indie Archives

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

The Long Dark will get new DLC again as studio shifts devs away from the sequel to survive an ‘uncertain’ industry: ‘We have to adapt to this’

Hinterland Studios has shifted its strategy regarding The Long Dark, a survival game, by reallocating a team to create new downloadable content (DLC) for its survival mode, despite the ongoing development of a sequel titled Blackfrost. This decision aims to enhance the longevity of the nine-year-old game amid challenges in the gaming industry, such as rising costs and increased competition on platforms like Steam. The studio's focus on The Long Dark reflects a desire to sustain its player base while navigating the complexities of the current market.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 31 to September 4

- The Blood of Dawnwalker: Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S., Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game: Developer: PM-Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NBA 2K27: Developer: 2K, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Onimusha: Way of the Sword: Developer: CAPCOM CO., LTD., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - NHL® 27 Deluxe Edition: Developer: Electronic Arts, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Halloween – Digital Deluxe Edition: Developer: IllFonic Publishing, Co-Publisher: Gun Media, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Young Suns (Game Preview): Developer: KO_OP, Release Date: August 31, Price: .99, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Shelldiver: Developer: Gagonfe, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Game Pass / Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault (Game Preview): Developer: 11 bit studios, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Game Pass / Handheld Optimized. - Angeline Era: Developer: Analgesic Productions, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - BioEden: Developer: Focus Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .79, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Puzzledorf: Developer: Stuart's Pixel Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Salvation: Echoes of War: Developer: Infinite Entropy, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Sticker Picker (Xbox Series): Developer: Afil Games, Release Date: August 31, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Crimson Moon: Developer: ProbablyMonsters, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Tintle's Great Colorful Adventure: Developer: Midnight Pounce Studios, Release Date: September 1, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Eden Coil: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Feed Your Cat: New Paths: Developer: Tribus Games Indie, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Marsupilami 2 – Salsa Palombia: Developer: Microids, Release Date: September 2, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Pharmacy Store Simulator: Developer: Art Games Studio S.A., Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Radiation Caterpillar: Developer: Brainium Games, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Super Woden Rally Edge: Developer: Eastasiasoft Limited, Release Date: September 2, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Asdivine Knot: Developer: KEMCO, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Brainrot Kart: Developer: Skibidi Studios, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Bus Simulator 27 – Year 1 Edition: Developer: astragon Entertainment, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dexter Stardust: Adventures in Outer Space: Developer: Flynn's Arcade, Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Doctor: Developer: Bad Minions, Little Giant, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fight School Simulator: Developer: Ultimate Games S.A., Release Date: September 3, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Galactic Vault: Developer: Take IT Studio!, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Hearthstorm: Developer: NOSTRA GAMES LTD, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Komorebi: A Furry Visual Novel: Developer: Top Hat Studios, Inc., Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - SpeedRunners 2: King of Speed: Developer: tinyBuild, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Shoe it All!: Developer: Bright Gambit, Release Date: September 3, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Dream Cage: Developer: JanduSoft, Release Date: September 4, Price: .49, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Fear The Timeloop: Developer: PlayWay S.A., Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play. - Flute Of Gobelin: Developer: RainForest Game Studio, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Fortress Merge: Developer: QubicGames S.A., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: XBOX Play Anywhere. - Hockey Beasts: Developer: Revulo Games LLC, Release Date: September 4, Price: .99, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - I Am Angel: Developer: PortingGuru, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Isle of Reveries: Developer: Electric Airship, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S. - Moonbringer: Developer: 2dragontails, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Order Automatica: Developer: better. publishing, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery. - Railbreak DX: Developer: Dead Drop Studios LLC, Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / XBOX Play Anywhere. - Tales of Formentera: Developer: Ratalaika Games S.L., Release Date: September 4, Platforms: Optimized for XBOX Series X|S / Smart Delivery / XBOX Play Anywhere.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

How have the genres of hit PC games changed since 2021?

- The unreleased Steam game Wardogs, a 100-player FPS, is trending at #1 with a peak of 105,000 concurrent users during its playtest. - Sally Face 2 is at #2, Dear Passengers at #3, Phantom Blade Zero at #4, Rerouted at #5, Tulpa The Unseen Lover at #7, and Heatwarped at #10. - Steam is testing personalized recommendations for its Midweek Deals for logged-in users. - Silent Hill: Townfall will be a PS5 exclusive for at least six months post-release. - Valve was founded 30 years ago. - There is a decline in physical retail for games, particularly with fewer Xbox consoles in big box stores. - Indie developer Kernel Hearts announced 50,000 pre-orders on the Epic Games Store, influenced by a promotional Fortnite skin. - Steam updated its documentation for pre-orders, advising developers to enable encrypted preloads for anticipated games. - Roblox has blocked certain bots, leading to decreased concurrent users, while the game Steal an Egg set a record for reaching 500,000 concurrent users quickly. - Entity raised .8 million to develop console-quality games for web browsers. - The issue of 'keyword squatting' on consoles continues, with the release of Lethal Corporation drawing attention for its misleading title. - The PC game market has shifted from survival games, city builders, and action RPGs in 2021 to a rise in Roguelite and Roguelike genres by 2025. - Roguelite gained 39 spots, Roguelike gained 37 spots, and Life Sim games climbed 31 spots to #6. - The Idler genre rose 46 spots to #15, while Survival Horror dropped to #26. - The 2025 list of top games includes three titles priced below , compared to only one in 2021.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Cursed Doll Horror Game Baptiste Hits Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC This Fall

