industry Archives

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Epic taps Blizzard’s Battle.net lead to fix the Epic Games Store as Steam dominates

Epic Games has appointed Martin Keely as the new Vice President and General Manager of the Epic Games Store, succeeding Steve Allison, who left the company in July. Keely previously worked as Senior Vice President overseeing the Battle.net launcher at Blizzard for seven years. His appointment aims to strengthen Epic's competitive position against Valve's Steam in the PC gaming market. Keely expressed enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunity to enhance player, creator, and developer experiences. Epic's CEO, Tim Sweeney, has acknowledged the challenges the company faces in gaining market share against Steam.

Winsage

July 27, 2026

Microsoft lays out a buffet of Windows goodies for JavaScript Developers

Microsoft has introduced "dynamic projections" that allow developers using JavaScript and TypeScript to access Windows internals more easily. The Windows Runtime API (WinRT) projection for Node.js is currently in public preview, simplifying access to Windows features without introducing new capabilities. A new single Node runtime package, dynwinrt, enables developers to generate JavaScript wrappers and TypeScript declarations for Windows features, while the winappCli package offers a command-line interface for setup and sample code. This setup utilizes Windows Metadata (winmd) to dynamically list available Windows APIs, automatically updating wrappers or declarations when API metadata changes. Developers can access various Windows functionalities, excluding UI elements, and utilize local AI capabilities for tasks such as text generation and image manipulation. Microsoft’s developments aim to align with industry trends rather than enforce a proprietary ecosystem.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Own These Ubisoft Games on Xbox? You Can Now Play Them on PC for Free

Ubisoft and Xbox have launched an initiative allowing players who own select Ubisoft titles on Xbox consoles to access the PC versions of those games at no extra cost. Starting today, new digital purchases will provide immediate access to both Xbox and PC versions. Existing owners will also benefit, although the availability of PC versions will be rolled out gradually, with full implementation expected by August 4. Players may need to wait for updates to access their games in Ubisoft Connect.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

My parents’ Android phones were ruined by invasive ads. Here’s how I fixed them for good

Mobile advertising on Android devices has seen a rise in deceptive pop-ups that mimic legitimate notifications or system updates, leaving many users, particularly less tech-savvy individuals, vulnerable. A personal experience highlighted this issue when a family member fell for a misleading PDF ad, leading to the installation of multiple fraudulent applications. Recently, similar deceptive ads were encountered on YouTube, raising concerns about the safety of family members who rely on their devices for important tasks. Discussions on platforms like Reddit have pointed out the prevalence of misleading ads on family-friendly platforms. The author expressed a desire to block all ads if companies cannot ensure their safety. To address the issue, the author sought an ad-blocking solution that allows for remote management and network-wide filtering, ultimately choosing NextDNS. This content filtering solution offers a free account with sufficient monthly DNS queries and supports individual profiles for tailored settings. The setup process for NextDNS involves creating profiles for each family member, allowing for distinct settings and blocklists, and configuring devices with the provided DNS-over-TLS endpoint details. While NextDNS is effective, it does not eliminate all ads, particularly those from platforms like YouTube, indicating that additional measures may be necessary for comprehensive security. Regularly reviewing app permissions and uninstalling unnecessary applications are also recommended for enhancing security.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Rockstar co-founder says ‘I don’t know if I personally care’ if games release on disc, adds ‘I love physical media’

The installation of World of Warcraft on a family laptop required multiple discs, reflecting a time when gaming relied heavily on physical media. Today, the gaming industry has shifted towards digital formats, with major companies like PlayStation phasing out disc production. Industry figures such as Ubisoft's Yves Guillemot and Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser have commented on this transition, with Houser noting the benefits of digital distribution, including the ability to update games post-launch. Grand Theft Auto writer Jeffrey Crawford "Lazlow" Jones expressed nostalgia for physical discs while also valuing the convenience of digital downloads. The ongoing discussion about physical versus digital gaming highlights a cultural shift in entertainment engagement.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Ubisoft says the Black Flag remake has exceeded ‘annual expectations’ in just two weeks, shortly after it laid off a number of the people who made it

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced sold 2 million copies within 24 hours of its release. Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, stated that the game exceeded annual expectations within two weeks and is the highest-rated entry in the franchise since the original Black Flag. The game was developed with significant contributions from Ubisoft Barcelona, particularly in the underwater levels. Despite its success, the launch occurred amidst recent layoffs at Ubisoft, affecting hundreds of employees. Player reception has been mostly positive, but some critiques have emerged regarding day-one downloadable content, simplified swordfights, and an in-game shop. A review by PC Gamer described the game as "a well-made, but inessential remake that loses more than it gains."

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Steam Week in Review: A torrent of janky retail sims continues to flood Steam, and there’s no end in sight

The retail simulator genre on Steam has gained significant popularity since late 2024, with 14 new titles launched last week. "Mall Together" attracted over 1,000 concurrent players and is notable for allowing players to construct entire shopping malls. PlayWay, a major publisher, released two of last week's titles and has launched four games since July 20, with 474 products listed on Steam. Critics have labeled some titles as shovelware, but PlayWay has also produced successful games like "House Flipper 2." Smaller studios are contributing to the genre, indicating demand for well-crafted retail sims. The top sellers on Steam from July 14-21 included "Counter-Strike 2," "Palworld," and "Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced." "The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu," released on July 15, received nearly 1,500 "mostly positive" reviews.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

Capcom wants to release a Resident Evil every year and sees remakes as the way to make it happen

Capcom producer Masachika Kawata expressed a desire for the Resident Evil franchise to become annual, acknowledging the challenges of yearly releases. He emphasized the importance of remakes in revitalizing classic titles and generating revenue for new projects. Capcom's strategy contrasts with other companies facing staffing cuts and delays. The pool of Resident Evil remakes may soon be limited, especially after the release of Code Veronica. There is discussion about remaking less celebrated entries like Resident Evil 0, 5, and 6, while less favorable titles such as Survivor or Dead Aim may be left untouched.

TrendTechie

July 26, 2026

Одиссею Кристофера Нолана слили в Сеть в HD-качестве (26.07.2026)

The digital version of Christopher Nolan's film "Odyssey" was leaked online ahead of its official release, raising security concerns in the film industry. The full HD version was found on the social media platform X and quickly spread across various posts. Nolan is known for his strict security measures, making this leak particularly surprising. Many posts featuring the pirated film have been removed, but copies are circulating on torrent trackers and file-sharing sites. The leak occurred ten days after the film's theatrical release, prompting Universal Pictures to initiate an internal investigation to identify the source of the breach and prevent future incidents.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

How do you feel about AI videogame music?

Generative AI has become increasingly integrated into game development, evolving from basic applications to the creation of entire games with minimal human involvement. This shift raises concerns about the impact on human creativity and artistic expression. In the realm of videogame music, while generative AI has not fully taken over, its influence is growing, with AI-generated rearrangements of game scores appearing on platforms like YouTube and accusations against Spotify for including AI tracks in playlists. This situation prompts questions about how gamers perceive AI-generated music and its effect on their experience. The emotional depth provided by human composers is viewed as irreplaceable by some, leading to concerns about the dilution of artistry in the gaming industry.