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Playstrom and SayGames eye PC growth with Shipping Store Simulator 2037
AppWizard
July 24, 2026

Playstrom and SayGames eye PC growth with Shipping Store Simulator 2037

Becoming a member of GB MAX provides access to exclusive insights and connections within the global B2B leadership community in gaming, entertainment, and technology, along with a VIP ticket to the GamesBeat Next event on November 2-3 in San Francisco. Playstrom, a Belarus-based game studio, has achieved over 1.5 billion downloads across more than 20 mobile titles and is transitioning into PC game development. In 2026, they will launch Shipping Store Simulator 2037, their first dedicated PC title. Playstrom has paused mobile game projects to focus on this PC title, which is part of a strategic exploration of their strengths in PC development. The studio's PC development arm was initially established for research and development, and they plan to create mobile adaptations of successful PC titles. The demo for Shipping Store Simulator 2037 received a Very Positive rating on Steam, and SayGames plans to invest in influencer campaigns and user acquisition strategies to promote the game.
Splitgate studio 1047 Games is laying off more people just a month after releasing its latest game
AppWizard
July 22, 2026

Splitgate studio 1047 Games is laying off more people just a month after releasing its latest game

1047 Games has experienced another round of layoffs, described as the "third wave" by employees on LinkedIn. QA director Igor Krinitskiy and concept artist Jonathan Kuo confirmed their departures due to these layoffs. The studio, known for its hit title Splitgate: Arena Warfare, has struggled with subsequent projects, including the rebranded Splitgate: Arena Reloaded and the recently launched Empulse, which has not achieved significant player engagement and has seen concurrent player numbers on Steam drop below 1,000. Studio CEO Ian Proulx emphasized a focus on gradual growth rather than immediate success.
Unity demonstrates 'an Unreal character running through a Unity world' for the first time
AppWizard
July 22, 2026

Unity demonstrates ‘an Unreal character running through a Unity world’ for the first time

Unity has demonstrated a Unity Engine game operating within an Unreal Engine environment at the Unite Seoul keynote. This collaboration with Epic Games aims to allow Unity developers to publish games directly within Fortnite. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed support for this integration, highlighting the importance of connectivity among game engines. Unity's Fortnite integration is set to enter early access in 2027, and Unity 7, the next version of its game engine, will be released next year, featuring enhanced rendering, improved monetization options, collaboration tools, and a protocol for integrating generative AI coding agents.
Hasbro takes $56 million hit over multiple game cancellations, but it's still talking about how Baldur's Gate 3 is key to its future success
AppWizard
July 21, 2026

Hasbro takes $56 million hit over multiple game cancellations, but it’s still talking about how Baldur’s Gate 3 is key to its future success

Hasbro reported a million non-cash impairment in its second-quarter financial disclosure due to the cancellation of several anticipated video games originally planned for release in 2028 and beyond. The impairment reflects a decline in asset value rather than a direct financial loss. Two years ago, Hasbro's gaming division, led by Dan Ayoub, had ambitious plans for over a billion in game development. However, challenges have arisen, including issues with a GI Joe game and the cancellation of a Dungeons & Dragons title. CEO Chris Cocks mentioned that the company is reviewing its portfolio, leading to project cancellations and a financial write-down. Hasbro plans to focus on trading card games and role-playing games, leveraging successes like Magic: The Gathering and Baldur's Gate 3, which has been highly acclaimed. The company aims for 2026 to be a peak year for digital investment while planning to reduce overall digital spending by at least 25% annually by 2028 through cost-effective development strategies.
Unity 7 to release in 2027, helps devs "ship sharper graphics"
AppWizard
July 21, 2026

Unity 7 to release in 2027, helps devs “ship sharper graphics”

