independent developer Archives

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

007 First Light, IO Interactive’s James Bond game, is delayed ‘to ensure the experience meets the level of quality you players deserve on day one’

IO Interactive's game 007 First Light has been delayed from its original release date of March 27 to May 27. The development team is using the extra time to refine the game, which is fully playable from start to finish. The game features a younger version of James Bond and includes a diverse cast, with Lenny Kravitz involved. IO Interactive plans to provide further updates on the game in early 2026.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

Buzzkill Notification Manager: The Best Inventions of 2025

BuzzKill is an app for Android users that allows them to create personalized rules for managing notifications, enabling customization of which alerts appear and when. Users can condense multiple notifications into a single alert and choose to receive notifications based on specific criteria, such as mentions or keywords. The app offers 25 plug-in-style actions and has over 20,000 users. It operates locally on devices to ensure user privacy, with the developer emphasizing that no data is transmitted off-device.

AppWizard

September 27, 2025

After reeling in 250k players, this new co-op FPS is finally adding an offline mode

Jump Space attracted 250,000 players during its opening weekend. The game received an 88% positive rating on Steam. Developer Keepsake Games is organizing its team into two tracks: one for enhancing stability and the other for creating new content. They are optimizing memory usage and refining the save system to prevent progress loss. Upcoming improvements include better in-game error messages, failover systems, and an offline mode. The next update will introduce hangar vendors, additional sectors, sector modifiers, and new melee weapons. The update is expected to be released in a couple of weeks, and Jump Space is available on Steam for .99 / £16.75.

Winsage

September 12, 2025

Microsoft Store ditches fees for indie devs

Microsoft has announced that individual developers can now publish their applications in the Microsoft Store without incurring any fees, eliminating the previous requirement of a one-time payment. The process has been streamlined, as developers no longer need to provide a credit card to publish their apps. This change applies to over 200 markets and was hinted at during the Build 2025 conference. While individual accounts can publish for free, company accounts still require a one-time fee. Developers must have a Microsoft account, provide identification, submit a selfie for verification, and fill out additional details to register. The Microsoft Store has evolved since its launch in 2012, now supporting various app formats and allowing developers to host apps on their own servers. Popular applications available in the store include Adobe Creative Cloud, Discord, Slack, and Spotify.

Winsage

September 11, 2025

Free developer registration for individual developers on Microsoft Store

Individual developers can now publish applications to the Microsoft Store without onboarding fees, available globally in nearly 200 markets. This initiative removes the need for a credit card, making the platform more accessible. The Microsoft Store has over 250 million active users monthly, serving as a trusted distribution channel for PC applications. New onboarding features include free registration via a personal Microsoft account, lightweight ID verification using a government-issued ID and a selfie, and a streamlined setup process that allows quick transition from sign-up to app submission. Developers can publish various app types without altering their code, and they have the option to use Microsoft’s commerce platform or implement their own in-app commerce system. Microsoft provides complimentary hosting, free signing, and automatic updates for apps packaged as MSIX. Developers can start by opening accounts at storedeveloper.microsoft.com.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Unlocking Multilingual App Development with Android Studio Translation Plugin

The Android Studio Translation Plugin is a tool for Android developers that facilitates the localization of applications by integrating directly into Android Studio. Key features include real-time translation previews, batch processing for multiple strings, a translation memory system for consistency, API connectivity with services like Google Translate, and support for over 100 languages. To set up the plugin, developers must install it through Android Studio's plugin marketplace, configure settings for source and target languages, and connect to a translation API. Translating an app involves selecting strings in the strings.xml file and using the plugin to translate them, with real-time updates in the layout editor. The plugin enhances developer workflow by automating localization tasks, reducing the risk of errors, and allowing for simultaneous translations. It also helps maintain translation consistency and improves app quality by identifying missing translations. Real-world use cases demonstrate its effectiveness in scaling applications for international markets, such as an e-commerce app that translated over 500 strings and an educational app that localized content for various Indian languages.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Remedy’s Sam Lake and Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope will receive major achievement awards in March

At the 25th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards, Sam Lake will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on titles like Max Payne, Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and Control, having earned over 200 industry accolades. Lucas Pope will be awarded the Pioneer Award for his innovative games, including Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, both of which won the Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Awards. The event recognizes figures who enhance storytelling in gaming, with previous honorees including Todd Howard, John Romero, and Amy Hennig for the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Jordan Mechner, Roberta Williams, and Mabel Addis for the Pioneer Award.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Sumo Group refocuses on work-for-hire development

UK-based gaming company Sumo Group is shifting its focus towards the work-for-hire segment, which CEO Carl Cavers believes is crucial for long-term stability. He acknowledged that this decision will impact studios and employees but did not specify potential layoffs or the number of affected staff. Cavers emphasized the company's commitment to minimizing adverse effects on its workforce and supporting those impacted with transparency and care. Sumo Group aims to enhance its reputation as a premium development partner and leverage its expertise to create outstanding games for clients. The company previously laid off 15 percent of its staff in June 2024 and spun out Timbre Games into an independent developer in September 2024.

AppWizard

July 17, 2024

Magical Delicacy Now Available on PC, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass

Magical Delicacy, a Metroidvania-lite-meets-cooking game, is now available on PC, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass. Players can explore a charming harbor town through light platforming, collect ingredients, customize their kitchen, and serve magical treats to hungry customers.

AppWizard

July 16, 2024

Isekai Crafter: The Llama Glama Gang is a YA Minecraft book and add-on

Aethon Books has released the first book in the Isekai Crafter series, titled "The Llama Glama Gang," written by Marshal Carper. The story follows a protagonist trapped in the world of Minecraft and encountering the mischievous Llama Glama Gang. Carper, an independent developer, has also released a tie-in add-on on the Minecraft Marketplace called "My Little Llama Overhaul." Additionally, a full adventure map inspired by the book is set to be released soon. Carper emphasizes the focus on crafting and building mechanics in the isekai genre, rather than traditional RPG elements.