monthly active users Archives

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

N.J. sues messaging app Discord for alleged youth endangerment

New Jersey has filed a lawsuit against Discord, alleging that the platform's safety measures for young users are inadequate and misleading. The lawsuit claims that Discord's safety protocols have exposed children to violent content, harassment, and sexual abuse, despite the company's assertions that it provides a "safe space for teens." Key concerns include the platform's ineffective age-verification process, which allows children under 13 to access the app, and the failure of its "Safe Direct Messaging" feature to effectively scan for explicit content. Discord has expressed surprise at the legal action and maintains its commitment to improving safety on the platform.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

We’re Introducing New Built-In Restrictions for Instagram Teen Accounts, and Expanding to Facebook and Messenger

Last year, Instagram introduced Teen Accounts with built-in protections for users under 16, requiring parental consent for any changes to default strict settings. A survey indicated that 97% of teens aged 13-15 chose to keep these protective measures. New safeguards for Instagram Live and direct messages will require parental approval for teens under 16. Teen Accounts will also be expanded to Facebook and Messenger, initially targeting users in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Since their launch, over 54 million teens have used Teen Accounts, which include features like automatic private settings, content controls, and reminder notifications. A survey showed that 94% of parents found Teen Accounts beneficial, with over 90% supporting the default protections.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ is on-track for a $135M opening weekend

The big screen adaptation of Minecraft has made a significant debut, earning millions on its opening Friday and is projected to reach 5 million by the end of the weekend, potentially setting a new benchmark for 2023. If these projections hold, it would surpass “Captain America: Brave New World,” which earned .8 million in February, and provide a boost to the domestic box office, which is down 7% year-over-year. The film, directed by Jared Hess and featuring stars like Jason Momoa and Jack Black, creatively introduces human characters into the Minecraft world, despite the game's lack of a defined storyline. The film's performance mirrors that of “The Super Mario Brothers Movie,” which also faced mixed reviews but achieved box office success. This opening weekend is encouraging for Warner Bros., which has faced recent setbacks, and a sequel seems likely.

AppWizard

March 20, 2025

Crafting a Blockbuster: How ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Brought the Wacky, Cubic Video Game to Life

The upcoming "A Minecraft Movie," a collaboration between Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Microsoft, is set to be released next month. The film is based on the sandbox game "Minecraft," which allows players to create and explore in an open-ended environment. The cast includes Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, with Jack Black portraying an expert crafter named Steve. The film aims to maintain the family-friendly essence of "Minecraft" and is seen as an experiment in linear storytelling. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, acknowledges the learning curve in adapting games for film, referencing past projects like "Halo" and "Fallout." "Minecraft" has sold over 300 million copies since its launch in 2011, and the film has been in development for over a decade. Director Jared Hess is noted for his ability to balance humor for children with sophistication for adults, and Jack Black reportedly logged over 100 hours of gameplay during production. The success of the film will be measured by box office performance and audience engagement, particularly among children.

AppWizard

March 14, 2025

The Digital Privacy Paradox: Encrypted Messaging App ‘Session’ Solves What Others Won’t

Instant messaging has become a crucial part of global communication, connecting billions of users while raising concerns about privacy and security. Many popular messaging apps, despite encryption, still expose users to privacy threats through metadata collection, which can reveal personal information. Session is a messaging platform that aims to address these issues by minimizing metadata usage and ensuring user anonymity through anonymous sign-ups, a decentralized infrastructure, and advanced encryption techniques. Session does not require personal details like phone numbers or emails for registration and operates on a network of over 2,200 nodes, making it difficult for any single entity to access or censor user data. The app is open-source, allowing for transparency and independent audits, and employs onion routing to enhance security. Session is particularly beneficial for journalists and activists who need secure communication in surveillance-prone environments. The platform is governed by the non-profit Session Technology Foundation, which prioritizes user privacy over profit. Session's upcoming token, $SESH, will incentivize individuals to operate nodes, contributing to the decentralized nature of the network and enhancing security through staking mechanisms. The transition from Oxen to Session Token on Arbitrum aims to improve efficiency and scalability while planning for a future where privacy-first messaging competes with mainstream platforms.

