EA

BetaBeacon
October 15, 2026
GINESTRO has recently released an updated version of the mobile game Dead Space, originally developed by IronMonkey Studios and Visceral Games. The new version includes enhancements such as improved resolution, redesigned interface, smoother gameplay, and support for foldable smartphones.
AppWizard
October 10, 2026
Bit Reactor, the developer of Star Wars Zero Company, placed over 80% of its workforce on furlough before the game's launch due to sales uncertainties. Recently, the company announced a gradual return to normal operations, with payroll rebounding to over half of pre-furlough levels. The decision to furlough employees was made independently by Bit Reactor and did not involve its publisher, EA. Despite initial challenges, Star Wars Zero Company became a best seller on Steam and received positive reviews from critics.
AppWizard
October 6, 2026
The Newzoo analysis indicates that the share of playtime for free-to-play (F2P) games is expected to decrease by 2.9 percentage points from 2021 to 2025, reaching 29.3%, although total hours spent on these games remain stable. The decline is linked to the rise of premium games and platforms like Roblox, with F2P playtime on PC increasing while it wanes on consoles. The number of F2P live-service launches peaked at 36 in 2017 but has since dropped by 31%, averaging 14.7 titles from 2023 to 2025. Revenue concentration among the top five F2P titles is decreasing, with their share on consoles falling from 79% in 2021 to 72% in 2025, and from 68% to 65% on PC. Gacha games are growing significantly, with major titles expected to increase from three in 2021 to 17 by 2025, and PC gacha playtime rising by 92%. RPGs are the only F2P genre gaining market share on both platforms, with PC RPG playtime increasing by 5.3 percentage points to 14.3%. New releases include EA Sports Madden NFL 27 debuting at No. 2 on console and Big Walk at No. 3 on PC.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
Martin Klima, co-founder of Warhorse Studios, argues that the video game industry has undervalued its products and that a price increase is necessary for the survival of mid-sized developers. He highlights that production costs for high-quality RPGs and open-world games have risen significantly, while retail prices have remained stagnant. Rockstar Games is set to launch Grand Theft Auto VI at .99 for the standard edition and .99 for the Ultimate Edition, which is being observed as a potential benchmark for future game pricing. Klima believes that if GTA VI's pricing is successful, it could encourage other developers to raise their prices as well. He notes that adjusted for inflation, games today cost less than they did in the 1990s. The last significant price increase in the industry occurred in 2020, when the standard price rose from .99 to .99. Analysts suggest that franchises like Call of Duty, NBA 2K, and EA Sports FC may follow suit if GTA VI performs well commercially.
AppWizard
October 5, 2026
Steam is projected to surpass billion in gross revenue by 2026, requiring approximately .5 billion in the final quarter of 2023 to reach this target. In September 2023, Steam generated around .7 billion, a 13% increase from the previous year, with third-quarter revenue reaching .5 billion, reflecting a 12% growth year-over-year. Throughout the first nine months of 2023, Steam amassed an estimated .5 billion in revenue, up from .5 billion during the same period in 2022. New releases accounted for approximately 33.6% of total revenue among the top 500 grossing titles, while established franchises contributed nearly 80%. Free-to-play games generated nearly million in September, making up almost 10% of the monthly revenue. Notable paid games included Wardogs, which generated an estimated .9 million shortly after its Early Access launch, and other titles like Onimusha: Way of the Sword and The Blood of Dawnwalker, contributing [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: Steam is poised to achieve a remarkable milestone, with projections indicating that it will surpass billion in gross revenue by 2026. This forecast follows a series of record-breaking results for September and the third quarter, as reported by Alinea Analytics. The platform's success is attributed to a diverse array of offerings, including new releases, established franchises, and free-to-play games that continue to engage players long after their initial launch. With one quarter remaining in the year, Valve's PC gaming platform is on track to require approximately .5 billion to reach this ambitious target. September Performance Highlights In September alone, Steam reportedly generated around .7 billion, marking a 13% increase over the previous September's record, which was set in 2025. The estimated revenue for the third quarter reached .5 billion, reflecting a 12% growth compared to the same period last year. This impressive performance can be attributed to a well-balanced mix of significant paid releases, enduring franchises, and free-to-play titles that thrive on in-game purchases. The data indicates that Steam's revenue generation is no longer reliant on a singular type of game sale. New releases often create a surge in revenue, while established games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 maintain consistent earnings through active player communities and digital-item sales. Throughout the first nine months of 2026, Steam has amassed an estimated .5 billion in revenue, a notable increase from the .5 billion recorded during the same timeframe in 2025. At this rate, the platform is on track to require around .5 billion in the final quarter to achieve the coveted billion mark for the year. Impact of New Releases and Established Franchises New games played a significant role in September's revenue generation. Among Steam's top 