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Gabe Newell Fights Steam Monopoly Claims, Says “Customers Have Enormous Choice” Across Consoles and PC
AppWizard
June 4, 2026

Gabe Newell Fights Steam Monopoly Claims, Says “Customers Have Enormous Choice” Across Consoles and PC

Valve's Steam is facing multiple legal challenges, including a class-action antitrust lawsuit regarding its microtransaction strategies and a 30% commission on transactions. Gabe Newell, Valve's co-founder, is defending the platform against claims of monopolistic behavior, asserting that gamers have "enormous choice" in where to purchase games. Allegations suggest Valve has threatened developers who price their games lower outside of Steam, including a warning to Ubisoft about removing Rainbow Six Siege from the platform. Newell denies these allegations, stating that Valve does not dictate prices to third-party developers on other platforms. The outcomes of the lawsuits could significantly impact how games are marketed and sold.
Despite microtransaction woes at launch, MMO sequel Aion 2 will go global this year
AppWizard
April 23, 2026

Despite microtransaction woes at launch, MMO sequel Aion 2 will go global this year

Aion 2, launched in November of last year and set 200 years after the original game, has gained traction despite mixed reviews on its microtransaction strategies. It is preparing for a global release on Steam later this year, targeting players in North America, South America, Japan, and Europe by 2026. The game generated millions within the first month and a half of its release and has over 1 million subscribers, contributing to a 12% increase in NCSoft's revenue for the quarter.
Your joys will always be someone else's junk
AppWizard
April 6, 2026

Your joys will always be someone else’s junk

Crimson Desert has sold over 4 million copies in two weeks and has a Very Positive rating on Steam, despite mixed player reactions. Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2, launched on Steam in 2023, is a free-to-play mecha shooter that has received negative reviews due to monetization and networking issues, yet the author enjoys it for its mechanical satisfaction and representation of Gundam's universe. The author has rekindled interest in Gundam and finds GBO 2's combat mechanics compelling, despite its shortcomings. Engaging with a game considered subpar has helped the author clarify personal gaming preferences and appreciate design elements that resonate with their interests.
In 2025, Monster Hunter fell prey to profit
AppWizard
January 6, 2026

In 2025, Monster Hunter fell prey to profit

Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds sold 8 million copies within three days of its release, making it the fastest-selling title in the company's history. However, the game's review ratings on Steam fluctuated between Mixed and Mostly Negative due to performance issues, leading to a drop in sales from 10 million at launch to fewer than 500,000 in a single quarter. Capcom's net sales fell by 24.7% year-over-year and profits dropped nearly 40%. The company has introduced 190 microtransaction items for the game, while significant improvements to its optimization are not expected until February.
"Joke's on you," says No Man's Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it's replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic
AppWizard
December 3, 2025

“Joke’s on you,” says No Man’s Sky lead as rival survival game confirms it’s replacing an eerily familiar cosmetic

Developer Starry Studio has introduced significant updates to the survival game Once Human, including a new class system, a PvP-centric Raid Zone, and a crossover with Palworld. A new decorative item in the game’s loot crates, specifically an exercise bike, has sparked controversy due to its similarities to the Base Teleport Module from No Man's Sky. Hello Games' Sean Murray responded humorously to the criticism, while Starry Studio confirmed it would remove the contentious item. The Thunder Overload cosmetic lineup features outfits and a weapon skin that transforms the SKS into a mechanical dragon. Earlier this year, Once Human was also accused of borrowing design elements from Rainbow Six Siege. Starry Studio has pledged to replace the disputed asset and review their art and design policies, emphasizing the importance of originality and community feedback.
AI-торрент: децентрализованная сеть, где твои GPU станут валютой для супер-AI
TrendTechie
November 12, 2025

AI-торрент: децентрализованная сеть, где твои GPU станут валютой для супер-AI

A decentralized P2P network called "AI Torrent" is designed for AI model inference, based on principles such as a BitTorrent economy where nodes exchange computational resources, a Smart Swarm Architecture using specialized models, and Self-Organizing Intelligence that allows popular models to migrate to active nodes. Users without computational resources can interact through a standard API or chat interface, while those with resources can register as nodes and earn utility tokens by performing inference tasks. AI model creators can upload models and receive royalties through smart contracts. The economy operates on utility tokens (AIT), with revenue distribution of 70% to seeders, 20% to model developers, and 10% to a DAO fund. The network aims to be cheaper than centralized alternatives and has mechanisms for liquidity and stability, including trading on DEX platforms and staking. Existing projects in decentralized AI demonstrate the viability of P2P inference, and the "AI Torrent" seeks to integrate their best features while focusing on making inference accessible and affordable. Challenges include latency in P2P systems, which the network aims to address through geo-DHT and edge caching.
Taking the good bits of Warframe and ditching the bad bits of Genshin Impact, this new gacha game is going to save me a fortune
AppWizard
October 29, 2025

Taking the good bits of Warframe and ditching the bad bits of Genshin Impact, this new gacha game is going to save me a fortune

Pan Studio's Duet Night Abyss is a fantasy anime game that avoids the traditional gacha model by allowing players to acquire characters through in-game farming and collecting Character Shards, rather than through monetary transactions. The game eliminates time-gated energy systems, enabling players to engage with content at their own pace. Revenue is generated through cosmetic gacha mechanics, which do not affect gameplay. The game draws inspiration from titles like Warframe and aims to blend respectful monetization with engaging gameplay elements.
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