immersive sims Archives

AppWizard

January 27, 2026

Nightdive boss says no one’s making immersive sims because they appeal to ‘a very small, niche group’ and tend to ‘come together at the 12th hour,’ even though it’s obviously the best genre

The immersive simulation genre is considered a pinnacle of gaming, offering unique experiences that blend creativity and interaction. However, the production of immersive sims is rare due to financial challenges. Stephen Kick, CEO of Nightdive Studios, noted that these games typically appeal to a small, dedicated fanbase, which is insufficient to influence corporate decisions. Despite this, Kick and his team pursue these games for their artistic value rather than financial performance. The development of immersive sims is complex, with the game's essence often crystallizing only in the final stages. Nightdive Studios has managed to allocate the necessary resources for their projects, but as budgets increase, companies become less willing to take risks on niche audiences. Even successful immersive sims may only reach a limited audience of dedicated fans and industry insiders.

AppWizard

December 25, 2025

Blade director reassures suffering fans with soothing words: ‘Please be patient, it will be a special game’

Arkane Studios unveiled their latest project, Blade, at The Game Awards 2023, but concerns have arisen due to the lack of updates and its absence from the Xbox Games Showcase. The game's silence intensified speculation after it did not appear at the Game Awards 2025. Arkane's co-creative director, Dinga Bakaba, reassured fans on social media that the team is dedicated to delivering a special game. The studio faces challenges, as their previous title, Prey, struggled commercially, and the disappointing performance of Redfall led to the closure of Arkane Austin in 2024. Additionally, Microsoft's focus on artificial intelligence and recent layoffs in its gaming division have raised concerns about the future of game development. The success of Blade is critical for Arkane, as it has the potential to offer a unique take on superhero narratives.

AppWizard

December 21, 2025

Dishonored co-creator says it was ‘a shock’ when Microsoft closed Arkane Austin after Redfall’s release: ‘We were working on something really cool’

Arkane Austin has closed, a decision that has impacted the gaming community, particularly fans of its legacy. The studio was known for innovative titles like Dishonored (2012) and Prey (2017). Former director Harvey Smith expressed sadness over the closure, especially for newer team members. He reflected on the studio's efforts to improve Redfall post-launch and acknowledged Microsoft's support in finalizing a significant patch. Smith hinted at unfulfilled projects, including a potential Blade Runner game and a shelved Thief game. The closure reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, marking a decline in immersive sims since the 2010s, although there are upcoming titles that may revive interest in the genre.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

RPGs make up more than 30% of PC Gamer’s Top 100, so clearly we’ve settled on a favourite genre

This week, the annual Top 100 games list was unveiled, created by over 30 writers and editors through extensive discussions and debates. The list features 31 RPGs, with six in the top 10, including Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium, The Witcher 3, Crusader Kings 3, Caves of Qud, and Elden Ring. The RPG genre showcases remarkable diversity, encompassing classic CRPGs, ARPGs, JRPGs, roguelikes, soul-likes, immersive sims, deck builders, and unique titles like one featuring a flawed cop with a chatty necktie. RPGs offer players agency through character builds and exploration, distinguishing them from passive entertainment. Notably, no MMORPGs are included in this year's list, indicating a shift towards games that do not require constant attention, as seen with the inclusion of Diablo 2 but not Diablo 4. This reflects a broader gamer sentiment for meaningful engagement without ongoing commitments.

AppWizard

July 6, 2025

Warren Spector was so desperate to make Deus Ex that it almost became a Command & Conquer RPG: ‘I was going to find a way to make it one way or another, even if it meant making another damn sci-fi game!’

Deus Ex recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. In an alternate reality, PC gamers are celebrating a different 25th anniversary for a first-person Command & Conquer game that could have been created by Warren Spector, who initially conceived a game called "Troubleshooter" in 1994. Spector aimed to create an open-ended near-future simulation featuring a supercop named Jake Shooter. He managed to persuade Westwood Studios to invest in a version of his game set in the Command & Conquer universe, intending to combine genre elements and player choice. However, he later joined Ion Storm after receiving an invitation from John Romero, leading to the development of Deus Ex, with Jake Shooter evolving into JC Denton.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

Death Stranding 2 cements Hideo Kojima’s legacy as a PC game designer still living in the console world

In Death Stranding 2, players are tasked with delivering a pizza to an anime VTuber who has withdrawn from society. The game emphasizes the character's belief in the simple pleasure of hot pizza. Game director Hideo Kojima notes that the sequel allows for greater player freedom, including the option to avoid combat. The game combines immersive sim elements with a focus on delivery mechanics, offering various approaches to challenges. Players navigate diverse environments, including dust storms and blizzards, using new gear like the coffin surfboard. The balance between combat and delivery is maintained, with a versatile arsenal and attention to detail enhancing the experience. The day/night cycle introduces strategic elements, and the character Dollman serves both narrative and gameplay functions. The game encourages exploration and personal storytelling within its expansive world.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

Arkane founder Raphael Colantonion gave up on the System Shock remake because the cyberspace sequences were ‘too hard,’ and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am right now

Raphael Colantonio, founder of Arkane Studios, revealed during the Quad Damage Podcast that he abandoned the 2023 remake of System Shock due to its challenging gameplay, specifically getting stuck in cyberspace. He found the cyberspace segments frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, Colantonio remains passionate about immersive gaming and is developing a new "retro sci-fi first-person" game at his studio, WolfEye Studios, following the success of Weird West.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Nightdive’s remaster of System Shock 2, the peak of immersive sims, finally has a release date

Nightdive Studios is set to release a remaster of System Shock 2 on June 26 this year on Steam and GOG, six years after its initial announcement. The remaster will utilize Nightdive's KEX Engine to enhance the game's visuals while maintaining its original essence. Fans are eager for a polished version that improves upon the original while providing an immersive experience for both new players and veterans.

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming

In the 1990s, personal computers became popular in homes, leading to a surge in gaming among children, particularly with the rise of CD-ROM technology. The 2000s saw a decline in PC gaming, attributed to piracy concerns, with notable figures expressing skepticism about the platform's future. However, in 2011, the PC Gaming Alliance reported a 15% profit increase in PC gaming, driven by a growing market in China. The open-world genre thrived on PC, with significant releases like Skyrim and Batman: Arkham City, which emphasized exploration and fluid gameplay. RPGs experienced a revival in 2011, highlighted by Skyrim, Fallout: New Vegas, and The Witcher 2, alongside BioWare's Dragon Age 2 and the immersive sim Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Indie games like Bastion and Limbo gained popularity, while strategy games such as Total War: Shogun 2 also performed well. The year 2011 is recognized as a landmark period for PC gaming, marking its resurgence.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

One of my favorite indie RPGs is getting a follow-up made with FromSoftware’s 25-year-old Super Mario Maker for first person dungeon crawlers

Lunacid: Tears of the Moon, a spinoff of the first-person RPG Lunacid, will be released on April 12. It is developed using the Sword of Moonlight toolkit by FromSoftware, which has a cult following. The game draws inspiration from classic dungeon crawlers like King's Field and Shadow Tower and features a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of early PlayStation graphics. Players will navigate a mysterious underground world and manipulate their environment using unique mechanics, such as stacking coffins. The narrative takes place thousands of years before Lunacid, focusing on the character Calamis Cerulean and themes of preservation. The game will include a PDF manual styled like a vintage release and is expected to be priced competitively, likely under the price of Lunacid. Players can wishlist the game on Steam.