Spanish publisher Firenut Games and co-developer Digital Dreams™ announced the psychological horror game Baptiste, set to launch in fall 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. The announcement was made on August 19, 2026, alongside a gameplay trailer and a free demo available on Steam. The game follows Tom, a teenager dealing with his father's death, who discovers a cursed doll in a mansion that leads to supernatural events. Baptiste features a darkness mechanic that intensifies horror elements based on the protagonist's exposure to darkness. The game requires high-performance hardware, with recommended specs including an Intel i9 processor, 32 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. Baptiste successfully raised €6,118 through a Kickstarter campaign in October 2025. It will support audio in English and Spanish, with interface and subtitle options in 11 languages. A free demo is currently available on Steam, covering the first 30 minutes of gameplay.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Gallipoli (PC) Review

BlackMill Games' World War I series has surpassed a decade of gameplay, with the latest installment, Gallipoli, focusing on the Gallipoli Campaign. This campaign aimed to capture the Dardanelles Strait and Constantinople but ended in a disastrous retreat for the Allies. Gallipoli features improved visuals, refined gunplay, and balanced mechanics, enhancing the gameplay experience. The game introduces new mechanics such as increased team sizes, a ticket system with unpredictability, realistic ballistics, a refined stamina system, and a suppression system that affects soldiers' performance. However, concerns exist regarding the limited rewards in the progression system, which may impact player engagement over time.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Best Steam Deck-friendly games under $3 in Humble’s Summer Sale

Humble is celebrating its 15th Anniversary with a Summer Sale offering discounts on games until September 3. The sale includes a variety of Steam Deck-friendly games, many priced under a specific budget. Some games are marked as Verified for seamless play on the Steam Deck, while others are rated as Playable, requiring minor adjustments. Each purchase comes with a Steam key for direct redemption. Additionally, there is an Indie’s Support for Venezuela Bundle featuring 13 Steam Deck-friendly games valued at for , and a Built Differently bundle focused on construction and creativity games.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Take-Two’s former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: ‘The guy should be selling you the gold if he’s actually got the gold’

Take-Two Interactive laid off AI specialist Dicken and a significant portion of the AI team after a year, reflecting industry volatility. Dicken expressed skepticism about generative AI's role in creative processes, noting that many creatives view it as a departure from intentionality. He observed a divide in public perception, with Western audiences more resistant to generative AI compared to Asian audiences. Dicken highlighted challenges in integrating AI into workflows, including vendor lock-in and price volatility, drawing parallels to the Unity engine's pricing crisis. He noted a gold rush mentality among corporations eager to adopt AI, often without proper safeguards. Looking forward, Dicken believes AI will bring long-term changes to gaming but should be seen as a tool to enhance experiences rather than a revolutionary force. He advocated for a thoughtful approach to incorporating AI-generated content, emphasizing the need for alignment with a game's fundamental thesis.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Pretty Cool Games Launches As New Studio From “Human: Fall Flat” Devs

Sitara Shefta and Will Dudley have launched Pretty Cool Games, a remote indie studio in the UK, with funding from Coreblazer, the investment arm of HyperGryph. The studio is developing its first project, a double-A, physics-based game focused on gameplay. The game draws inspiration from Nintendo, Hazelight, Disney theme parks, and classic physical comedy films. Despite challenges in the gaming industry, Pretty Cool Games is optimistic about the demand for innovative gaming experiences. The studio aims to create highly entertaining PC and console games, emphasizing creativity and quality, with a team experienced in developing successful titles.

AppWizard

August 19, 2026

“Bombora” is working on a book about Minecraft: the cubic world that conquered the planet

The "Bombora" publishing house is set to release a book by Artem Frolov that explores the phenomenon of Minecraft, tracing its origins to Markus Persson's Infiniminer clone. The book will examine Minecraft's cultural impact and key themes such as its procedurally generated world, building mechanics, survival mode, extensive modding toolkit, and C418's ambient soundtrack. No release date or pricing details for pre-orders have been announced.

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

A different kind of Minecraft: 90% positive action RPG is under $10 on Steam

Steam is an online distribution service developed by Valve Corporation that offers a vast library of games, including indie and blockbuster titles. It continuously updates its platform with new features to enhance user experience, such as tools for developers to reach broader audiences, algorithms for game discovery, community engagement features like forums and user reviews, and regular sales events. Steam supports cross-platform play, allowing collaboration among gamers on different devices. The platform is also focusing on virtual reality and cloud gaming to adapt to industry trends.