game developer Archives

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land Shows Off New Neighborhood

Indie game developer Exquisite Laundry Pet, in collaboration with publisher Mega Cat Studios, is developing a game titled Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land. Players will embark on a quest to recover Seven Hallowed Patches to restore balance in Trick-or-Treat Land and thwart the Chaos Sweets, who aim to ruin Halloween. The game features a turn-based Trick-or-Treating battle system, allows players to recruit quirky allies with unique skills, and includes a retro-inspired world filled with side quests, spells, and combat encounters. The adventure begins with Gumball crash-landing in Trick-or-Treat Land, where he receives help from a malfunctioning Scarecrow. Players can master the battle system, unlock magical powers, discover items, and engage in a main quest with side quests. No release date has been announced yet.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

After 2 years and $100,000 invested, acclaimed indie studio is “likely closing” due to Steam ban, says it was “tricked and betrayed” by Valve: “A system that allows that is broken”

Santa Ragione, an indie studio based in Italy, is facing a ban from Steam for its upcoming experimental horror game, Horses, which co-founder Pietro Righi Riva has described as "extremely frustrating." The studio, known for its innovative titles like Mediterranea Inferno and Saturnalia, has invested approximately 0,000 into Horses and is struggling to secure additional funding after traditional investors withdrew support. The ban stems from a scene depicting a "horse" that visually represents a naked adult woman carrying a young female child, which the studio modified to feature an adult character. Despite these changes, Valve has maintained its ban, while other platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Store have no issues distributing the game. Santa Ragione claims that Horses is neither "pornographic" nor intended to arouse, but rather aims to provoke discussion through unconventional material. The studio's access to over 75 percent of the PC gaming market is blocked, significantly impacting its financial prospects and future.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Dadum The Dice Launching on Steam in 2026

Dadum the Dice is a 3D tactical puzzle game set to release on Steam in 2026, developed by solo indie developer Pablo Picazo. The game was recognized at the Very Big Indie Pitch in Barcelona, securing a spot among the top three showcased games. Players guide a die through hand-crafted worlds, using the numbers on the die's faces to dictate movement and actions. The gameplay involves strategic decision-making and intelligent mechanics rather than relying on luck. Pablo Picazo has a background in cybersecurity and previously developed a game called Deer Journey. There is potential for future console and mobile adaptations of Dadum the Dice, and players can add it to their Steam wishlists.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

How League of Legends is still China’s top PC game after 15 years

Riot Games' League of Legends remains the most popular PC game in China, nearly 15 years after its launch in 2009 and its entry into the Chinese market in 2011. The game's success is largely attributed to its vibrant esports ecosystem, highlighted by a recent world championship tournament in Chengdu, China, where South Korean team T1 won their third consecutive title and sixth overall in a five-match series against KT Rolster. Analyst Zhang Shule noted that successful esports games can have lifespans measured in decades.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Arcane Trigger Announced For PC With Free Demo

Indie game developer MiniWhale, in collaboration with publisher Anotherindie, has released a retro-inspired wizard shooter called Arcane Trigger. A free demo is available on Steam. Players take on the role of a mage defending their realm from interdimensional foes, featuring three distinct characters with unique magical abilities and 15 waves of escalating difficulty. The game includes over 220 unique bullets, 150 magical seals, and a dual progression system. Players can craft elemental arsenals using various magic types, fuse bullets for enhanced versions, and experience over 2,000,000 possible combinations of bullets, seals, and upgrades. The game features enchanting pixel art and is designed for fast-paced, accessible gameplay.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Tailside Confirmed For PC Launch In January 2026

Coffee Beans Dev has announced that Tailside: Cozy Cafe Sim will be released on January 21, 2026, for PC via Steam. Players will manage a cafe as an adorable fox, engaging with customers and customizing their cafe with various decor options. The game features a relaxed environment without timers, unique coffee creations, and mod support for custom characters. Players will unlock new skills and encounter charming animal visitors while focusing on creativity and relaxation.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Veteran game developer Scott Miller explains why it took 3D Realms so long to get PC gaming’s most ambitious but ultimately flawed sci-fi FPS game over the line: ‘Let’s just put all our eggs into the Duke Nukem basket’

In 2006, the sci-fi first-person shooter Prey was released after an 11-year development cycle but has since faded from prominence. The game featured a Native American protagonist abducted by aliens and included innovative gameplay mechanics such as portals and anti-gravity walkways. Initially developed by a team that showcased a demo at E3 in 1998, the project faced numerous challenges, including engine issues and funding problems, leading to its temporary halt. The publisher GT Interactive invested 0,000 into the game, but it was later revived with the help of Gathering of Developers and Human Head Studios. Despite its creative elements, the game was released under constraints imposed by Take-Two Interactive, which limited its potential. The original portal gun concept from the 1998 demo was not included in the final product. As of 2025, Prey is not available on digital storefronts due to rights complications after being acquired by ZeniMax Media in 2009, making access difficult for new players.

AppWizard

November 6, 2025

Jennifer Hale did not see the twist in Knights of the Old Republic coming either: ‘I remember just being gobsmacked by this game so many times’

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a classic game that has remained popular among gamers, featuring a significant plot twist that continues to intrigue new players. The game is fully accessible and playable as of March 2025. Game developers have discussed their creative process, which sometimes involves "cold reading," and highlighted the unpredictability of game development timelines. Tools like Steam Superheater can be used to enhance the gaming experience, allowing players to enjoy the game in widescreen format.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Google eases U.S. Android app billing and distribution rules

Google is implementing changes to Android app distribution and billing in the U.S. following a federal court injunction related to the Epic Games antitrust case. This allows Android users to see links within apps directing them to external websites, alternative app stores, or merchant purchase pages, enabling various payment methods beyond Google Play Billing, such as credit cards, PayPal, and direct merchant checkouts. Developers can now promote their own stores and route transactions through any payment processor, potentially offering lower prices or promotional offers. This policy shift applies only to U.S. app users, with existing policies remaining in place for other regions. Historically, Play Store fees were as high as 30%, but the new ability to transact outside the Play Store may lead to cost savings for consumers and increased investment in user acquisition and content development by companies. Developers are expected to experiment with pricing strategies, including web-only introductory rates and loyalty discounts. Google must now compete for developer loyalty based on service quality rather than just platform policies. User trust and safety remain priorities for Google, which will continue to enforce measures to deter scams and harmful applications. Developers will need to implement secure transaction flows and recognizable domains to maintain user confidence. Key questions for the future of the U.S. Android app ecosystem include whether consumer prices will decrease, if major brands will adopt external checkout strategies, and how Google will enhance discovery and compliance tools for developers.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

Palworld studio Pocketpair says its new publishing division won’t handle games that use generative AI: ‘We don’t believe in it’

Pocketpair has launched its own publishing division, receiving over 150 pitches for publishing deals in the first week. John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, stated the division will honor developers' creative autonomy and focus on exceptional games for a global audience. The company has taken a firm stance against projects incorporating generative AI, with Buckley expressing that they do not believe in it and are upfront about their position. Despite facing skepticism regarding their claims of not using generative AI, Buckley aims to maintain transparency without engaging in conflict with critics. The gaming community is cautious about generative AI, with past instances of companies denying AI usage only to later admit to it.