player interest Archives

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Monster Hunter: Wilds patch finally fixes the game’s inexcusable performance woes on PC

Capcom released Title Update 2 for Monster Hunter: Wilds, addressing a shader compilation issue that caused high CPU loads and performance problems for PC players. The update shifts shader compilation to the initial launch phase, improving performance without requiring manual shader cache deletions. It also introduces two new monsters and follows previous updates that increased game difficulty and included a crossover character, Akuma from Street Fighter 6. Despite earlier negative feedback and performance issues, the update has led to a resurgence of player interest and returning players.

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Randy Pitchford asks fans “would you pre-order Borderlands 4” on your “favorite” PC game store “if you knew that would influence exclusivity decisions,” is overwhelmingly told Steam is all that matters

Randy Pitchford, head of Gearbox, is considering allowing players to influence platform exclusivity decisions for Borderlands 4 through pre-orders. He shared insights on potential exclusive content between the Epic Game Store and Steam, asking fans if they would pre-order to impact these decisions. A poll indicated that 91% of respondents preferred Steam over Epic. Additionally, Gearbox is re-evaluating weapon mechanics in Borderlands 4 to enhance gameplay and provide more surprises for players.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Despite limping on Steam charts with a 24-hour peak of less than 200, FBC: Firebreak hits 1 million players milestone—and, let’s face it, it’s probably Game Pass

FBC: Firebreak, Remedy's multiplayer shooter, has a peak player count of 169 on Steam and a 'mixed' rating with a score of 60%. However, over one million players have engaged with the game, indicating a broader interest. The game is available on Game Pass, which may contribute to its player base. Criticism has been directed at its progression system, which is seen as stingy and requiring repetitive gameplay to unlock content. Despite some enjoyment, many players express a desire for a different game. The future success of FBC: Firebreak may depend on converting its player interest into sales.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

Will Death Stranding 2 be released on PC, Xbox, or Game Pass? Everything we know about Kojima’s new game

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has launched as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, with no current plans for a PC or Xbox version, nor availability on Game Pass. A PC port may be possible several months after launch, similar to the original game's release timeline. An Xbox release at launch is not feasible, and while a future release on Xbox is possible, it is unlikely soon. Any potential inclusion on Game Pass would depend on third-party publishing agreements after the exclusivity period. Future licensing agreements, market demand, and technical adaptations could influence broader availability.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is getting Minecraft characters and Hatsune Miku to make sure people are “not just playing it when it comes out, having fun, and that being it”

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds will feature crossover characters from franchises such as Minecraft, Yakuza, Hatsune Miku, and Joker from Persona 5, aiming to create a 'Hall of Fame' atmosphere. Producer Takashi Iizuka stated that the game seeks to pull from the best elements of previous racing titles to enhance player engagement. A Season Pass will provide new content, including characters and courses, for a year after launch, with Minecraft being the first major addition. This strategy is intended to maintain player interest in a competitive gaming landscape, particularly against titles like Mario Kart.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

This new Game of Thrones strategy game will let you change one of the final season’s biggest moments, and it’s coming next year

A new real-time strategy game set in the Game of Thrones universe, titled War for Westeros, was announced during the Summer Game Fest 2025, with a launch date planned for next year. This game allows players to command one of the Great Houses or the Night King, aiming to conquer the Seven Kingdoms through solo or multiplayer battles. It features a narrative twist that lets players alter the fates of iconic characters, such as Jon Snow potentially rising alongside the Night King. The game includes dramatic moments, like a dragon being taken down by a massive ballista, reflecting on Daenerys Targaryen's character arc.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

CHARTS: Fantasy Life i debuts at No.2 on Steam

The gaming landscape on Steam has recently seen notable changes. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, developed by Level 5, launched on May 21st and became the second highest-grossing game last week. Counter-Strike 2 remains the top-grossing game. Dota 2 rose 31 spots to No. 3 due to the Spring Forward patch. The Steam Deck is the fourth highest-grossing item. Helldivers 2 climbed to No. 5 after an update. Elden Ring Nightreign pre-orders increased its position to No. 6. RoadCraft debuted at No. 7. Warframe re-entered the Top Ten at No. 8, while Apex Legends rose to No. 9. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dropped to No. 10. Doom: The Dark Ages fell to No. 21. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending May 27th is as follows: 1. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 2. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Level 5 3. Dota 2, Valve 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. Helldivers 2, PlayStation 6. Elden Ring Nightreign, Bandai Namco (P) 7. RoadCraft, Saber Interactive 8. Warframe, Digital Extremes 9. Apex Legends, EA 10. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Kepler Interactive.

AppWizard

May 23, 2025

Embracer Group sees net sales across PC/console and mobile games fall in FY2024/25

Embracer Group's financial results for Q4 ending March 2025 show a decline in net sales to SEK 5.4 billion, down 6% year-on-year. The PC/console segment generated SEK 3 billion (down 2%), while mobile sales were SEK 943 million (down 31%). For the full fiscal year, net sales totaled SEK 22.3 billion, down 18%, with PC/console games at SEK 1.5 billion (down 27%) and mobile at SEK 5.3 billion (down 9%). The total number of game development projects decreased from 141 to 108, and headcount was reduced from 9,692 to 7,180, including 5,378 game developers. Despite these declines, the game Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 sold three million copies. Embracer reported organic growth of 30% in mobile game sales and 22% in PC/console sales. The company plans to release 76 games in FY 2025/26, including notable titles like Killing Floor 3 and Marvel 1943: Rise of the Hydra. A third AAA game has been postponed to 2026/27, and THQ Nordic's studio Campfire Cabal has resumed operations after a closure in 2023.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Kepler says Oblivion launch didn’t harm Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 release

Publisher Kepler Interactive stated that the launch of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered did not negatively impact the debut of their title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Senior portfolio director Matt Handrahan expressed optimism, noting that the remaster increased interest in the RPG genre. He highlighted the distinct identities within RPGs, with players often favoring either Western or Japanese styles. Handrahan felt confident about Expedition 33's launch due to its competitive price and inclusion in Game Pass. He reported that the launch week went well, with Oblivion becoming the highest-grossing game on Steam and Expedition 33 securing the No. 3 position.