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Kingdom Come Maker Hopes GTA 6 Lifts Game Prices
AppWizard
October 5, 2026

Kingdom Come Maker Hopes GTA 6 Lifts Game Prices

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.
Windows 95's taskbar didn't come from Steve Jobs' NeXT Dock, and a former Microsoft VP explains what did
Winsage
September 1, 2026

Windows 95’s taskbar didn’t come from Steve Jobs’ NeXT Dock, and a former Microsoft VP explains what did

The Windows 95 taskbar was not inspired by the NeXT Dock, as clarified by former Microsoft executives Joe Belfiore and Brad Silverberg. Instead, its design was influenced by a Microsoft project called Cairo, which aimed to provide users with easy access to information. The taskbar was created to address usability issues from Windows 3.1, specifically to help users keep track of minimized windows. In 2021, with the release of Windows 11, Microsoft introduced a centered taskbar and later allowed it to be repositioned to any edge of the screen, reflecting a commitment to user experience.
Overcoming the Barriers of Commercial DBs with Open Source and AI… EDB Hosts 'PostgreSQL AI Summit'
Tech Optimizer
August 29, 2026

Overcoming the Barriers of Commercial DBs with Open Source and AI… EDB Hosts ‘PostgreSQL AI Summit’

A company's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) begins with determining the optimal structure for data storage and management, often facing challenges such as high costs of commercial databases and reliance on specific enterprise technologies. To effectively utilize AI, companies need to establish new infrastructures, including vector search capabilities, Search Augmentation Generative (RAG) systems, and data lakehouses. EDB is notable for connecting companies and technology partners that have transitioned to open-source databases. On September 3, EDB will host the 'EDB Postgres AI Summit Seoul 2026' at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, starting at 10:00 AM. This event is the largest PostgreSQL conference in Korea, themed 'Change the Game,' focusing on the shift from commercial databases to open-source and AI-driven frameworks, featuring real-world case studies. Approximately 300 C-level executives and IT decision-makers from various sectors are expected to attend, with participation by invitation only. The summit will include 15 sessions with customer case studies and technical presentations. Notable discussions will include IBK Industrial Bank of Korea's migration of 15 core systems to PostgreSQL, a semiconductor company's diversification of MPP databases on a DBaaS platform, and Kyobo Book Centre's database modernization strategy. Shopcast will present its development of an 'Agentic Lakehouse' integrating AI technology with a data lakehouse framework. The keynote address will be given by Kim Deok-joong, discussing organizational management strategies for integrating AI agents. The technical sessions will cover the architecture of the 'EDB Postgres AI' platform, which supports AI vector search and RAG, with live demonstrations of the analytics engine ClickHouse and LakeHouse technology for analyzing petabyte-scale data. EDB's domestic distributors and international partners will participate as sponsors. The summit aims to showcase technologies and case studies from the domestic ecosystem, addressing PostgreSQL adoption, system migration, operations, data analysis, and AI implementation. EDB manages transaction, analytics, and AI workloads using Postgres in cloud environments, serving over 1,500 global customers. Herve Timsit, EDB's Chief Revenue Officer, emphasized the event's focus on sharing tangible results and addressing the challenges of commercial databases while investing in AI infrastructure.
Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after 'negative player feedback'
AppWizard
August 19, 2026

Sony reportedly reverses course on live service co-op Horizon game after ‘negative player feedback’

Guerilla Games is rethinking their live service co-op game, Horizon Hunters Gathering, due to negative feedback from playtests. The game will shift from a live service model to a more traditional co-op format focused on storytelling. Sony has set a deadline for the team to present a milestone by December, or the project may be canceled. Many developers have been reassigned to other projects, with a smaller group working on the next single-player Horizon installment. Sony is moving away from live service games, with only Helldivers 2 and MLB The Show performing well. The future of another live service game, Fairgames, is uncertain due to development challenges.
The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you're too dumb to appreciate a good story—don't prove them right
AppWizard
August 15, 2026

The bigwigs who want AI-generated NPCs and writing think you’re too dumb to appreciate a good story—don’t prove them right

Saber Interactive's CEO discusses the potential of generative AI dialogue in video games, while skepticism remains due to past failures with AI-driven characters. Companies like Convai and Ubisoft aim to create more immersive experiences with AI NPCs, but the assumption that background character dialogue is unimportant undermines storytelling in games. The richness of game worlds comes from carefully crafted scripts, and AI-generated content may not achieve the same quality. Industry veterans emphasize that good storytelling relies on human experience, and there is concern that companies may prioritize profit over artistic integrity, leading to inferior products. This reflects a broader trend of viewing video games as commodities rather than art forms, highlighting a disconnect between corporate strategies and creative processes.
Mesh, Automattic's CRM for everyone, comes to Android
AppWizard
August 12, 2026

Mesh, Automattic’s CRM for everyone, comes to Android

Mesh, a personal CRM acquired by Automattic, has launched on Android, allowing users to manage their networks with features like notes, reminders, and real-time synchronization. The app includes enhancements for Android, such as split-screen views, keyboard shortcuts for foldable devices, in-app search, and home screen widgets. Mesh is currently in early access with Nexus AI, which helps users navigate their networks. It prioritizes user privacy and operates on a subscription model, offering a free version for up to 1,000 contacts. Approximately 70% of users utilize Mesh for business purposes, and it is available for download on Google Play.
Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism
AppWizard
August 12, 2026

Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism

Russian authorities have charged Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, with aiding terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list. The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges that Telegram facilitates criminal activities and operations related to Ukrainian intelligence, classifying it as a facilitator of "acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud." Instead of targeting the platform with fines or restrictions, Russian authorities are pursuing Durov personally. If convicted in Russia, he faces the possibility of life imprisonment. This case reflects a broader trend of governments holding technology executives accountable for content and activities on their platforms, with similar legal pressures observed on other platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube.
EA is 'a hedge fund with a videogame hobby,' former Dragon Age boss says, and that's why he reckons the series is probably dead and buried
AppWizard
July 28, 2026

EA is ‘a hedge fund with a videogame hobby,’ former Dragon Age boss says, and that’s why he reckons the series is probably dead and buried

Electronic Arts (EA) has decided to stop development of the Dragon Age RPG series due to the poor sales performance of the latest installment, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. This decision puts BioWare in a difficult position, and former executive producer Mark Darrah believes it may signify the end of the series. Darrah described EA's approach to game development as challenging, likening it to a "hedge fund with a videogame hobby." EA is facing financial pressures, including a potential takeover by Saudi Arabia, which raises concerns about the future of its game titles. While Dragon Age's future is uncertain, a new Mass Effect installment is in development. Former BioWare writer David Gaider noted that EA has historically struggled to understand the Dragon Age series, often dismissing its successes.
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