game developer Archives

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam PC playtest signups are now open

Team17 announced on April 16, 2026, that playtest signups for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam are now open for PC users. The game features six expansive maps, 50 vs 50 battles, and emphasizes teamwork and strategy. Players will have access to historically accurate weapons, vehicles, and tactical options, including US aerial units with helicopters, NVA forces with tunnel networks, and patrol boats for river navigation. A new trailer showcasing intense combat scenes was released during the Galaxies Showcase. Team17 Digital, founded in 1990, is a prominent developer and video games label, while Expression Games, established in 2022, is leading the development of the Hell Let Loose franchise.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Death By Scrolling Out Now on Consoles and PC

April 16, 2026 marks the launch of Death By Scrolling, an action roguelite game set in Purgatory™, available on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. The release includes a significant update featuring a new playable character, a new biome, and various gameplay improvements. Players navigate a vertically scrolling world filled with monsters and hazards, avoiding the Reaper while collecting gold and unlocking upgrades. Key features include a varied cast of characters, relentless pursuit by the Reaper, loot and progression mechanics, optional challenges, diverse monsters, quirky lore, and leaderboards for competition.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Cities Skylines 2’s performance is still struggling, and the devs need your help

Cities Skylines 2 has faced performance issues and limited content since its launch. Iceflake Studios is working on improvements, collaborating with Unity to address performance challenges. The game is CPU-intensive, with unique challenges due to its dynamic nature. Key areas for enhancement include rendering performance, simulation performance, and pathfinding. Recent changes have simplified citizen modeling and improved pathing, leading to a better gameplay experience. The game's Steam rating has shifted from 'Mixed' to 'Mostly Positive.' Iceflake has developed a benchmarking tool to collect performance data, which will be integrated into an upcoming patch.

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets “slurped up by AI”

Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.

AppWizard

March 26, 2026

Fusing turn-based tactics and real-time action, Vaunted is a new strategy RPG from Starcraft creator James Phinney

Vaunted is a tactical RPG from indie studio Lost Lake Games, set a millennium after the collapse of the last galactic empire, where mercenaries and treasure hunters seek priceless relics. The game combines third-person shooter action with turn-based tactical gameplay, allowing players to plan from a high-angle viewpoint while executing actions in real time. Players manage three characters—Dyse, Gendril, and Kyvaath—each with unique skills and backstories, and their choices influence the narrative. The game features dynamic combat mechanics, customizable loadouts, and randomized upgrades. Tim Bender, CEO of Hooded Horse, praises the project, and while a release date is not yet announced, players can wishlist it on Steam for updates.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Pearl Abyss addresses Crimson Desert’s Intel issues, but is it enough to save it?

Crimson Desert has launched and received mixed reviews, facing criticism for its use of AI art and control issues. A significant problem is the lack of support for Intel Arc GPUs at launch, which may deter potential players. Despite these challenges, it is currently the top-selling game on Steam, with 192,351 active players and a peak of 248,530 concurrent users. Pearl Abyss is working on compatibility and optimization for Intel Arc systems and has acknowledged the issue without a direct apology. The absence of Intel Arc support prevents the game from running on these systems, which affects budget-conscious gamers and those using laptops with integrated Arc GPUs. The company is also addressing boss balance and plans to remove the unintended AI usage in the game.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

A Blockbuster Video Simulator Takes Over PC Gaming Charts

Samuel Gauthier is an independent video game developer and co-founder of Blood Pact Studios, known for creating Retro Rewind, a video-rental-store simulator that debuted at number one on Steam's top 10 list. The game allows players to manage a movie rental shop set in the early '90s, featuring 14,000 fictitious movie titles generated through AI prompts and 21 films inspired by popular hits of the era. The development of Retro Rewind took 15 months, with Gauthier and his team working over 60 hours a week. The game is priced at .92 and aims for greater replayability and wider appeal compared to their previous game, Bonesaw, which sold around 10,000 copies. Blood Pact Studios plans to provide ongoing support for Retro Rewind across various platforms and is considering future projects, potentially focusing on multiplayer or co-op gaming. Gauthier envisions evolving the game alongside technological advancements, possibly transitioning from VHS to DVDs.

BetaBeacon

March 18, 2026

Gnosia Game Gets iOS, Android Releases

Playism and Petit Depotto released Gnosia RPG on iOS and Android devices as a one-time paid release with no in-app purchases.

AppWizard

March 14, 2026

STORMIND GAMES REVEALS REMOTHERED: RED NUN’S LEGACY FOR PC & CONSOLES

Stormind Games announced the third installment of the Remothered survival horror franchise, titled Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy, set to launch later this year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The game aims to provide a conclusion to the narratives of its predecessors while introducing new gameplay elements and storytelling techniques. CEO Antonio Cannata emphasized the studio's commitment to the franchise, and Game Director Antonio Cutrona noted that the game will feature new skills and a standalone experience for newcomers while offering closure for long-time fans. Players will navigate a convent filled with secrets and face Stalkers while uncovering the truth behind the Red Nun. Key features include survival mechanics, homage to classic horror, hypnosis powers, exploration of a detailed world, and uncovering the story of the Cristo Morente. Players can wishlist the game on various platforms and follow updates on social media.

AppWizard

March 11, 2026

Overhauling Minecraft’s world generation was like ‘trying to build a skyscraper with hand tools’ which basically scared Mojang off of continuing massive yearly updates

Ryan Cooper, the general manager of Minecraft, discussed Mojang's shift from large annual updates to a more agile update strategy that began with the Caves & Cliffs update in 2021. Player feedback has become central to development, influencing significant changes in world generation. The Caves & Cliffs update faced challenges due to simultaneous updates of the game and its technology. Mojang is now focusing on smaller, more frequent content drops, with the first announced for 2026, called the "Tiny Takeover update." More details will be revealed at the Minecraft Live 2026 event.