Dune Archives

AppWizard

July 30, 2025

Battlefield 6 probably isn’t going to cost $80: ‘We’re not looking to make any changes on pricing at this stage,’ CEO says

In 2017, the standard price for a big-budget game release was around , with discussions in the industry about potentially lowering prices to or . Helldivers 2 launched at a more accessible price, while Dune 2 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 were priced at . Despite arguments for lower prices, major game release prices have generally increased over the years. In 2022, Call of Duty was priced at on Steam, and Nintendo priced Mario Kart World for the Switch 2 at . Microsoft initially priced The Outer Worlds 2 at before reducing it to due to community backlash. Take-Two's Gearbox studio set Borderlands 4 at , avoiding the higher price trend.

AppWizard

July 24, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 will no longer cost $80 as Microsoft backs away from plans to follow Nintendo’s lead

Obsidian Entertainment has adjusted the price of its RPG, The Outer Worlds 2, after public feedback regarding its initial pricing. The studio communicated with fans via their Bluesky account, indicating a commitment to fair pricing and collaboration with partners for the revision. The gaming industry has seen fluctuations in major title prices, with Microsoft maintaining its strategy of keeping full-priced holiday releases consistent. Obsidian's other title, Avowed, launched at a similar price point and was available through Game Pass, while it was discounted during the Steam Summer Sale. Some publishers have opted for lower price points for new titles to attract gamers seeking quality experiences without premium costs.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Newzoo: Top 20 PC/Console Games of June 2025 by Revenue and MAU

Newzoo's market analysis indicates a significant shift in the gaming landscape across the US, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France, with an increase in new titles in revenue rankings and monthly active users (MAU). In June, notable revenue rankings included: - Dune: Awakening at 5th place - Rematch at 9th - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach at 15th - SCUM at 17th - Deltarune at 20th - Valorant climbed to 7th place due to its 5th anniversary. - A collaboration between Dead by Daylight and Five Nights at Freddy's achieved the highest monthly revenue growth since April 2020. - Rematch and SCUM are independent IPs, while others are based on established franchises. Platform-specific revenue rankings showed: - MindsEye entered PlayStation's top sales at 18th despite a 2.3 out of 5 rating. - Lies of P rose to 20th due to its prequel release. - On PC, newcomers included Dune: Awakening (#1), SCUM (#7), Rematch (#8), Deltarune (#13), PEAK (#10), Stellar Blade (#14), and Date Everything! (#17). - Nintendo platforms featured Mario Kart World at 2nd, Deltarune (9th), Cyberpunk 2077 (14th), and Date Everything! (15th). In MAU rankings: - Elden Ring Nightreign and Splitgate 2 were among late-May releases. - Rematch was included, likely counting its closed beta audience. - PEAK ranked 5th on PC, surpassing games like Marvel Rivals, Valorant, and Overwatch. - For Nintendo Switch 2, new titles included Mario Kart World (1st), Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (8th), and Deltarune (20th).

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

One Dune: Awakening player ‘will not bend the knee’ to hackers laying waste to ornithopters—’I am personally on their hit list now’

A group of hackers in Dune: Awakening has manipulated game mechanics to achieve speeds that allow them to capture players' ornithopters and transport them to remote locations. A player known as SpooN04 has been documenting these incidents and sharing video evidence on the game's official Discord channel to raise awareness. Despite numerous reports and evidence submitted, the hackers remain active, and the game's developer, Funcom, is dealing with various complaints and bugs. The community is concerned about griefers and has suggested removing rockets from ornithopters to reduce their impact.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

