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‘A Minecraft Movie’ Looks To Build $140M+ Global Goldmine In Barren Desert Box Office
AppWizard
April 2, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Looks To Build $140M+ Global Goldmine In Barren Desert Box Office

Warner Bros. is preparing for a significant turnaround with the release of A Minecraft Movie, projected to generate 0 million globally, with expectations of 0 million from both domestic and international markets. The film, directed by Jared Hess, has a production budget of around million, with Warner Bros. covering three-quarters of the funding. It will debut in 3,400 locations, utilizing premium formats like IMAX and Dolby. The film aims to attract a diverse audience, particularly younger fans of the video game, which has sold over 300 million copies. A Minecraft Movie will open in 75 markets across 32,000 screens, with notable anticipation in China, where it is leading pre-sales. Additionally, NEON is releasing Hell of a Summer, projected to exceed million, in 1,250 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
‘Touch of a button’
AppWizard
March 28, 2025

‘Touch of a button’

The Webster County Sheriff’s Office app was launched four months ago and has over 2,000 downloads, with an average of 45,000 interactions each week. Key features include jail information, inmate search, tip submission, sex offender listings, weapon permit information, and county job listings. Users can request notifications about inmate release status, search for inmates, fund accounts, and access bond information. The app allows for anonymous tip submissions, although none have contributed to investigations yet. It was developed at no cost to the department or county, with future funding from inmate commissary money.
Why Sensor Tower acquired VG Insights and how consolidation of data sources could hurt games market
AppWizard
March 26, 2025

Why Sensor Tower acquired VG Insights and how consolidation of data sources could hurt games market

Sensor Tower acquired Video Game Insights, marking its third M&A move following the acquisitions of Pathmatics in 2021 and data.ai in 2024. The company aims to consolidate its position in gaming analytics, expanding its services to include PC and console market intelligence. The acquisitions were partially financed by Riverwood Capital and involved credit-based financing from Bain Capital Credit. VG Insights, founded in 2020, aims to provide comprehensive analytics tools for indie PC game developers, addressing a gap in the market compared to mobile game analytics.
Signal event: Why US and European officials rely on the messaging app
AppWizard
March 25, 2025

Signal event: Why US and European officials rely on the messaging app

A recent incident involved The Atlantic's editor-in-chief in a Signal chat among senior officials from the Trump administration discussing military actions in Yemen. Signal was chosen for its robust security features, including end-to-end encryption that prevents interception by intermediaries. Signal operates as an independent non-profit, unlike WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta. Its popularity is growing in political circles, with recommendations from both the European Commission and Parliament for secure communications. The guidelines noted an increase in threats to telecommunications infrastructure and recommended Signal when corporate tools are unavailable. A recent leak of U.S. national defense plans was due to human error, not Signal's encryption flaws.
After launching as an Epic Store exclusive, World of Goo 2 dribbles onto Steam this spring: 'We’re grateful to Epic for funding development of the game'
AppWizard
March 19, 2025

After launching as an Epic Store exclusive, World of Goo 2 dribbles onto Steam this spring: ‘We’re grateful to Epic for funding development of the game’

World of Goo 2 is set to launch on Steam in Spring 2025 after a year of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store. Developers 2DBoy and Tomorrow Corporation confirmed the release date on their website. Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, discussed the mixed results of exclusivity deals in the gaming industry and noted the success of their strategy to offer free games weekly. PC Gamer's reviewer, Kerry Brunskill, praised World of Goo 2 for its engaging puzzles and humor, despite some concerns about the novelty of in-game physics.
Here's why that Embracer Saudi deal fell through
AppWizard
March 18, 2025

Here’s why that Embracer Saudi deal fell through

Saber Interactive's CEO, Matt Karch, discussed the collapse of the deal between Embracer Group and Saudi Arabia's Savvy Gaming Group, which initially aimed to secure funding for Turok Dinosaur Hunter and Jurassic Park titles but expanded to include the entire Embracer Group. The potential investment exceeded a billion, and Karch suggested the deal should have remained smaller and more manageable to facilitate approvals. The failure of the deal led to heightened investor expectations and subsequent disappointment, resulting in cuts within Embracer.
Wyrdsong, the RPG from ex-Bethesda talent, isn't dead—but it's no longer an open world: 'We're down to a skeleton crew'
AppWizard
March 16, 2025

Wyrdsong, the RPG from ex-Bethesda talent, isn’t dead—but it’s no longer an open world: ‘We’re down to a skeleton crew’

Wyrdsong, an open-world RPG developed by Something Wicked Games, was announced at Gamescom three years ago and is set in a warped medieval Portugal with mythological references. The studio, founded by veterans of titles like Skyrim and Fallout, received a million seed investment from NetEase in 2022, but this funding has been insufficient for the project's ambitions. Co-founder Jeff Gardiner mentioned that the team is adapting by adding a rogue-lite element to the game, which required repurposing existing assets. The studio has faced challenges, including layoffs and the departure of key team members, leaving them with a "skeleton crew." Gardiner is actively seeking investment or publishing offers, expressing hope for a breakthrough this year. The gaming industry is experiencing a downturn, with increased competition for funding and player attention, leading to a cautious purchasing approach among consumers. Gardiner noted that the success of established titles can hinder new projects, as players tend to stick with familiar games. Despite these challenges, Gardiner remains committed to realizing Wyrdsong.
The Day Before studio reportedly sues Russian website for calling infamous disaster-game a 'scam'
AppWizard
March 15, 2025

The Day Before studio reportedly sues Russian website for calling infamous disaster-game a ‘scam’

Fntastic, the studio behind The Day Before, has filed a lawsuit against Yakutia.info, a news outlet in Siberia, for allegedly damaging its reputation by labeling its actions as a "scam." The claims are based on an article that described Fntastic's conduct in this manner and another that paraphrased comments from YouTube influencers. Yakutia.info has since clarified that it did not intend to imply fraudulent behavior and amended the articles to replace "scam" with "embarrassment." The lawsuit may require Yakutia.info to prove that Fntastic's actions were criminal rather than merely misguided. Fntastic's reputation has suffered due to criticism of The Day Before, which has been described as buggy and incomplete, leading to its temporary removal from Steam. The studio has faced challenges with communication, development promises, and the use of "volunteer" labor. Last September, Fntastic struggled to secure funding for a new project on Kickstarter, raising only ,351 of a ,000 target, and has announced a new initiative inviting designers to contribute to its game.
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