gaming storefronts Archives

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Xbox’s Multi-Store Approach Comes Together In New ‘My Apps’ Feature For PC & ROG Xbox Ally

Microsoft has introduced a new 'My Apps' feature for Xbox Insiders, allowing PC users to access various gaming storefronts like GOG, Steam, and Epic Games from a single interface within the Xbox PC app on Windows 11. This feature will debut for users enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview and aims to create a centralized hub for managing games and third-party applications. It coincides with the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally, which is designed for gaming mode, and reflects Microsoft's goal of a unified gaming experience across all Xbox devices.

AppWizard

July 26, 2025

Green Man Gaming’s 2025 Summer Sale Is Now Live

Green Man Gaming has launched its Summer Sale, offering substantial discounts on thousands of PC games until August 8. Joining the GMG XP rewards program allows members to access exclusive discounts and accumulate points for further deals. Featured deals include Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for .59, Red Dead Redemption II: Ultimate Edition, Indiana Jones And the Great Circle, and Alan Wake II. Other notable discounts include Patapon 1+2 Replay for .49, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Deluxe Edition, Stellar Blade, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Deux Ex Collection for .49, and Marvel's Midnight Suns: Legendary Edition. The sale also includes discounted preorders for titles like Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Borderlands 4, Digimon Time Stranger, and Sonic Racing Crossworlds. All games purchased are delivered as official keys compatible with platforms such as Steam and the Epic Game Store.

AppWizard

July 17, 2025

Steam’s slop problem has gotten much worse as reports say the number of games using GenAI has gone up almost 800% in the last year alone

The number of games on Steam disclosing the use of Generative AI has surged by nearly 800% over the past year, with just under 8,000 titles currently utilizing this technology, representing approximately 7% of the total Steam library. A year ago, around 1,000 games were reported to disclose the use of Generative AI. The influx of low-effort, AI-generated content has raised concerns among developers and players, particularly regarding quality dilution in gaming storefronts like the Nintendo eShop. Some developers have faced imitation of their popular titles, leading to frustration over misleading consumers. While some developers have stopped using AI due to backlash, others have adopted defensive language about their practices. The reported figures reflect only those developers who voluntarily disclose their use of Generative AI, suggesting the actual prevalence may be higher. Generative AI is being used in various ways, including for content moderation in games like Comedy Night, which filters offensive user-uploaded content. An artist known for contributions to Persona and Shin Megami Tensei attempted to train an AI model to replicate their style but found the results unsatisfactory, illustrating the challenges of AI in creative fields.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Xbox App For PC Now Integrates Your Steam Games

The Xbox App on PC is integrating purchased games from various storefronts, including Steam, currently available only to Xbox Insider program members. This update transforms the Xbox App into a universal launcher for titles from multiple PC gaming storefronts. Microsoft aims to position Xbox as a universal gaming hub in response to competition, with the PlayStation 5 selling 61.7 million units compared to the Xbox Series consoles' 28.3 million units as of September 2024. Microsoft plans a next-generation gaming platform covering consoles, handheld devices, PCs, and cloud gaming. There is speculation about an Xbox-branded Meta Quest 3S headset, and Xbox President Sarah Bond highlighted collaboration between the Xbox division and the Windows team to make Windows the top gaming platform. Future Xbox iterations may resemble gaming PCs, as indicated by the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld introduction.

BetaBeacon

April 17, 2025

The Xbox app will now let you buy games from your Android phone

Xbox has added support for purchasing games via the Android mobile app, allowing users to buy games in two taps and set them to automatically install on their console remotely.

AppWizard

February 22, 2025

Ex-Amazon Gaming Exec Explains Why No One Has Beaten Steam

Valve's Steam has dominated the PC gaming market for nearly two decades, despite various attempts by companies like Amazon to challenge its supremacy. Ethan Evans, former VP of Prime Gaming at Amazon, shared insights on their unsuccessful efforts to disrupt Steam, which included acquiring Reflexive Entertainment, developing a PC game store leveraging Twitch, and launching the Luna game streaming service. Other major publishers such as EA, Ubisoft, and Bethesda also failed to establish competitive storefronts. The Epic Games Store, launched in 2017, has not positioned itself as a true rival to Steam. Evans noted that Amazon underestimated the reasons consumers use Steam, which combines a store, social network, library, and trophy case. Despite criticisms of Steam, its ecosystem and features have reinforced its dominance, while alternatives have struggled to gain traction.