gaming industry Archives

AppWizard

March 3, 2026

RedOctane’s ‘next evolution in rhythm gaming’ sure looks a lot like 2007’s Rock Band

RedOctane became a significant player in the gaming industry in the early 2000s, peaking in 2005 with the release of Guitar Hero. Activision acquired RedOctane in 2006, but by 2010, the company was closed due to declining interest in rhythm games. In 2025, Embracer Group revived the brand as RedOctane Games, announcing a new title called Stage Tour, which resembles Guitar Hero but introduces new features and game modes. Stage Tour will function as a "band game" with solo play options, and a closed alpha test is planned ahead of its holiday season release. RedOctane Games aims to create a sustainable experience rather than a series of sequels, and there is uncertainty about the demand for a new rhythm game experience. Details on pricing and song availability are still pending.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

This week in PC games: Marathon, Slay The Spire 2, a promising Disco-like RPG and a monastic garden mystery

This week features a variety of new PC game releases, including: - The Abbess' Garden: A life simulation game set in the 17th century where players restore a botanical sanctuary. - Sad God: A game where players navigate a shaft filled with threats to reach the surface before lava engulfs them. - The Legend of Khiimori: An open-world courier game set in 13th-century Mongolia, now in early access. - Esoteric Ebb: A single-player CRPG where players investigate an explosion at a teashop during an election. - Legacy of Kain: Defiance Remastered: A remaster of the classic title focusing on narrative and choice. - Humanica: A city-building game where players can edit the landscape of their prehistoric city. - Luxman Moonlit Market: A night market simulation game with a unique art style. - Scott Pilgrim EX: A side-scrolling brawler based on the Canadian comic book series. - Slay the Spire 2: The sequel to the roguelite deckbuilder, now in early access. - Card Cultivation: A game combining elements of Cultist Simulator with Chinese mythology. - Planet of Lana II: A puzzle-platformer where players save a cyborg world alongside a kid and their pet. - Age of Barbarians Chronicles: An action game with a sword-and-sorcery theme. - Here Comes The Swarm: An early access survival RTS where players fend off gigabeetles. - Marathon: Bungie's reboot of the classic FPS set in a rich lore universe. - Ratcheter DX: An adventure game challenging players to escape a sunken ice base. - Mr. Peregrino: A game set in the 19th century where players manage food supplies while escorting pilgrims. - Over The Top: WW1: A game where players experience the frontlines of World War I. - Aethus: A game where players investigate a lost science expedition on a desert world. - Post-Apocalyptic Technician: Players repair Stroggs as an underground technician. - Frog Abundance: An exploration game centered around frogs in various time periods. Team members at RPS express interest in different titles, with Ollie favoring Marathon, James interested in Planet of Lana, Mark leaning towards automotive adventures, and Julian considering writing about Slay the Spire 2.

AppWizard

March 2, 2026

Sony Will Reportedly Lessen the Number of Games It Brings to PC Moving Forward

Sony's strategy for porting PlayStation exclusives to PC is shifting, with a potential move towards keeping single-player titles exclusive to consoles for longer periods. The focus may now be on live service games rather than traditional single-player experiences. While Sony continues to port select titles to PC, player engagement data shows mixed results; games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Spider-Man Remastered, and Ghost of Tsushima achieved high peak concurrent players, while others like Horizon Forbidden West and Last of Us Part II had lower peaks. HellDivers 2 has outperformed other titles in Sony's PC offerings. Sony's relationship with the PC gaming community has been strained due to initial registration requirements for the PlayStation Network, which were later reversed. Upcoming console exclusives, such as Marvel’s Wolverine, suggest Sony may prioritize hardware sales over PC releases.

AppWizard

March 1, 2026

Minecraft Meets No Man’s Sky In New Sci-Fi RPG You Can Try Free

SpaceCraft is an upcoming space exploration game from Shiro Games, set to launch into Steam Early Access in the second quarter of 2026. The game will allow players to explore a vast galaxy with diverse planets, mine and craft resources, design and build ships, and engage in trade with other factions and players.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

The Epic Games Store’s new, free puzzler is all about boxes, and I can’t believe I’m more excited about it than Marathon

Powerwash Simulator, American Truck Simulator, and A Game About Digging a Hole are popular titles in the gaming industry that offer relaxed experiences. The Epic Games Store is currently offering the free game Boxes: Lost Fragments, developed by Big Loop Studios, where players act as a legendary thief solving puzzles in a mysterious mansion. The game features an Art Deco-inspired aesthetic and has received an average score of 91% on Steam and a rating of 4.5 on the Epic Games Store. Additionally, My Night Job, an arcade-style zombie beat-'em-up, is also available for free on the Epic Games Store until March 5.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

