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"A New Chapter of Horror": Supermassive's Directive 8020 Arrives on PC and Consoles in May 2026
AppWizard
February 10, 2026

“A New Chapter of Horror”: Supermassive’s Directive 8020 Arrives on PC and Consoles in May 2026

Supermassive Games has announced that their narrative-driven horror adventure, Directive 8020, will be released on May 12, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-orders are now available for PS5 and Xbox Series, with Steam pre-orders coming soon. The game was initially announced in 2024 after being hinted at in 2022, and its release was delayed from October 2025 due to layoffs at Supermassive. The last showcase of Directive 8020 took place at Gamescom 2025, where it was noted for its real-time threats and enhanced graphics.
Amazon Games boss Hartmann reportedly leaving as firm retreats from PC and console
AppWizard
January 30, 2026

Amazon Games boss Hartmann reportedly leaving as firm retreats from PC and console

Christoph Hartmann, head of Amazon Game Studios, is leaving the company, which is shifting its focus from PC and console gaming to prioritize its Luna cloud streaming service. This change coincides with Amazon's layoffs affecting approximately 16,000 roles, following a previous round of 14,000 layoffs in October 2025. The gaming division may face challenges due to this strategic pivot, and significant reductions have already occurred in Amazon's gaming operations. The project New World Aeternum is scheduled to go offline in January 2027. Hartmann joined Amazon in 2018 and has over two decades of experience from 2K Games.
It's a ways off, but Elder Scrolls Online will get crossplay and cross-progression 'at the same time'
AppWizard
January 20, 2026

It’s a ways off, but Elder Scrolls Online will get crossplay and cross-progression ‘at the same time’

Elder Scrolls Online is set to introduce crossplay and cross-progression features after twelve years, with development confirmed by ZeniMax Online Studios. These features will not be included in the 2026 roadmap. Executive producer Susan Kath stated that both crossplay and cross-progression will be implemented simultaneously. The integration of these features poses challenges due to the need to merge diverse player bases. Despite setbacks in 2025, including the departure of the original director and layoffs, the game continues to be popular and aims to enhance player connectivity across Xbox and PlayStation platforms.
Blade director reassures suffering fans with soothing words: 'Please be patient, it will be a special game'
AppWizard
December 25, 2025

Blade director reassures suffering fans with soothing words: ‘Please be patient, it will be a special game’

Arkane Studios unveiled their latest project, Blade, at The Game Awards 2023, but concerns have arisen due to the lack of updates and its absence from the Xbox Games Showcase. The game's silence intensified speculation after it did not appear at the Game Awards 2025. Arkane's co-creative director, Dinga Bakaba, reassured fans on social media that the team is dedicated to delivering a special game. The studio faces challenges, as their previous title, Prey, struggled commercially, and the disappointing performance of Redfall led to the closure of Arkane Austin in 2024. Additionally, Microsoft's focus on artificial intelligence and recent layoffs in its gaming division have raised concerns about the future of game development. The success of Blade is critical for Arkane, as it has the potential to offer a unique take on superhero narratives.
Steam's 2025 Replay reveals we all once again spent around 14% of our time on games released in the same year—which apparently shakes out to a median of 0.56 new games
AppWizard
December 18, 2025

Steam’s 2025 Replay reveals we all once again spent around 14% of our time on games released in the same year—which apparently shakes out to a median of 0.56 new games

Players dedicated 14% of their total playtime in 2025 to games released in the same year. Historical data shows the following percentages for the same metric: 17% in 2022, 9% in 2023, and 15% in 2024. This suggests that, on average, players may settle around 14-15% of their gaming time on new releases in future years. For an average player logging 300 hours of gameplay, this equates to approximately 42 hours spent on titles that debuted in 2025. The median number of games played by users was four, implying engagement with about 0.56 new games.
Legendary FPS developer John Romero says his studio 'survived the cancellation of our huge game' and its shooter project 'will be new to people the way that going through Elden Ring was a really new experience'
AppWizard
December 11, 2025

Legendary FPS developer John Romero says his studio ‘survived the cancellation of our huge game’ and its shooter project ‘will be new to people the way that going through Elden Ring was a really new experience’

In July, Romero Games announced the loss of funding for its anticipated shooter project, coinciding with layoffs at Microsoft affecting over 9,000 employees. The studio assured its community of efforts to ensure survival amid uncertainty. Recently, at the Salón del Videojuego de Madrid 2025, John Romero announced that the studio is working on a reimagined shooter project, drawing inspiration from games like Elden Ring. Romero emphasized a bold and imaginative direction for the new game, continuing the legacy of groundbreaking titles such as Doom.
Creative Assembly has been busy—Total War: Medieval 3 is coming, along with more Warhammer DLC and another game that will be revealed next week, 'marking the beginning of an exciting new era'
AppWizard
December 4, 2025

Creative Assembly has been busy—Total War: Medieval 3 is coming, along with more Warhammer DLC and another game that will be revealed next week, ‘marking the beginning of an exciting new era’

Creative Assembly has announced the development of Total War: Medieval 3, returning to the Middle Ages after two decades since Total War: Medieval 2. The announcement was made during a 25th anniversary showcase by Sega and Creative Assembly. The game is described as a tribute to its predecessors and an evolution for the franchise, promising historical authenticity and player agency. It is currently in pre-production. Creative Assembly's last major release, Total War: Three Kingdoms, received acclaim but lacked ongoing support. The studio also continues to develop content for Total War: Warhammer 3, with a new DLC titled Lords of the End Times set for release next summer. Additionally, another announcement is expected during The Game Awards on December 11, which is described as one of the most ambitious projects in the franchise's history.
It's 2025's most notorious flop, but you can now try this would-be GTA rival for free, and it really can only get better
AppWizard
November 30, 2025

It’s 2025’s most notorious flop, but you can now try this would-be GTA rival for free, and it really can only get better

Mindseye, launched in June 2025 by Build a Rocket Boy, is an action game that received poor reviews and faced significant issues at launch, leading to employee layoffs. Founder Leslie Benzies attributed the game's failure to external sabotage. Despite ongoing turmoil, the team is working on updates, including a free demo released with Update 6, which offers a portion of the campaign and player-created content. The free starter pack weighs under 50GB and includes a 15-minute main quest and 14 additional challenges, although the free-roam feature has been removed. The complete game is currently available at a 50% discount, priced at .99 / £27.49.
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