publishers Archives

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

‘What’s your salary? I told him, and he said no problem, we’ll double. And those days are gone:’ Listening to game dev legends reminiscing in 1989 about the ‘golden days of computer games’ already being over is a trip

Cassette tape recordings from the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference reveal insights into the gaming industry's evolution. Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concerns about an oversaturated PC gaming market, reflecting ongoing industry anxieties. A panel titled "The Golden Days of Computer Games" highlighted nostalgia for gaming history. Steve Cartwright credited Activision co-founder David Crane for his entry into game design, while M.U.L.E. designer Danielle Bunten Berry lamented the shift from a product-oriented mindset to one influenced by market demands. Garriott noted the decline of the "one programmer, one product" model, emphasizing the need for specialization and the importance of marketing in contemporary game development. Despite these challenges, indie development continues to thrive, with small teams creating celebrated titles. The complete panel recording is available from the Video Game History Foundation.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

‘NoVoice’ Android malware on Google Play infected 2.3 million devices

A new Android malware called NoVoice has been found in over 50 applications on Google Play, with more than 2.3 million downloads. The malware targets older Android versions, specifically those patched between 2016 and 2021, and attempts to gain root access by exploiting vulnerabilities. It conceals malicious components within the com.facebook.utils package and uses steganography to hide an encrypted payload within a PNG image file. NoVoice avoids infecting devices in certain regions and has checks to detect emulators and VPNs. Once activated, the malware contacts its command-and-control server to gather device information and polls it every 60 seconds for tailored exploits aimed at rooting the device. It can exploit 22 vulnerabilities, including kernel bugs, and establishes persistence by replacing key system libraries and installing recovery scripts. The malware injects code into applications, particularly targeting WhatsApp to extract sensitive data for session replication, which is then exfiltrated to the C2 server. The malicious apps containing NoVoice have been removed from Google Play, but users who installed them should consider their devices compromised. Upgrading to devices with later security patches is recommended to mitigate the threat.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Everwind (Early Access)

Everwind is currently available in Early Access and is still in development. The game features a unique world generation and begins with players on a tutorial tower that introduces game mechanics. Players are tasked with building an airship by gathering resources and crafting while facing minor threats like skeletons. Combat includes parrying mechanics and an RPG-style upgrade tree, although the enemy AI is lacking. The game includes whimsical inhabitants like capybaras, wild boars, and pheasants. Players can explore various islands, including sky islands, and must upgrade their airship to access them. The game allows item recovery after death, adding strategic elements. While it offers freedom in gameplay, the overarching narrative may feel lacking. Visually, Everwind has a blocky aesthetic similar to Minecraft but suffers from a dull color palette and character designs. It includes some graphical enhancements, though these may cause lag. Despite its limitations, Everwind shows potential for growth in the survival genre.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

Were PC gamers right to take against Syndicate’s FPS reboot? Only one man with an ancient disc copy can find out

In the early 2010s, PC strategy and tactics enthusiasts expressed discontent as mainstream publishers, like EA and Take-Two, rebooted classic '90s franchises such as XCOM and Syndicate into first-person shooters, disappointing dedicated fans. These reboots were criticized for straying from the original gameplay experience, which allowed for exploration and strategy, and instead confined players to tight spaces with wave-spawning enemies. Despite the backlash against these reboots, it led to a resurgence of strategy games, exemplified by Mike Diskett's launch of Satellite Reign, a tactical successor to Syndicate that received critical acclaim three years later.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

New Steam pricing tools could change what you pay for games

Valve has introduced new Steam pricing conversion tools for developers and publishers, allowing them to adjust game prices based on current market conditions, exchange rates, and local purchasing power. The tools offer three methods for currency conversion: using current exchange rates, incorporating average purchasing power data, and a combined approach that considers multiple factors. Developers retain control over pricing decisions, and not all games will see price adjustments, particularly major titles. The impact on pricing will vary based on individual developer choices.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Google adds ‘Advanced Flow’ for safe APK sideloading on Android

Google has introduced a new mechanism called Advanced Flow within Android to facilitate the sideloading of APKs from unverified developers for power users while enhancing security. This system will launch in August and aims to balance user flexibility with protection against malware and scams, which caused losses of approximately billion last year. To install APKs from unverified developers, users must complete a one-time process that includes activating Developer Mode, confirming they are not influenced by threat actors, restarting the device, and verifying the legitimacy of modifications after a day. Once completed, users can install applications from unverified developers and choose to enable them for a week or indefinitely, with Android providing a warning about the unverified source. The Advanced Flow process is designed to prevent users from being coerced into installing malicious software during scam attempts. Google emphasizes that this system is a compromise between Android's openness and necessary user protections, leading to upcoming developer verification requirements. All Android app publishers will need to undergo identity verification by Google, with non-compliance resulting in blocked software installations on certified Android devices. This verification initiative is now set for rollout in August 2026.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Ultima’s Robert Garriott was worried about there being too many PC games on the market… 37 years ago

Richard Garriott, co-founder of Origin Systems and creator of the Ultima RPG series, attended the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference as a business strategist. He discussed the decline in sales of in-depth PC RPGs and strategy games, attributing it to decreased PC hardware sales and "product proliferation," where the number of new titles increased significantly, leading to lower sales per title. Garriott noted that while the computer game industry saw a 15-25% annual sales increase, the number of new titles rose by 25-50%, causing confusion among consumers. He expressed concern about the quality of games and the need for publishers to understand these market dynamics. Garriott emphasized the importance of developing unique, high-quality products that cannot be easily replicated on consoles.

AppWizard

March 20, 2026

Google reveals its solution for true Android sideloading: a mandatory waiting period

Google is introducing a new "advanced flow" for installing certain apps on Android, which will take effect later this year. This process includes a one-time setup that requires users to enable Developer Mode, confirm they are not being pressured into disabling security settings, restart their device, and undergo a 24-hour cooling-off period before verifying their identity through biometric authentication or a device PIN to install apps from unverified developers. Developers will soon need to provide personal information and, in some cases, a government-issued ID for verification, with mandatory requirements expected in select countries by September and globally by 2027. Google also plans to launch a "Registered App Stores" program outside the U.S. by the end of the year and is working on accommodating rival app stores within its Google Play Store in the U.S.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

Green Man Gaming Partners with Regroup China to Launch and Promote PC Game Bundles in China

Green Man Gaming has partnered with Regroup China to introduce exclusive PC game bundles for the Chinese market. This collaboration will utilize Regroup China's knowledge of local digital strategies, including tailored campaigns on social media, influencer engagement, and e-commerce optimization. The promotional campaign will feature the Better Together Co-Op Fun bundle and will focus on localized messaging for platforms like Bilibili and Douyin. Regroup China will manage the digital strategy to enhance brand visibility and drive sales, aiming for both immediate sales and long-term brand equity in China's growing PC gaming market.

BetaBeacon

March 17, 2026

Epic Games Store opens up to mobile self-publishing in August

- Major publishers are interested in a new market for games - Google settlement helps on Android, but there is still friction with iOS - Epic is rolling out a social framework to connect PC, Android, and iOS store apps - Epic plans to deliver social and cross-platform features like text chat, player profiles, and private messaging - Voice chat will be added in June