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Project Helix will make things easier for game devs, says indie program lead, because “one Xbox build” is all you need
AppWizard
March 25, 2026

Project Helix will make things easier for game devs, says indie program lead, because “one Xbox build” is all you need

Chris Charla, with 16 years at Xbox and 13 years in the ID@Xbox program, discussed Project Helix, the next-generation Xbox system. It will allow users to play both PC and Xbox games, contrasting with competitors like Sony. At the Game Developers Conference, he highlighted the goal of simplifying game launches, enabling developers to create a single build for Xbox, PC, and cloud platforms. Project Helix will support easy PC and cloud gaming. Charla mentioned that developers currently working on Xbox and PC will benefit from Project Helix, with support for Xbox API, backend integration, and marketing. The system is expected to release in 2027 or 2028, and it may resemble a "gaming PC" running Windows 11.
Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience
AppWizard
February 13, 2026

Marathon console players can turn off PC matchmaking if they want, but Bungie made a point to give everyone the same gameplay experience

Bungie's new title, Marathon, will launch on March 5, marking the company's first release outside the Destiny universe in over a decade. Players will have the option to disable cross-platform matchmaking, allowing PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users to avoid competing against PC players. Marathon will feature a mix of PvP, PvE, and PvPvE gameplay elements, but will not use matchmaking strategies from other titles like Arc Raiders. A server slam is scheduled for February 26 to preview the game. Sony has received positive feedback from playtests, which has informed adjustments to improve the game before its release.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
January 21, 2026

The death and reincarnation of game discoverability

Guy Ulmer leads platform partnerships at Plarium, part of the Modern Times Group, which develops and publishes games like Raid: Shadow Legends and Stormfall: Saga of Survival. The gaming industry is experiencing a shift in discoverability, with nearly one-third of developers identifying it as their primary challenge by 2026. Players increasingly discover new titles through platforms like YouTube (64%), TikTok (38%), and Instagram (36%), surpassing traditional storefront promotions. Developers must engage players through social media and creator ecosystems rather than relying solely on major storefront placements. Storefront interactions require strategic optimization, as platforms like Google Play and Apple are expected to prioritize games that align with new features. Developers must treat every game as a service, engaging in continuous updates and sales events. Successful developers will design games with marketing in mind, utilizing strategies like incentivized referrals, stream integration, and generative AI for content creation. The focus has shifted from maximizing visibility at launch to ongoing optimization throughout a game's lifecycle, making discoverability a fundamental design principle.
This massively multiplayer roguelike with Hades combat won my heart, and it's fixing my biggest worry by coming to Steam
AppWizard
January 20, 2026

This massively multiplayer roguelike with Hades combat won my heart, and it’s fixing my biggest worry by coming to Steam

33 Immortals will be released on Steam this summer after a year of exclusivity on the Epic Games Store and Xbox/PC Game Pass. Developed by Thunder Lotus Games, it launched in March 2025 and received positive reviews. The game features a shared hub world where players can join lobbies of up to 33. Experienced players can unintentionally make encounters easier for newcomers, leading to balance issues. A roadmap for 2026 includes new content, such as the Gluttony weapon and a third map, Paradiso. The game is priced at .99 / £15.99 on the Epic Games Store and supports crossplay with Steam users.
Arc Raiders breaks 100,000 concurrent players in the first 30 minutes of going live and rising, soaring to the top of Steam's best sellers
AppWizard
October 31, 2025

Arc Raiders breaks 100,000 concurrent players in the first 30 minutes of going live and rising, soaring to the top of Steam’s best sellers

Arc Raiders has reached 202,498 concurrent players on Steam. The game officially launched at 5:30 AM EDT, achieving an all-time high of 103,975 players at launch. It has also topped Steam's best-sellers list, surpassing titles like Battlefield 6 and The Outer Worlds 2. During the beta weekend, over 185,000 players participated, and the game was ranked as the 89th most popular by concurrent players. Current numbers have already exceeded 150,000 concurrent players and are continuing to rise.
Arc Raiders launch times and release date
AppWizard
October 29, 2025

Arc Raiders launch times and release date

Arc Raiders, an extraction shooter, is set to launch on October 30. It has risen to the third position on Steam's most-wishlisted games list following a successful public playtest in April. The game will be available for purchase, moving away from its initial free-to-play model, with a deluxe version also offered. Pre-order bonuses are available for early supporters.
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