gratitude Archives

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Microsoft cuts 3% of workforce

Microsoft has announced a reduction in its workforce by three percent, equating to approximately 6,840 positions, as part of its strategic efforts to align with market dynamics. As of June 2024, Microsoft employed around 228,000 individuals. A WARN notice has been filed in Washington state, indicating that 1,985 employees will be affected, though it is unclear if this number pertains only to Washington or the entire U.S. In January 2023, Microsoft cut 10,000 jobs (4.5% of its workforce), followed by 1,900 positions in January 2024 within its gaming division, and another 650 employees by September 2024. Further layoffs are expected to be announced in January 2025.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Gun Interactive ends support for Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Developer Gun Interactive has announced that support for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre will conclude after an upcoming patch in May, with no further downloadable content, balance adjustments, or bug fixes planned. The game will remain available for purchase and will not be removed from digital storefronts. Launched in August 2023, the game has gained a following in the asymmetrical multiplayer horror genre.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Labyrinth of the Demon King review

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person dungeon crawler developed by J. R. Hudepohl and published by Top Hat Studios, set to release on May 13, 2025, priced at £16.75. The game combines horror and adventure, drawing inspiration from the King's Field series and early survival horror games, featuring a visual style that evokes mid-’90s graphics. Players can use various weapons, including a katana, otsuchi, and rifle, with talismans providing additional combat complexity. The game includes a stalking figure named Nuribotoke, reminiscent of Resident Evil's Mr. X, and features puzzles that require backtracking and engagement with narrative elements found in scrolls about Buddhist folklore.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Gothic 1 Remake demo gets huge update after swathes of player feedback

Alkimia Interactive has updated the demo of Gothic 1 Remake based on player feedback, with over 15,000 players participating in a survey since the demo's release in February. The remake, overseen by THQ Nordic, will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The updated demo includes enhancements like faster animations for smoother gameplay. Players can expect a faithful remake of the original 2001 RPG, featuring a hand-crafted open world that reacts to player actions.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Hazelight’s Split Fiction sells over 4 million copies in 2 months

Hazelight's Split Fiction sold over a million copies within two days of its release. The game is being considered for a film adaptation in collaboration with Story Kitchen, but co-founder Josef Fares is skeptical about its progress. The studio plans to continue creating original co-op experiences and has no intention of developing live service games.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Rockstar bumps Grand Theft Auto 6 to May 2026

Rockstar Games has announced that the release date for Grand Theft Auto VI has been shifted to May 26, 2026. The decision was communicated via a message on Twitter, where the studio expressed gratitude for fan interest and emphasized their commitment to exceeding expectations. CEO Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive supported the delay, highlighting the importance of allowing the development team time to realize their creative vision. The game was originally scheduled for a fall 2025 release, and the delay has been welcomed by other developers and publishers.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

EA makes job cuts at Respawn

Electronic Arts is implementing layoffs at Respawn Entertainment, affecting approximately 100 employees, due to the discontinuation of two early-stage incubation projects, including an extraction shooter set in the Titanfall universe, codenamed R7. Additionally, EA is reducing between 300 and 400 positions across the company, primarily within the Experiences team. Respawn has assured fans of its ongoing commitment to developing Apex Legends and its Star Wars titles. EA's representative stated that the layoffs are part of a strategy to align teams and allocate resources for future growth. Respawn expressed gratitude to affected employees and is offering support, while reaffirming its dedication to player-first experiences and innovation.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Elden Ring hits 30m copies shipped

Elden Ring has surpassed 30 million copies shipped, as announced on the game's official Twitter account. The figure refers to copies shipped, not sold. As of December 2024, the game had shipped 28.6 million copies. Elden Ring is on track to rival the success of Dark Souls, which has shipped over 39 million copies since 2011.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 hits 1m sales in three days

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over one million copies shortly after its launch on April 24th, achieving over 500,000 copies sold within its first day. The game peaked at 121,422 concurrent players on Steam. It is the first release from Sandfall Interactive.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Utah-based director of ‘A Minecraft Movie’ addresses Sundance Film Festival’s big move

“A Minecraft Movie” is approaching a billion in global box office sales. Director Jared Hess expressed gratitude to fans for their support and creativity. He hinted at a possible sequel due to the film's success. The Sundance Film Festival will relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, marking the end of a 40-year relationship with Park City. A poll showed that 56% of Utah residents are disappointed by this decision. Park City Mayor Nann Worel and Utah Governor Spencer Cox both expressed their disappointment, while the Utah Film Commission Director mentioned potential future opportunities for the state's film community.