500 grossing titles, games released in 2026 accounted for approximately 33.6% of total revenue, with new intellectual properties contributing 20.5% of that figure. However, this does not imply that newer games have overshadowed the industry's most prominent brands. Established franchises, including remakes and remasters, represented nearly 80% of the revenue among the top 500 titles. This overlap in data highlights the dual impact of both new releases and established franchises on Steam's financial success. Free-to-play games also emerged as a substantial revenue stream. Titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, PUBG, and Dota 2 collectively generated nearly 8 million in September, accounting for almost 10% of Steam's estimated monthly revenue. These games exemplify the importance of recurring revenue models, as they attract large player bases that contribute to ongoing spending on cosmetic items, battle passes, and other digital content. Notable Paid Game Performances Several paid games also made significant contributions to September's revenue. The PvP shooter Wardogs generated an estimated .9 million within the three weeks following its Early Access launch on September 10. Other notable titles included Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which brought in .4 million, and The Blood of Dawnwalker, contributing .9 million. Additionally, EA Sports FC 27 added .7 million from Steam sales, although the majority of its sales occurred on console platforms. The performance of Wardogs in Early Access underscores the growing importance of this model on Steam. By allowing developers to release games before their completion, they can generate early revenue and leverage player feedback to refine updates. This approach is particularly beneficial for multiplayer games, as it fosters community engagement ahead of a full launch." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].4 million and .9 million, respectively. EA Sports FC 27 added [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: Steam is poised to achieve a remarkable milestone, with projections indicating that it will surpass billion in gross revenue by 2026. This forecast follows a series of record-breaking results for September and the third quarter, as reported by Alinea Analytics. The platform's success is attributed to a diverse array of offerings, including new releases, established franchises, and free-to-play games that continue to engage players long after their initial launch. With one quarter remaining in the year, Valve's PC gaming platform is on track to require approximately .5 billion to reach this ambitious target. September Performance Highlights In September alone, Steam reportedly generated around .7 billion, marking a 13% increase over the previous September's record, which was set in 2025. The estimated revenue for the third quarter reached .5 billion, reflecting a 12% growth compared to the same period last year. This impressive performance can be attributed to a well-balanced mix of significant paid releases, enduring franchises, and free-to-play titles that thrive on in-game purchases. The data indicates that Steam's revenue generation is no longer reliant on a singular type of game sale. New releases often create a surge in revenue, while established games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2 maintain consistent earnings through active player communities and digital-item sales. Throughout the first nine months of 2026, Steam has amassed an estimated .5 billion in revenue, a notable increase from the .5 billion recorded during the same timeframe in 2025. At this rate, the platform is on track to require around .5 billion in the final quarter to achieve the coveted billion mark for the year. Impact of New Releases and Established Franchises New games played a significant role in September's revenue generation. Among Steam's top 500 grossing titles, games released in 2026 accounted for approximately 33.6% of total revenue, with new intellectual properties contributing 20.5% of that figure. However, this does not imply that newer games have overshadowed the industry's most prominent brands. Established franchises, including remakes and remasters, represented nearly 80% of the revenue among the top 500 titles. This overlap in data highlights the dual impact of both new releases and established franchises on Steam's financial success. Free-to-play games also emerged as a substantial revenue stream. Titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, PUBG, and Dota 2 collectively generated nearly 8 million in September, accounting for almost 10% of Steam's estimated monthly revenue. These games exemplify the importance of recurring revenue models, as they attract large player bases that contribute to ongoing spending on cosmetic items, battle passes, and other digital content. Notable Paid Game Performances Several paid games also made significant contributions to September's revenue. The PvP shooter Wardogs generated an estimated .9 million within the three weeks following its Early Access launch on September 10. Other notable titles included Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which brought in .4 million, and The Blood of Dawnwalker, contributing .9 million. Additionally, EA Sports FC 27 added .7 million from Steam sales, although the majority of its sales occurred on console platforms. The performance of Wardogs in Early Access underscores the growing importance of this model on Steam. By allowing developers to release games before their completion, they can generate early revenue and leverage player feedback to refine updates. This approach is particularly beneficial for multiplayer games, as it fosters community engagement ahead of a full launch." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].7 million from Steam sales.
