game creation platform Archives

AppWizard

October 15, 2026

‘My idea of a Netflix for games doesn’t work’: Garry’s Mod successor is getting ‘sweeping changes’

Facepunch Studios is implementing changes to its game creation platform, s&box, to improve user experience and address community concerns following criticism after its launch. Creator Garry Newman announced a shift towards a player-centric model, including a 'greenlight type system' for curating user-generated games and enhancing sandbox mode with more NPCs, vehicles, and customization options. The Play Fund pool will now require creators to apply for funding, aiming to improve the quality of games and discourage low-effort content. s&box will transition to a free-to-play model by the end of 2026, with rewards for existing purchasers. The character model "The Citizen" will be retired in favor of generic human avatars, although it will still be available in certain games.

AppWizard

April 24, 2026

‘We don’t have to fire 1000 people to keep it working’: Facepunch Studios says paying s&box game developers is sustainable, with ‘$500,000 paid out to date’

Facepunch Studios will launch its game creation platform, s&box, on April 28, available on Steam. It is built on the Source Engine 2 and is considered a "spiritual successor to Garry's Mod." The platform features a unique monetization model allowing developers to receive payments directly for their creations without Facepunch taking a cut. Developers maintain complete ownership of their games and can export them as standalone titles on Steam. There are no royalties or hidden fees involved. Garry Newman, CEO of Facepunch Studios, emphasizes a community-centric approach, aiming to uplift the community through the platform.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

How AI will shape the games industry: Exclusive insights from the AI Gamechangers newsletter

OpenAI recently achieved record investments in AI, with ongoing funding announcements for AI in gaming. The Pocket Gamer Connects and Big Screen Gaming conferences featured over 10 hours of AI-related content, indicating strong industry interest. The AI Gamechangers newsletter was launched to inform readers about AI's impact on gaming, covering various platforms and aspects of game development. It offers weekly interviews with industry innovators and curated news on AI in gaming. Notable contributors to the newsletter include professionals from Charisma.ai, Quicksave, Kinetix, and others, discussing topics like interactive narratives, AI in game studios, and legal implications for intellectual property. The consensus among industry leaders is that AI will significantly impact gaming, but its implementation should enhance human creativity. Additionally, AI technologies may transform legal processes in mergers and acquisitions by streamlining document analysis. An upcoming AI-powered cozy game, AuraVale, is also mentioned, along with future interview topics related to AI in game development.

BetaBeacon

July 16, 2024

Dusk is a new mobile game multiplayer app in the works now

Dusk is a new mobile multiplayer app created by Bjarke Felbo and Sanjay Guruprasad, aiming to revolutionize the way people play games with friends on their phones. The app allows users to play custom-made games and connect with friends seamlessly, with cross-play functionality across browsers, iOS, and Android. Its success depends on the games created for it, but its straightforward approach to multiplayer gaming could make it a hit in the competitive mobile gaming market.