Epic Games Store announces first March 2026 giveaway with Overwhelmingly Positively rated title for PC gamers

The Epic Games Store has gained prominence in the digital gaming market by offering a diverse selection of titles and exclusive content, attracting millions of users through free games. It features exclusive titles secured through partnerships with major developers, ensuring access to anticipated releases. The store's innovative business model provides developers with a larger revenue share compared to competitors, encouraging a variety of creators to publish their games. Additionally, the platform engages with the gaming community by seeking user feedback, fostering loyalty among gamers. Regular updates and promotional events further enhance user engagement.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

New York Sues Valve Over Loot Boxes, Calls Them Illegal Gambling

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against Valve, the creator of Steam, regarding loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2, claiming they promote gambling behaviors among youth. The state seeks to stop Valve's use of loot boxes and impose financial penalties. The lawsuit argues that loot boxes resemble traditional slot machines and that items obtained can be traded for real-world value, with a virtual gun skin from Counter-Strike 2 reportedly selling for over a million dollars in 2024. The lawsuit claims Valve intentionally makes high-value items rare to increase their perceived worth and highlights the potential for addiction and illegal gambling, particularly among young people. Valve has not yet responded to the lawsuit.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Devs behind GoldenEye, Perfect Dark and TimeSplitters are done with big shooters after getting burned by Embracer, so their next game is a Balatro-like twist on Scrabble—and you can try the demo now

Steve Ellis and David Doak, co-founders of Free Radical Design, are developing a roguelike interpretation of Scrabble titled Beyond Words. This project marks a departure from their previous work on first-person shooters, including the TimeSplitters series and Star Wars: Battlefront 3. Following the closure of Free Radical by Embracer in 2023, Ellis described the experience as "soul-crushing," leading him to prefer smaller team environments for game development. Both Ellis and Doak expressed a desire to work in more intimate settings, which influenced their collaboration on Beyond Words, initially a weekend project that gained traction among various prototypes they explored.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Microsoft Is Allegedly Considering Adding WoW/Minecraft Realms/Fallout 1st/ESO Plus to Game Pass Ultimate

Discussions are ongoing about enhancing the value of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, especially following a price adjustment effective October 1, 2025. Many gamers are concerned about the service's worth despite including offerings like Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics. Microsoft is considering adding first-party services such as World of Warcraft, Minecraft Realms, Fallout 1st, and Elder Scrolls Online Plus to the Game Pass Ultimate package. Current subscription offerings include: - Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: .99/month, includes Xbox + PC Game Pass library, online multiplayer, EA Play, cloud gaming, Fortnite Crew, Ubisoft+ Classics. - World of Warcraft: .99/month, access to all WoW retail + Classic content (latest expansion excluded). - Minecraft Realms Plus: .99/month, private server for up to 10 players, 150+ rotating Marketplace content packs. - Fallout 1st: .99/month, private world for up to 8 players, Scrapbox, Survival Tent, 1,650 Atoms/month, exclusive cosmetics. - ESO Plus: .99/month, includes all previously released DLC game packs and dungeons, Craft Bag, 1,650 Crowns/month, double bank space, premium tokens, increased transmute crystal cap, housing furnishing limit increases. Microsoft will need to conduct an economic analysis to determine the feasibility of these potential additions.

AppWizard

February 23, 2026

New report says older games like CS2 and League of Legends take up 35% of PC playtime, but Roblox reigns supreme

The gaming industry is experiencing significant changes, with a few major titles dominating player engagement. The "big five" PC games—Counter-Strike, Fortnite, Minecraft, League of Legends, and Roblox—account for 35% of player hours, while older titles make up about 10%. In 2025, newly released games, including annual franchises like Call of Duty, represented only 14% of player hours on Steam. A large portion of PC gamers, 45%, engage with games that are one to seven years old, and 41% play titles that are eight years or older. Despite challenges, industry revenue has been maintained or grown through price increases rather than expanding the player base. Roblox has emerged as a significant market driver, representing over 4.5% of non-China spending and accounting for 67% of net growth in 2025. Developers on Roblox are earning over 0 million annually, with a 70% year-on-year growth. Titles like Grow a Garden have surpassed engagement metrics for Blizzard's games, and others have outperformed Valve's Dota 2. The anticipated release of GTA 6 could signal a new era, although its 2026 launch is uncertain.