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Can alternative app stores break through?

Amazon will close its Android App Store on August 20th, preventing developers from submitting new applications. Epic Games reported an 18% year-over-year decline in player spending on PC, amounting to 5 million in 2024, despite increased user accounts. Alternative app stores face challenges in competing with established platforms like Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Companies like Huawei and Samsung have large user bases but struggle to generate significant revenue in Western markets. Alvaro Pinto, co-founder of Aptoide, notes that Amazon's closure occurs as the app distribution ecosystem is evolving, suggesting potential for new marketplaces despite existing hurdles. The upcoming Pocket Gamer Connects San Francisco event on March 17th to 18th will discuss insights on alternative app stores and direct-to-consumer practices.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

Epic Games Store hits 295m PC users in 2024

The Epic Games Store has over 295 million users on PC, with an increase of 25 million accounts from the previous year. Epic Games reported a total of 898 million cross-platform accounts, a rise of 94 million year-on-year. PC players spent .09 billion on the store, a 15 percent increase from the prior year, although spending on third-party titles declined by 18 percent, totaling 5 million. The store averages 67 million monthly active users and 32 million daily active users. The highest-performing games of 2024 include Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai Star Rail, Grand Theft Auto 5, and Fortnite Battle Royale. The next tier of successful titles includes EA Sports FC 24, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, Alan Wake 2, Fall Guys, and Wuthering Waves.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

The Epic Games Store nears 300 million total users

The Epic Games Store's 2024 year-in-review report reveals that its PC user base has grown to 295 million, an increase of 25 million from the previous year. The total number of Epic cross-platform accounts is nearing 900 million. There was a slight decrease in peak monthly users from 75 million to 74 million, but average daily users rose by 6% to 31.5 million. In 2024, users claimed 595 million free games across 89 titles, averaging 6.6 million claims per game. The top five games of 2024 based on player spending and engagement are Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai: Star Rail, Grand Theft Auto V, and Fortnite. Looking ahead, Epic plans to continue its free game program and introduce new features, including non-gaming applications and a new download manager.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Epic Games Store hits nearly 300 million PC users in 2024

Epic Games' store has attracted 295 million users on PC and nearly 900 million cross-platform accounts, marking an increase of approximately 100 million users from the previous year, with an average of 67 million monthly active users (MAUs). However, revenue from third-party game sales on PC has declined by 18% year-over-year, dropping from 0 million to 5 million. Overall revenue has increased from 0 million to .09 billion, largely due to Epic's own titles. The top three titles on the platform are Free-to-Play games: Genshin Impact, Rocket League, and Honkai Star Rail, with Grand Theft Auto V being the first paid title on the list. Epic plans to enhance its mobile applications and add features like voice chat and out-of-game invites to the PC client. Concerns remain about the sustainability of third-party game sales as Epic's revenue increasingly relies on its own franchises.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Epic Games Store has more PC players than ever – 295 million, in fact

Epic Games Store attracted 295 million PC players over the past year, an increase of 25 million since 2023. The platform has 898 million Epic cross-platform accounts, up by 94 million, with a collective playtime of 2.68 billion hours. The game catalog expanded by 1,100 new titles, supported by Self-Publishing Tools allowing developers to retain 100 percent of their revenue. The Free Games Program has provided over ,000 worth of premium PC titles through 89 giveaways, continuing into 2025. Daily Active Users (DAU) peaked at 37.2 million, while Monthly Active Users (MAU) declined slightly from 75 million to 74 million. DAU increased by 6 percent to 31.5 million, and MAU grew by 6 percent to 67.2 million. Popular titles include Genshin Impact, Rocket League, Honkai Star Rail, GTA 5, and Fortnite. The Now on Epic program will extend until January 31, 2026, including mobile games. Third-party gametime rose from 2.41 billion hours in 2023 to 2.68 billion in 2024, an 11 percent year-over-year growth. The Walt Disney Company acquired a .5 billion stake in Epic Games, initiating a multi-year partnership for a games and entertainment universe linked to Fortnite.