game developers Archives

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Epic cops to the Epic Games Store sucking for the 2nd time in a month as it proudly announces its money-hose has spaffed over $2 billion

Steve Allison, general manager of the Epic Games Store (EGS), acknowledged ongoing challenges in improving the platform, stating that there is still significant work to be done. Upcoming features aimed at enhancing the EGS include preloading, gifting options, and game-independent voice and text chat. Despite these improvements, the EGS struggles to match basic functionalities offered by Steam, which may not be enough to attract users already invested in Valve's ecosystem. Epic has disbursed over a billion dollars to developers and publishers and offers a revenue-sharing model with a 12% cut, compared to Valve's 30%, along with a 0% fee for games until they reach a million in revenue. However, convincing players to switch to the EGS remains challenging due to the large libraries they have already built on Steam.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

I love that DOOM: The Dark Ages requires ray tracing, and I hope more games follow

DOOM: The Dark Ages requires a graphics card with ray tracing hardware, specifically at least an NVIDIA 20-series card, making older models like the GTX 1080 incompatible. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle also necessitates ray tracing capabilities, raising concerns about performance on existing hardware. Billy Khan from id Software stated that ray tracing significantly reduces game development time, allowing for real-time adjustments. Ray tracing has been part of the graphics card landscape for over seven years, with all current consoles supporting it. NVIDIA's latest RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 cards have faced driver issues affecting gameplay, while alternatives from AMD and Intel, as well as NVIDIA’s 30 and 40-series cards, can still provide good performance. Other studios, like 4A Games, have begun incorporating ray tracing into their development processes.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Windows 11 gets some much-needed HDR improvements

The Windows 11 update KB5058499 enhances High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, allowing users to stream HDR video without enabling HDR system-wide. Users can toggle HDR streaming for platforms like Netflix and YouTube independently of the global HDR setting. The update also provides greater control over Dolby Vision, enabling independent toggling for specific content or throughout Windows. This flexibility is advantageous for users who previously disabled HDR due to inconsistent application support. The update allows HDR to be enabled for games using a keyboard shortcut while keeping standard dynamic range for other applications. Despite improvements, there is still a need for better HDR functionality across various applications.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Embracer Group sees net sales across PC/console and mobile games fall in FY2024/25

Embracer Group's financial results for Q4 ending March 2025 show a decline in net sales to SEK 5.4 billion, down 6% year-on-year. The PC/console segment generated SEK 3 billion (down 2%), while mobile sales were SEK 943 million (down 31%). For the full fiscal year, net sales totaled SEK 22.3 billion, down 18%, with PC/console games at SEK 1.5 billion (down 27%) and mobile at SEK 5.3 billion (down 9%). The total number of game development projects decreased from 141 to 108, and headcount was reduced from 9,692 to 7,180, including 5,378 game developers. Despite these declines, the game Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 sold three million copies. Embracer reported organic growth of 30% in mobile game sales and 22% in PC/console sales. The company plans to release 76 games in FY 2025/26, including notable titles like Killing Floor 3 and Marvel 1943: Rise of the Hydra. A third AAA game has been postponed to 2026/27, and THQ Nordic's studio Campfire Cabal has resumed operations after a closure in 2023.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Embracer is spinning off Coffee Stain

Embracer Group will spin off the newly rebranded Coffee Stain Group by the end of 2025, establishing it as an independent entity focused on community-driven game development and publishing. The Coffee Stain Group includes studios like Coffee Stain, Ghost Ship Games, and Tuxedo Labs, and is associated with popular titles such as Goat Simulator, Deep Rock Galactic, Satisfactory, and Valheim. CEO Anton Westbergh expressed pride and anticipation for the transition, believing it will allow Coffee Stain to thrive independently. Embracer Group's CEO Lars Wingefors supported this move, emphasizing the talent and IPs within Coffee Stain Group. This announcement follows Embracer Group's decision to spin off its subsidiary Asmodee and rebrand Middle Earth and Friends to Fellowship Entertainment.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

What’s driving growth in the Chinese video game industry?

The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

10 reasons why PGC Barcelona is a must for PC game developers in 2025

The Pocket Gamer Connects (PGC) Barcelona is a two-day conference taking place in 2025, marking the 52nd edition of the series and the first time it is held in Spain. It aims to connect various stakeholders in the gaming industry, including indie developers, studios, and business professionals. The event will feature over 100 expert speakers across 17 themed tracks, with topics on global trends, investment strategies, and emerging technologies. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet representatives from over 500 companies, including major players like Epic Games and Ubisoft, and engage with C-level executives and senior management. The conference emphasizes networking through the MeetToMatch platform and fringe events, while also showcasing Spain's gaming ecosystem. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and is expected to attract over 1,000 industry professionals.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

EA is reportedly cracking down on a Sims 4 mod. What it changes has fans furious

The Sims 4, developed by Electronic Arts, has maintained its popularity for over ten years, supported by a dedicated fan base and compatibility with modern hardware. The game recently released the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack in March, allowing players to start their own small businesses. The community has also created numerous fan-made mods, some of which enhance gameplay, while others have sparked controversy, such as a mod aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) elements. This led to backlash and accusations of censorship when EA requested the mod's removal. Additionally, the conversation about diversity in video games has grown, with criticism directed at Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting firm, for its influence on narrative choices in games like Alan Wake 2 and God of War Ragnarok, resulting in organized boycotts against games associated with the firm.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Ubisoft, Devolver Digital, and Failbetter Games Confirmed for PC Gaming Show 2025

The PC Gaming Show will take place on June 8th at noon PT, featuring over 50 titles, including world premieres, exclusive announcements, updates, and developer interviews. Confirmed developers include Ubisoft, Failbetter Games, Devolver Digital, and Astra Logical. Ubisoft is expected to present Assassin’s Creed Shadows and insights into its first story expansion, Claws of Awaji. Failbetter Games will showcase Sunless Skies, Devolver Digital will present Enter the Gungeon 2, and Astra Logical will introduce Castle Craft. Other upcoming showcases include Summer Game Fest on June 6th, Future Games Show on June 7th, and Xbox Games Showcase on June 8th at 10 AM PDT.