game distribution Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Microsoft Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit Over Alleged PC Game Pricing Pact With Valve

Microsoft Corp. is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging anticompetitive behavior in collaboration with Valve Corp., the operator of the Steam gaming platform. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, claims that the two companies engaged in a pricing agreement that stifled competition in the PC game distribution market. Plaintiffs assert that this agreement maintained uniform pricing for PC games across both platforms, limiting competitive pressure and harming consumers. The lawsuit also alleges that the arrangement discouraged competition and reduced incentives for improving game quality and offerings. The plaintiffs seek class-action status to represent all gamers who purchased PC games through these platforms. Neither Microsoft nor Valve has publicly addressed the allegations at the time of the lawsuit's filing.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Valve’s Gabe Newell argued gamers “have enormous choice” when grilled over Steam’s alleged monopoly on PC gaming

Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve Corporation, is defending the company against allegations in a class action lawsuit claiming it maintains an illegal monopoly in the gaming distribution market. This lawsuit is similar to a £0 million suit filed in the UK, both asserting that Valve has abused its dominant position. A survey by Rokky indicated that 72% of 306 industry managers view Steam as a monopoly. Analyst Mat Piscatella argues that while Steam is dominant, it may not fit the definition of a monopoly, as true monopolies lack viable alternatives. The lawsuits allege that Valve's market power allows it to impose unfair fees and pricing restrictions, with a focus on its standard 30% cut of sales. Valve refutes these claims, stating that developers have alternatives like the Epic Games Store. In a recent lawsuit dismissal attempt, Valve argued that the gaming community values the innovations from titles like Counter-Strike 2 and that its practices align with industry standards.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Grab 007 First Light for free, thanks to Nvidia

Nvidia is offering a complimentary copy of 007 First Light to those who sign up for the GeForce Now Ultimate game streaming service, which requires a one-year commitment at a cost of .99. The service allows access to a powerful RTX 5080-class gaming experience and a library of over 4,500 games. Users must already own the games to access them through GeForce Now, making the free code for 007 First Light valuable. The offer is available until June 10 or until supplies last, and the game will be released on May 27, with a 90-day window to redeem the code once available.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Google Expands Payment Choices and Alternative App Stores on Android

Android is introducing updates to enhance app and game distribution, focusing on three areas: expanded payment options, easier installation of alternative app stores, and reduced fees for developers. Developers can now implement their own payment systems alongside Google Play’s billing framework and direct users to their websites for purchases. A Registered App Stores program will streamline the installation of approved alternative app stores. The fee structure is revised to include a 5% billing fee for using Google Play’s payment system, a 20% service fee for in-app purchases on new installs, a 20% service fee for developers in new incentive programs (reduced to 15% on new installs), and a 10% fee for subscription payments. The updates are expected to reach the US, UK, and European Economic Area by the end of June, with plans to extend to Australia by September and to South Korea and Japan before the year ends. The remaining global markets may see these updates by September 2027, and the Registered App Stores program will launch with Android 17 later this year.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

PC Ports of PlayStation Games Aren’t Selling Well, Sony Pulls the Plug

Sony has decided to stop porting PlayStation games to PC, maintaining exclusivity for upcoming titles like "Marvel's Wolverine" and "Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet." This decision follows underwhelming sales of previous PC ports and is influenced by challenges in the PC industry. Existing titles confirmed for PC, such as "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach," will not be affected. Additionally, the anticipated launch of the PS6 has been delayed to 2028 or 2029, and Sony has closed BluePoint Games, resulting in layoffs.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Report: Sony Is Turning Its Back on Porting PlayStation Games to PC

Sony Corp. has revised its strategy and will no longer pursue the release of major PS5 titles on PC. This change means that highly sought-after single-player experiences from Sony's first-party studios, such as Ghost of Yotei and Saros, will remain exclusive to the PlayStation ecosystem. While online titles like Marathon and Marvel Tokon will still be available on multiple platforms, games developed by external studios but published by PlayStation, like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Kena: Scars of Kosmora, are still planned for PC release later this year. Reports indicate that PlayStation titles have not performed as well on PC as expected, leading to concerns about the impact of releasing console-exclusive games on PC on PS5 sales and future console iterations.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Epic Games Store locks in two well-rated PC free games to close February 2026

The Epic Games Store has introduced updates to enhance its digital marketplace for both developers and gamers. Key changes include a revamped user interface for easier navigation, improved search functionality, and better tools for game publishing and analytics for developers. The store is expanding its library of exclusive titles through partnerships with game developers and is launching promotional events featuring discounts, free game giveaways, and exclusive content. Additionally, Epic Games is emphasizing community feedback to ensure the platform evolves according to user needs.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

For PC gamers: Epic Games Store launches new free game giveaways

The Epic Games Store offers free games regularly, which attracts new users and fosters community engagement. It has secured exclusive deals with developers and publishers, providing high-profile titles not available on other platforms. The store features a favorable revenue-sharing model for developers, taking a smaller cut of sales, which encourages innovation and attracts indie developers. Its user-friendly interface and support system help developers reach their audience effectively.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Epic Games Store quietly offers two PC free games ahead of usual gieaway schedule

The Epic Games Store has established itself as a strong competitor in digital distribution by securing exclusive deals with developers, enhancing its library with titles like Fortnite and Control. The platform engages users through regular giveaways of popular titles and seasonal events, fostering community interaction. It continues to grow its user base and library while investing in technology and user experience to maintain its market position.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Square Enix says a ‘new version’ of Final Fantasy 7 is coming to Steam, but doesn’t say what’s actually new or when it’s coming

A new version of Final Fantasy 7 will debut on Steam, replacing the 2013 iteration. Owners of the original game will receive the new version at no additional cost while retaining access to the classic edition. Enhancements for the new release are hinted at, with further details available on Steam. The original PC version was released in 1998, followed by a reintroduction in 2012 and its arrival on Steam in 2013. The porting studio, Dotemu, added features like achievements and cloud saving. The game is currently available on Steam for .79 / £5 / €5.19.