industry Archives

TrendTechie

July 18, 2026

Скачать нейросеть как торрент. В США готовятся к вторжению бесплатных китайских ИИ класса Mythos

The United States is preparing for the availability of advanced Chinese neural networks for free download, which may lead to a reevaluation of U.S. regulations on open-source models. The Trump administration is discussing unified requirements for these systems with industry representatives, using advanced Chinese models as a benchmark. Chinese models, particularly those known as Mythos, are expected to be accessible within 6 to 12 months, allowing users to run, modify, and integrate them without oversight. This situation poses challenges for U.S. companies, as strict regulations could impede local innovation while failing to curb foreign technology proliferation. Additionally, technology companies are working to reduce electricity consumption in data centers, which currently account for about 1.5% of global electricity usage, with the International Energy Agency predicting a rapid increase in demand. Companies are experimenting with superconducting cables and optical connections to decrease energy consumption during data transmission, although these solutions have not yet been widely implemented.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

After 15 years, I’ve got Microsoft’s shunned Fable 3 port to work on PC – and it feels like a new RPG

The author reflects on their experience with Fable 3, suggesting it feels fresh despite being a 16-year-old RPG. They express concerns about the future of the Fable series, particularly Fable 4, in light of rising console prices and recent layoffs at Microsoft. The author highlights the visual appeal of Fable 3 when played on a modern PC setup, noting the game's charm and the enhanced graphics at 4K resolution. They emphasize the importance of preserving gaming experiences and worry that new players may not access the superior PC version of Fable 3. The author questions whether Microsoft might release an updated version of the game in the future.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

75% of PS3 Games Reportedly Playable on PC

RPCS3 has successfully emulated over 75% of PlayStation 3 titles on PC. Sony announced the closure of the PS3 Store in 2027 and will cease new physical disc production for PlayStation titles in January 2028.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Retiring Valve programmer says ‘at least one’ of the studio’s beloved game modes was made in secret to avoid pushback from peers

Programmer Christopher Green has had a long career in the gaming industry, working on titles such as Amiga's Flight Simulators, Ultima Underworld, and Magic: The Gathering Online. He has worked at Valve for a total of 16 years, during which he contributed to projects like both Source engines, Day of Defeat: Source, The Orange Box, and both Portal games. Green retired from Valve for the second time recently, having returned in 2023 after a six-year hiatus. He shared insights from his career in a blog post and hosted AMAs on Reddit. Green previously worked at Leaping Lizard Software, where he helped develop Magic: The Gathering Online. He noted that Valve's work culture allows for personal projects, but newcomers may face challenges if their ideas deviate from mainstream expectations. His retirement announcement included details about his home office setup, which features advanced technology, and he expressed enthusiasm for pursuing personal projects, likely to be shared on GitHub.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: ‘Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size’

Studio ZA/UM announced layoffs two months after the launch of their game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, due to sales not meeting expectations. The studio issued redundancy notices affecting up to 32 employees, despite the game receiving critical acclaim. The game did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessor, Disco Elysium, with mixed reviews highlighting its shortcomings. Key figures from Disco Elysium had left the studio prior to the game's release, contributing to a challenging environment. Critics noted that the cultural context surrounding the game has impacted its reception, turning it into a symbol of industry practices rather than a standalone experience.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Does anyone know how to drive this thing?

Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to cease physical disc production by 2028, transitioning to a model reliant solely on digital distribution for new PlayStation games. The company has canceled eight out of twelve planned live-service projects by 2025, while CEO Hideaki Nishino remains committed to pursuing live-service opportunities. Microsoft has experienced significant financial losses and layoffs under CEO Phil Spencer, leading to a restructuring under new CEO Asha Sharma. Layoffs have affected studios like Bethesda and ZeniMax, raising concerns about ongoing project viability. The gaming industry is facing a trend of layoffs and employment uncertainty, impacting production times and budgets. Companies like Capcom and Larian, which prioritize employee retention, are experiencing success, while major publishers focus on short-term gains over long-term studio health. Successful game launches indicate a demand for quality standalone games, but there is reluctance to invest in new ideas due to a fixation on perpetual revenue streams.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

EA believes that planning for in-game advertising placement should be done during the development stage

Alexander Dao, Vice President of Advertising and Sponsorship at Electronic Arts (EA), discussed the strategic advantages of integrating advertising into console and PC games from the outset, enhancing monetization and user experience. He emphasized the importance of designing games with advertising in mind for a more organic inclusion, which varies by game genre. Dao cited the collaboration between The Sims 4 and Coach as a successful example of unobtrusive brand integration. He also mentioned EA's launch of EA Advertising, a platform to facilitate brand advertising within its games, reflecting EA's commitment to innovative advertising strategies.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Marathon game director leaves Bungie just 4 months after launch: ‘I’ll be heading to something new, somewhere else’

Joe Ziegler, the game director of Marathon, has left Bungie and the game effective immediately, just four months after its release. Del Chafe III will take over Ziegler's role, working with creative director Julia Nardin. Ziegler expressed gratitude to fans in a message on X and hinted at new opportunities ahead. Marathon's player counts on Steam have not matched those of Destiny 2, and the game faces challenges in establishing itself in a competitive market. Ziegler joined Bungie in 2022 and became the leader of Marathon two years ago. His departure, along with that of Lars Bakken, former design lead for Marathon, raises concerns about Bungie's stability and future direction.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Doom director Hugo Martin says id Software is fine, and anyway, ‘what matters the most is that the games are good’

Recent layoffs at Xbox have raised concerns about id Software's ability to develop new games and maintain its idTech engine. However, id Software stated that its current workforce is comparable to that of a decade ago, during the development of the 2016 Doom reboot. Studio director Hugo Martin refuted claims that the studio has been significantly downsized, asserting that reports of having only 50 employees are false. Despite layoffs affecting the Frankfurt office, where the team was reduced from 12 to 6 employees, Martin's comments aim to reassure fans and stakeholders about the studio's stability.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Fallout 5: Everything Todd Howard Has Said About Bethesda’s New Game

Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed that Fallout 5 has officially entered pre-production. Todd Howard, the director of Bethesda, hinted at the game's existence in 2021 and stated that Fallout 5 will be released after The Elder Scrolls 6. The Fallout show on Prime Video's crew is aware of Fallout 5's development, and Howard has ensured that the show's narrative will not interfere with the game's storyline. The game is expected to remain set in the United States, in line with the franchise's tradition. Howard has expressed a desire not to rush the development of Fallout 5, emphasizing the importance of creating a meaningful single-player experience. He reassured fans that Bethesda is actively developing new content, even as the timeline for Fallout 5 remains uncertain. The events of the Fallout show will influence the game's narrative. Fallout 5 is being developed on the Creation Engine 3, and it is too early to determine if it will be an Xbox exclusive.