game development Archives

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 16, 2025

Stellar Blade’s Upcoming PC Version Gets Criticized by Fans

The gaming community has shifted its focus from Shift Up, the developer of Stellar Blade, to Sony, the game's publisher, due to issues surrounding the game. This shift parallels last year's backlash against Sony during the launch of Helldivers II, where player discontent arose from the mandatory inclusion of PSN. The community is questioning the extent of Sony's responsibility for the current issues with Stellar Blade, and there is less than a month for the team to address these concerns. The situation could significantly impact the goodwill that Stellar Blade has garnered since its launch. The dialogue about publisher influence in game development is becoming increasingly relevant as the relationship between developers, publishers, and players remains complex.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Mobile firm Brightika to invest $3m in PC and console titles

Brightika is investing a substantial amount over the next two years to enter the PC and console gaming market, aiming to support indie game development with financial backing, marketing, and publishing assistance. The company has nearly 200 million installations of its mobile games and plans to replicate this success in the new markets. Discussions are ongoing with various development teams, and some titles may be showcased at the Steam Next Fest from June 9th to 16th. Founder Alexander Rodichev highlights the goal of providing marketing and distribution support to developers in these sectors.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Xbox Game Studios bundle launches at Humble, and includes eight PC games for £7.80

Humble has launched an Xbox-themed bundle featuring eight Xbox-published PC games available on Steam, priced at £7.80. The bundle has two tiers: a £3.90 option that includes three games (Broken Age, Sunset Overdrive, and Battletoads) and a £7.80 option that includes all eight games (Wasteland 3, Quantum Break, As Dusk Falls, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, Broken Age, Sunset Overdrive, and Battletoads). Proceeds from the bundle support charitable causes, raising over £43,000 for Gameheads, a charity focused on training low-income youth in game development. Notable titles include Sunset Overdrive, praised for its unique style, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, recognized for its emotional depth, and As Dusk Falls, which offers a fresh approach to interactive storytelling.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Moon Studios founder says dev might go bust due to review bombing

Moon Studios, co-founded by Thomas Mahler, is facing financial difficulties due to negative reviews of their game No Rest for the Wicked, which have adversely affected sales. Mahler expressed concern on Discord about the studio's viability, emphasizing that independent studios do not have backing from large publishers. He urged fans to leave positive reviews to help improve the game's reception and ensure the studio's survival. This situation follows Moon Studios' recent declaration of independence, after previously achieving success with the Ori series, which sold over 15 million units.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

After a decade of development, Roboquest’s developer is calling time on its roguelite shooter: ‘There’s no way we can continue to provide content for players with over 1,000 hours of gameplay’

In the early days of gaming, post-launch support was minimal and primarily focused on bug fixes. Today, players expect ongoing support and new content for months or years after a game's release. RyseUp Studio, the developers of Roboquest, announced that after a decade of support, they will soon conclude updates for the game. The only remaining updates will be a PlayStation port and a standalone spinoff, Roboquest VR. Despite the game's positive reception on Steam with over 16,000 reviews, the studio is transitioning to a new project, aiming for a more efficient development plan. This situation highlights the evolving expectations in game development, particularly for smaller studios facing pressure to deliver extensive support.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

The next ‘Minecraft’ could come from a Niagara College student

Conor MacNeill, a game development professor at Niagara College, highlights the excitement of students presenting their capstone projects at the Welland campus library. The game development program has grown from about a dozen graduates to a large community, now including collaborations with Brock University. Students are now creating VR games, a significant development compared to the program's early years. First-year student Mark Lampman and fourth-year student Dante Bell showcase their projects, with Bell's team, Slugworks, presenting a game called "Green Thing from the Planet Jupiter." This game features a competitive chase between a green alien and a cat, requiring significant time commitment from the team. The GDLaunch event has evolved, with students actively promoting their games through various marketing strategies. Approximately 25 alumni attended, many looking to hire graduates. The gaming industry is expected to grow through 2027, providing promising opportunities for students. After GDLaunch, 64 graduates attended the Level Up Showcase in Toronto, where their game won second place for Achievement in Audio. The event attracted around 5,000 attendees, showcasing the innovation and dedication of the students.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Outer Wilds studio finally confirms it’s working on a new game but says it will be ‘years’ before it’s ready to share details

Mobius Digital has announced a new project, six years after the release of Outer Wilds, during the final major update for the game. The studio indicated that further details about the new game will not be available for some time, stating, "It's gonna be a while, on the order of years, before we have any details to share about it." The update includes various gameplay enhancements, art and visuals improvements, user interface adjustments, text and localization updates, and PC-specific changes. Mobius Digital has no further major updates planned for Outer Wilds or Echoes of the Eye as they focus on their next game.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

PlayStation spins out new studio TeamLFG out from Bungie

TeamLFG is a new studio formed by former Bungie employees, located in Bellevue, Washington. The studio is developing a multiplayer action game and aims to incorporate player feedback through early access playtests. They also hinted at a "frog-type" game concept in a recent PlayStation Blog post.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Zugalu Entertainment acquires Crimson Herring Studios

Zugalu Entertainment has acquired Edmonton-based studio Crimson Herring, with the financial details undisclosed. The acquisition is described as a strategic move to enhance Zugalu's narrative-driven game development. Isaac Otway, CEO of Crimson Herring, will become Chief Operating Officer at Zugalu. Branden Sloane, founder and CEO of Zugalu, expressed excitement about the merger, highlighting the alignment of expertise in crafting narrative-driven games. Crimson Herring recently launched its first title, Sovereign Syndicate.