humble beginnings Archives

AppWizard

October 25, 2025

Europa Universalis lead Johan Andersson says Paradox’s DLC model has been ‘pretty f***ing great’: ‘You decide what’s going in, you decide the scope, you decide exactly when you can release’

Paradox Interactive is known for its 4X and grand strategy games, particularly for its downloadable content (DLC) strategy. Johan Andersson, the lead for Europa Universalis V, is confident in the DLC model, stating it has been effective. The company has grown from a small team to hundreds of employees with five internal development teams, allowing game directors more control over release timing and content scope. Early expansions faced challenges, with some, like Mare Nostrum, receiving mixed reactions. Andersson reassured players that features from Europa Universalis IV will largely carry over to Europa Universalis V. He believes EU5 will serve as a long-term platform for future content development.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

The Viral PC Hit is on XBOX as Supermarket Simulator Stocks Up With a Day One Game Pass Launch

Supermarket Simulator has launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC as a Day One Game Pass title, available for £16.74 for non-subscribers. Developed by Nokta Games and published by NAISU, the game has received a "Very Positive" rating on Steam since its release in June. Players take on the role of a supermarket manager, designing their store, curating product selections, and managing various retail challenges. The game features hands-on gameplay, allowing players to order stock, unpack items, and organize products. Players must make strategic decisions regarding purchases and pricing to maximize profits while managing online orders and maintaining store security. Supermarket Simulator is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, enabling cross-platform access on Xbox and Windows PC with cloud synchronization.

AppWizard

September 2, 2025

Distributor Curveball moves into games publishing

Welsh distributor Curveball Leisure is launching a games publishing arm called Curveball Games, led by Ed Gregory as senior publishing manager. Located in Cardiff, Wales, Curveball Games will provide comprehensive publishing support, including funding for indie and mid-tier game developers. Gregory emphasizes the need for a fresh approach in the gaming industry, aiming to champion developers and nurture creativity. Andrew Nauton, COO of Curveball, notes the company's evolution over two decades and views the launch of Curveball Games as a natural progression to broaden their reach and enhance their brand.

BetaBeacon

July 1, 2025

How Android Game Development Is Fueling the Next Generation of Mobile Entertainment

- Android gaming ecosystem has evolved significantly in the last decade, offering a wide range of gaming experiences. - Android game development has reshaped the way entertainment is consumed on mobile devices. - Android offers advantages such as device diversity, open-source flexibility, monetization freedom, robust development tools, and global reach. - Key trends shaping Android game development in 2025 include cloud gaming integration, AI-powered game design, cross-platform play, AR and VR capabilities, and the continued dominance of hyper-casual games.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Xbox confirms brand new games releasing this week – and there’s 18 of them

Xbox is set to release 18 new games from June 30 to July 4 across its consoles and platforms. Game Releases: - 30 June - Mystic Pathways: Crystal Quest (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) - 1 July - Irem Collection Vol. 3 (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - No Heroes Here 2 (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) - 2 July - Mecha BREAK (Xbox Series X/S, PC) - Arena Renovation (Xbox Series X/S) - Dead of Darkness (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) - Mystic Thief - Elemental Conquest (Xbox Series X/S) - Rally Arcade Classics (Xbox Series X/S) - SpongeBob: Krusty Cook-Off Extra Krusty Edition (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - 3 July - Music Drive: Chase the Beat (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - 4 July - Aery: Titans of the Future (Xbox Series X/S) - All the Words She Wrote (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - Beat of Life (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - Farm Together 2 (Xbox Series X/S) - Frozen Axe (Xbox Series X/S) - Golf Guys (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC) - Hexa Road (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One) - Novel Rogue (Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC)

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Nexus Mods founder steps down after site “changed hands”

Robin "Dark0ne" Scott, the founder of Nexus Mods, is departing from the platform after it has changed ownership. He started Nexus Mods in 2001 to create a space for modders to share their work. Scott dedicated over two decades to the site, which he described as chaotic and demanding. The platform is now under new ownership by 'Foledinho', who will maintain the commitment to keeping mods free.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

NDreams co-founder Patrick O’Luanaigh stepping down as CEO

Patrick O’Luanaigh will transition from CEO to Chairman of NDreams effective June 1st, with Tom Gillo, the current Chief Development Officer, becoming the new CEO. O’Luanaigh co-founded NDreams in 2006 and expressed pride in the company's growth. NDreams was acquired by Aonic Group for 0 million in 2023, but subsequently laid off 17.5 percent of its workforce nearly a year later.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

UnderDog reveals gameplay trailer for PS5/PC adventure game Mukti

Indian independent game developer UnderDogs Studio has unveiled the gameplay for its upcoming PS5 and PC title, Mukti, through a new gameplay trailer. Mukti is a first-person narrative adventure set in mid-2000s India, where players control Arya, a young woman searching for her grandfather in a museum while uncovering mysteries related to human trafficking. The game is part of Sony’s India Hero Project, with UnderDogs Studio collaborating with Sony for over a year. Players can wishlist Mukti on the PS Store for PS5 and on Steam for PC. The game is designed to utilize PS5 capabilities, offering immersive environments and 4K resolution, with optimized haptics and adaptive triggers for the DualSense controller. The tentative PC specifications include minimum requirements of Windows 10, Intel Core i5-9400F or AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570, while recommended requirements include Windows 11, Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT. The Steam version will feature achievements, family sharing, and full controller support. UnderDogs Studio was founded in 2011 by Vaibhav Chavan and has developed over 250 games across various platforms.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Synergy’s full release has more challenges like tricky soil, illness, and death, which will all slowly tear down your paradise

Synergy has transformed for its official launch, introducing new features that enhance gameplay, including new plants, seasons, and storylines. The game has evolved from a city builder with limited resources and storyline to a more complex experience influenced by solarpunk themes, where players care for refugees and establish sustainable settlements. The full release includes a dynamic temperature system that introduces challenges such as severe dry spells and the need for new tools. Players must also manage emerging threats like contagious diseases, necessitating the establishment of hospitals and scientific districts. Improvements in building systems include a unified water supply that simplifies resource management and enhanced monitoring tools for better strategic decision-making.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Dwarf Fortress has sold over one million copies on Steam

Dwarf Fortress has officially sold over one million copies on Steam, as announced by its developers, Bay 12 Games, 26 months after its launch on the platform. The game, created by Zach and Tarn Adams, debuted on Steam in December 2022 and sold over 500,000 copies within the first month. By February 2023, sales exceeded 600,000. Kitfox, the game's publisher, acknowledged the community's support and the game's unique charm.