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Retiring Valve programmer says 'at least one' of the studio's beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

Retiring Valve programmer says ‘at least one’ of the studio’s beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers

Programmer Christopher Green has had a long career in the gaming industry, working on titles such as Amiga's Flight Simulators, Ultima Underworld, and Magic: The Gathering Online. He has worked at Valve for a total of 16 years, during which he contributed to projects like both Source engines, Day of Defeat: Source, The Orange Box, and both Portal games. Green retired from Valve for the second time recently, having returned in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. He shared insights from his career in a blog post and hosted AMAs on Reddit. Green previously worked at Leaping Lizard Software, where he helped develop Magic: The Gathering Online. He noted that Valve's work culture allows for personal projects, but newcomers may face challenges if their ideas deviate from mainstream expectations. His retirement announcement included details about his home office setup, which features advanced technology, and he expressed enthusiasm for pursuing personal projects, likely to be shared on GitHub.
Does anyone know how to drive this thing?
AppWizard
July 18, 2026

Does anyone know how to drive this thing?

Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to cease physical disc production by 2028, transitioning to a model reliant solely on digital distribution for new PlayStation games. The company has canceled eight out of twelve planned live-service projects by 2025, while CEO Hideaki Nishino remains committed to pursuing live-service opportunities. Microsoft has experienced significant financial losses and layoffs under CEO Phil Spencer, leading to a restructuring under new CEO Asha Sharma. Layoffs have affected studios like Bethesda and ZeniMax, raising concerns about ongoing project viability. The gaming industry is facing a trend of layoffs and employment uncertainty, impacting production times and budgets. Companies like Capcom and Larian, which prioritize employee retention, are experiencing success, while major publishers focus on short-term gains over long-term studio health. Successful game launches indicate a demand for quality standalone games, but there is reluctance to invest in new ideas due to a fixation on perpetual revenue streams.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

EA believes that planning for in-game advertising placement should be done during the development stage

Alexander Dao, Vice President of Advertising and Sponsorship at Electronic Arts (EA), discussed the strategic advantages of integrating advertising into console and PC games from the outset, enhancing monetization and user experience. He emphasized the importance of designing games with advertising in mind for a more organic inclusion, which varies by game genre. Dao cited the collaboration between The Sims 4 and Coach as a successful example of unobtrusive brand integration. He also mentioned EA's launch of EA Advertising, a platform to facilitate brand advertising within its games, reflecting EA's commitment to innovative advertising strategies.
PC Gamer Finds Clever Way to Turn Steam Games Into Physical Cartridges
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

PC Gamer Finds Clever Way to Turn Steam Games Into Physical Cartridges

A PC gamer has converted select titles from their Steam game library into physical cartridges using spare 2.5" solid-state drives (SSDs). This reflects a trend among users wanting to preserve gaming experiences in a tangible format, despite the shift towards digital-only releases in the gaming industry. Steam has been a leading platform for PC games for over twenty years, with most titles now available only in digital form. The custom cartridge system created by the gamer highlights the efforts of enthusiasts to maintain a connection to their favorite games and preserve their gaming heritage.
EA vice president of advertising says game ads are a 'huge opportunity', but it 'has to make sense for the game'
AppWizard
July 17, 2026

EA vice president of advertising says game ads are a ‘huge opportunity’, but it ‘has to make sense for the game’

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a new advertising platform aimed at integrating in-game ads in a way that feels organic and beneficial for both players and brands. EA's vice president of advertising, Alexander Dao, highlighted the importance of designing advertising experiences from the outset to create a native feel and allow for greater brand participation. He emphasized the need for standardization in advertising practices, particularly regarding viewability standards and reporting metrics, to ensure consistency and accountability in advertising investments. EA recently collaborated with Coach to offer nine free branded items in The Sims, based on player surveys about brand preferences. Dao expressed a desire to balance commercial interests with player satisfaction, noting concerns about advertising potentially detracting from the gaming experience.
Modern Warfare 4 lead isn't scared of the GTA 6 black hole: 'It’s a little head-to-head, that’s great'
AppWizard
July 16, 2026

Modern Warfare 4 lead isn’t scared of the GTA 6 black hole: ‘It’s a little head-to-head, that’s great’

Grand Theft Auto 6's anticipated release has influenced the gaming industry, prompting publishers and developers to adjust their release strategies. Call of Duty's upcoming Modern Warfare 4 is set to launch in late October, moving away from its usual November release to avoid competition with GTA 6. Mark Grigsby from Infinity Ward stated that the team is focused on delivering a quality experience rather than feeling pressured by GTA 6. Game journalist Morgan Park, after experiencing Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer, expressed optimism about its gameplay, noting improvements over Modern Warfare 2. The competition between these titles is expected to impact the gaming industry's future.
Why Ustwo Games shifted from mobile to PC and the "mind-boggling" discovery problem
AppWizard
July 16, 2026

Why Ustwo Games shifted from mobile to PC and the “mind-boggling” discovery problem

Ustwo Games, known for Monument Valley, is transitioning from mobile to PC gaming due to challenges in profitability and creative limitations imposed by mobile platforms. CEO Maria Sayans acknowledged that the studio's reliance on mobile subscriptions, which she termed a “honeypot trap,” hindered their ability to create desired games without the support of larger companies like Apple and Netflix. The studio faces issues with discoverability in the gaming industry, criticizing platform holders for inadequate audience engagement. In response, Ustwo is launching the ‘Beautiful Games Club,’ a community initiative aimed at fostering direct relationships with players and enhancing engagement.
The Washington Post selects Doom as one of the 25 'most influential works of American culture'
AppWizard
July 16, 2026

The Washington Post selects Doom as one of the 25 ‘most influential works of American culture’

The Washington Post has included the 1993 shooter game Doom in its list of the 25 most influential works of American culture, recognizing its significant impact on digital entertainment. Doom is noted for introducing a 3D first-person perspective and pioneering self-publishing, allowing for user-generated content. This acknowledgment highlights Doom's role in shaping the future of video games and digital culture.
As Sony prepares to end game disc production, GOG jumps up to remind PC gamers that you can just make your own
AppWizard
July 15, 2026

As Sony prepares to end game disc production, GOG jumps up to remind PC gamers that you can just make your own

GOG specializes in reviving classic games for modern PCs and promoting DRM-free gaming. The company recently commented on Sony's plan to stop producing game discs by 2028, highlighting that users can download offline installers of their games from GOG, save them to a disc, and own them permanently without needing permission from a storefront. Although many modern PCs lack optical drives, GOG's installers provide a solution for users. The process of creating personal game discs involves downloading backup installers from GOG's game pages and burning them onto a disc. Users can also combine multiple games onto a single disc. YouTuber Archades Games offers a guide on advanced techniques for this DIY approach.
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