in-game purchases Archives

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I’m not here to apologize but I am here to clarify’: Splitgate 2 boss says his Make FPS Great Again hat is ‘not a political statement’

1047 Games unveiled a battle royale mode for Splitgate 2 at the Summer Game Fest, announced by CEO Ian Proulx. Proulx wore a hat with the phrase "MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN," which drew mixed reactions from viewers. He later clarified the hat's message on social media, emphasizing the company's commitment to improving the multiplayer FPS experience. The launch included a shop refresh with a new skin bundle, the most expensive item in the game, prompting discussions about in-game purchase value. The new mode led to a surge in players and technical issues, including problems with the experience points (XP) system, which the company is working to resolve.

BetaBeacon

May 1, 2025

Remember Flappy Bird? It’s back as an Android exclusive

Flappy Bird has been brought back to Android devices through the Epic Games Store after being removed from app stores in 2014. The game will receive updates until 2025 and will be monetized through ads and in-game purchases.

BetaBeacon

April 27, 2025

What is Steam: The popular gaming platform explained

Steam is a platform and app for distributing video games online that also has social media features and community message boards.

BetaBeacon

April 19, 2025

What Is ‘Idle Mine’? This Free iOS and Android Game Pays Real Bitcoin

Idle Mine is a mobile game that allows players to earn real Bitcoin rewards by running a gem mining operation and gradually increasing earnings over time.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

PC Players Spend More On Microtransactions Than Actual Games

Newzoo's report reveals that in 2024, microtransactions account for over 58 percent of spending in the PC gaming sector, while only 28 percent is allocated to full game purchases, reflecting a 2.6 percent decline from the previous year. Players dedicated only 8 percent of their gaming time to new releases, with over 60 percent spent on titles released more than six years ago. In contrast, console gaming shows microtransactions at 32 percent of player spending, a 4.5 percent increase year-over-year, while full game purchases still dominate. Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus Extra capture about 16 percent of the console market.

BetaBeacon

April 9, 2025

Download Goose Goose Duck (free) for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS

Goose Goose Duck is a free game available on multiple platforms, including mobile devices and PCs. Optional in-game purchases offer visual accessories and skins, but do not affect gameplay.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

Spectre Divide maker Mountaintop is shutting down

Mountaintop Studios, the developer of Spectre Divide, is closing down due to challenges in maintaining its player base and generating revenue after an initial surge of 400,000 players following the game's release in September 2024. The studio explored options such as seeking a publisher or additional funding, but these efforts were unsuccessful. They plan to take Spectre Divide offline within the next 30 days and will refund players who made in-game purchases. CEO Nate Mitchell expressed gratitude to the community and acknowledged the dedication of the indie team in developing the game, which was intended to be innovative and original. Despite improvements made after critical feedback, the game did not achieve financial success. Mountaintop Studios was founded in 2020, and Mitchell reflected on the invaluable experience gained during their journey, despite the outcome not meeting their hopes.

BetaBeacon

March 13, 2025

Google expands PC game support and introduces new earn-back program

Google is launching an earn-back program for native PC games, offering up to 15% additional revenue.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Dungeonborne, the game that once threatened to steal Dark and Darker’s crown, is closing in May

Dungeonborne, developed by Mithril Interactive, will officially close, with new account registrations and in-game purchases ending on February 28 and the game going offline on May 28. The game was first revealed in February 2024 but received mixed feedback and struggled to gain traction, peaking at only 22 concurrent players recently. The lack of consistent updates contributed to its decline. In contrast, Dark and Darker, a similar game, has thrived, peaking at nearly 12,000 concurrent players after returning to Steam in June 2024.

AppWizard

February 25, 2025

Balatro finally escapes its silly 18+ age rating, PEGI promises ‘a more granular set of classification criteria’ for gambling-themed games in the future

The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) organization has reclassified the indie card game Balatro from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 after an appeal by its publisher, Sold Out Sales and Marketing. The change was based on the game's fantastical elements that mitigate its connection to gambling. Initially, Balatro was scrutinized for teaching skills related to poker, but the developer LocalThunk criticized the inconsistency in ratings compared to other games with actual gambling mechanics. In addition to the new rating, Balatro has launched a free crossover pack called Friends of Jimbo and is now available on Xbox Game Pass without in-game purchases. LocalThunk expressed optimism about PEGI's decision, hoping it would lead to more nuanced ratings in the future.