landscape Archives

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Arc Raiders Steam player count for March down over 50% since launch

Arc Raiders emerged as a surprise hit in 2025, successfully elevating the extraction shooter genre to mainstream popularity with a vibrant community known as the Care Bears. The game peaked at nearly 500,000 concurrent players, driven by streamer coverage and word of mouth. However, the player base has gradually declined as many have explored the game's content. The Shrouded Sky update in February did not significantly boost player numbers, indicating a need for more substantial content. The upcoming Flashpoint update is anticipated to determine if it can draw players back and sustain interest in the game.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Wyldheart Announced for PC, Blending Tabletop Roleplay With Online Co-Op Action

Wyldheart is a cooperative fantasy RPG developed by Wayfinder Studios, featuring a team of former developers from EA DICE, Embark Studios, and Mojang Studios. The game is currently in development for PC and can be wishlisted on Steam and the Epic Games Store. It allows solo or cooperative play for up to four players, focusing on collaborative storytelling, exploration, and combat. Players will experience multiple campaign arcs, each offering around 10 hours of gameplay, set in the fallen Kingdom of Caerwyn. The game emphasizes player choice, exploration, and character development, placing players in the roles of unknown adventurers. The development team includes industry veterans like Dennis Brännvall and Fia Tjernberg, and they are seeking community support through Kickstarter.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

I’m unsure how much of a detective game Artificial Detective will be, but I enjoyed the bit in the trailer when your character attacks a robot with a massive drill

Vivix, a new studio formed by former developers from titles like Dead Space and Control, has announced a game called Artificial Detective during the Xbox Partner Preview. The game is set in a dystopian future where humanity has vanished, and players take on the role of a robotic detective in a city dominated by machines and afflicted animals. It features nonlinear gameplay with sandbox-style encounters, including the ability to ride a flying streetcar across ten districts. Players will be accompanied by a small child and a robotic dog. The game is expected to blend action and investigation, with a release planned for next year.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Five new Steam games you probably missed (March 30, 2026)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily. "The Wide Open Sky is Running out of Catfish" is set to release on March 28, developed by Zipit! Games. It is a first-person horror game set in '90s Vietnam, focusing on a protagonist dealing with delusions and despair while solving puzzles and evading threats. "Chained Wheels" will also release on March 28, developed by Karga Games. It features cooperative gameplay where two players are chained together, navigating trucks through obstacle courses. "Dungeon Bodega Simulator" is scheduled for release on March 24, developed by Alien Fruit. Players take on the role of Elm Myrkwater, transforming a dungeon into a potion shop, with a narrative-focused gameplay experience lasting around four hours and an infinite mode. "DVD Survivors" is set to release on March 26, developed by Signal Spike Games. It is inspired by the DVD player screensaver from the '90s and offers a gameplay experience reminiscent of Vampire Survivors.

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Refresh your PC with a $13 Microsoft upgrade this spring

A Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license is available for .97, down from its regular price of 5. This limited-time offer runs until April 12. Windows 11 Pro features a user-friendly interface, powerful search, easy redocking, Snap Layouts for multitasking, Microsoft Teams integration, and includes Microsoft Copilot for enhanced productivity. It also offers robust security measures such as biometric logins and encrypted authentication. An additional 15% off sitewide is available with code MARCH15 through March 29, with some exclusions.

Tech Optimizer

March 29, 2026

Announcing Lakebase Public Preview

At the Data and AI Summit, Databricks announced the Public Preview of Databricks Lakebase, a fully-managed Postgres database designed for data applications and artificial intelligence. Lakebase addresses challenges in operational databases by merging operational and analytical data, offering a scalable architecture that separates compute from storage. It supports popular Postgres extensions and features low latency and high concurrency transactions. Lakebase includes multi-zone high availability, encrypted storage with point-in-time recovery, and copy-on-write branching for isolated testing. It integrates seamlessly with the Databricks lakehouse, enabling efficient data synchronization and unified governance. Lakebase is accessible across multiple cloud providers and is currently in Public Preview, with hundreds of customers already using it for various applications.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Star Wars Zero Company director has ‘an axe to grind’ with turn-based tactics, says fans don’t have to settle for no story, crummy graphics, and clunky controls: ‘Depth doesn’t cost you elegance’

Greg Foertsch, the creative director of Star Wars: Zero Company, believes that a compelling narrative is essential for tactics games, challenging the idea that they can succeed solely on strategic gameplay. He emphasizes that tactics games can successfully combine engaging narratives with strategic depth, as demonstrated in his previous work on Marvel's Midnight Suns. Foertsch aims to redefine expectations in the genre by delivering a game that excels in both storytelling and visual appeal.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Videogames are more of a rich guy’s hobby than ever, says analyst, and that’s ‘leaving a whole portion of the market to Fortnite, Minecraft, Roblox’

The K-shaped economy describes the widening gap between affluent individuals and those less fortunate, particularly highlighted during the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. In the gaming industry, this trend is evident as high earners are increasingly catered to, leading to concerns about accessibility and diversity in gaming experiences. Analyst Matt Piscatella notes that players who can afford to invest more in games receive richer experiences, while those on tighter budgets often end up with lower-quality mobile games that involve monetization tactics. He suggests that the console market could benefit from adopting strategies similar to the thriving PC gaming market, which offers a variety of affordable and innovative titles. The challenge for the gaming industry is to ensure that all players, regardless of financial status, have access to quality gaming experiences.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Turns out running a zoo is easy unless you spend all your money on chickens

Many professionals are exploring alternative career development avenues due to uncertainty in the workforce, with job simulators like Zoo Life Simulator gaining popularity. In this game, players manage a zoo with limited resources, specifically a budget of ,200, and must make strategic decisions about animal acquisition and visitor engagement. This experience helps players develop skills in critical thinking, financial planning, and problem-solving, which are valuable in various professional settings. Virtual job simulations may become essential for career preparation as the job market evolves with AI and automation.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

The director of Tales of Kenzera: Zau learned his most important game development lesson while working with Ridley Scott: ‘That’s why we’re able to make games faster’

Surgent Studios faced challenges after the commercial failure of their first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, leading to layoffs and potential redundancy for the entire team by October 2024. However, the studio rebounded by launching two new games, including the horror game Dead Take in 2025, which was well-received on Steam. This shift in strategy focused on smaller, more sustainable projects rather than lengthy development cycles. The experience gained from Zau contributed to the studio's efficiency in producing new games. Salim, the studio's director, also created a child-friendly multiplayer game called FixForce. He remains open to larger projects in the future but acknowledges the competitive nature of the gaming market.