game distribution Archives

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Debunking the grey market beyond Steam

Alternative distribution in the PC gaming industry is growing, with developers increasingly selling Steam keys through third-party platforms like Fanatical and Humble. Valve's Steam platform is projected to generate .8 billion in revenue in 2024, while the Epic Games Store reported .09 billion last year. Developers can request up to 5,000 standard release keys from Valve for sale on other platforms, adhering to pricing guidelines. Marketplaces like G2A mix approved keys and resold keys, while e-stores ensure all keys are legitimate. The grey market refers to the resale of keys that undermines publishers' profits, often due to regional pricing discrepancies. Developers can manage the grey market by monitoring key sales and implementing strategies like region-locking and pricing adjustments.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

4 years after being delisted, Lost Planet 2 finally got a Steam update to remove Games for Windows Live—but it also removed online multiplayer and blew up everyone’s saves

Lost Planet 2, a sci-fi third-person shooter from Capcom, was removed from Steam in 2021 due to issues with the discontinued Games for Windows Live (GFWL). A recent update lifted GFWL but disrupted online multiplayer functionality and erased local save files. Initially launched in 2007, GFWL aimed to merge multiplayer services for PC but ultimately failed, leading to many games, including Lost Planet 2, being left in disrepair. Despite being delisted, players found ways to keep the game alive, though installation issues hindered the multiplayer experience. Guides have emerged to revert the game to its previous state to restore GFWL. There is speculation that Capcom may be working on a comprehensive Steamworks update, as the game has not reappeared in Steam listings.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

The Best PC Games of 2025 So Far (Spring Edition)

Spring 2025 has seen the release of several notable PC games, including: - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: Released on April 24, 2025, by Sandfall Interactive, it sold over 1 million copies in three days and features a blend of French art nouveau aesthetics and JRPG combat mechanics. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Released on February 28, 2025, by Capcom, it introduces full narrative integration and dynamic monster interactions. - The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered: Released on April 22, 2025, by Bethesda Game Studios, it attracted over 4 million players shortly after launch and features enhanced visuals and gameplay updates. Other early 2025 releases include: - Blue Prince (April 10, 2025) - Split Fiction (March 6, 2025) - Atomfall (March 27, 2025) - Assassin’s Creed Shadows (March 20, 2025) - Two Point Museum (March 5, 2025) - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (January 23, 2025) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist (January 22, 2025) - Ninja Gaiden II Black (January 23, 2025) - The Talos Principle: Reawakened (April 10, 2025) Highly anticipated titles for later in 2025 include: - Grand Theft Auto VI (Late 2025) - Doom: The Dark Ages (May 15, 2025) - Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (August 28, 2025) - The Outer Worlds 2 (Expected 2025) - Borderlands 4 (September 12, 2025) - Marvel’s Blade (TBA 2025) - Hades II (Full Release later 2025) - Frostpunk 2 (Summer 2025) - Slay the Spire 2 (Early Access Expected 2025) - Anno 117: Pax Romana (Expected 2025) - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 (October 2025) - Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Expected 2025) - Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Expected 2025) In 2024, top-rated PC games included: 1. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree 2. Metaphor: ReFantazio 3. UFO 50 4. Tekken 8 5. Caves of Qud 6. Animal Well 7. Satisfactory 8. Balatro 9. Thank Goodness You’re Here! 10. The Last of Us Part II Remastered The PC gaming landscape in 2024 was characterized by significant hardware advancements, improved game integration and compatibility, and thriving online communities.

BetaBeacon

April 27, 2025

What is Steam: The popular gaming platform explained

Steam is a platform and app for distributing video games online that also has social media features and community message boards.

