portfolio Archives

Winsage

February 20, 2025

The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft’s Windows hardware enters a new era

The Surface division at Microsoft has experienced significant internal changes over the past 18 months, including the departure of Panos Panay and new leadership. This has led to a strategic refocusing of the Surface portfolio, moving away from experimental hardware designs to more conventional offerings aimed at a broader audience. The company has discontinued extravagant devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Duo, favoring products that resonate with business customers and general consumers. Last year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered Windows computers known as Copilot+ PCs, which emphasize continuity and refinement of established designs rather than radical innovations. The Copilot+ PC initiative has allowed Windows on Arm to demonstrate its viability, with Snapdragon chips competing effectively in the Windows ecosystem. Surface continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Windows ecosystem, but with a more cautious approach that prioritizes ecosystem health over creating new markets. Future form factor experimentation will likely be delegated to OEM partners, while Microsoft focuses on transitioning users to Windows 11 and promoting Copilot+ PCs. Stakeholders can expect a steady stream of sensible Surface devices and incremental updates in the near future.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Ex-Sony Exec Says PC Ports of Old PS5 Games Are Almost Like Printing Money

Sony has been expanding its portfolio of classic games onto the PC platform, driven by the recognition of the potential market and financial benefits. Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Studios, advocated for this shift, noting that releasing games on PC allows access to new audiences, particularly in regions where consoles are less popular, such as China. He highlighted that porting games to PC is cost-effective compared to developing new titles, providing additional income to invest in new projects. Despite concerns from some fans about the impact on the PlayStation brand, Yoshida mentioned that many titles are released on PC years after their console launch, ensuring that console owners have experienced the games first.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Tencent’s messaging app Weixin launches beta testing with DeepSeek

Tencent Holdings Limited generates its net sales primarily from the following activities: - Development of mobile applications (54.8%), which includes online gaming platforms, instant messaging systems (notably QQ), gaming software, photo downloading applications, and online payment systems. - Development of electronic payment solutions and services (26.5%). - Online advertising services (17.1%). - Other ancillary services (1.6%). China accounts for 93% of Tencent's net sales.

AppWizard

February 13, 2025

Kayleen Walters appointed head of Mojang

Microsoft has appointed Kayleen Walters as the new head of Mojang Studios, while Federico San Martin will manage franchise development. Walters joined Microsoft in 2018 as head of franchise development for Minecraft and was promoted to Vice President of brand and entertainment for Minecraft in 2023. She has over 13 years of experience at LucasFilm in franchise management. Walters succeeds Åsa Bredin, who is leaving Mojang for personal reasons.

Tech Optimizer

February 13, 2025

Gen Digital Planning to Sell $1.1 Billion of Senior Notes Due 2033

Gen Digital Inc. specializes in developing and marketing a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity software solutions, categorized into two primary families: Consumer Security and Antivirus Protection Solutions (64.5% of net sales) and Identity and Information Protection Solutions (35.5% of net sales). The company's net sales distribution is as follows: Americas (65.4%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (24.1%), and Asia/Pacific (10.5%).

AppWizard

February 12, 2025

Revenue up 49% at Remedy for 2024

Remedy, the Finnish games company, reported a 49.3% increase in revenue for the 2024 financial year, totaling €50.7 million, up from €33.9 million in 2023. The operating profit was negative at €4.3 million, an improvement from the previous year's deficit of €28.6 million. Alan Wake 2 sold over two million units. The company generated €12.3 million from operations, recovering from a €16 million loss the previous year. In Q4 2024, revenue rose 13.1% to €11.7 million. Development fees increased due to ongoing projects for Max Payne 1&2 Remake and Control 2, while royalties declined. By the end of 2024, Alan Wake 2 had recouped its costs and started generating royalties. The fourth quarter operating profit was €-1.4 million, improving by €11.4 million from the previous year's €7.2 million impairment loss related to Vanguard.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

The best Far Cry game of all time now has achievements on Steam

Ubisoft has re-entered the Steam marketplace since September 2024, releasing games on the platform from day one and integrating Steam achievements into its classic titles. Recently, Ubisoft announced the addition of Steam achievements to Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, a game set in a retro-futuristic world. The game features a narrative involving cyborgs, blood dragons, and mutants, and the Steam achievements include titles such as "Nice Like Jesus," "Murder Nature," and "Running Man." Achievements unlocked in Ubisoft Connect will transfer to Steam when launching the game.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Paradox has acquired Surviving Mars maker Haemimont

Paradox Interactive has acquired the Bulgarian studio Haemimont Games, with the financial details undisclosed but including an upfront cash payment and performance-based incentives. Haemimont will continue to operate under its current leadership, focusing on management games. Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester expressed confidence in Haemimont's creative capabilities and cultural alignment between the companies. Haemimont's founder, Gabriel Dobrev, shared optimism about the partnership, indicating it will enhance their game development and lead to new projects.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

TikTok to let US Android users download app via kits on its website

Oracle Corporation's net sales are broken down by activity as follows: 74.4% from software license support and cloud services, 10.3% from customer services, 9.5% from the sale of cloud and on-premise software licenses, and 5.8% from the sale of equipment. Geographically, net sales are distributed as follows: 54.9% in the United States, 7.6% in the Americas, 24.6% in Europe/Middle East/Africa, and 12.9% in Asia/Pacific.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Fallout: New Vegas writer Gonzalez returns to Obsidian

John Gonzalez, the lead writer of Fallout: New Vegas, has returned to Obsidian Entertainment but is not involved in Fallout: New Vegas 2. He joined Obsidian in 2008 and worked there until 2011, after which he spent over two years at Ubisoft in Shanghai. He then worked at Warner Bros' Monolith Productions as the lead narrative designer for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and later served as the narrative director at Guerrilla Games for Horizon: Zero Dawn. Most recently, he spent nearly three years at Smilegate's Barcelona studio. Gonzalez is also set to release a novel titled God Mode: Single Player in 2025.