game developer Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

I pride myself on keeping up with Steam’s under-the-radar gems, but April was packed with enough new games to keep me busy for the rest of 2025

In April 2025, over 100 games launched, with notable titles including Blue Prince and Clair Obscur, the latter receiving significant attention. Clair Obscur was released on April 22nd and has a 94% rating from 39 reviews. Maliki: Poison Of The Past, inspired by a French comic, was released on April 20th. Mythical Concept Starnaut, a narrative-driven game, was released on April 28th with a 97% rating from 45 reviews. Bionic Bay, a stylish platformer, was released on April 17th and has a 90% rating from 264 reviews. Asura The Striker, released on April 23rd, has a 93% rating from 49 reviews. Traveler's Refrain, an action RPG, was released on April 11th with a 92% rating from 26 reviews. Voidborn, a low-fi shooter, was released on April 7th with a 90% rating from 262 reviews. I, Robot, a reimagining of an arcade classic, was released on April 17th and has a 95% rating from 20 reviews. Lab Rat, a dystopian comedy, was released on April 15th with a 97% rating from 188 reviews. Peppered: An Existential Platformer, released on April 7th, has a 95% rating from 266 reviews. Repose, a workplace horror game, was released on April 14th and has a 90% rating from 74 reviews.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Compulsion boss says Xbox isn’t mandating generative AI

Guillaume Provost, head of Compulsion Games, stated that Microsoft does not mandate the use of generative AI in its first-party studios, allowing developers creative autonomy. He emphasized Compulsion Games' commitment to craftsmanship and artistry, indicating that while generative AI could be beneficial in the pre-production phase for tasks like creating storyboards, it is not intended for use in production. Provost noted that Compulsion Games may not be at the forefront of AI adoption due to the nature of their projects, and this aligns with Microsoft's broader vision of innovation without compromising traditional game development practices.

BetaBeacon

May 1, 2025

Remember Flappy Bird? It’s back as an Android exclusive

Flappy Bird has been brought back to Android devices through the Epic Games Store after being removed from app stores in 2014. The game will receive updates until 2025 and will be monetized through ads and in-game purchases.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

ZeniMax union expresses frustration at parent company Microsoft

Staff at ZeniMax Media are frustrated with delays in negotiations with Microsoft, as they have not secured a union contract nearly two years after forming the ZeniMax Workers United bargaining unit. This situation follows a labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) made almost three years ago. Employees, including senior QA tester Autumn Mitchell, express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's public image versus their experiences during negotiations. CWA chief of staff Sylvia J. Ramos emphasizes the need for Microsoft to prioritize contract negotiations. A Microsoft representative stated the company's commitment to reaching a fair resolution.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The adventure game that kicked off the Syberia series just got a shiny Myst-like makeover

French publisher Microids has released a polished remake of its 1999 classic, Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy, originally created by Benoît Sokal. The game features a nameless journalist on a quest to return the last egg of a rare giant bird to its habitat. The remake includes significant visual upgrades and aims to provide a new experience while honoring the original. However, the future of the Syberia series is uncertain following Sokal's death and the recent layoffs of Microids' Paris team, which was responsible for both the Syberia: The World Before and the Amerzone remake. Amerzone – The Explorer's Legacy is priced at £35, with a demo available on its Steam page.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

Windows 11 24H2 reveals a 20-year-old bug in GTA San Andreas related to the Skimmer seaplane

Game developer Adrian has been fixing bugs in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA: San Andreas) and other titles. A recent issue was identified involving the missing Skimmer seaplane after an update to Windows 11 24H2, reported by GitHub user hiddenmask58. Adrian discovered that the problem was due to a missing line in the vehicles.ide configuration file, which had gone unnoticed since the game's original launch. The update to Windows 11 24H2 changed memory handling, causing the Skimmer to become too large to render. To fix the issue manually, players can edit the datavehicles.ide file by appending -1, 0.7, 0.7, -1 to the Skimmer line. Alternatively, a Hotfix will be released on GitHub.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

Decades-old bug in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas pops out

Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update has caused issues for players of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, specifically the disappearance of the seaplane known as the "skimmer." This glitch, which began appearing in November, is not due to the Windows update itself but rather a long-standing error in the game's original coding. The problem arises from the game's vehicles.ide file, where essential parameters for the skimmer were omitted during its transition from Vice City to San Andreas. The update introduced changes in stack handling that affected how the game initialized these parameters, leading to the glitch. Silent, a developer involved in fixing older games, noted that the issue highlights the importance of validating input data and addressing compilation warnings in software development.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

IO and Square Enix vet Flösser unveils new studio Wombo Games

Janos Flösser has founded a new game studio called Wombo Games in 2023, which is developing a strategy roguelike game titled Raiders of Blackveil, set to enter Early Access this summer. Flösser has a background in the gaming industry, having previously worked at IO Interactive and Square Enix. Wombo Games aims to remain small and agile, and has successfully raised funds three times since its inception. A playable version of the game was created within the first month and a half, garnering positive feedback from investors.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

PlaySide is making layoffs

PlaySide Studios, an Australian game developer, is reducing its workforce as part of an operational restructuring due to challenges in securing new work-for-hire projects. The layoffs will primarily affect work-for-hire and non-project specific personnel, with an undisclosed number of positions being cut. The restructuring is expected to save between AUD 4 million and AUD 5 million annually, but will incur a one-time cost of AUD 1.5 million. Ongoing projects, such as Mouse: PI for Hire, will not be impacted. The company plans to provide outplacement support and counseling services to affected employees. CEO Been Skender emphasized the need for resilience in the business model while acknowledging the difficulties faced by staff.

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.