Tech Optimizer

December 26, 2024

“I went through hell” Japanese indie dev on how their game was wrongly flagged as a virus, and blocked on Steam

A Japanese indie developer, Shiromofu Factory, launched the game Dungeon Antiqua on October 10, 2024. The game, inspired by early Final Fantasy and Wizardry titles, is available on Windows and macOS and has received a Very Positive review status on Steam. After a December 6 update, users reported virus warnings from antivirus programs like Norton, Avast, and McAfee, which were triggered by the game's use of the Pyxel engine and Pyinstaller for executable files. The developer advised users to exclude the game's .exe file from scans, but on December 12, Steam blocked the game from sale due to multiple virus reports. The developer requested a rollback to an earlier version, which prevented future updates. They purchased Norton Antivirus for testing and attempted various solutions, including filing reports with antivirus companies and considering a code signing certificate. They identified that the use of Python’s “os.remove()” function contributed to the false alerts and implemented a workaround. However, antivirus software retained memory of flagged files, causing continued blocks. Ultimately, flipping the fairy image associated with the game’s file by 180 degrees allowed Dungeon Antiqua to bypass the antivirus barriers and resume updates.

AppWizard

December 23, 2024

Valve changed gaming forever with a single app

Valve's Steam was launched on September 12, 2003, as a digital game distribution platform, initially intended to distribute updates for games like Half-Life 2. It evolved from a patching service to a comprehensive storefront, allowing players to buy, download, install, and launch PC games quickly. Steam's requirement for internet access and authentication for Half-Life 2 marked a significant shift in the gaming landscape. The platform faced challenges, including the problematic Steam Greenlight program, which was replaced due to an overwhelming number of submissions. Despite competition from other platforms, Steam has maintained its market dominance, raising questions about digital ownership. Users appreciate Steam for its sales, functionality, and user-friendly interface, making it a preferred choice for many gamers.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

Xbox says it’s still blocked from selling and launching games from its Android app, Google says it isn’t

Xbox and Google are in a legal dispute regarding Xbox's ability to sell and launch games through its Android app. A US judge ruled in October that Google must open its Android marketplace to competitors, which was set to take effect this month. Xbox's head of gaming, Phil Spencer, initially expressed optimism about enabling game purchases directly from the Xbox App on Android devices, but indicated that an emergency stay requested by Google is currently blocking these features. Google claims that Xbox has always had the option to enable these features but has chosen not to. The October ruling includes several restrictions on Google's practices over the next three years, such as prohibiting exclusive app launches through the Play Store and allowing developers to direct users to external payment options. Xbox is also exploring the establishment of a mobile app store.

Winsage

November 27, 2024

6 reasons Windows is still the best desktop operating system for everyone

Windows is the leading desktop operating system, known for its familiarity, extensive hardware choices, better hardware compatibility, effective window management, robust app ecosystem, and dominance in gaming. Windows has a long-standing presence in personal computing, making it intuitive for users. It supports a wide range of devices, ensuring compatibility with numerous peripherals and components. Windows 11 offers multitasking features that enhance productivity, and it has a vast library of applications. Additionally, it remains the premier platform for gaming, with most games optimized for Windows.

BetaBeacon

November 25, 2024

Samsung Revolutionizes Mobile Gaming with Commercialization of Cloud Gaming Platform

- 80% of Android game downloads are a result of targeted paid advertising - Conversion rates from ad clicks to successful game installs and first play sessions are less than 5% - Samsung's mobile cloud gaming platform has a 50% conversion rate from ad click to game start - Samsung's platform eliminates the need for players to download and install games, increasing user acquisition performance - Samsung's platform supports Android native APKs, provides a cloud-based attribution solution, and supports existing in-game monetization models

AppWizard

November 18, 2024

A Single Korean-Speaking Intern Saved Valve From Going Bankrupt

In 2002, Valve sued Sierra Entertainment to clarify licensing terms for Counter-Strike distribution in cyber cafes. The lawsuit escalated as Vivendi counterclaimed against Valve, attempting to financially undermine the small developer. Gabe Newell, Valve's co-founder, faced significant personal financial strain due to the legal battle. Vivendi overwhelmed Valve with legal documents, many in Korean, requiring additional resources to manage. An intern named Andrew, a native Korean speaker, discovered evidence that Vivendi was destroying pertinent evidence. This finding shifted the case in Valve's favor, leading to a court ruling that granted Valve rights to the Half-Life and Counter-Strike franchises, reimbursed their legal expenses, and terminated Vivendi's cyber cafe agreement. This outcome allowed Valve to launch Steam, which grew into the largest digital distribution platform in gaming.