AppWizard
September 26, 2026
Microsoft has a patent titled "Contextually Aware Management of Interactive Software Application Access" (US 202610260258 A1) that describes a system for pausing gameplay to present advertisements to players. Key features include: - A content management system that can suspend user interaction with the game based on a content trigger event. - The presentation of promoted audiovisual content to the user. - A credit system that delays the suspension of user interaction. This system aims to integrate advertisements into gameplay, similar to ad-supported models in mobile gaming. Matthew Ball, Xbox's Chief Strategy Officer, supports in-game advertisements, while EA has launched EA Advertising for in-game integrations and scalable advertising capabilities. The integration of advertisements poses both opportunities and challenges for monetization and user experience in gaming.
AppWizard
September 26, 2026
The top-selling title on Steam from September 8 to September 22, 2026, is War Dogs, which has achieved significant sales and a peak of over 428,000 concurrent players. It ranks as the 36th biggest title on Steam and has received a "Very Positive" rating based on an 82% approval rating from nearly 52,000 user reviews. War Dogs is an online tactical first-person shooter featuring three teams in strategic combat, emphasizing collaboration and requiring players to invest time to master its mechanics. The game is currently in early access and is priced at .99, with expectations for a higher retail price upon final release.
Winsage
September 21, 2026
In 2026, Microsoft introduced Xbox mode for Windows 11 users to enhance the gaming experience, responding to the popularity of Valve's SteamOS. Xbox mode transforms the Windows interface by removing the taskbar and providing a layout suited for controller users, organizing game libraries within a revamped Xbox app. To enable Xbox mode, users must navigate to Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode and toggle the feature on. A gamepad must be connected, and users can access Xbox mode using keyboard shortcuts or through the Xbox app. While Xbox mode streamlines access to games from various platforms, it does not inherently improve gaming performance; users should enable Game Mode separately for that purpose. Xbox mode consolidates access to multiple game launchers, allowing users to launch games directly without opening their respective launchers. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access their library within Xbox mode, and the Cloud Gaming tab allows setting Nvidia GeForce Now as the default streaming service.
AppWizard
September 16, 2026
Denuvo has filed a lawsuit against an individual known as "voices38" for allegedly tampering with and bypassing its anti-piracy technology, which is used in various popular PC games. The lawsuit was initiated in the U.S. Northern District Court of California, claiming violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Denuvo describes voices38 as a "computer hacker" who has cracked numerous games, including titles like Doom: The Dark Ages and Hogwarts Legacy. Voices38 responded casually on Reddit, indicating a lack of concern for the lawsuit. Denuvo's business model relies on selling DRM solutions, and while it cannot sue for copyright infringement, it claims to be harmed by voices38's activities. The lawsuit lists several games that voices38 has allegedly cracked and marks Denuvo's first legal action against a video game pirate in the U.S. The company is also attempting to uncover voices38's true identity and may file subpoenas to gather more information. Public sentiment appears to be against Denuvo, with criticism regarding its software's impact on legitimate users.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
On August 27, 2026, a class action lawsuit was filed in San Mateo County Superior Court by three California gamers—Alexander Shimota, Ricardo Camargo, and John Elliott—against Valve Corporation and ten video game publishers, accusing them of colluding to maintain uniform pricing for PC games across digital storefronts. The lawsuit alleges that Valve requires publishers on its Steam platform to agree to a most-favored-nation clause, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms, which stifles competition and limits consumer choice. The ten implicated publishers include Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The lawsuit is filed under California's Cartwright Act and claims that the coordinated pricing strategy harms consumers by reducing product diversity and inflating prices. Valve's commission structure, which has largely remained unchanged, is central to the plaintiffs' argument. Valve's co-founder, Gabe Newell, has previously denied dictating prices to third-party developers. The lawsuit is distinct from a prior case, Wolfire Games v. Valve, which focuses on monopoly abuse against developers rather than consumer pricing. Additionally, Valve faces a parallel £2 billion class action in the UK regarding similar pricing allegations. The outcome of these cases could significantly impact the pricing landscape for PC games and the practices of digital storefronts.
Search