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UK legal action against Valve over Steam prices gets go ahead
AppWizard
January 27, 2026

UK legal action against Valve over Steam prices gets go ahead

Valve Corporation is facing a £656 million lawsuit in the UK over allegations of unfair pricing practices related to its online store, Steam. The lawsuit, initiated by Vicki Shotbolt in 2024, claims Valve uses its market dominance to impose restrictive terms on game publishers, preventing them from offering lower prices on competing platforms. The legal documents allege Valve charges an excessive commission of up to 30%, resulting in inflated costs for UK consumers. This case is a collective action that could affect up to 14 million Steam users in the UK. Additionally, Valve is facing a separate consumer action case in the United States filed in August 2024. Steam, launched in 2003, has become the largest distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 19,000 games released in 2025, generating £8.6 billion in revenue. Valve has also introduced hardware like the Steam Deck and announced plans for the Steam Machine console.
CD Projekt Sells DRM-Free PC Storefront GOG to Original Co-Founder for $25.2 Million, Insists It's Financially Stable
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

CD Projekt Sells DRM-Free PC Storefront GOG to Original Co-Founder for $25.2 Million, Insists It’s Financially Stable

CD Projekt has sold its DRM-free PC storefront, GOG, to co-founder Michał Kiciński for 90.7 million Polish złoty (approximately .2 million). Kiciński, who co-founded GOG in 2008 and holds a 10% stake in CD Projekt, will lead GOG independently while maintaining its DRM-free philosophy. A distribution agreement between CD Projekt and GOG has been established for future collaboration, including the release of upcoming CD Projekt Red titles on the GOG platform. CD Projekt aims to focus on video game development, including The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, following the sale. GOG has remained financially stable and continues to attract gamers with its mission. CD Projekt previously employed 1,335 staff.
Spencer insists that Xbox isn't mandating AI in game dev
AppWizard
October 28, 2025

Spencer insists that Xbox isn’t mandating AI in game dev

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, clarified that Microsoft is not mandating the use of artificial intelligence in game development. During a panel discussion, he stated that AI is primarily used for operational functions, particularly in security and network protection, rather than in creative processes. He noted that AI helps moderate interactions to ensure user safety, especially for child accounts. Spencer emphasized that the application of AI varies by team and that he prefers to allow creative teams to choose tools that enhance their workflow without imposing a top-down mandate.
DayZ creator says Valve deserves more criticism for over monetisation methods
AppWizard
October 28, 2025

DayZ creator says Valve deserves more criticism for over monetisation methods

Dean Hall has criticized Valve's monetization strategies, particularly regarding the in-game economy of titles like Counter-Strike and its weapon and armor skin marketplace. Recently, this marketplace lost about half of its billion-dollar value due to Valve's changes to item rarity, leading to uncertainty among players. Hall also expressed his strong disapproval of gambling mechanics in video games and urged developers to address these issues and provide data for academic research on the implications of such practices.
NetEase divests Fantastic Pixel Castle
AppWizard
October 10, 2025

NetEase divests Fantastic Pixel Castle

Chinese gaming company NetEase has withdrawn support from the foreign game studio Fantastic Pixel, potentially leading to its closure. Greg Street, the head of Fantastic Pixel, announced this on LinkedIn, expressing concerns about the studio's future if it cannot secure a new publisher or investor. He emphasized the importance of supporting his team during this uncertain time and acknowledged that without a publisher soon, the studio would likely close, affecting the entire team. Fantastic Pixel Castle was announced in November 2023, and the studio is currently seeking alternative backing while navigating financial challenges.
Capcom will not "guarantee" Monster Hunter games can run on Windows 10 after October 14
Winsage
September 30, 2025

Capcom will not “guarantee” Monster Hunter games can run on Windows 10 after October 14

Capcom has warned that it cannot guarantee compatibility for its Monster Hunter games with Windows 10 after Microsoft ends support on October 14, 2025. While the games will remain playable post-date, future updates may cause incompatibility. Support for troubleshooting issues on Windows 10 will also be limited after this date. Additionally, Valve will stop supporting 32-bit versions of Windows 10 on Steam starting January 1, 2026. Capcom's president noted that the high price of the PlayStation 5 has impacted sales of Monster Hunter Wilds, which sold eight million copies in three days, making it Capcom's fastest-selling game.
Nintendo reportedly gets even more obnoxious about patent law by taking a 'mods aren't real games' stance against a Dark Souls 3 mod that could invalidate its Palworld lawsuit
AppWizard
September 19, 2025

Nintendo reportedly gets even more obnoxious about patent law by taking a ‘mods aren’t real games’ stance against a Dark Souls 3 mod that could invalidate its Palworld lawsuit

Nintendo initiated a patent lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, and has intensified its focus on intellectual property enforcement. Pocketpair's defense strategy involves challenging Nintendo's patent claims by referencing prior art found in mods, which could potentially invalidate Nintendo's patent. However, Nintendo argues that mods do not qualify as prior art because they are not considered "real games." Under Japanese patent law, prior art includes inventions that are publicly known or worked prior to the patent application. Nintendo has a history of legal actions against modders, including issuing DMCA notices that resulted in the removal of content and the shutdown of multiplayer modding projects.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly, which is apparently the good one, is getting remade and coming to PC
AppWizard
September 14, 2025

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly, which is apparently the good one, is getting remade and coming to PC

Nintendo announced a remake of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly, set to launch on PC in early 2026. The remake will feature enhanced visuals, audio, and gameplay systems, while retaining the Camera Obscura mechanic. A new feature, 'Holding Hands with Mayu,' will deepen the emotional connection between the main characters. This remake is the first original trilogy title to be released on PC, and Fatal Frame II is considered the scariest installment in the franchise. The series involves confronting ghosts through photography, adding suspense to the gameplay.
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