gaming industry Archives

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

7 years after its debut, Deltarune chapters 3 and 4 are finally coming in June

Deltarune Chapters 1-4 will launch on June 5 as a flagship title for the Nintendo Switch 2, with Chapters 3 and 4 also available on PC platforms. The first chapter was released in 2018 and the second in 2021, both for free. Future chapters will require a purchase, with the complete set priced at .99. The game will be available on Steam, Switch, PS4, and PS5 on the same day. Chapters 1 and 2 remain free.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Disney, Jagex, Codemasters vets found new publisher The CoLab

Three professionals from the UK gaming industry, Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis, have launched an indie publishing house called The CoLab. They have experience from companies such as United Label, Fnatic, Disney Interactive, Jagex, PlayFusion, Bossa, Codemasters, and Criterion. The CoLab has three projects in development: a cozy game called Campfire, a cyberpunk shooter named DeadWire, and a strategy game titled Counter Clash. The company has partnered with the charity Safe in Our World to support mental wellbeing in the gaming industry. The CoLab aims to support indie developers during challenging times in the sector, advocating for cooperation and collaboration while addressing issues like mass redundancies and the prioritization of shareholder value over gamers' needs. Their vision includes uniting game creators, sharing resources, and fostering a supportive environment for developers.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Atomfall surpasses 1.5 million players to become Rebellion’s most successful game launch in 32 years

Rebellion's latest title, Atomfall, launched on March 27, has attracted over 1.5 million players, making it the most successful debut in the company's 32-year history. Co-founder and CEO Jason Kingsley emphasized the importance of balancing project scale and cost to avoid layoffs, preferring smaller, focused games. Atomfall, inspired by titles like Fallout and Stalker, offers a straightforward gameplay experience without unnecessary bloat. The game peaked at over 6,000 concurrent players on Steam during its opening weekend, with its overall player count boosted by availability on Game Pass. Kingsley hinted at a story expansion titled Wicked Isle, which will introduce new content, though a release date has not been announced.

TrendTechie

April 1, 2025

«Пиратская бухта» локализуется в России

A working group has been formed under the Ministry of Digital Development to localize The Pirate Bay on the "GosTech" platform, involving government, industry, and copyright representatives. A vice-premier will lead the group, addressing challenges faced by Russian citizens since 2022 regarding access to foreign entertainment. The "Gosbukhata" initiative aims to provide access to international and domestic films, with local companies and channels willing to upload content. Filmmakers have concerns about user fees, and a draft of a new Presidential Decree outlines the process for acquiring rights from copyright holders in unfriendly countries. Users of torrent software will need to register with Roskomnadzor and pay an annual fee of 500 to 1000 rubles for access, with fee distribution managed by the All-Russian Copyright Holders Union. Additionally, VK plans to launch a domestic peer-to-peer multimedia content exchange platform named "RuMul" by 2025, currently in the sigma-testing phase.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Eidos Montréal is cutting 75 jobs

Eidos Montréal has announced a reduction in its workforce, resulting in 75 employees facing redundancy. The layoffs are part of the conclusion of one of its operational mandates and are not a reflection of the employees' skills or dedication. The company stated it lacks the capacity to reallocate these employees to other projects. Eidos Montréal is committed to supporting the affected employees during their transition. This announcement follows a similar layoff of 17 employees at Crystal Dynamics, another studio under the Embracer Group, highlighting ongoing adjustments in the gaming sector.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

EA alum Adolf Kristjansson is Starbreeze’s new CEO

Adolf Kristjansson has been appointed as the new CEO of Swedish gaming company Starbreeze, replacing interim CEO Mats Juhl, who held the position since May 2024. Kristjansson has extensive experience in the gaming industry, having worked at Electronic Arts for over a decade and previously held roles at Tæknival / BT and GAME. He has also served on the boards of Silverfox and Thunderful Group. Kristjansson expressed enthusiasm for Starbreeze's projects, including an upcoming Dungeons & Dragons title and the expansion of the Payday franchise. Starbreeze chair Jürgen Goeldner welcomed Kristjansson and thanked Mats Juhl for his contributions as interim CEO.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

PlayStation vet Yoshida reckons Nier Automata “revived” Japanese games industry

Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida discussed the significant impact of the game Nier Automata on the Japanese gaming industry. Released in 2017, the game has sold nine million copies and shifted the perspective of Japanese developers, who previously emulated successful trends from other regions. Yoshida noted that Nier Automata demonstrated that uniquely Japanese stories could resonate globally, leading to a renewed focus on authenticity and cultural heritage among developers. This shift marked a revival in the Japanese game industry, encouraging creators to embrace their identities and enriching the global gaming landscape.

AppWizard

March 31, 2025

Myst maker Cyan Worlds has made layoffs

Cyan Worlds has reduced its workforce by half, eliminating 12 positions due to challenging industry conditions. The management acknowledged the difficult situation and maintained open communication with the team about potential challenges. They offered severance packages to affected employees and invited other developers to consider the available talent. The studio's focus is on securing financing for their next project and stabilizing operations.

AppWizard

March 30, 2025

SAG-AFTRA makes exception for student devs and game jams in 8-month videogame performance strike: ‘I’m thrilled that these types of projects can now be accommodated’

SAG-AFTRA has introduced new waivers, the Student Interactive Waiver Agreement and the Game Jam Waiver Agreement, allowing union actors to participate in student projects and game jams during its ongoing strike. The waivers aim to support both actors and emerging game developers while adhering to strike protocols. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike for eight months, primarily due to concerns over artificial intelligence and its impact on video game actors' careers. The strike has led to game studios recycling old voiceover clips, affecting new project developments.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

37-year-old studio behind iconic PC game Myst and one of the longest-surviving indies in the world just laid off “roughly half the team”

Cyan Worlds announced a reduction in its workforce, laying off twelve team members, which is approximately half of its staff. This change will take effect at the end of March.