funding Archives

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

Moves of the Diamond Hand will be one of 2027’s best RPGs, and it just launched in early access

Moves of the Diamond Hand entered early access on April 13. It is set in Off-Peak City, a noir-inspired metropolis with blue-skinned DJs, cloned jazz musicians, and animal-human hybrids. The game features a narrative that combines personal quests with societal issues, including a mayoral race. Players can engage in whimsical scenarios and utilize various non-combat skills. The gameplay is based on dice rolls and freeform mechanics, allowing exploration and interaction with characters. Players can level up skills and acquire augment dice that influence their rolls. The early access model provides feedback and funding but may be challenging for players seeking polished gameplay. The game is available on Steam, with a full release expected in spring of next year.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

’90s style Command and Conquer spiritual successor DORF smashes its Kickstarter to raise $300,000

DORF is a real-time strategy (RTS) game inspired by '90s titles, currently funded on Kickstarter, raising nearly 0,000. It features three factions: the Union of Imperial States, the Collective, and the Warbands. The game includes single-player campaigns, skirmish modes, online multiplayer, and a map editor. Additional content from the funding includes special online co-op campaigns, unique voice lines for units, and new environmental zones like snowy regions and megacities. DORFteam is expanding their development team, particularly seeking dedicated mappers. The tentative release date is set for 2028, but they aim for a 1.0 launch by 2027. Players can wishlist DORF on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

April 12, 2026

New LEGO Minecraft sets scheduled for this summer have leaked

Reddit has announced strategic initiatives to enhance user engagement and monetization, including new moderation tools for community leaders, personalized content recommendations using advanced algorithms, and monetization opportunities for content creators through subscriptions and exclusive content. The company is attracting investor interest due to its potential for growth and innovation, with a focus on diversifying revenue sources. Reddit's strategy emphasizes community involvement and user feedback in developing new features, aiming to balance innovation with its foundational principles.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Privacy Messenger Session Is Staring Down a 90-Day Countdown to Obscurity

The messaging app Session, which prioritizes user privacy and offers end-to-end encryption without requiring personal information for registration, is facing potential closure and has issued a call for support. The Session Technology Foundation (STF) has received funding to support operations for 90 days but will rely on volunteers after all paid staff have been let go. Development activities have paused due to insufficient funding, affecting the introduction of new features and the resolution of existing bugs. The STF has stated that it needs million to complete ongoing projects and introduce a subscription model to achieve self-sustainability. As of now, 0,000 has been raised towards this goal. Users can contribute at getsession.org/donate.

AppWizard

April 7, 2026

Sandbox RPG dev spends 5 years combining No Man’s Sky with Minecraft in “voxel survival game where the world is a planet” in a solar system with “seamless” space travel, smashes Kickstarter goal in 3 hours

The Kickstarter campaign for PlanetSmith has raised over £26,700, surpassing its target of £4,314. The project is led by Kenneth Ward, also known as Incandescent Games, who has spent five years developing the game. PlanetSmith aims to enhance the sandbox experience by allowing players to explore alien planets, build structures, engage in battles, and launch into space. Alpha access is scheduled to begin in April, and the campaign has 23 days remaining.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

Open-world crime game Samson had to be pared back mid-development, which led to its unusual structure: ‘It’s become more unique’

Samson is a game set to launch on Steam and EGS on April 8, where players must meet daily financial targets while managing limited action points. The game emphasizes strategic hand-to-hand combat, having removed gunplay to enhance engagement. Players navigate the city of Tyndalston, utilizing the environment for escape and exploration. Driving mechanics are designed to reflect realism and spontaneity. The development team at Liquid Swords has faced challenges in securing funding and acknowledges the pressure of the upcoming launch, emphasizing their commitment to quality despite potential bugs.

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Zero ceases trading with banking app to shut down today

Fintech app Zero ceased trading on March 18 due to its inability to secure additional funding. It plans to keep the app operational until March 31, but this is not guaranteed. There are over 21,500 registered users affected by the closure, which includes Zero Personal Accounts, Zero Debit Mastercards, and Planet Safe Savers. Users are advised to withdraw funds as soon as possible. Zero Personal Accounts are linked to UK current accounts, allowing users to withdraw funds back to these accounts. Funds in e-money accounts are not safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For Planet Safe Saver accounts, funds must be transferred to a personal account before withdrawal, with transfers potentially taking until 1pm the following day to process. Any deposits not moved by around March 26 will be automatically transferred to the Zero Personal Account. Cash in the Planet Safe Saver is fully FSCS protected.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

‘The industry’s in a really horrible place,’ Brenda Romero says: ‘We were there in the ’80s for the crash, and this is definitely crashier’

The videogame industry is currently facing significant uncertainty and job insecurity, reminiscent of the early 1980s crash. Industry veterans Brenda and John Romero express concern that the current situation is worse than that period. Brenda Romero stated that the industry is in a "really horrible place," with many individuals affected by job losses, including over 16,000 during the pandemic's end. Their studio has had to reduce its team size due to a loss of funding, impacting their game development vision. Economic pressures, including rising prices for PlayStation 5 hardware due to global economic challenges, are contributing to declining sales and consumer confidence. Despite the industry's struggles, John Romero remains committed to game development, while Brenda acknowledges the unpredictability of the future, particularly regarding the push for generative AI in game development.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 takes to Kickstarter with the lushest virtual grass I’ve ever seen

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 is the sequel to the original Lawn Mowing Simulator and is set to enhance the gardening experience with new tools like strimmers and leaf blowers. The game has surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal of £15,000 and is expected to release in 2026. A comparison video shows that the sequel features more dynamic grass with improved texture, colors, and the addition of flowers and weeds, making the virtual lawn more realistic. The game faces competition from titles like Grounded and Red Dead Redemption 2, which also feature detailed grass environments.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

The Stanley Parable creator and Minecraft composer’s indie studio is shutting down after one cozy sim because “it’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds”

Ivy Road, an independent game studio, announced its closure effective March 31, 2026. The studio was developing a new title called Engine Angel but faced funding challenges. They are finalizing a tea-brewing simulation game called Wanderstop, which explores themes of burnout and trauma. Wanderstop is currently playable and available for purchase on all platforms, and a special code for a chapter select feature has been shared. Analysts predict that the upcoming PS6 and Xbox Project Helix will launch at a price point 50% higher than their predecessors.