game discoverability Archives

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Valve Just Made Some Big Changes to Steam Tags, And The New Additions Shed Light on Recent Trends

Valve updated Steam's tagging system on May 18th, removing 28 outdated tags, introducing 17 new ones, and adjusting existing categories. The new tags include Bullet Heaven, Desktop Companion, Organizing, Cleaning, Decorating, Wuxia, Xianxia, Falling Blocks, Espionage, Samurai, Zoo, Wolves, Capybaras, Animals, Cult, Poker, and Language Learning. The retired tags include 3D Vision, Ambient, America, Blood, Crowdfunded, Cult Classic, Documentary, Drama, Dungeons & Dragons, Electronic, Experience, Feature Film, Foreign, GameMaker, Games Workshop, Illuminati, Kickstarter, LEGO, Masterpiece, Mature, Movie, Narration, NSFW, Roguevania, RPGMaker, Warhammer 40K, Web Publishing, and Well-Written. Existing tags like Clicker and Conversation were rebranded to Incremental and Dialogue Heavy, respectively. The updates aim to improve user navigation and reflect current gaming trends.

AppWizard

April 11, 2026

Endix Announces Release on Official PC Platforms

ENDIX is an online-only exposition in the videogame industry that allows gamers to explore new and upcoming titles while connecting with developers. It prioritizes accessibility, enabling participation without the financial burdens of traditional expos. ENDIX is evolving into a premier multiplayer digital expo, allowing attendees to join from their preferred PC platforms. It will introduce dedicated store pages on Steam and the Epic Games Store for easier access and enhanced multiplayer elements. The next edition of ENDIX is scheduled for May 23, 2026, and will remain free to enter, featuring a lineup of exhibitions and titles.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Subscription service for indie games gets a rough reception

Indie Pass will launch on April 13, offering a subscription model for .99 per month, providing access to a curated selection of 70 indie games primarily from the indie.io catalog. Developers will be compensated based on the playtime of their games by subscribers. The service has received mixed reactions, with concerns about promoting games designed for prolonged engagement, the preference for direct purchases, and the lack of ownership of games. Critics, including George Broussard, argue that subscription models harm developers, while some see potential for discoverability for indie titles. Jess Mitchell from Indie Pass emphasized discoverability as a key incentive for developers. Publisher Devolver Digital humorously commented on the subscription model's viability. As the launch nears, Indie Pass must demonstrate its value to both developers and gamers amidst skepticism and competition in the gaming market.