landscape Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

PlayStation games on PC is “almost like printing money”, says former exec Shuhei Yoshida

Shuhei Yoshida, a former PlayStation executive, discussed the financial benefits of porting PlayStation-exclusive titles to PC, describing it as "almost like printing money." He expressed a desire to transition first-party games to PC earlier but noted that the previous business model did not support this vision. Porting games allows Sony to reach a broader audience, particularly in regions with low console ownership, and is cost-effective compared to creating original titles. Yoshida emphasized the importance of tapping into emerging markets like China, where the PC gaming landscape is strong. Since 2020, Sony has gradually transitioned its exclusive titles to PC, with recent releases including Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. The release of Helldivers 2 was noted as a significant success for Sony. Yoshida also mentioned future plans for live service games, including insights on Naughty Dog's The Last of Us Online.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon to shutter app store for Android devices

Amazon will close its Appstore for Android devices on August 20 of this year, and developers will no longer be able to submit new applications. The decision is part of a strategic shift to enhance user experience on Amazon's own devices. The Appstore will still be available on Amazon's Fire TV, Fire Tablet, and other built-in products. Developers can submit updates for existing applications until the service ends. Additionally, Amazon will discontinue its Amazon Coins program on the same date and will refund any remaining coins in user accounts.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Ex-President of SIE Pushed Sony To Port First-Party Games To PC

Sony is considering expanding its PlayStation-exclusive titles to the PC platform, influenced by Shuhei Yoshida, the former President of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Yoshida argues that releasing games on PC can maximize revenue by reaching new audiences, particularly in regions like China where console gaming is less popular. He highlights that porting games to PC is less expensive than developing new titles, providing a significant financial incentive. However, he acknowledges that PC versions typically release a few years after their console counterparts, which may concern existing PlayStation owners.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon Shuts Down Appstore for Android Phones After 14 Years: No More Apps Coming to the Platform

Amazon will close its Appstore for Android smartphones on August 20, marking the end of its mobile app initiatives after over a decade of challenges. The Appstore, launched in 2011, struggled to compete with Google Play Store and had only 0.1% installation on Android devices by its shutdown announcement. Existing users can continue to use downloaded apps until at least August 2025, but Amazon has stopped selling Amazon Coins. The closure coincides with ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Google. Amazon will still operate its Appstore for Fire devices, which use a modified version of Android.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon app store for Android to discontinue operations this year

Amazon will close its Android app store on August 20, 2025. Developers can submit updates for existing apps until the closure but cannot introduce new applications. The app store will remain functional on Amazon's Fire tablets and Fire TV. In Japan, in-app purchases will be discontinued, and users are advised to seek alternative marketplaces. Amazon will also end its Amazon Coins program, refunding any unused Coins by the closure date, with the last purchase opportunity on February 20, 2025. Additionally, Amazon's app store support for Windows devices will cease on March 5, 2025.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Windows 7 is not forgotten

Mozilla has extended support for Firefox 115 ESR on unsupported versions of Windows, including Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, until March 2025. Initially set to end support in September 2024, Mozilla reassessed the situation due to the continued presence of users on Windows 7 and decided to extend support for an additional six months. Mozilla plans to reassess its support strategy in August of this year. Meanwhile, the latest versions of Firefox, including version 135 on the Release Channel and version 128 on the Extended Support Release Channel, are available for users on newer operating systems.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Amazon to Discontinue Amazon Coins and Amazon Appstore on Android

Amazon will cease the availability of Amazon Coins on February 20, 2025, and the Amazon Appstore on Android devices will be discontinued on August 20, 2025. Customers must use any remaining Amazon Coins by that date, as unspent balances will be refunded afterward. The Appstore will still be available on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices. Additionally, the Appstore will not be downloadable from the Microsoft store on Windows 11 devices starting March 6, 2024. Amazon Web Services will stop accepting new customers for Amazon Chime on February 19, 2025, with full support until February 20, 2026. The social commerce feature, Inspire, integrated into the Amazon shopping app in 2022, will also be discontinued.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Survival MMO Dune: Awakening launches in May and I am way more excited about it than I thought I’d be

Funcom has announced that Dune: Awakening will be released on May 20 for PC. The game is a survival MMO set in an alternate timeline of Arrakis, where players take on the role of a minion sent by the Bene Gesserit to find the Fremen and awaken the sleeper. Players will establish a base, fend off scavengers, and explore dungeons for resources. The gameplay includes exploration and combat, as well as building and customizing homes. As players progress, they will engage in the political dynamics of the Dune universe, navigating the Landsraad and aligning with various factions.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

10 biggest console-exclusive games that make me wish I wasn’t a PC gamer

PC gaming has a vast library, but exclusivity still attracts gamers. Several acclaimed games remain unavailable on PC due to various reasons. 1. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - High odds of being released; originally a PlayStation title, known for its exploration and iconic protagonist. 2. God Hand - Practically none; a 2006 PlayStation 2 exclusive with a unique combat system. 3. Mega Man Legends & Legends 2 - Basically zero; dormant series with a passionate fanbase but poor sales. 4. Silent Hill - Possible, but unlikely; a hallmark of survival horror with no modern platform release yet. 5. Pokémon Conquest - Absolutely not; a Nintendo DS exclusive with ties to Nobunaga's Ambition. 6. The Last Guardian - Not likely, but a chance exists; known for its emotional narrative and visuals. 7. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Nintendo doesn’t have to; successful on the Switch, likely to remain exclusive. 8. Super Mario Party Jamboree - Less than zero; relies on motion controls, making a PC adaptation unlikely. 9. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Higher than you might think, but not great; technical challenges hinder potential releases. 10. Bloodborne - Definitely coming soon (maybe, probably not though); ongoing rumors about a potential PC release.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Valve survey reveals almost 45% of gamers are still using Win 10

Nearly 45% of gamers on Steam continue to use Windows 10, according to a hardware survey conducted by Valve in January 2025, which shows that 44.41% of users rely on this operating system. In contrast, Windows 11 has captured 55.38% of the user base on the platform.