niche titles Archives

AppWizard

May 25, 2026

Steam Week in Review: Steam is flooded with liminal spaces games and I approve, but I think I’ve found the best to start with

Dreamcore explores "liminal spaces," featuring environments like indoor pools, low-poly suburbia, and children's play areas, with a notable "liminal hotel" inspired by the Backrooms meme. Liminal spaces evoke feelings of transition and emptiness and have gained popularity on platforms like Steam. Since its release in January 2025, Dreamcore has introduced a new map called Dead Mall, reminiscent of 1990s super malls. Other titles in the genre include Pools, Tainted Pools, and Liminal Waters, while games like Dream Logic offer a PS1-era twist. Dreamcore is noted for its diverse themes and well-optimized performance, allowing players to explore unsettling landscapes. Steam's sales chart from May 12 - 19 lists the top games by revenue, with Subnautica 2 leading, followed by Forza Horizon 6, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Night is expected to rise in the charts, and 007 First Light is gaining traction due to pre-orders. Librarian: Tidy Up The Arcane Library ranks eighth despite its April release. A humorous user review for Bubsy 4D received attention for its candidness.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

How Arrowhead helped turn around Helldivers 2’s poor fortunes

Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead, discussed the company's journey following the success of Helldivers 2, emphasizing the importance of targeting a specific audience rather than a broad one. The game's unexpected popularity attracted millions of players, prompting a reevaluation of their development approach. Jorjani noted that creating a game for a dedicated audience can resonate beyond that group, referencing From Software's challenging games as an example of how niche titles can create new genres. Despite not aiming for a mainstream audience like Call of Duty, Arrowhead attracted a diverse player base with varying expectations. Jorjani described challenges during a difficult period of balancing studio principles with the demands of a larger audience. The experiences from Helldivers 2 will influence Arrowhead's future projects and enhance their understanding of audience engagement in the gaming market.