gaming history Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

What’s driving growth in the Chinese video game industry?

The Chinese game industry has experienced significant growth, with popular titles like Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong driving global interest. Black Myth: Wukong sold 10 million copies within a week of its August 2024 launch and won Game of the Year at the 2024 Steam Awards. The single-player game market in China is becoming more sustainable, with a shift in focus due to the success of titles like Black Myth: Wukong. Developers are adapting their strategies, although challenges such as high production costs, competition, and issues related to work culture persist. Local governments are actively supporting game development through licensing, tax breaks, and grants, with initiatives aimed at integrating cultural themes into games. Despite layoffs in the industry, a robust social safety net exists to support affected employees.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

The first ever third-party game to come to Steam probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves—mostly because no one remembers it

Steam's automated monthly top-seller list has highlighted Rag Doll Kung Fu, the first third-party title on the Steam platform, which debuted in 2005. Developed by Mark Healey, the game is available on Steam for one dollar and has a Mostly Positive rating of 73% based on 68 reviews. It remains accessible two decades later, although it is labeled "Unsupported" on Steam Deck. The game launched eight years before the introduction of Steam reviews, which may explain its limited feedback.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you’re pirating games or modifying the console

Nintendo has updated its online user agreement, allowing the company to make a console "permanently unusable" if a user violates the agreement. The revised End User License Agreement (EULA) includes extensive restrictions on actions such as publishing, modifying, or distributing Nintendo Account Services, as well as using unauthorized copies. The EULA also places responsibility on legal guardians for minors and emphasizes that users do not own their games outright but merely license them. Concerns about backward compatibility and potential service discontinuation for the upcoming Switch 2 have emerged, alongside a growing preference among gamers for more control over their gaming experiences.

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 30, 2025

Epic Games for Android is bringing Flappy Bird back

Flappy Bird, a classic mobile game, is making a comeback on Android devices through the Epic Games Store app. The game will be available for free with in-game ads and ongoing support and updates. Players can access the Epic Games app on Android by downloading it directly from the company's website, bypassing the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Elden Ring hits 30m copies shipped

Elden Ring has surpassed 30 million copies shipped, as announced on the game's official Twitter account. The figure refers to copies shipped, not sold. As of December 2024, the game had shipped 28.6 million copies. Elden Ring is on track to rival the success of Dark Souls, which has shipped over 39 million copies since 2011.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

The ever-gorgeous Capcom classic Breath of Fire 4 is back on PC, alongside a little sprucing up

Breath of Fire 4, originally launched on PlayStation 1 in 2000 and released on PC in 2003 in Japan and Europe, has been revived through GOG's preservation program, making it accessible on Windows 10 and 11. GOG has enhanced the game with new display options, upgraded the audio engine, and ensured it is DRM-free. GOG's preservation program has also revived other classic titles such as Ultima Underworld 1+2, Worms: Armageddon, and Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon.

Winsage

April 24, 2025

Windows 3.1 is now available for the Game Boy Color… kind of

Developer Ruben Retro has launched GBS WINDOWS for Game Boy, a unique homage to Windows 3.1, available for the Game Boy Color. The software, developed in GB Studio, is priced at €40 but is currently sold out on Etsy. Customers can sign up for notifications when new stock becomes available. GBS WINDOWS is encased in a physical Game Boy cartridge, providing a tangible connection to the past.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

The Best PC Games Right Now (2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features a mix of innovative remasters, indie titles, and new intellectual properties, providing a wide range of experiences for gamers. The most played games on Steam include Counter-Strike 2, PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, and Dota 2, with Counter-Strike 2 leading in player engagement due to its esports scene. Notable new releases include Blue Prince, The Last of Us Part II Remastered, and Promise Mascot Agency. Other popular games outside Steam are Minecraft, Fortnite, and Valorant. Genre-specific leaders include South of Midnight for action, Myst (Remastered) for adventure, and Street Fighter 6 for fighting. Upcoming anticipated titles include Grand Theft Auto 6 and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Trends in 2025 highlight esports engagement, indie innovation, purposeful remakes, and cinematic storytelling. Last Epoch's Season 2 update has revitalized player interest with new content and enhancements. The year 2019 was significant for PC gaming, with acclaimed titles like Resident Evil 2, Control, and Disco Elysium, and marked by the influence of digital distribution platforms.

AppWizard

April 17, 2025

A pair of Armored Core games are being freed from their 2000s Japanese mobile phone prison with an upcoming PC port

Armored Core, a series from FromSoftware, has gained popularity since its debut on the PlayStation 1. PC players recently accessed the franchise with Armored Core 6, and two more titles are on the way, though they will not have English language options. Developer G-Mode is set to release Armored Core Mobile Mission and its sequel, Mobile Mission 2, on Steam, with the first installment launching on April 30th. The original Mobile Mission offers a top-down shooter experience with mech customization, while the sequel aims for a more immersive gameplay experience. G-Mode is also porting Shin Megami Tensei titles, Tokyo Requiem and 20XX, to modern platforms, although release dates for these are not confirmed.