Unity 7 is set to launch after a beta testing phase in December 2026, with a full release expected in the first quarter of 2027. It introduces a public API and various services for better integration without full editor access, aiming to improve workflows in game development. Key features include faster shader builds, a near-instant Play Mode, and an upgrade path for Unity 6 users that requires no rebuilding. Unity 7 will also feature CoreCLR, dynamic global illumination through Surface Cache GI, and neural upscaling, available on all supported devices. Additionally, it will include built-in Vector tools for creating native webshops, allowing direct-to-consumer commerce. Collaboration features will enhance teamwork among developers and coding agents.
Gears of War's creator is considering returning to game development, but whatever he makes won't be PvP like his last efforts: "Good look to anyone in that space."
AppWizard
July 20, 2026

Gears of War’s creator is considering returning to game development, but whatever he makes won’t be PvP like his last efforts: “Good look to anyone in that space.”

Cliff Bleszinski, known for creating the Gears of War franchise, is considering a return to game development after an eight-year break following the closure of his studio, Boss Key Productions, in 2018. During his time away, he wrote an autobiography, produced a Tony Award-winning musical, and addressed his alcoholism, which included a hospitalization earlier this year. He expressed a desire to create characters and worlds again, focusing on player-versus-environment (PvE) experiences rather than PvP multiplayer games. Although he has not disclosed specific projects, he indicated that he is inspired and open to new creative endeavors in the gaming industry.
Steam Week in Review: Take cover, because it looks like more than half of Steam games will have an AI-disclosure by 2027-2028
AppWizard
July 20, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Take cover, because it looks like more than half of Steam games will have an AI-disclosure by 2027-2028

In June 2017, Valve introduced Steam Direct, changing the platform's game release process from manual curation to a more open system. Before this, game releases were limited, with only one month—December 2016—exceeding 500 releases. By February 2025, monthly game launches on Steam surpassed 1,500. A study by Sulka Haro analyzed around 53,600 Steam titles released between mid-2023 and mid-2026, noting that in 2024, 10.9% of new games included an AI disclosure, rising to 19.9% in 2025, and reaching 30.8% by July 2026. Non-AI flagged launches increased from about 1,030 to around 1,320 per month, while AI-flagged launches grew from approximately 13 to about 530 monthly. Projections suggest that by 2027 or 2028, nearly half of all games on Steam will have an AI flag. Despite the increase in AI-flagged titles, many struggle financially and receive mediocre reviews. The gaming industry is seeing a rise in generative AI technologies, particularly in management simulation genres. Recent notable releases on Steam include Granblue Fantasy: Relink and Palworld, with anticipation for Star Wars Zero Company on August 27.
NetEase to Launch New Title 'Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms' on July 24
AppWizard
July 20, 2026

NetEase to Launch New Title ‘Conqueror’s Blade: Three Kingdoms’ on July 24

Booming Tech, in collaboration with NetEase Games, will launch the action-strategy multiplayer PC game 'Conqueror's Blade: Three Kingdoms' globally on July 24. This game is a reinterpretation of the original Conqueror's Blade from 2019, featuring a free-to-play model with Korean localization. It enhances gameplay with real-time tactical commands and environmental strategies, moving away from repetitive combat. The game includes large-scale multiplayer battles across nearly 60 unique cities and various battlefields, allowing players to engage in combat, trade, craft weapons, or interact with historical figures. Players can also develop their characters by mastering skills and collecting weapons.
Cliff Bleszinski says ego played a role in LawBreakers' failure: 'People are loyal to the game, but they're not necessarily loyal to the person'
AppWizard
July 19, 2026

Cliff Bleszinski says ego played a role in LawBreakers’ failure: ‘People are loyal to the game, but they’re not necessarily loyal to the person’

LawBreakers, released in 2017 by Boss Key Productions, was a commercial failure and was shut down a year later. Cliff Bleszinski, co-founder of Boss Key, attributed some of the game's lack of success to his desire to establish the company as a distinct entity, which led to missed collaborative opportunities, including not working with Rod Fergusson from Gears of War. Bleszinski remains passionate about game development and expresses a desire to create characters and worlds that resonate with players.
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