interactive entertainment Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

The Sims co-creator Tim LeTourneau has passed away

Tim LeTourneau, a significant figure in the creation of The Sims, passed away, as announced by his wife, Donna. He began his career in the gaming industry in 1998 at Maxis, where he served as a senior producer for eight years and contributed to the success of The Sims franchise. In 2006, he moved to Electronic Arts, becoming an executive producer and later Vice President and General Manager of The Sims Studio in 2008. In March 2011, he joined Zynga as Vice President of studios and was promoted to Chief Creative Officer within two years. After a brief stint at Storm8 as Chief Creative Officer, he returned to Zynga as Senior Vice President of games. In March 2017, he became Director of Product Design at Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment until his departure in 2021. He then served as Senior Advisor at Fortis Games. Following his passing, a former Maxis team member shared a tribute on Reddit, highlighting the familial atmosphere LeTourneau created at the studio.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Stellar Blade demo for PC now available

Sony Interactive Entertainment, in collaboration with SHIFT UP, has released a demo for the PC version of Stellar Blade on Steam. Players control EVE, a warrior from the 7th Airborne Squad, on a mission to reclaim Earth from the Naytiba. The demo features fast-paced combat, allowing players to perform attack combos and carry over save data to the full game. EVE faces powerful creatures in a post-apocalyptic world filled with mysteries. Key features include ultrawide monitor support, enhanced graphics, unlocked framerates, 4K texture pack support, and compatibility with both controller and keyboard. Stellar Blade is available on PlayStation 5 and will launch on PC on June 11.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad launches on mobile and PC

Netmarble has released its action-adventure RPG, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, for mobile and PC, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for HBO. The game features a new character from House Tyre and allows players to choose from three classes: Knight, Sellsword, or Assassin. It includes combat mechanics tailored to each class and draws from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, featuring creatures like Drogon and Ice Spiders. The game recreates Westeros with locations such as King’s Landing, Castle Black, Highgarden, and The Wall, and includes characters like Jaime Lannister and Cersei. Following early access on Steam, Chapter 3 introduces new regions, battles, and a boss Unicorn.

BetaBeacon

May 22, 2025

Netmarble Launches Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on iOS, Android and PC

Netmarble has launched Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, an action-adventure role-playing game available on multiple platforms. Players take on the role of a heir to House Tyre in the North during the fourth season of the HBO series, with three unique classes to choose from. The game features encounters inspired by battles in the show and includes legendary beasts and mythical creatures from George R. R. Martin's source material. Players can explore familiar locations in Westeros and encounter both well-known characters and new storylines. The full release includes all previously previewed chapters and new content like boss fights and quest lines.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

Hogwarts Legacy first-person mode looks like a whole new game

The director's cut and DLC expansion for Hogwarts Legacy were scrapped despite the game's success as the best-selling new release of 2023. A sequel is in development, and a recent update has introduced mod support for PC players. One notable mod, called ‘First Person,’ created by user Sh4ii, allows players to experience the game from a first-person perspective. Additionally, Hogwarts Legacy will receive a new-gen upgrade for the Nintendo Switch 2, with current Switch owners able to upgrade for £10. This upgrade will involve a comprehensive rebuild of the game using new-gen assets.

AppWizard

May 16, 2025

Jade Raymond departs Haven Studios

Jade Raymond has left Haven Studios, the company she co-founded in 2021, as it prepares for an external beta of its first project, Fairgames. Haven Studios was established after the collapse of Google Stadia and was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2022. The studio will continue operations under co-heads Marie-Eve Danis and Pierre-François Sapinski. A PlayStation representative acknowledged Raymond's contributions and leadership. Fairgames represents a shift for PlayStation towards live-service projects, amidst challenges including the cancellation of two live-service games and the withdrawal of Concord from sale.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Stellar Blade for PC launches June 11 alongside Complete Edition

The PC version of Stellar Blade will be released on Steam on June 11, as announced by Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer SHIFT UP. A "Complete Edition" will also be launched on the same date, which includes the base game and additional downloadable content for PlayStation 5 and PC users. The game was originally released for PlayStation 5 on April 26, 2024. The PC version will feature enhancements such as AI upscaling, an unlocked frame rate, support for Japanese and Chinese voice-overs, ultrawide display compatibility, DualSense controller integration, a new boss battle, 25 additional costumes, and higher resolution environment textures. The Complete Edition will include the base game, pre-order bonuses (Classic Round Glasses, Ear Armor Earrings, Planet Diving Suit), Complete Edition bonuses (Fluffy Bear Pack drone cosmetics, Planet Diving Suit), and downloadable content (Twin Expansion Pack). Additionally, a CD-key for an outfit in the mobile game Goddess of Victory: Nikke will be included.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Warner Bros reports 48% dip in games revenue for Q1

Warner Bros reported a 48% decline in revenue in its games division for the quarter ending March 31st, attributed to the underperformance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and the lack of new titles in the first quarter of 2025. Existing titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat 1 provided some revenue support. The company achieved a 66% reduction in overhead costs year-on-year but still faced a 53% drop in revenue for 2024. Warner Bros has closed three studios, including Monolith, and the head of interactive entertainment, David Haddad, departed in early 2025.

AppWizard

April 28, 2025

‘Stories are our bread and butter’: Larian is building a special team to lay out the plot of its games years in advance

Larian Studios is developing two new projects simultaneously, with a focus on storytelling. CEO Swen Vincke stated that they are creating a backlog of stories for future games. The studio is working on a new role-playing game codenamed "Excalibur" and has established a dedicated storytelling team. Their previous titles, particularly Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur's Gate 3, received critical acclaim for their character-driven narratives.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

PC Action Games Market Size and Outlook by Application, Type, and Geographic Scope

The global PC Action Games market is expected to grow significantly from 2025 to 2032, driven by increased demand for interactive entertainment, particularly among younger audiences, and advancements in technology. Key factors contributing to this growth include the popularity of competitive action games, improved gaming equipment, faster internet, and the rise of digital distribution platforms. Challenges include high initial investment costs, regulatory complexities, supply chain disruptions, market saturation in developed regions, and intense competition. Emerging trends involve the integration of advanced digital technologies, a focus on sustainability, and a demand for personalized offerings. The competitive landscape features intense rivalry, with companies prioritizing innovation, strategic partnerships, and regional expansion to enhance their market positions.