industry Archives

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Take-Two CEO says he expects the games industry to be in ‘commercial streaming mode within 3 years,’ which is great news if you hate owning things

During Take-Two's earnings call, CEO Strauss Zelnick discussed the ongoing computing hardware crisis, noting that purchasing a GPU from Nvidia's QuakeCon booth is currently more economical than buying one online. He expressed concern about rising costs potentially alienating consumers but remained optimistic that this challenge is manageable, expecting more gamers to turn to streaming services. Zelnick highlighted the potential for low-latency, user-friendly gaming experiences through streaming, which could democratize access to gaming. However, he acknowledged consumer apprehensions about relying solely on streaming and subscription services, especially following Sony's decision to halt disc production. Zelnick has previously expressed skepticism about subscriptions being the primary method for delivering interactive entertainment. Ubisoft director Philippe Tremblay predicted that by 2024, gamers may become accustomed to not owning their games, suggesting a shift in consumer attitudes may be necessary if current trends continue.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

5 Best PC Games Of The ’90s, Ranked

"Doom II" has received a new official level nearly three decades after its initial release. "Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings," released in 1999, features 13 distinct civilizations and has seen numerous expansions that enhance multiplayer modes. "Grim Fandango," released in 1998, is celebrated for its distinctive art design and captivating narrative, despite initial commercial struggles. "Half-Life," released in 1998, introduced a seamless gameplay experience and a compelling narrative, establishing itself as a classic in the first-person shooter genre. "StarCraft," released in 1998, allows players to choose from three unique factions and is known for its balanced gameplay and robust online multiplayer experience.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

New official 30th anniversary Quake mission pack adds new maps and mechanics

Players can experience a new campaign in Quake where they assume the role of a Ranger in a dimension with a unique time-looping structure. They will collect runes to unlock new pathways and upgrades, enhancing gameplay for both new and veteran players. The newly added maps are available for free to existing owners of Quake on Steam and current and last-generation consoles. Meanwhile, id Software has experienced layoffs due to Microsoft’s reorganization, but most of the studio is focused on the Doom reboot series, while MachineGames is developing new content for Quake. Classic games like Quake are receiving new content years after their release, similar to the revival of Age of Empires II.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Take-Two boss dismisses hand-wringing over the end of disc-based games: ‘Our business is well over 90% digitally distributed as it is’

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive, stated that physical game discs "don't really make sense" in today's digital market, especially with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 exclusively in digital format. While PC gamers have largely adopted digital gaming, the console sector has traditionally relied on physical releases. However, the lack of a physical edition for Grand Theft Auto 6 and Sony's plan to stop disc production by 2028 indicate a shift in this trend. Zelnick noted that although the transition to digital is inevitable, Take-Two will still release physical editions "now and then." Ubisoft's CEO and industry analyst Daniel Ahmad support Zelnick's views, highlighting that the console ecosystem is becoming "nearly entirely digital." The release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S raises questions about digital distribution and ownership in gaming.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Trent Reznor on Doom: ‘In some ways I felt a parallel with what I was trying to do with music’

A Quake-themed QuakeCon event celebrated the 30th anniversary of the iconic shooter, featuring a panel with John Romero and Marty Stratton, and the unveiling of a new 19-level episode of Quake. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails made a brief livestream appearance, reflecting on his significant contribution to the game's soundtrack in 1996. Quake's music, characterized by industrial soundscapes, created an intense atmosphere that sometimes led players to mute the audio. In honor of the anniversary, new Quake-themed merchandise was launched, including an ammo box, t-shirt, keychain, hoodie, and reissued vinyl soundtrack.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

All the news from QuakeCon 2026

QuakeCon 2026 is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Quake franchise. A new episode titled "Dawn of the Machine," created by MachineGames and id Software, is now available as a free update for Quake, featuring a 19-map campaign, time-bending mechanics, a new soundtrack, and a new Deathmatch map. A special event discussing this episode will take place on August 6 at 1:30 PM CT with industry legends. The id Signature Series has new designs available for purchase, including tees and hoodies. "Quake: The Board Game," a cooperative dungeon crawler developed by Archon Studios, is set to launch in Q4 2026. The DOOM Collection for Evercade, including DOOM (1993) and DOOM II), is available for preorder, along with a limited-edition Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition releasing in October 2026. Additionally, "Return to Castle Wolfenstein" is now available uncensored in Germany on various platforms.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

John Romero says id Software once sold empty Doom boxes to Taiwanese pirates so fans there could have legit copies: ‘For us, it was distribution’

Doom was initially distributed through a shareware model, offering the first chapter for free to players. This approach allowed players to experience the game before purchasing the remaining episodes, fostering a unique relationship between developers and players. In the early gaming landscape, distribution was challenging, particularly before the internet, with players often relying on Bulletin Board Systems (BBSes) and facing barriers such as long-distance phone call costs and the need for a modem. Despite these challenges, Doom's popularity led to the rise of resellers selling shareware versions for a fee. id Software, led by John Romero, focused on accessibility over copy protection, believing that players would find ways to copy games regardless of protective measures. This philosophy emphasized community engagement and set a precedent for future innovations in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

August 7, 2026

Couple’s dispute over playing Slay the Spire 2 in bed gets a ruling from comedian John Hodgman: ‘Pick an arbitrary battle and stick with it’

Judge John Hodgman ruled that it is acceptable to play the game Slay the Spire 2 in bed, as long as both partners communicate and respect each other's boundaries.

Tech Optimizer

August 6, 2026

Antivirus software alone does not guarantee protection, this expert warns

Hackers have stolen over 0 million USD in Bitcoin by exploiting vulnerabilities in Canadian-made hardware wallet keys. The breach involved sophisticated tactics, including the use of an AI agent that deceived targets into installing malware and could alter its identity to avoid detection. Ritesh Kotak emphasized that reliance solely on antivirus software is insufficient, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. The incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of current protective measures and the growing threat landscape in the digital economy.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

New Kingdom Come trademark filings mention ‘online’ virtual worlds—but we shouldn’t assume Warhorse is making a multiplayer game just yet

Warhorse Studios has filed trademarks for their upcoming title, Kingdom Come Salvation, in both Europe and the United States. The filings include references to "services for matching users with computer games," suggesting potential online features. The trademarks are categorized under IC 009, related to video games, and IC 041, which covers entertainment services, including online gaming. An expert noted that while the filings imply possible online capabilities, fans should manage their expectations regarding multiplayer features until an official announcement is made.