressed support for the game, encouraging pre-orders. This support has sparked controversy, with users comparing it to the treatment of the game Devotion, which was removed from Steam after backlash over a controversial joke about Chinese President Xi Jinping. Despite its removal from major storefronts, Devotion is still available for purchase directly from its developer, Red Candle Games, which has also released the game Nine Sols on Steam.
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