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'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'
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.
Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 takes to Kickstarter with the lushest virtual grass I've ever seen
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.
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"
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.
Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: 'It's a particularly tough time for raising game funds'
AppWizard
March 28, 2026

Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: ‘It’s a particularly tough time for raising game funds’

Developer Ivy Road has announced the closure of its studio, set for March 31. The studio expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that brought their game, Wanderstop, to life, which received an 84% review score. The narrative was created by Davey Wrenden and Karla Zimonja, with music composed by C418. The closure follows layoffs due to the studio's inability to secure funding for a new project called Engine Angel. Despite the closure, Wanderstop will remain available on current platforms, and Ivy Road hinted at a future surprise related to the game, with more news to come from Annapurna Interactive.
Энтузиасты сохранили архив ретро-игр Myrient
TrendTechie
March 18, 2026

Энтузиасты сохранили архив ретро-игр Myrient

The Save Myrient community has completed the transfer of a 385 terabyte retro gaming archive, which is now operational as a mirror. The original gaming archive will close on March 31, 2026, due to rising server maintenance costs and limited funding. A comprehensive backup has been secured, and the community is generating torrents to maintain access to the archive temporarily. Myrient has been a repository for ROM files used in video game emulation, catering to users seeking verified downloads for retro consoles, including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii U.
Minecraft rival Everwind sails into early access, and I can't wait to soar among the clouds
AppWizard
March 17, 2026

Minecraft rival Everwind sails into early access, and I can’t wait to soar among the clouds

Everwind is a voxel-based sandbox survival RPG where players act as captains of flying island-ships, set in a medieval fantasy world. The game launches into Steam Early Access on March 17, with the standard edition priced at .99 and the Capybara Edition at .99. It supports solo and cooperative multiplayer for up to four players, with plans for dedicated servers and other updates based on player feedback. The game was successfully funded on Kickstarter within two weeks.
Meta to end Messenger.com web chat, move users to Facebook
AppWizard
February 21, 2026

Meta to end Messenger.com web chat, move users to Facebook

Japan's ambassador to the United Nations, Kazuyuki Yamazaki, stated that the UN is facing significant financial difficulties, worsened by delays in contributions from the United States. He advocates for a reevaluation of the UN's operational frameworks and encourages member states to seek innovative solutions to enhance the organization's efficiency and effectiveness.
XCOM designer Jake Solomon announces surprise closure of his studio alongside a first look at its canceled life sim, 'the game we poured our hearts into'
AppWizard
February 20, 2026

XCOM designer Jake Solomon announces surprise closure of his studio alongside a first look at its canceled life sim, ‘the game we poured our hearts into’

Jake Solomon, founder of Midsummer Studios, announced the studio's closure and shared a gameplay video of "Burbank," a life simulation game. The game aimed to empower players as storytellers and was described as a blend of "Life Sims + The Truman Show." Despite receiving an 88% review score and being a Game of the Year runner-up for "Midnight Suns," the studio struggled with sales. Midsummer Studios had secured funding from various venture capital partners and Krafton but was seeking additional funding rounds. The gameplay footage of Burbank featured a polished aesthetic, with plans to use generative AI for character voices while ensuring visual art was created by human artists.
'We lost things such as physics in games:' The dev behind my most anticipated RPG thinks players are craving more interactive games, not just 'moving around in a static 3D environment'
AppWizard
February 15, 2026

‘We lost things such as physics in games:’ The dev behind my most anticipated RPG thinks players are craving more interactive games, not just ‘moving around in a static 3D environment’

Csaba "ForestWare" Székely's upcoming RPG, Sword Hero, is generating buzz for its intricate NPC behaviors, dynamic physics interactions, and unique emergent gameplay. Székely describes it as a "eurojank" game, reflecting the ambitious efforts of European developers. The game is currently in crowdfunding, having met its initial Kickstarter goals and seeking additional funding. Early impressions of the combat mechanics are positive, and a playable demo is available for players, who can also wishlist the game on Steam.
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