15 incredible DOS classics you can play in your browser

Between the late '80s and early '90s, DOS became the foundation of PC gaming, fostering innovation with advancements in 2.5D and 3D environments, first-person shooters, city-building simulations, and point-and-click adventures. DOS games are lightweight, allowing them to run on modern devices easily. Dangerous Dave (1988) is a nostalgic platformer that remains enjoyable today. Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) is considered one of the greatest DOS games, allowing players to build empires through various strategies. Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) is credited with shaping the real-time strategy genre, introducing base-building and resource management. Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons (1990) set the standard for PC platformers with its vibrant gameplay. Carmageddon (1997) is an iconic car combat game known for its humor and chaos. Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) is a hallmark of the point-and-click genre with engaging puzzles. The Oregon Trail (1990) started as an educational tool and became a classic game blending survival strategy with humor. Command and Conquer (1995) revolutionized the RTS genre with engaging gameplay. X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) is known for its strategic gameplay where every decision matters. Wolfenstein 3D (1992) is a pioneer of the FPS genre, influencing many subsequent titles.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Codev giant Virtuos making layoffs

Virtuos is reducing its workforce by approximately seven percent, equating to around 300 positions. The layoffs will primarily impact its Asian operations, with 200 employees affected, 70 roles in Europe, and fewer than ten positions in France. The company aims to realign its global capabilities to enhance high-value co-development services. Virtuos will provide separation pay, job placement assistance, and opportunities for affected employees within its network. This decision reflects broader job cuts in the gaming industry, as seen with Microsoft's recent layoffs.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

UAE-based Red Dune partners with Japanese studio Acquire

Red Dune Games, based in the UAE, has partnered with Japanese developer Acquire Corp to develop a series of innovative intellectual properties. Three projects are currently in development, codenamed Tremor, Umbra, and Shadowcar. Acquire has a history of notable titles and was owned by GungHo from 2011 to 2024 before being acquired by Kadokawa. Sultan Darmaki, CEO of Red Dune Games, and Takuma Endo, CEO of Acquire, both expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration and its focus on global creativity and originality.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Amazon MGM Hires Charlie Coleman as International Marketing Chief

Amazon MGM has appointed Charlie Coleman as its head of international marketing, based in London, reporting to Sue Kroll. Coleman previously worked at Disney and Warner Bros., where he became EVP of international marketing and led campaigns for films like “The Batman” and “Dune.” His appointment is part of a trend of former Warner executives joining Amazon MGM, which is preparing for a full theatrical release schedule starting in 2026, including films like “Project Hail Mary” and “Masters of the Universe.”

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

I played 10 free Steam demos this week: here are the 5 games that made it onto my wishlist

The author explored various free game demos on Steam after playing Dune: Awakening. They highlighted several games: 1. Star Birds: A resource management game where players explore asteroids, establish factories, and unlock technologies. The demo impressed the author enough to add it to their wishlist. 2. Watchword: A wordplay and strategy game where players connect words on a grid and use magical tomes. The author found it captivating and recommended it for word game enthusiasts. 3. Discounty: A life simulation game where players run a discount grocery store and uncover town mysteries. The author expressed eagerness to explore it further. 4. Herdling: A game where players guide large creatures across a countryside, featuring minimalistic instructions and an immersive atmosphere. 5. Ball X Pit: A mashup of Vampire Survivors and Super Breakout, combining base-building and farming mechanics with monster-fighting gameplay. Additionally, the author mentioned other games that caught their attention, including: - Quarantine Zone: The Last Check: A management sim in a zombie apocalypse with engaging scanning mechanics but lackluster base management. - City of Voices: A narrative-driven adventure from a developer known for The Rise of The Golden Idol. - Morsels: A creature-collecting roguelite with a challenging color palette. - Scale the Depths: A casual fishing game lacking complexity. - Half Sword: A physics-based medieval brawler more entertaining to watch than to play.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Dune Imperium, Raiders of the North Sea, Everdell, more

As the July 4th holiday approaches, there are various Android game and app deals available. Shoppers can receive a complimentary Samsung credit by providing their email, and Samsung is offering 0 in free credit for their new Smart Monitors. The Kindle Scribe is at an all-time low price, and there is a 20% discount on the Galaxy Watch Ultra Marine Band. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is discounted by up to 0. The game Dune Imperium allows players to engage in strategy and challenges on the planet Arrakis, featuring online and local play options, achievements, and a rotating Skirmish Mode.