partnership Archives

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Meta Horizon+ Adds XBOX Game Pass

Meta and XBOX have launched a starter edition of XBOX Game Pass on the Meta Horizon+ platform, providing access to over 50 games. This edition includes 10 hours of cloud gaming each month, allowing players to stream select titles without downloads. Users can also download games for unlimited play across various devices. The library features notable titles such as Fallout 4, Overcooked 2, Grounded, DayZ, Deep Rock Galactic, and SnowRunner. Meta Quest Touch controllers will soon emulate an XBOX gamepad, enabling easy access to Game Pass titles. The subscription to Meta Horizon+ costs .99 USD per year or .99 USD per month, with a one-month free trial for new users, and includes over 100 VR games.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

X Announces Completion Of Year-Long Android App Rebuild

X has completed a year-long rebuild of its Android app, described by head of product Nikita Bier as one of the largest engineering projects since Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter in 2022. The app was developed from scratch to improve the user experience for Android mobile users, with plans to roll out new features more quickly. The engineering team is still working on features like hosting Spaces and optimizing performance for older devices. The rebuild was prompted by a surge in Android app downloads last year and aligns with Musk's vision of transforming X into an "everything app." The launch comes amid challenges such as reduced content moderation, an advertiser boycott, and user attrition. X has also introduced X Chat, a private messaging service, and X Money, a digital payments platform, while implementing measures to promote original content. The rebuilt Android app is now available for download on the Google Play Store.

AppWizard

July 21, 2026

X launches ground-up rebuilt Android app after year-long development

The digital entertainment landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in India, where mobile-first consumption and value for money are critical. Insights from Amazon MX Player's leadership reveal that the integration of MX Player into Amazon's ecosystem has advanced technology, data utilization, and content distribution. Karan Bedi noted the swift integration process and highlighted the benefits in monetization through Amazon's ad technology, including the “Personas” feature for targeted advertising. MX Player has expanded its distribution across various Amazon platforms, transitioning to a multi-device approach. The platform emphasizes brand safety and has increased its content diversity, focusing on advertiser-friendly shows. Bedi introduced the concept of “micro-genres” with the upcoming MX Fatafat product, featuring short episodes to cater to varying viewer time constraints. MX Player utilizes a robust analytics framework to create content that resonates with diverse audiences, including regional offerings in multiple languages. Girish Prabhu discussed innovative advertising opportunities, emphasizing the integration of brands into content narratives and interactive formats for immediate consumer engagement. MX Player is positioned on major connected TV platforms, aligning with the trend for high-quality, free entertainment. The platform enables direct-to-consumer brands to access larger video formats, leveraging Amazon's consumer insights for personalized advertising and focusing on outcomes rather than impressions. Advertisers are increasingly seeking targeted messages that drive brand growth, highlighting the importance of platforms like MX Player.

AppWizard

July 19, 2026

EA believes that planning for in-game advertising placement should be done during the development stage

Alexander Dao, Vice President of Advertising and Sponsorship at Electronic Arts (EA), discussed the strategic integration of advertising in console and PC games, emphasizing that planning for advertising from the outset can enhance monetization potential. He noted that when advertising is integrated into game design from the beginning, it feels more organic and allows for greater flexibility with brands. Dao mentioned that the ease of embedding advertising varies by genre, with sports games being more conducive to it. He cited the partnership between The Sims 4 and Coach as a successful example of brand collaboration. Additionally, he highlighted EA's launch of EA Advertising, a platform aimed at facilitating brand advertising within its games.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

EA believes that planning for in-game advertising placement should be done during the development stage

Alexander Dao, Vice President of Advertising and Sponsorship at Electronic Arts (EA), discussed the strategic advantages of integrating advertising into console and PC games from the outset, enhancing monetization and user experience. He emphasized the importance of designing games with advertising in mind for a more organic inclusion, which varies by game genre. Dao cited the collaboration between The Sims 4 and Coach as a successful example of unobtrusive brand integration. He also mentioned EA's launch of EA Advertising, a platform to facilitate brand advertising within its games, reflecting EA's commitment to innovative advertising strategies.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

Bethesda confirms Fallout 3 and New Vegas remasters, makes Obsidian collaboration official, and says Fallout 5 is in ‘pre-production’

Bethesda Softworks has announced a new Fallout game in collaboration with Obsidian Entertainment, with Fallout 5 identified as a long-term goal and multiple projects in active development. Remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas are also planned, although release dates are not yet available. Additionally, a new expansion for Fallout 76, titled Raven Rock, is set to launch in 2027 as a prequel to Fallout 3. Bethesda is committed to ongoing updates for Starfield and hinted at future developments for The Elder Scrolls Online.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

EA vice president of advertising says game ads are a ‘huge opportunity’, but it ‘has to make sense for the game’

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced a new advertising platform aimed at integrating in-game ads in a way that feels organic and beneficial for both players and brands. EA's vice president of advertising, Alexander Dao, highlighted the importance of designing advertising experiences from the outset to create a native feel and allow for greater brand participation. He emphasized the need for standardization in advertising practices, particularly regarding viewability standards and reporting metrics, to ensure consistency and accountability in advertising investments. EA recently collaborated with Coach to offer nine free branded items in The Sims, based on player surveys about brand preferences. Dao expressed a desire to balance commercial interests with player satisfaction, noting concerns about advertising potentially detracting from the gaming experience.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

The follow-up to one of last year’s best detective games is off to an ‘overwhelmingly positive’ start on Steam after just 2 days

In early 2025, the puzzle game Blue Prince won PC Gamer's 'best design' Game of the Year award. Another notable title, The Roottrees are Dead, offered a narrative-driven mystery through a computer interface, inspiring similar projects. Developer Evil Trout released The Incident at Galley House, which received over 600 reviews on Steam with 97% approval. The game was developed by William Rous and Johnson, who enhanced the experience with design elements, coding, and game development. The team was inspired by the free mystery game Type Help, recognized for its captivating narrative. The Incident at Galley House features a visual novel-style presentation, 2D illustrations, a 3D interface for exploring memories, and voice acting. It is priced at £17.75 on Steam with a 10% launch discount until July 21.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

Get ready for more bloatware on your next Samsung Galaxy device

Samsung has partnered with Amazon Music to preload the Amazon Music app on select Samsung smartphones and tablets. New subscribers will receive a three-month free trial of the Unlimited subscription, which will cost .99 per month afterward, with a reduced rate of .99 for Amazon Prime members. The Unlimited subscription includes one audiobook from Audible each month. Concerns have been raised about the increasing presence of preloaded applications, often referred to as bloatware, on Android devices.

AppWizard

July 15, 2026

GTA 6 isn’t on PC at launch because it’s ‘always better to start with the constraints’, suggests former Rockstar producer

Rockstar Games is launching Grand Theft Auto 6 without a simultaneous PC port, which has disappointed some PC players. Former Rockstar producer John Ricchio explained that the decision is based on resource allocation and the need for a compelling business case for PC ports. He noted that past hardware limitations favored console development, but the performance gap between consoles and PCs has narrowed recently. Despite the delayed PC version, 39% of players are willing to wait for it. The game, titled Phantom Vice Auto, is set to launch on November 19.