gaming marketplace Archives

BetaBeacon

August 10, 2026

Google is finally letting a rival app store onto the Play Store

Aptoide is expanding beyond Android and returning to the Play Store after being removed due to Google's policies. Aptoide also operates an alternative iOS marketplace in the EU and is involved in similar programs in other countries. The presence of competing app stores within Google Play allows for easier access to alternative marketplaces, making them a more realistic option for everyday Android users.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers remain skeptical of Steam’s AI disclaimers, poll shows many believe game devs are hiding it

A poll by GameDiscoverCo involving nearly 3,800 Steam users from June 25 to July 2, 2026, found that 43% of respondents are comfortable purchasing games with AI disclosures, while 31% view such disclosures negatively, and 8% refuse to buy games featuring them. Approximately 44% of participants read AI disclosures in detail, and 45% at least glance at them, indicating that 89% consider this information in their purchasing decisions. Trust in the accuracy of these disclosures is low, with only 17% believing developers fully disclose AI use, while 25% think many are transparent, and 35% feel only some provide accurate information. Additionally, 56% of respondents believe AI-assisted development tools should be disclosed, with only 8% disagreeing. Nearly 20% of games in Steam’s recent Next Fest event included a generative AI warning, a figure expected to rise as the industry evolves.

AppWizard

April 18, 2026

Capcom launches new Capcom Town Store to sell PC games

Capcom has launched Capcom Town, a digital marketplace for fans to purchase PC versions of their games directly from the publisher. The store features titles available on Steam and GOG, including Pragmata and Resident Evil 9 Requiem, but it is uncertain if Xbox or PlayStation titles will be added. The pricing on the Capcom Town Store may not be as competitive as on Steam, with older titles like Dragon's Dogma 2 listed at full retail price. The store offers a tiered discount system for bundled purchases: 5% off for buying 3 items, 10% off for 5 items, and 15% off for 8 items. New customers receive a 10% discount on their first order and an additional 7% off for providing feedback. Capcom aims to sell over 50 million games this year and may introduce direct discounts to achieve this goal.

AppWizard

April 4, 2026

Subscription service for indie games gets a rough reception

Indie Pass will launch on April 13, offering a subscription model for .99 per month, providing access to a curated selection of 70 indie games primarily from the indie.io catalog. Developers will be compensated based on the playtime of their games by subscribers. The service has received mixed reactions, with concerns about promoting games designed for prolonged engagement, the preference for direct purchases, and the lack of ownership of games. Critics, including George Broussard, argue that subscription models harm developers, while some see potential for discoverability for indie titles. Jess Mitchell from Indie Pass emphasized discoverability as a key incentive for developers. Publisher Devolver Digital humorously commented on the subscription model's viability. As the launch nears, Indie Pass must demonstrate its value to both developers and gamers amidst skepticism and competition in the gaming market.

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 23, 2026

Fanatical – are its cheap Steam keys legit?

Fanatical is a UK-based online retailer that offers a wide selection of Steam game keys at competitive prices, often lower than those on Steam. It is safe to purchase from Fanatical, as it operates reliably and directly with publishers and developers, avoiding third-party sellers. Fanatical provides bundles, including customizable options and 'Mystery Bundles' with random Steam keys at attractive prices. The retailer frequently matches Steam sales and offers deeper discounts through time-sensitive Star Deals. Fanatical operates on a smaller profit margin, allowing it to undercut Steam's prices by purchasing keys at lower rates. Redeeming keys from Fanatical on Steam is straightforward, allowing users to enjoy their games seamlessly.

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

Steam Money Saving Tip Is Why PC Gamers Love It So Much

Steam is recognized for its effective pricing strategies, particularly appealing to budget-conscious gamers. The platform is known for frequent sales and giveaways, and it has introduced a feature that alerts users when a game they intend to buy is available at a lower price elsewhere. A user named FaffeJaffe shared an experience on Reddit where Steam suggested a better deal by purchasing a bundle that included both Receiver 2 and its predecessor, Receiver. This proactive approach enhances user satisfaction and reduces refund requests. However, some users have noted that the bundled price can sometimes be higher than purchasing the individual game. Competitors like PlayStation and Xbox do not typically offer similar pricing transparency, which can lead to cumbersome refund processes.

AppWizard

January 5, 2026

Hollow Knight Silksong wins Steam’s Game of the Year with a staggering 43 million votes from PC players

Hollow Knight Silksong won the Game of the Year at the 2025 Steam Awards, receiving 43.8 million votes. It also won the award for Best Game You Suck At. The game was released on September 4, 2025, and experienced significant traffic that caused outages on platforms like Steam and Xbox. It did not win the Game Awards' GOTY, which went to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Players can expect additional content with the upcoming Sea of Sorrow expansion. Other notable awards included Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for Best Soundtrack, Hades 2 as Best Game on Steam Deck, Silent Hill F for Outstanding Visual Style, and The Midnight Walk as VR Game of the Year. Team Cherry is also developing a new release for the Nintendo Switch 2. Baldur’s Gate 3 received the Labor of Love award.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

“Of course, you must be on Steam. But Steam isn’t the entire world”: CEO of game distribution company says yes, some PC gamers prefer “local” stores to Valve’s mega-shop, and China is a huge factor

Steam is a dominant platform in digital PC gaming, but there are emerging local platforms in regions like China, Eastern Europe, and Latin America that are gaining trust and loyalty among gamers. Vadim Andreev, CEO of Rokky, highlights that while Steam is essential, it does not encompass the entire gaming market. A survey shows that 72% of game developers view Steam as a monopoly, sparking discussions about its classification. Andreev emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative distribution channels for global revenue. Meanwhile, Microsoft and Xbox aim to expand their presence in the gaming market, indicating a shift towards a more inclusive distribution approach.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

China’s ByteDance reportedly building a Steam competitor — ‘GameTop’ for overseas markets will distribute and publish games like any other store, while harboring a social space with AI-assisted creator tools

Steam's dominance in the PC gaming market is being challenged by new platforms, including the upcoming "GameTop," a gaming marketplace being developed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. GameTop is aimed at overseas markets and is part of ByteDance's strategy to enhance its gaming division under new leadership. The initiative follows a shift from aggressive expansion to a focus on operational efficiency. There is an existing app named GameTop on the Google Play Store, which is unrelated to ByteDance. ByteDance has made progress in the Chinese gaming sector and is attempting to expand internationally, though it currently does not compete with Tencent, which has a significant stake in Epic Games.