portfolio Archives

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

Valve conquered PC gaming. What comes next?

Valve Corporation, founded in 1996 by Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, is known for its influential role in the gaming industry, particularly with its groundbreaking title Half-Life, released in 1998. The company has a unique corporate structure and impressive revenue-per-employee metrics, reportedly exceeding .9 million. Valve's Steam platform, launched in 2003, dominates the PC gaming market, accounting for approximately 70% of sales in a sector valued at around billion, with over 100,000 titles available. Steam had an estimated 170 million active monthly users by May 2023. Financially, estimates suggest Steam may have handled around .3 billion in game sales in 2021, yielding a profit of approximately .6 billion from commissions. Valve's employee culture emphasizes self-organization and innovation, though it faces scrutiny regarding content moderation and legal challenges related to market competition.

AppWizard

July 1, 2025

Behold Ventures has raised $59.2m

Swedish venture capital firm Behold Ventures has raised SEK 550 million (approximately .2 million) to invest in European gaming companies. Since its inception in 2021, the firm has allocated million across 18 companies. Of the raised capital, 54% came from Europe, 44% from Asia, and 2% from North America. Behold Ventures aims to invest in game studios as well as technology, tools, and infrastructure supporting the gaming ecosystem, with a focus on companies targeting a younger audience. Managing partner Karl Magnus Troedsson noted that younger developers often require less funding and can achieve significant results.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Watch us game on a $1,300 PC with Asus’ new RX 9060 XT card

Michael has a decade of experience in technology journalism, covering topics from Apple to ZTE. He is a keyboard enthusiast at PCWorld, focusing on achieving the perfect typing experience and often customizing mechanical keyboards. His portfolio includes contributions to publications like Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he has covered major tech events such as CES and Mobile World Congress. He resides in Pennsylvania and enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Steam Summer Sale winners: 25 unbeatable deals on top-notch games

Michael has a decade of experience in technology journalism, covering a range of topics from Apple to ZTE. He is known as a keyboard enthusiast at PCWorld, where he tests and reviews new models and builds custom mechanical keyboards. His portfolio includes contributions to publications like Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he has covered major tech events such as CES and Mobile World Congress. He resides in Pennsylvania and enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking.

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

Will Death Stranding 2 release on PC and Xbox?

Death Stranding 2 is a PlayStation exclusive with no current plans for a release on PC or Xbox. It is designed to utilize the advanced capabilities of the PS5 and PS5 Pro, making it incompatible with the PS4. Sony is the exclusive publisher for this title. There have been no official announcements regarding a PC release. Hideo Kojima's studio is also working on another project titled OD (Overdose) in collaboration with Xbox Games Studios, but it is still in early development.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Report: The Chinese Room has laid off small number of staff

The Chinese Room has reportedly reduced its workforce, with about ten employees seeking new job opportunities, although the studio has not confirmed the layoffs or the number of affected employees. Studio Director Ed Daly stated that more information about the studio's situation will be shared in the coming weeks. The studio, acquired by Sumo Digital in 2018, recently developed the Siren's Rest DLC for Still Wakes The Deep and took over the development of Paradox's Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 in 2023. Sumo Group has undergone significant changes, shifting back to a work-for-hire model and experiencing departures of its founders and several developers. Speculation exists regarding the future of The Chinese Room, including the possibility of a sale.

AppWizard

June 20, 2025

Sword of the Sea fuses Journey with Tony Hawk to make a pro skater game that feels as good as it looks

At the Summer Game Fest, players experienced Sword of the Sea, where they navigate desolate dunes as the Wraith, a magical hero on a hoversword, working to restore ancient ocean life. The gameplay allows for a free, mood-based approach without rigid formulas, inspired by the Tony Hawk series and snowboarding. Creative director Matt Nava emphasized that players can recover from mistakes without harsh penalties, enhancing the surfing experience. The game encourages exploration with seamless instructional breaks and features a vibrant aesthetic reminiscent of Nava's previous titles, particularly with its use of the color orange. The design integrates graceful movement and dynamic action, creating a harmonious connection between gameplay and environment.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Xbox inks hardware agreement with AMD

Microsoft has entered into a hardware agreement with AMD to co-engineer silicon for future Xbox consoles and cloud-based technologies. This strategic multi-year partnership aims to enhance gaming technology, improve graphics innovation, and ensure compatibility with existing Xbox game libraries. The collaboration focuses on creating a versatile gaming platform that allows players to access games across multiple devices without being restricted to a single storefront. Microsoft is also working with the Windows team to position Windows as the leading platform for gaming.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Windows 11 gets retro with Vista boot noise bug

Michael has a decade of experience in technology journalism and works at PCWorld as a keyboard enthusiast. He has contributed to publications such as Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek. He covers major tech events like CES and Mobile World Congress. Michael resides in Pennsylvania and enjoys outdoor activities, including kayaking.

AppWizard

June 16, 2025

Klei’s next game will make a side-scrolling survival crafter out of Oxygen Not Included’s detailed fluid and heat physics

Klei Entertainment is introducing a new game titled Away Team, a side-scrolling survival crafting platformer featuring a Duplicant separated from their colony. The game includes exploration, base construction, and material gathering using a vacuum tool. Klei Fest 2025 is currently being hosted on Steam, offering discounts on Klei titles, and Away Team is available for wishlisting but does not have a confirmed release date. Klei has also streamed gameplay of Away Team on their Twitch channel.