profitability Archives

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Subnautica 2’s botched bonus deal is about to wipe out more than one-third of Krafton’s $736 million annual profit for 2025

Krafton promised a substantial bonus to Unknown Worlds' principals—Ted Gill, Max McGuire, and Charlie Cleveland—following their acquisition in 2021, with a payout structure of .12 for every dollar earned once monthly revenues exceeded .8 million, capped at 0 million. Subnautica 2 sold four million copies in its first week and received a "very positive" rating on Steam. In 2025, Krafton dismissed the executives, alleging they rushed the game's release, but court proceedings revealed Krafton had approved their strategy. Krafton reported an operating profit of 1.1 trillion Korean won (approximately 6 million) for 2025, raising concerns that the bonus could consume over a third of its annual profits.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

Remedy’s new CEO thinks cross-media deals will help its games sell more, and for once I think I agree

Remedy Entertainment appointed Jean-Charles Gaudechon as CEO earlier this year. Gaudechon has a background in EA and the sports betting industry and emphasizes scaling operations for lasting value. He aims to maximize the potential of existing franchises like Alan Wake and Control before expanding the portfolio. Gaudechon stated that the focus is not solely on driving revenue but on making existing games shine and reaching new audiences. Remedy is also pursuing a "Remedy Connected Universe" to explore cross-media opportunities, including television and film, to broaden the reach of its narratives and characters.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Slack Messenger for Business Collaboration in the US

Businesses are increasingly challenged to adapt to new technologies and consumer behaviors, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Companies are leveraging AI to enhance productivity, streamline processes, automate routine tasks, and provide data-driven insights. Investing in AI technologies allows businesses to improve efficiency and enhance customer experiences through personalized marketing strategies. AI integration in supply chain management employs predictive analytics to anticipate demand fluctuations, optimize inventory levels, and reduce operational costs, which boosts profitability and customer satisfaction. However, challenges such as data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for skilled personnel persist in AI adoption. The ability to adapt to these advancements will determine which companies lead in their fields.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Samsung workers could be about to strike, potentially making GPUs, memory, and SSDs even more expensive

Samsung faces potential factory shutdowns due to a proposed strike involving over 43,000 workers in South Korea, which could lead to a 3-4% decline in global memory and NAND output. The Korean government has intervened, urging the union to reconsider the strike to maintain production capacity and quality. The workers' demands focus on compensation, specifically the removal of a cap on bonuses, as the company's profits reached 53.7 trillion won in the last quarter. A full-scale strike could cost Samsung up to 30 trillion won. The strikes are scheduled to begin on May 21 and last for 18 days, although ongoing negotiations may change this timeline.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Civilization 7’s imminent update will add one of history’s most famous conquerors for free, in Firaxis’ latest bid to coax you back to its controversial sequel

On Monday, players of Civilization 7 will receive a substantial update that includes the ability to guide a single civilization throughout its campaign and introduces Alexander the Great as a free addition to the base game. Alexander brings a unique playstyle focused on warfare, providing a +2 combat strength bonus for land military units and gameplay mechanics that involve naming towns after him and unlocking bonuses through constructing wonders in cities beyond the capital. Firaxis is promoting this update as significant, although the game has received a 'Mixed' rating on Steam due to critiques of its age transition system and user experience issues. Despite this, Civilization 7 has been commercially successful for Firaxis, with CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledging its profitability while noting that the Age system may not have been well executed.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Civilization 7 has been profitable despite design missteps

Firaxis has introduced a new "Ages" system in Civilization 7, requiring players to switch civilizations twice during a campaign, which has received mixed reactions. The game's engagement on Steam is lower than that of Civilization 5 and 6, even a year after release. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick stated that Civilization 7 is still a profitable enterprise, although he acknowledged that the changes may have deviated too far from player expectations. An update is scheduled to release later this month, offering a return to a more traditional Civilization structure, which could attract players who prefer classic gameplay.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

Steam Controller stock sold out in minutes, but there is something you can do about it

Steam Controller stock sold out quickly after its release, with most regions reporting "out of stock" within half an hour. Scalpers are reselling the controllers on eBay at inflated prices, often using misleading listings that violate eBay's presale guidelines. Consumers can report these listings to eBay, which may lead to their removal. It is advised that buyers resist purchasing from scalpers and wait for standard-priced stock, as more shipments may be forthcoming and could resolve existing software issues with the controller.

TrendTechie

April 27, 2026

Суд взыскал 600 тыс руб за размещение пиратских копий “Универа” и “Физрука”

The Moscow City Court has ordered a website administrator to pay a penalty of 600,000 rubles for hosting pirated copies of television series such as "Univer," "Fizruk," and "Devushki s Makarovym." The court found that the website generated revenue through advertisements and engaged in "intentional piratical activity" by offering downloads via torrent. The administrator was also required to pay an additional 11,000 rubles in court fees. Although he attempted to appeal the ruling, he missed the deadline and the court allowed him to restore it, but the original ruling remained in effect.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Despite microtransaction woes at launch, MMO sequel Aion 2 will go global this year

Aion 2, launched in November of last year and set 200 years after the original game, has gained traction despite mixed reviews on its microtransaction strategies. It is preparing for a global release on Steam later this year, targeting players in North America, South America, Japan, and Europe by 2026. The game generated millions within the first month and a half of its release and has over 1 million subscribers, contributing to a 12% increase in NCSoft's revenue for the quarter.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Google executive responsible for AI has a solution for the game industry’s problems, and you’re not going to believe this but it’s AI

Jack Buser, the global director for games at Google Cloud, is focusing on using AI and cloud solutions to tackle challenges in the gaming industry. He noted a rebound in revenue growth but highlighted issues such as declining profits, project cancellations, and layoffs, with only Roblox and the Chinese market thriving. Buser advocates for AI as a potential solution, despite concerns about "rightsizing" strategies that may prioritize profits over employee welfare. His previous role at Stadia ended with mixed results, raising doubts about the feasibility of AI-driven game development. The industry is still awaiting a groundbreaking AI-generated game. Buser emphasizes the need for clearer discussions about AI and suggests that embracing it could lead to easier revenue generation, similar to trends in reality television.