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Steam Game With Perfect Review Scores Finally Comes to Consoles
AppWizard
March 4, 2026

Steam Game With Perfect Review Scores Finally Comes to Consoles

Minishoot Adventures, a twin-stick shooting Metroidvania developed by SoulGame Studio, has been released on console platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PS5. Originally launched on Steam in April 2024, the game has received over 3,500 reviews, with 98% being positive, earning it the "Overwhelmingly Positive" designation. The game is priced at .99 and is also available on Xbox Game Pass.
Mobile revenue remained flat across 2025, but PC gaming "sees another record year" | Sensor Tower State of Gaming 2026
AppWizard
February 26, 2026

Mobile revenue remained flat across 2025, but PC gaming “sees another record year” | Sensor Tower State of Gaming 2026

Digital intelligence and analytics firm Sensor Tower's State of Gaming 2026 report reveals that mobile game revenue has remained flat, while PC and console gaming revenues have surged by 13%. In 2025, there were 52 billion downloads across all platforms, with mobile games downloaded at a rate of 95,000 per minute, although this represents a decline from 2024. Mobile game revenue increased by only 1%, indicating a shift towards retaining and monetizing existing players. In contrast, PC gaming, particularly on Steam, achieved record gains in units sold and revenue, driven by AA and AAA publishers. The shooter genre performed strongly, with Battlefield 6 as the best-selling game, followed by EA Sports FC 25 and 26. In the free-to-play category, Skate was the most downloaded title. Indie games like R.E.P.O. and Peak were recognized as top sellers. Data trends indicate that PC gamers are generally younger, while hypercasual gamers tend to be female. The strategy genre gained traction in mobile gaming, led by Last War: Survival and Whiteout Survival.
The 15 Best Steam Deck Games
AppWizard
February 21, 2026

The 15 Best Steam Deck Games

Valve’s Steam Deck is a leading handheld PC known for its user-friendly design and gaming capabilities. It supports a range of games, including: - Vampire Survivors: Affordable, engaging gameplay, and seamless performance. - Stardew Valley: A beloved farming simulator that supports modding. - Balatro: Combines poker mechanics with rogue-like elements, low battery consumption. - Dave the Diver: Quick gaming sessions with charming 2D art style. - Blue Prince: Cozy exploration game with puzzles, suitable for bedtime play. - Dredge: Eerie experience with a day-based structure for brief sessions. - Deep Rock Galactic Survivor: Sci-fi elements and mining challenges, engaging gameplay. - Hades / Hades 2: Action roguelikes with stunning visuals and compelling gameplay. - Sektori: Fast-paced twin-stick shooter, smooth performance. - Elden Ring: Expansive RPG that performs well on the Steam Deck. - Resident Evil 2: Smooth-running remake with a gripping narrative. - Big Hops: 3D platformer with charming visuals and fluid performance at 60FPS. - Warframe: Live-service game offering fast-paced combat, requires internet. - TMNT Shredder’s Revenge: Pixel art brawler with solo and multiplayer options. - Megabonk: 3D version of Vampire Survivors, steady framerate and intuitive controls.
CONVERGENCE GAMES SHOWCASES OVER 30 OF THE HOTTEST AA AND INDIE TITLES COMING TO CONSOLE AND PC IN 2026
AppWizard
February 21, 2026

CONVERGENCE GAMES SHOWCASES OVER 30 OF THE HOTTEST AA AND INDIE TITLES COMING TO CONSOLE AND PC IN 2026

Fourth Floor unveiled video links from the Convergence Games Showcase on February 19, 2026, which introduced over 30 AA and Indie games set for release in 2026. The event was hosted by Dodger and Jesse Cox in collaboration with IGN, featuring first gameplay reveals and exclusive content from companies like Curve Games, Gambit Digital, and Playside. Rich Keith, CEO of Fourth Floor, highlighted the showcase's growth and focus on the indie community. Fourth Floor, founded in 2017, specializes in games marketing services and works with both AAA and indie game publishers.
Mewgenics co-creator Tyler Glaiel was "blindsided" by sales far greater than its Steam wishlist tally
AppWizard
February 19, 2026

Mewgenics co-creator Tyler Glaiel was “blindsided” by sales far greater than its Steam wishlist tally

Mewgenics has sold over one million units just seven weeks into 2026, surpassing Hades 2 in peak player count on Steam. Co-creator Tyler Glaiel expressed surprise at the game's success, noting it exceeded pre-launch wishlist numbers, which rose from approximately 400,000 to around 600,000 before launch. The game's player demographics include the USA, China, Germany, the UK, Canada, France, Russia, Australia, Spain, and Poland, prompting considerations for adding translations in Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.
A fraction of the most popular PC games over the past year use hardware-level ray tracing, which is far fewer than I'd predict just 24 months ago
AppWizard
February 14, 2026

A fraction of the most popular PC games over the past year use hardware-level ray tracing, which is far fewer than I’d predict just 24 months ago

Ray tracing technology has seen a decline in prevalence among popular new game releases as developers prioritize optimized performance due to hardware challenges. In the past year, only a few titles have utilized ray tracing, such as Monster Hunter Wilds for basic reflections and Borderlands 4 using software-based Lumen from Unreal Engine 5. Indie games are increasingly favored for their accessibility and lower development costs, often avoiding high-performance techniques. Unreal Engine 5 has led to a resurgence of software-based ray tracing, though hardware ray tracing can provide better results at the cost of performance. Upcoming titles like Elden Ring: Nightreign and Battlefield 6 have opted out of hardware ray tracing to focus on gameplay performance. Many award-winning games have also chosen not to implement hardware-based ray tracing, emphasizing gameplay experience over graphical fidelity. Despite its reduced prominence, ray tracing remains a valuable tool for enhancing gaming experiences when used thoughtfully. The potential for ray tracing to improve visual storytelling continues as hardware becomes more accessible.
After Expedition 33's success, Split Fiction's Josef Fares warns publishers not to "only do" double-A
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

After Expedition 33’s success, Split Fiction’s Josef Fares warns publishers not to “only do” double-A

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has received critical acclaim and commercial success, winning Game of the Year at the previous year’s Game Awards. Josef Fares, founder of Hazelight Studios, warns the triple-A gaming sector against merely replicating trends from Expedition 33's success, emphasizing the need for innovation rather than imitation. He highlights the importance of diversity in gaming, asserting that both triple-A and double-A titles have their place in the industry. Fares points out that while high-budget games face pressure to avoid risks, innovation is still possible, citing examples from studios like Naughty Dog, Rockstar, and Nintendo. He also mentions that other major studios, such as Capcom, are exploring unconventional ideas.
"Triple-A is in crisis" and games "don't have staying power because they're bad," says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

“Triple-A is in crisis” and games “don’t have staying power because they’re bad,” says ex Gears of War director and Painkiller creator

Adrian Chmielarz, founder of Astronauts and People Can Fly, discusses the current state of the gaming industry, noting that 2025 is expected to be significant as indie and double-A games gain prominence. This year's Game of the Year nominations highlighted a balance between indie titles and high-budget games, with Metacritic's top-rated games including Hades 2, Expedition 33, and Blue Prince. Chmielarz emphasizes the rise of double-A games, attributing it to changes in the industry that allow developers to bypass traditional publishers due to platforms like Steam. He points out challenges for new releases in maintaining visibility, citing Theorycraft Games’ Supervive as an example of a quality game that struggled to stand out. Chmielarz also notes a lack of immersive single-player shooters in the market and criticizes the focus on gunplay over atmosphere in many indie games. He expresses enthusiasm for Witchfire's dark fantasy aesthetic and its emphasis on fun gameplay.
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